The Rapture, a new psychological thriller based on Liz Jensen's best-selling novel, airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday, July 26. The series stars India Amarteifio, Ruth Madeley, Iwan Rheon, and Ruth Jones. While some scenes were shot at Dragon Studios in Bridgend, the majority of filming took place on location across South Wales, including Port Talbot, Maesteg, Porthcawl, Pontypridd and Swansea.
Maesteg Town Hall
Maesteg Town Hall, which reopened in 2024 after a £10m refurbishment, doubled as a building hosting a Tranmoor event in the first episode. The 140-year-old hall now features a glass atrium, library, heritage centre, studio theatre, cinema, café, and mezzanine bar.
Margam Park, Port Talbot
Margam Country Park, a popular filming location for productions like Death Valley, Doctor Who and His Dark Materials, was used for the series. Actor Sam Hazeldine, who plays Leonard Krall, said: 'I’d say filming at Margam Park Ruins, it’s a very popular location but it’s so beautiful. I didn’t actually get a chance to look around all the grounds and the main building, but we were filming in the ruins and it has a real energy about it.'
Kardomah Café, Swansea
The Kardomah Café, a Swansea staple since 1905 and formerly frequented by Dylan Thomas, appears in The Rapture. Its dated look has made it a frequent filming choice.
Aberavon Beach, Port Talbot
Much of the series was filmed in Port Talbot, including Station Road and Aberavon Beach, where Franco's café/fish and chip shop was used. Ruth Madeley, who plays Gabrielle Fox, said: 'I want it on record that we were in Port Talbot in 33-degree heat. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t been there myself. When we knew that we were filming in Wales, and the script reflected that, weirdly, it seemed to all fit. The nature of the locations are stunning, the scenery here is unbelievable. It looks so beautiful. You can only get that in Wales.'
Swansea Guildhall
The Grade I listed Swansea Guildhall, also used for Bad Wolf's Dope Girls and ITV's Believe Me, features in The Rapture. The building includes City Hall, Brangwyn Hall and the County Law Courts.
National Lido Wales, Pontypridd
The lido in Pontypridd, where Ruth Madeley's character Gabs swims to exercise, was used for filming. Madeley's character is a paraplegic who lost feeling in her lower body after a car accident.
Other Locations
Additional filming locations include Porthcawl Promenade, The Forge Tavern in Port Talbot, Llantrisant Woods, Hayes Point in Sully, Bridgend College, Smilog Woods in Pontyclun, Corner Coffee in Porthcawl, and Citizen Church Cardiff.
Iwan Rheon, who plays Dick Carwyn, said: 'It’s always nice to come back and film in Wales. There have been quite a variety of locations. Margam Park, which is really nice. We filmed a lot in Port Talbot, and it was like 35 degrees, which is bizarre, because I don’t think it’s ever been that hot there! Because Wales has such a diverse range of locations, it offers so much to the filmmaker. For this, they wanted a variety – from a slightly run-down town to open forests and ruins - so you’ve got that real dynamism, which is great to see on screen.'
The Rapture airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 9pm on Sunday, July 26.
