Carey Mulligan and cast 'freeze' in Pembrokeshire film shoot

Western Telegraph

29-05-2025

The British actress stars in the upcoming comedy drama, The Ballad Of Wallis Island, which was filmed in coastal Wales during the summer.
Director James Griffiths said: "Tom especially was going blue through most of the takes.
"I think there was a medic going in, and you too, right (Carey)? We had a medic sort of checking your temperature for the cold stuff.
"It was freezing."
When asked if it was filmed during the summer, Oscar-nominated actress Mulligan said "it's Wales".
The film sees Mulligan, who is married to singer Marcus Mumford, play one half of a disbanded folk band opposite Plebs star Tom Basden as her ex-boyfriend.
The movie sees a fan and lottery winner – portrayed by comedian Tim Key – pay for them to reunite and perform a gig on an island, called Wallis.
Mr Basden said the rural location, believed to be in and around Pembrokeshire, was "beautiful and it was unpredictable, weather wise, and it was challenging".
Mr Key added: "We shot the short film (version) 18 years ago, and we're kind of very eager to get back to Wales.
"Feels like it's a big part of the film.
Ms Mulligan, 40, also recalled that the filming over a few weeks felt like a "summer camp together".
Ms Mulligan, whose mother is from Llandeilo, Wales, also said: "I had such a little baby when we were filming, it's just attached to all these, like, gorgeous memories of my baby being little.
"And you guys were all around, and everyone was cuddling her, and we were all sort of together for a bit.
"So it's very precious to me."
The original short film, The One And Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island, was nominated for a 2008 Bafta short film prize, and saw Mr Key and Mr Basden in the main roles.
Ms Mulligan has been nominated three times for a best actress Oscar, for projects including coming-of-age hit An Education, revenge thriller Promising Young Woman, and biopic Maestro.
The Ballad Of Wallis Island will come to UK cinemas on Friday.