Major productions support 500 Welsh businesses and launch careers for local creatives

NETFLIX has revealed that its productions in Wales have generated more than £200 million for the UK economy since 2020, cementing Wales as a vital hub for the global streaming giant.

The announcement, made in partnership with Creative Wales, highlights the scale of Netflix’s investment in the region and celebrates the impact of its latest project — Havoc — the largest feature film ever shot entirely in Wales.

Directed by Welsh filmmaker Gareth Evans and starring Tom Hardy, Havoc was filmed across a range of Welsh locations. The action-thriller follows a bruised detective as he navigates a criminal underworld to rescue a politician’s estranged son following a botched drug deal.

Wales has steadily become a filming powerhouse for Netflix, with previous productions including Sex Education, The Crown and The Witcher. A newly published report showcases the scale of investment and its ripple effect across sectors. For every £1 spent by Netflix in Wales:

• 58p is spent in TV and film production
• 7p in rental and leasing
• 5p in the creative arts
• 3p in food and hospitality
• 27p across other sectors of the economy

In addition, each £1 spent has created an extra 80p in supply chain spending, boosting industries indirectly connected to filming.

Supporting local talent

Netflix has not only brought blockbuster productions to Wales, but also helped launch careers in the creative industries. Over 60 trainee and apprenticeship roles were created during the filming of Sex Education, many of which led to full-time work.

In another initiative, Netflix partnered with the National Youth Theatre to deliver its IGNITE Your Creativity programme, reaching over 350 young people in Newport, Cardiff, Port Talbot, Torfaen and Bridgend with workshops aimed at building skills and confidence.

Championing the Welsh language

As part of its ongoing commitment to Welsh culture, Havoc will be available with Welsh-language subtitles. Previous Netflix hits including The Adam Project and Red Notice also featured Welsh subtitles, and in 2023 the platform licensed Dal y Mellt, its first Welsh-language drama.

Praise from industry and government

Anna Mallett, Vice President of Production for Netflix UK, 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 landscapes, Wales is an amazing place to make entertainment. We’re proud our productions here continue to offer enduring cultural and economic benefits.”

Welsh Culture Minister Jack Sargeant added: “We are immensely proud of our creative industries, which employ over 35,000 people and benefit from world-class infrastructure. As this report shows, welcoming high-profile Netflix productions has delivered significant economic and reputational gains for Wales.”

Joedi Langley, Interim Head of Creative Wales, said: “Collaborating with Netflix brings jobs, training, and major economic benefits to our communities. We look forward to continuing this relationship and building Wales’s profile as a go-to destination for major productions.”

Director Gareth Evans said: “Filming Havoc in Wales was a thrilling experience. The impact of a production of this scale on local businesses and creatives has been incredible. I hope this paves the way for even more filmmakers to choose Wales to tell their stories.”

Local voices: Training and trade

Johnny Gurnett, a former Netflix trainee, credited the company with launching his career: “Getting your foot in the door can be really tough, and this was my first job in the industry. Since then, I’ve worked on Disney’s Willow, BBC’s Lost Boys and Fairies, and HBO’s Rain Dogs. I wouldn’t be where I am now without the experience and connections I made on Sex Education.”

Adam Charles, Head Chef at The Healthy Hangout, shared his business’s role in the production: “We provided meals for some of the stars, which was brilliant for business. But beyond that, there’s a sense of pride in knowing our food was part of something this big.”

VOLUNTEERS AND EMERGENCY SERVICES STEP IN AFTER SHOCKING AMBULANCE DELAY

A LORRY driver who suffered serious injuries after falling from his vehicle at Fishguard port was left lying in a puddle for hours, as emergency services warned he could face an ambulance wait of up to eight hours.

The injured man was discovered by local conservation volunteer Ken Barnett, who had been photographing bottlenose dolphins at the outer breakwater in Goodwick Harbour. On his return, he found the driver on the ground in clear distress, having apparently fallen from the back of his lorry.

Ken immediately phoned 999, but was told not to move the casualty and that an ambulance could take between four and eight hours to arrive.

“We had a man in considerable pain lying in a puddle in the rain, facing a four-hour wait at best before he could receive any treatment,” said Cliff Benson, founder of Sea Trust, who arrived at the scene shortly afterwards with his partner Fran.

“If we hadn’t found him, the security man wouldn’t have seen him until 11:00pm during his rounds. He could have died in the dark of exposure.”

Volunteers and the port security guard acted swiftly to protect the man from worsening conditions, building a makeshift shelter using metal fencing, a tarpaulin and a blanket.

Cliff then contacted Fishguard RNLI coxswain Gemma Gill, who, along with local firefighters, lifeboat crew and Fishguard Coastguard Rescue Team, responded quickly to assist. The coastguard was called to the scene at 6:25pm.

“Given how close the casualty was to the lifeboat station, the RNLI crew were first on scene and provided excellent care,” said a coastguard spokesperson. “We supported the RNLI and fire service in extracting and carrying out the casualty to the warmth of the lifeboat station.”

An ambulance eventually arrived and took the driver to Withybush Hospital.

This case highlights growing concerns about ambulance response times in Wales, especially for patients in remote or rural areas. According to official figures released last month, January saw 6,073 red (life-threatening) calls, accounting for 17.9% of all calls — more than 1,000 higher than the same month last year.

On average, there were 196 red calls per day, making January the third highest month on record for life-threatening emergencies. Despite slight improvements in some performance indicators across emergency departments, the Welsh Ambulance Service continues to face relentless pressure, especially during winter months.

A recent statement from the Welsh NHS Confederation described the situation as a “mixed picture,” praising NHS staff for their dedication, but warning that “challenges remain across the breadth of health and social care services.”

The Herald understands that without the intervention of volunteers and emergency crews at Fishguard Port, the outcome for the injured lorry driver could have been far more serious.

Photo caption: Makeshift rescue: Volunteers and emergency services protect the injured driver with fencing and tarpaulin at Fishguard Port (Pic: Sea Trust)

A PLANNED appearance by former Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP Jonathan Edwards at this year’s Llandeilo Lit Fest has been cancelled, despite growing praise for his recently published memoir Into the Abyss.

Mr Edwards, who represented the constituency in Westminster for 14 years, had been due to speak about his book on 25 April. The event had originally been billed as “a must for Welsh political enthusiasts” — and many local readers had welcomed the opportunity to hear directly from a man whose political and personal life has played out under intense public scrutiny.

But organisers announced on Tuesday that they had taken the decision to cancel the session, saying: “Upon further review, we believe that the nature and content of the recently published book are not aligned with the values and principles of our festival.” In a follow-up statement, they added: “The potential for harm and distress to some individuals mentioned in the book is too significant to overlook.”

Into the Abyss recounts the most difficult and controversial chapter of Edwards’ life — including a domestic incident in May 2020 that resulted in him accepting a police caution and stepping away from his role in Plaid Cymru. But far from attempting to brush aside the events, the book tackles them head-on with unflinching honesty.

In our earlier review, we described Into the Abyss as “a stark, emotionally raw account of a man confronting the lowest point in his life — not to seek pity, but to take responsibility.” Far from being a political memoir in the traditional mould, Edwards’ writing is deeply personal, exploring themes of shame, regret, and the long, painful road to self-understanding.

While the decision to withdraw his appearance has drawn support from some quarters, others have expressed concern that the festival’s move risks shutting down important conversations.

“It’s a powerful and uncomfortable read,” the review continues, “but that’s what gives it value. In an age where public figures often hide behind PR statements and half-apologies, Edwards has laid himself bare — and that deserves recognition, not rejection.”

Mr Edwards, who stood down at the 2024 general election, has not commented publicly on the festival’s decision. However, those close to him say the memoir was written not to cause harm but as a form of personal and public accountability — a chance to own past mistakes and reflect on what it means to rebuild after failure.

The book has quietly built a following among readers interested not only in politics but in the human cost of public life, and the toll taken by personal breakdown. As our review noted, Into the Abyss is “not a justification — it’s a reckoning.”

Organisers of Llandeilo Lit Fest stressed that they are “dedicated to curating a festival that upholds the values of inclusivity and literary celebration for everyone involved.” But for some, the decision to remove one of the most candid and introspective political memoirs in recent Welsh publishing history raises difficult questions about whose stories are allowed to be heard — and under what circumstances.

Into the Abyss which was co-published by Herald.Wales remains available from major booksellers and online.