A new BBC One prime time crime thriller, filmed across South Wales is set to hit our screens this year.
Based on Mo Hayder’s acclaimed Jack Caffery novels and produced by award-winning Hartswood Films and APC Studios, this major new six-part crime thriller can be seen on BBC One and BBC iPlayer (no confirmed date just yet).
Written and adapted by Megan Gallagher, Ukweli Roach has been cast in the lead role of DI Jack Caffery along with cast including Sacha Dhawan; Iwan Rheon; Sian Reese-Williams; Juliet Stevenson and Owen Teale.
With Megan on board you just know this is goIng to be a fantastic series. She recently worked on BORDERLINER and SUSPICION and as well as Wolf has 5 other productions in development.
DI Jack Caffery is a young man searching for himself. Obsessed with the neighbour he believes murdered his ten-year-old brother in the nineties, Jack finds himself trying to right the wrongs of others, but at what cost? In an isolated house in Monmouthshire, the wealthy Anchor-Ferrers family find themselves the victims of a psychopath’s cruel games, trapped and terrorised. When the two narratives collide, it’s a thrilling, nail-biting and deeply disturbing race against time.
Elaine Cameron, Executive Producer for Hartswood Films said about Ukweli taking on the lead role…..
“I am particularly excited about young actor Ukweli Roach playing tyhe lead role of Jack Caffrey – I guarantee once the series goes out he will be a total household name”.
Ukweli added……..
“I’m honoured to be taking on the role of Jack Caffrey in Wolf. Megan Gallagher has brought Mo Hayder’s dark storylines into focus in a way that will be challenging, but also every actor’s dream. I can’t wait to bring Jack to life…”
Also joining the ensemble cast are SACHA DHAWAN (Doctor Who, Marvel’s Iron Fist) as Honey, IWAN RHEON (Game Of Thrones, Riviera) as Molina, mismatched professionals forced together on a job; SIAN REESE-WILLIAMS (Hidden, Line Of Duty) as DI Maia Lincoln, a woman with a case to prove; JULIET STEVENSON (Out Of Her Mind, Bend It Like Beckham) as Matilda Anchor-Ferrers, an intelligent yet neurotic housewife, and OWEN TEALE (Line Of Duty, Game Of Thrones) as Oliver Anchor-Ferrers, Matilda’s wealthy and well-connected husband.
Incidentally, Owen is just finishing up his lead role in A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic in London. We saw him at the start of the production and he is truly outstanding.
The production was funded through the Creative Wales and BBC Wales’ Memorandum of Understanding, which aims to put Wales’ television industry on the world stage. There are 14 trainees working on the production including apprentices from the Criw shared apprenticeship and Screen Skills Trainee Finder schemes.
The Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden had a behind the scenes look at filming at the iconic Enfys studios in Cardiff – and met with the trainees working on the production.
The Deputy Minister met with Shadowing Director, Oliver Gabe who is on a Ffilm Cymru placement.
Oliver said…….
“Wolf has been the greatest learning experience I could ask for. I have learnt so much observing Lee and the team at work. The crew are fantastic and continue to teach me new things everyday.
“This whole experience has motivated me entirely and continues to inspire me to keep making my own films. I cannot thank Lee, Nikki, Elaine and everyone at Hartswood and Ffilm Cymru for the opportunity, I feel very lucky to be a part of this scheme.”
Locations Assistant, Morgan Smith from Fairwater, Cardiff is a Screen Skills trainee whose first experience of the industry was as a Covid Cleaner on the Hartswood Production Roald and Beatrix. Morgan told us…….
“I’ve really enjoyed the experience of working with Chris Hill, Iestyn Hampson Jones and the rest of the locations team on Wolf. I hope that this experience will help me progress as part of the locations department and to keep working as part of such a great team.”
Due to hit our screens this year, and with potential to be aired globally, the six-part series has a strong Welsh identity and the production is expected to generate over £6m direct economic benefit, using Welsh crew, locations and facilities.
Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden, said……..
“I’m delighted to get a sneak peak at this production in progress. It really is a production rooted in Wales, making the most of our fabulous Welsh landscapes – and of course Welsh talent and crew.
“Wales offers a wealth of diverse filming locations and a skilled workforce and it is excellent to see Hartswood Films returning to Wales.
“Wales is the third busiest hub for TV and film production in the UK, which is creating unprecedented demand for skills and talent in a growing sector. Creative Wales is working with the sector to boost training through funding and support.
“This production will provide many skills and training opportunities, and we hope that Wolf will become a long-running series with these trainees having the opportunity to grow and progress in their roles.”
Dan Cheesbrough, Hartswood’s Managing Director told us…..
“It is always a privilege to be shooting in Wales. The crews, locations, talent and facilities are world class. It’s no accident that Hartswood has built a major presence here. We’re delighted to continue building on that with a show as significant and as exciting as ‘WOLF’.
We are incredibly grateful for the support that the Creative Wales team continue to provide. It’s that support that has enabled us to roll out the most significant volume of training opportunities on any Hartswood production to date, which is something we take particular pride in.”
Creative Wales has invested over £12 million into supporting screen projects since its inception in January 2020. Investing in over 18 productions and generating a spend in the Welsh economy of circa £131m.
To address the unprecedented demand for skills and talent, Creative Wales is committed to providing trainee opportunities in the form of paid industry placements. These placements are tracked and monitored to help ensure future careers pathways for all trainees.
Wolf will be available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. While we don’t have a confirmed release date just yet, we’ll let you know as soon as we do.
