The Light in the Hall

{{Short description|Welsh and English-language drama television series}}

{{Infobox television

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| alt_name = Y Golau

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| genre = Drama

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| starring = Alexandra Roach
Joanna Scanlan
Iwan Rheon

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| country = Wales

| language = Welsh, English

| num_seasons = 1

| num_episodes = 6

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| runtime = 60 minutes including adverts

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| network = S4C

| first_aired = {{Start date|2022|5|15|df=y}}

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The Light in the Hall ({{Langx|cy|Y Golau}}) is a bilingual Welsh and English-language drama television series. It premiered on S4C on 15 May 2022.

Production

The series was co-produced by S4C, Channel 4, and the producers Duchess Street Productions and Triongl in association with APC Studios.{{Cite web |title=Press {{!}} S4C |url=https://www.s4c.cymru/en/press/post/50583/all-star-cast-for-new-welsh-drama-y-golau-on-s4c/ |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=www.s4c.cymru}} The show is based in Carmarthenshire, Wales where two of the leading actors, Alexandra Roach and Iwan Rheon are from. Significant parts of the series were also filmed in the Tywi Valley, in the towns of Llandovery, Llangadog, Llandeilo and Carmarthen. Some filming also took place in Cardiff.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Kathryn |date=2023-01-04 |title=Where in Wales Channel 4 drama Light in the Hall was filmed |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/light-in-the-hall-true-25895727 |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=WalesOnline |language=en}}

Plot

The Welsh series has six episodes and is based in Llanemlyn, a town in west Wales. It follows a young journalist, Cat Donato who is played by Alexandra Roach, whose best friend Ela Roberts went missing 18 years ago. A quiet gardener named Joe Pritchard played by Iwan Rheon, is arrested following a confession but he cannot explain what happened to the body.{{Cite web |last=Rowlands |first=Eve |date=2023-01-04 |title=Channel 4 Light in the Hall: Full cast of new Welsh made thriller |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/channel-4-light-hall-full-25890938 |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=WalesOnline |language=en}}

Release and reception

The Light in the Hall was made in 2022 and premiered on S4C in Wales on 15 May 2022. This was followed by a UK-wide airing on Channel 4 in January 2023.{{cite web | url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/channel-4-light-hall-how-25891806 | title=Channel 4 Light in the Hall: How to watch, number of episodes and cast | date=4 January 2023 }}

The Light in the Hall received positive ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. It received a rating of 71% from critics and 75% from audience.{{cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_light_in_the_hall/s01 | title=The Light in the Hall - Rotten Tomatoes | website=Rotten Tomatoes }}

In her review for The Guardian, Lucy Mangan stated that the series takes an hour to set the scene and is at its strongest during the interpersonal scenes, particularly the tender relationship between Sharon and Dai. Greta's refusal to join her mother's “Murderwang! Gang” is a memorable moment also.{{Cite news |last=Mangan |first=Lucy |date=2023-01-04 |title=The Light in the Hall review – Joanna Scanlan shines in a wintry thriller to curl up with |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/jan/04/the-light-in-the-hall-review-joanna-scanlan-shines-in-a-wintry-thriller-to-curl-up-with |access-date=2023-03-01 |issn=0261-3077}}

Cast

Sharon - Joanna Scanlan
Joe - Iwan Rheon
Cat - Alexandra Roach
Dai - Morgan Hopkins
Murat Ozdemir - Memet Ali Alibora
Judge Rowe - Anita Reynolds
Young Joe - Dylan Jones
Ela - Ella Peel
Ceri-Ann - Shelley Rees
Bronwen - Andria Doherty
Maddie - Llinor ap Gwynedd
Steve - Ben Bailey Smith
Mags - Siwan Morris
Greta - Annes Elwy
Chris - Dion Lloyd
DCI Parry - Ioan Hefin
Sali - Catherine Ayres
Rhydian - Gareth Elis
Sasha - Lily Beau Conway
Shelley - Rhian Blythe
Young Shelley - Mari Ann Bull
Phil - Alex Harries
Eilis - Delyth Wyn
Ian - Aled Pugh{{Cite web |last=Rowlands |first=Eve |date=2023-01-04 |title=Channel 4 Light in the Hall: How to watch, number of episodes and cast |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/channel-4-light-hall-how-25891806 |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=WalesOnline |language=en}}