Advanced Television

Teen drama Hafiach coming to S4C

May 30, 2025

A new teen drama, Hafiach, starts on S4C on June 4th, bringing real-world issues which are important to young people in Wales to the screen.

Set in Rhyl and Prestatyn, the series is aimed at viewers aged 13 and over and features a fresh cast of rising young talent. Inspired by nationwide discussions with teenagers, Hafiach explores themes of refugee experiences, murder, and relationship turmoil, offering a raw and relevant portrayal of life for young people in modern-day Wales.

The series opens on a high note, with a group of teenagers celebrating the end of their GCSE exams and looking ahead to a carefree summer. But their world is quickly shattered when the body of a 12-year-old boy is discovered on a beach. As police launch a murder investigation, the friends are pulled into a disturbing web of secrets that challenge everything they thought they knew.

The main cast features eight young actors aged 16 to 23, chosen from hundreds who took part in nationwide acting workshops led by well-known Welsh performers Mali Harries and Shelley Rees.

The cast includes:

  • Dream Williams (Ela), 16, from Anglesey
  • Siôn Emlyn (Lefi), 23, from Dolgellau
  • Alis Williams, 16, from Swansea
  • Tomos Wynne (Noa), 18, from Blaenau Ffestiniog
  • Siriol Ousey (Kelsey), 18, from Rhyl
  • Adam Williams (Malik), 16, from Penrhyn Bay
  • Beca Williams (Jess), 16, from Denbigh
  • Mohamad Ali Masri (Aabis) 23, from Swansea

The series is produced by Vox Pictures and funded by Creative Wales, written by Gwenno Hughes, Anona Thomas, Siôn Eirug, and Megan Angharad Hunter and directed by Rhodri Jones, Mali Harries, and Griff Lynch. It received funding from Creative Wales, a Welsh Government economic development agency that supports the creative industries in Wales.

Executive Producer Llyr Morus said the show’s themes were shaped directly by teenagers across Wales, noting: “We ran workshops in schools across Wales and asked 12–15-year-olds what concerned them most. Two themes came up again and again – immigration and the climate crisis. This marked the beginning of creating a relevant, powerful and modern story.”

Sioned Geraint, S4C’s Education and Children’s Commissioner, commented: “It was wonderful to be a part of the Hafiach launch in the Urdd Eisteddfod and to see so many enjoying watching. This is an important drama for us for young people 13+ and I hope we see more commissions for this age in the future.”

The Minister for Culture, Jack Sargeant, added: “I would like to commend Vox Pictures for undertaking important research into the important issues that concern our younger generation and going on to tell such a personal story about what it is like to face the unimaginable difficulties of having to flee your war-torn country as a refugee. This is an important piece of television commissioned by S4C that has been created to reach younger Welsh-speaking audiences, with such a unique offering. I am proud that Creative Wales was able to support the production and help bring Hafiach to life, whilst also creating training and crew opportunities for people based locally.”

Hafiach is on S4C on June 4th at 20:25. The series will be available as a boxset on S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer.

 

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