One woman’s quest to find love for a village full of men is at the heart of a new romantic comedy filmed in Little Haven for S4C and starting this evening (Sunday).
Cara Fi (Love Me) is set in the fictional village of Tretarw which, thanks to an increase in holiday homes and a mass exodus of young people, is bereft of eligible young women.
Determined to play matchmaker for the men – and her own son – pub landlady Nancy sets out on a mission to attract women to the village by advertising the unsuspecting bachelors on milk cartons.
Filmed in and around The Swan Inn – re-named The Anchor for the show – the eight-part series follows the men as they trot out their rusty one-liners to welcome the new visitors, and get re-acquainted with some faces from the past.
Star of the show is Steffan Rhodri – best known for his role as Dave Coaches in BBC show Gavin and Stacey – who plays forthright but loveable rogue Vic.
As well as the chance to spend time on the “beautiful Pembrokeshire coast,” Steffan said the quality of the show’s script is what attracted him to the part. He said: “What’s so often missing from Welsh comedy is a genuine wit, and this has it.”
Joining Steffan are former Ysgol y Preseli student Gwydion Rhys, and Crymych comedian and actor Iwan John, while Pobol y Cwm actress Rhian Jones and fiery matriarch Christine Pritchard ensure the few women remaining in Tretarw have their voices heard.
Series producer Laura Cotton, who went to school in St David’s, said Pembrokeshire was the perfect setting for the show.
“We were very aware of what is happening to small towns and villages, like my home town of Trefin, where most of the houses are now owned by holidaymakers,”said the 32-year-old.
“It’s a subject very close to my heart, and I wanted to come back and make it here, where I’m from, and show what an amazing, beautiful place it is.”
Paul Morris, who owns the Swan Inn, said the filming process had been a “refreshing change” for the village, and brought a welcome boost to the local economy.
He said the crew and actors weresensitive to village life, and fitted in well, with Steffan Rhodri even hosting a charity quiz night for Velindre Cancer Centre that raised almost £1,000.
“It was great, a brilliant experience, and well received by almost everyone,” said Paul.
“We would definitely have them all back!”
The first episode airs on S4C on Sunday, November 9, with English subtitles.
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