Netflix to release its first Welsh language TV show

Netflix is backing Welsh language TV by announcing its first ever series in Welsh on the streaming service.

From April, subscribers will be able to stream Dal y Mellt, a gritty crime thriller which follows a group of misfits as they come together to pull off a heist.

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Adapted from a novel written by Iwan ‘Iwcs’ Roberts, Dal y Mellt – which translates as Catch The Lightning in English – it was originally made by and aired on public service broadcaster S4C, but is coming to Netflix in April and will also be available with English subtitles.

Benjamin King, Netflix’s director of public policy, UK and Northern Ireland, announced the news during a Welsh Affairs Committee evidence session on Wednesday.

He said: "I’m actually very pleased to be able to share with the committee this morning that we are soon to announce that we have licenced a wonderful show from S4C in the Welsh language – Dal y Mellt – which aired on S4C last year, and it’s coming to Netflix in April."

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King added: "The UK is one of the most important markets for Netflix, particularly in terms of production, and our investment in content.

"We spend over a billion dollars every year here on UK-made content. But I think within the UK, Wales has consistently been the location for many of our most well-known and best loved shows.

"Most people are familiar with Sex Education and many people know as well that certain scenes from The Crown were filmed in Wales, but we also have a suite of other content that was made in Wales for example, our film Havoc, which is the largest feature film ever produced there."

Havoc, due to be released this year on Netflix, stars Tom Hardy and Forest Whitaker in a thriller about a race to save a politician's son in a drug deal gone wrong.

Welsh shows Hinterland and Keeping Faith are both available on Netflix, but have only been streamed in their English language versions so this will be the first time the service has streamed a show in Welsh.

It streams content in other non-English languages such as South Korea's Squid Game, Spain's Money Heist and various series of Criminal in French, German and Spanish.

There are also Welsh subtitles available for some films streaming on Netflix.