Entertainment

The Pembrokeshire Murders: Episode 1 review

Published

4 years ago

January 11, 2021

TONIGHT, Monday January 11, sees the first episode in ITV’s adaptation of ‘The Pembrokeshire Murders’.
A slick ITV production from the opening shot, ‘The Pembrokeshire Murders’ is a story that I’m surprised it’s taken this long to see dramatised.
Luke Evans cuts a stoic figure as SIO Steve Wilkins, trying to find his way back into his old life after returning from London and into the life of his son whilst investigating John Cooper, Wilkins’ story serves as a great opposite to the father-son struggle we get a sense of taking place between John and Andrew Cooper.
Evans gives a physical presence and a single mindedness to Wilkins that, without doubt, helped him convict Cooper but also threatened to derail his attempts to put things back together with his son. Evans plays Wilkins as vulnerable but strong, masculine but not toxic, solitary but a great team-player, distant but involved enough to keep his team motivated when the going gets tough. It’s a layered performance that steers clear enough of cop show stereotypes whilst, over the course of the series, embracing nearly all of them in a fresh way.
‘The Pembrokeshire Murders’ doesn’t hang about, it isn’t long before Wilkins is putting together a team under the code name of Operation Ottawa to investigate Coopers’ links to the Scoveston Park, Coastal Path and Nolton Hill Estate crimes.

Operation Ottawa: the team that cracked the case in the new ITV drama

First on Wilkins’ list is DI Ella Richards, Alexandria Riley does a great job bringing some heart and concern to a character that so easily could’ve become lost along the way. Richards was clearly emotionally affected by the Nolton Hill events and even admits to keeping tabs on the victims 10 years later. It’s little moments like that that elevate this drama above a mere cop show, that kind of professional concern feels very Pembrokeshire and Riley’s performance instantly makes Richards feel like the beating emotional heart of Operation Ottawa.
The insights we have into the life of Andrew Cooper, expertly portrayed by Oliver Ryan, help keeps the drama grounded. From seeing him struggle with his shopping to wincing in pain during physiotherapy, Andrew Cooper is portrayed as a physically and emotionally fragile man struggling to get by having been shunned by both of his parents.
It was quite clear that the Nolton Hill parts of this episode were filmed in Swansea but it didn’t hurt my enjoyment and was done to provide as much protection for the victims and their families as possible, so you can’t really complain about that choice of location change.
Caroline Berry’s Pat Cooper gets our sympathy from one of her first scenes as she berated by her husband when visiting him in prison. A subtle turn from Berry, her Pat is a nervous, fraught figure clearly struggling with the idea that John Cooper will soon be out on parole but someone so caught up or lost in Cooper’s web of lies that there simply isn’t a way out. It’s easy to forget that Pat was a victim of Cooper as well as an accomplice in silence, but never once does Berry’s Pat feel like a bad person, she’s simply between a rock and a hard place.

Caroline Berry as Pat Cooper (L) and Oliver Ryan as Andrew Cooper (R)

John Cooper himself is played by an in-his-element Keith Allen. He plays Cooper as a restrained, powder keg of pent-up aggression just waiting for someone to light his fuse. His Cooper plays mind games, manipulates and controls, even from behind bars.
Allen it seems is having so much fun portraying John Cooper that sometimes his regular accent grins through his assumed South Pembrokeshire-twang but not for long and so much of Allen’s John Cooper is communicated through the eyes that it’s easy not to notice those momentary lapses and when he gets the accent spot on, it’s chilling.
A solid start to ITV’s three part adaptation, ‘The Pembrokeshire Murders’ plot will only thicken from here. What could’ve been an empty police procedural drama is elevated by great performances all around and seeing Luke Evans driving across the Cleddau Bridge was a very cool image to remind us all exactly how local these horrendous crimes were. 4/5

Entertainment

Golden age of steam returns to Pembrokeshire for one day only

Published

1 day ago

April 26, 2025

Tom Sinclair

STEAM enthusiasts will have a rare chance to see a legendary locomotive in Pembrokeshire this weekend as the iconic LMS Black Five 45212 arrives as part of The Railway Touring Company’s “The Great Britain XVII” rail tour.

Pembrokeshire is one of the highlights of the nine-day steam adventure, which sees passengers travel across Britain aboard some of the country’s most celebrated surviving locomotives. Tickets for the full experience, including seating, onboard dining, and hotel accommodation, cost up to £4,500.

The LMS Black Five – fully titled LMS Stanier Class Black 5 45212 – was built in 1935 by Armstrong Whitworth in Newcastle. Designed by Sir William Stanier, the Black Fives were known as the “maid of all work” class, thanks to their versatility handling both passenger and freight duties.

Only 18 of the original 842 Black Five locomotives survive today, and 45212 remains one of the few certified for mainline operation. It even appeared in the 2017 film Murder on the Orient Express, starring Kenneth Branagh.

The steam engine will travel from Bristol Temple Meads to Pembrokeshire on Sunday, April 27. Part of the journey will be diesel-hauled, but the stretch from Pembroke Dock to Whitland will be pure steam, departing Pembroke Dock at 2:06pm, stopping at Tenby at 2:33pm, and reaching Whitland by 3:00pm.

After a diesel leg to Fishguard Harbour, where it arrives at 4:01pm, the locomotive takes over again for a fully steam-powered run back towards Cardiff Central, passing Clarbeston Road at 4:31pm, Haverfordwest at 4:42pm, and arriving at Milford Haven around 6:04pm.

The tour, which departs London Victoria on Saturday, April 26, is The Railway Touring Company’s flagship event. Now in its 17th year, “The Great Britain” tour is regarded as one of the most ambitious steam journeys in the UK, covering over 2,000 miles of scenic railway.

Kelly Osborne, managing director of The Railway Touring Company, said: “The highlight of day two will be the spectacular scenery of Pembrokeshire National Park as we travel to Pembroke Dock, Fishguard and Milford Haven. Leaving Fishguard Harbour, our historic engine will face a 1 in 50 gradient – meaning passengers are guaranteed a memorable climb!”

More information about the tour and other steam-hauled adventures can be found at www.railwaytouring.net.

Entertainment

Haunting ballet ‘Giselle’ brings ghostly romance to the Torch

Published

2 days ago

April 25, 2025

Tom Sinclair

BALLET Cymru returns to the Torch Theatre this June with a powerful and emotionally charged new production of Giselle — a ghost-filled tale of love, betrayal and heartbreak.

This innovative interpretation of the classic ballet reimagines the story through a distinctly Welsh lens, telling the tragic story of Giselle, a young girl who falls deeply in love, only to die from a broken heart.

Featuring Adolphe Adam’s haunting original score, the production showcases inventive choreography by Darius James OBE and Amy Doughty, along with striking costumes and immersive video projection that elevate the performance into a visual and emotional spectacle.

Ballet Cymru, an award-winning international touring company based in Wales, is known for pushing the boundaries of classical ballet through its commitment to inclusion, creativity, and collaboration.

“The Torch Theatre enjoys welcoming Ballet Cymru to its stage, and their continued success shows how popular they are in this area. We’re looking forward to being enchanted by this bold new production,” said Anwen Francis from the marketing team.

Giselle will be performed at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, on Wednesday 4 June at 7:00pm. Tickets are £19 / £18 concessions, with under 8s just £11. For more information or to book, visit www.torchtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on (01646) 695267.

Entertainment

Biggest feature film shot entirely in Wales released today

Published

3 days ago

April 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

HAVOC, the biggest feature film ever shot entirely in Wales, premieres today (Friday, April 25) on Netflix. Backed by Welsh Government agency Creative Wales, the high-octane action-thriller stars Tom Hardy and is written and directed by Welsh-born Gareth Evans, known for The Raid, Apostle, and Gangs of London.

***Starring in Havoc: Tom Hardy (Image: Netflix)***

The film follows a deal gone wrong, with a bruised detective battling through a criminal underworld to rescue a politician’s estranged son. Production took place at Great Point Studios in Cardiff, Dragon Studios in Bridgend, and on location throughout South Wales.

Wales is rapidly emerging as one of Netflix’s key global production hubs. Recent hits like Sex Education—filmed at multiple South Wales locations over four seasons—were made possible through Creative Wales support, creating hundreds of local jobs and over 60 trainee placements. Many of these roles have led to permanent employment for young Welsh creatives.

According to a new economic impact report by Netflix, its Welsh-based productions have contributed over £200 million to the UK economy since 2020, involving more than 500 businesses across Wales.

In recognition of its Welsh roots, HAVOC will be available with Welsh-language subtitles, continuing Netflix’s commitment to accessibility and cultural inclusion. Previous Welsh-subtitled releases include The Adam Project, starring Ryan Reynolds, and Dal Y Mellt, the first Welsh-language drama on Netflix originally produced for S4C.

HAVOC is the latest in a series of high-profile productions supported by Creative Wales. Past successes include HBO’s House of the Dragon, Amazon’s Young Sherlock, and the acclaimed biopic Mr Burton.

To date, Creative Wales has invested £28.6 million in the screen sector—an investment projected to generate over £342 million for the Welsh economy. For every £1 invested, nearly £12 has been returned, funding over 420 trainee placements and apprenticeships and helping to build a sustainable pipeline of Welsh creative talent.

***Havoc whilst filming was taking place in Cardiff (Image: Mike Jordan/X)***

Anna Mallet, Vice President of Production, UK at Netflix, said: “From Sex Education to The Crown, and now HAVOC, some of our most beloved titles were filmed or produced in Wales. Blessed with incredible creative talent and beautiful natural landscapes, Wales is an amazing place to make entertainment. We’re proud that our Welsh productions continue to create enduring cultural and economic opportunities.”

Jack Sargeant, Culture Minister for Wales, added: “We are immensely proud of our Welsh creative industries, which employ over 35,000 people. With world-class infrastructure for film and television, we’re delighted to work with Netflix, HBO, Amazon and others to bring major productions to Wales. These collaborations support jobs, skills development, and bring significant investment into our economy—while showcasing the best of Wales to a global audience.”