BBC Announces New Welsh Crime Drama 'Old Town Murders' Starring Mark Lewis Jones
The BBC has announced a new six-part crime drama series, Old Town Murders, set in the picturesque Welsh seaside town of Tenby and starring acclaimed Welsh actors Mark Lewis Jones and Steffan Rhodri.
The series, created by writer Matthew Barry, will follow two detectives as they investigate a series of murders in Tenby, with filming taking place on location in Tenby, Cardiff, and across south Wales. The production reflects the BBC's ongoing commitment to authentic Welsh storytelling and to showcasing the landscapes and communities of Wales to a national audience.
Background
Mark Lewis Jones is one of Wales's most respected screen actors, known for his roles in major productions including Succession, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and Harlots. Steffan Rhodri is equally celebrated, best known to UK audiences for his role as Dave Coaches in the BBC comedy Gavin and Stacey. The pairing of two such prominent Welsh talents has generated considerable excitement ahead of the series.
Key Developments
The announcement marks a significant addition to the BBC's slate of regional crime dramas, a genre that has proven consistently popular with British audiences. Productions such as Hinterland and 35 Days have demonstrated the appetite for Welsh-language and Welsh-set crime fiction, and Old Town Murders is expected to build on that tradition.
Filming in Tenby — a walled medieval town on the Pembrokeshire coast — will bring the distinctive character of the location to the screen, with the town's colourful harbour and historic streets providing a striking backdrop for the drama.
Why It Matters
The series represents a further investment in Welsh screen production, supporting local crews, talent, and the wider creative economy in Wales. It also adds to the BBC's portfolio of distinctive regional drama at a time when the corporation is under pressure to demonstrate its value to audiences across all four nations of the United Kingdom.
What's Next
A transmission date for Old Town Murders has not yet been confirmed, but the series is expected to air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Audiences can follow updates on the production through the BBC's official channels.
The full announcement is available at BBC News.
