Banijay Rights’ Welsh Noir Series BANG Makes Explosive Return in 2020

Banijay Rights, the leading distribution arm of Banijay Group, confirmed today that the award-winning Welsh crime series, Bang, will return for a second season, this time with leading actors Alexander Vlahos (Versailles) and David Hayman (Taboo) onboard.

Produced by Joio, the BAFTA-Cymru and Celtic Media Festival award-winning drama, Bang (6 x 60’), a bi-lingual crime drama created in both English and Welsh, is currently shooting in Port Talbot and will premiere on S4C in February next year.

The much-awaited second series will follow Detective Sergeant Gina Jenkins (played by Catrin Stewart), as she attempts to solve a series of killings apparently connected to an historic rape allegation. Alexander Vlahos will play Dai, one of the suspects in the original rape investigation while David Hayman takes on the role of Jeff Campbell, a local businessman and hard man who will use violence where necessary to protect his own.

Bang sees director Philip John (Iron Fist & Downton Abbey) return to the helm with Norwegian Director of Photography, Bjørn Ståle Bratberg, behind the camera. Catrin Lewis Defis (Broadchurch) returns as producer.

Written by BAFTA award-winning Roger Williams, the first series of Bang was shortlisted for the prestigious Writers’ Guild Award and is notable for its ground-breaking use of two languages and striking location. As well as attracting critical-acclaim, the series also became the first S4C drama to be acquired by the BBC in its original form and sold internationally into territories such as North America and Sweden.

Creator, Writer and Executive Producer, Roger Williams says, “At the heart of this second series is a compelling story about revenge and the desire to reveal the truth about an historic crime. Bang delivers the story in an individual and unique style by harnessing two languages, strong performances and the stunning industrial landscape of the steel town of Port Talbot.”

Amanda Rees, S4C Director of Content, said: “S4C is thrilled to see the return of Bang in 2020. The pioneering drama is hailed as one of S4C’s Originals, and the award-winning crime thriller, set in the heart of one of Wales’ industrial capitals, has raised the profile of Welsh drama across the world.”

Chris Stewart, Commercial Director – Banijay Rights, comments, “The first series of Bang made an incredible impact when it first premiered on S4C in 2017, and subsequently became a multi award-winning title. We could not be happier to represent the second run, which is set to be just as original and compelling as the critically-acclaimed season that went before.”

This second series of Bang dissects the theme of power; the power certain men wield over women, the individuals who enable this behaviour to go unchecked, and the victims’ search for justice.

The story begins with the murder of a 30-year old man in unusual circumstances on the waterfront of the steel town of Port Talbot. Little do detectives Gina and Luke realise that the murder victim is just the first victim in a series of murders that will go on to be connected to a historic rape accusation.

It transpires there’s a serial killer on the loose targeting the men who were named by local woman Marissa Clarke in a rape case 10-years previously. The case against the men fell apart before it went to trial and they were never brought to justice…

Bang is made possible with support from the Welsh Government.