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Gavin and Stacey actor to star in new BBC crime drama – and it looks gripping

Life on Mars actor Philip Glenister also stars

Gareth John Bale as DC Geraint Bale, Philip Glenister as DCI Paul Bethell and Steffan Rhodri as Phil Bach Rees in Steeltown Murders
Nicky Morris
TV and film writer
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Gavin and Stacey actor Steffan Rhodri is starring alongside Philip Glenister in a new BBC factual drama which is based on a series of real-life murders in Wales that were solved 30 years later using new DNA techniques.

Steeltown Murders is set in both 1973 and the early 2000s and follows two detectives on the hunt to catch the killer of three young women in the Port Talbot area.

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The synopsis continues: "Contrasting the policing methods of the 1970s with the forensic breakthroughs of the early Noughties, Steeltown Murders is a portrait of a town dealing with the repercussions of an unsolved case three decades on, and asks if justice can ever truly be found."

Glenister and Rhodri lead the cast as DCI Paul Bethell and Phil 'Bach' Rees, with their younger selves played by Scott Arthur (Good Omens) and Siôn Alun Davies (The Sandman) respectively.

Gareth John Bale as DC Geraint Bale, Philip Glenister as DCI Paul Bethell and Steffan Rhodri as Phil Bach Rees in Steeltown Murders© BBC
Gareth John Bale as DC Geraint Bale, Philip Glenister as DCI Paul Bethell and Steffan Rhodri as Phil Bach Rees in Steeltown Murders

Joining them are Keith Allen (The Pembrokeshire Murders, Marcella), Priyanga Burford (Industry, No Time To Die), Sharon Morgan (Gangs Of London) and Nia Roberts (Red Rose).

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Rounding out the cast are Elinor Crawley (Vikings, Ordinary Lies), Gareth John Bale (35 Awr, Y Pris), Kriss Dosanjh (The Larkins, Casualty), Matthew Gravelle (Silent Witness, Broadchurch), Amy Morgan (Mr Selfridge, Showtrial) and Dyfan Dwyfor (A Very English Scandal, Bang).

The series comes from Severn Screen, the makers of The Pembrokeshire Murders and is written by Ed Whitmore, who penned the crime drama series Manhunt and Safe House, while Marc Evans (The Pembrokeshire Murders, Hinterland) serves as director. 

Keith Allen as Dai Williams and Sharon Morgan as Pat Williams in Steeltown Murders© BBC
Keith Allen as Dai Williams and Sharon Morgan as Pat Williams in Steeltown Murders

Speaking about the series, Glenister said: "Ed's scripts are a poignant and compelling read, balancing the tragic events alongside the revolutionary advances in DNA profiling which were crucial in this case and many others since. I'm also very happy to be part of a production filmed in south Wales where I have my own family connections."

Rhodri added: "I'm honoured to be teaming up with Marc Evans again to work on this moving new drama. It's a harrowing story set in the community where I grew up, and the dedication and innovation shown by those who finally cracked the case make it a fascinating venture for me."

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