S4C series set in Rhyl and Prestatyn tackles teenage issues
The show, aimed at viewers aged 13 and over, features a fresh cast of young talent from across the country.
Inspired by discussions with teenagers, Hafiach explores themes including refugee experiences, murder, and relationship struggles.
It portrays a raw depiction of life for young people in modern-day Wales.
The series opened with a group of teenagers celebrating the end of their GCSE exams, looking forward to a carefree summer.
However, their world is quickly shattered when a 12-year-old boy's body is discovered on a beach.
The subsequent murder investigation pulls the friends into a disturbing web of secrets.
The main cast includes eight young actors, aged 16 to 23, selected from acting workshops across Wales.
This includes Dream Williams from Anglesey, Siriol Ousey from Rhyl, Adam Williams from Penrhyn Bay, Beca Williams from Denbigh, and Siôn Emlyn from Dolgellau.
For several cast members, including Mohamad Ali Masri from Swansea, this is their first acting role.
A refugee from the Middle East, Ali drew on his own experiences to shape his performance.
He said: "The experience felt like reliving parts of my own life.
"I remember when I first arrived here, I didn't speak a word of English and was constantly trying to make sense of my new world."
The series is produced by Vox Pictures and funded by Creative Wales.
Executive producer, Llyr Morus, said the show's themes were directly shaped by teenagers across Wales.
He said: "We ran workshops in schools across Wales and asked 12–15-year-olds what concerned them most.
"Two themes came up again and again - immigration and the climate crisis."
Sioned Geraint, S4C's education and children's commissioner, added: "This is an important drama for us for young people 13+ and I hope we see more commissions for this age in the future."
Jack Sargeant, the minister for culture, said: "I would like to commend Vox Pictures for undertaking important research into the important issues that concern our younger generation and going on to tell such a personal story about what it is like to face the unimaginable difficulties of having to flee your war-torn country as a refugee."
Hafiach premiered on S4C on June 4 at 8.25pm.
The series is now available as a box set on S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer.
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