Saint Dwynwen's Day

Saint Dwynwen's Day (or Dydd Santes Dwynwen in selected Welsh cinemas) is an upcoming 2017 Welsh-American romantic comedy film. Starring Catherine Zeta Jones, Michael Sheen and Sir Anthony Hopkins, the film revolves around the lives of several Welsh people on Saint Dwynwen's Day, the Welsh equivalent to Valentine's Day. It was developed and distributed in the UK by BBC Films and was written by well loved Welsh comedian and writer, Ruth Jones.

Background
BBC Films announced 12 new movies in early 2015, including the 2017 release date for Saint Dwynwen's Day, a romantic comedy penned by Gavin & Stacey co-creator, Ruth Jones. Ex-BBC producer Julie Gardner and Head of BBC Films Christine Langan were brought on board to co-produce with Ruth Jones. The film was to be directed by Welsh director Julian Richards.

Catherine Zeta Jones was the first to be cast in the summer of 2015, also joining the producing team. It was at this point that Ruth decided that the entire main cast would be Welsh, adding Michael Sheen and Joanna Page to the casting roster next. Ruth next added her Stella castmates Diane Botcher and Mark Lewis Jones to the cast list, along with Rhys Ifan, Ruth Madoc and Luke Evans. Eve Myles confirmed on her Twitter page in September 2015 that she had been cast in the film. Rob Brydon, Alexandra Roach and Kimberly Nixon were cast in September also.

In October 2015, the BBC unveiled the full cast list at an event in Cardiff. The surprise additions of Sir Anthony Hopkins and Dame Shirley Bassey to the list was met with a positive audience reaction. Dame Shirley also revealed that she was writing and recording the theme to the film with fellow Welsh musician, Sir Tom Jones.

Filming began in March 2016 and concluded in August.

A sequel, based around Saint David's Day, was confirmed by the BBC on March 1st, Saint David's Day itself. Ruth Jones would return to write and Julian Richards would return to direct.

Main
Catherine Zeta Jones as Cariad Hughes, a shopkeeper who falls for one of her regular customers.

Michael Sheen as Llew Rhys, a retired rugby player and Cariad's love interest.

Sir Anthony Hopkins as Aneuren 'Daddy' Hughes, Cariad's father and the owner of the shop.

Joanna Page as Dion Williams, Aneuren's estranged daughter from an affair.

Diane Botcher as Rhiannon Hughes, Aneuren's wife and Cariad's mother, who's left devastated with the arrival of Dion.

Mark Lewis Jones as Rhodri Morris, the owner of the White Lion Pub, he's married to Chris.

Rhys Ifans as Chris Walters, an estate agent and Rhodri's husband.

Ruth Madoc as Marian Morris, Rhodri's accepting mother and a functioning alcoholic.

Kimberly Nixon as Cati Morris-Walters, Rhodri and Chris' adopted daughter who's just graduated from Cardiff University.

Dame Shirley Bassey as Aunty Maer, Marian's best friend and sister who disapproves of Rhodri and Chris' lifestyle.

Luke Evans as Professor Dafydd Marsh, Cati's university lecturer and the father of her unborn child.

Alexandra Roach as Catrin, Cati's best friend and a barmaid at the White Lion.

Eve Myles as Gwyneth, Catrin's older sister, who has a crush on her neighbour Ieuan.

Rob Brydon as Ieuan, a widow and Gwyneth's next door neighbour.

Cameos/Minor Roles
Ruth Jones as Rusty Sue

Melanie Walters as Maggi

Timothy Dalton as Trystan

Sarah Silverman as Dot

Leanne Wood as herself

Carwyn Jones as himself

Lucy & Rhodri Owen as Newsreaders

Eleri Sion as herself (voice on radio)

Synopsis
Set in the fictional Valleys town of Gwynfor and the city of Cardiff, Saint Dwynwen's Day is a comical representation of love in Wales on the most romantic day on the Welsh calendar. With an all star Welsh cast on board to bring Ruth Jones' hilarious script to life, the film promises to make you laugh and cry, and most importantly, love.

It follows various characters including Catherine Zeta Jones as hapless in love Cariad and her only regular customer Llew (Michael Sheen), the turbulent parents of Cariad, Rhiannon and Aneuren (Diane Botcher and Sir Anthony Hopkins) and his estranged daughter Dion (Joanna Page). Other characters include gay pub owners Rhodri and Chris (Mark Lewis Jones and Rhys Ifans) and their adopted daughter Cati (Kimberly Nixon), her lecturer and boyfriend Dafydd (Luke Evans) and her best friend Catrin (Alexandra Roach). The film also follows the mishaps of sisters Marian and Maer (Ruth Madoc and Dame Shirley Bassey) and the blossoming relationship between Gwyneth and Ieuan (Eve Myles and Rob Brydon). With supporting roles from famous faces from Wales and America like Timothy Dalton and Sarah Silverman and cameos from politicians Leanne Wood and Carwyn Jones, as well as Gavin and Stacey alumn Melanie Walters and BBC newsreaders Lucy & Rhodri Owen and Radio presenter Eleri Sion. Saint Dwynwen's Day is set to be a treat for film goers.

Sequel
BBC Films confirmed on March 1st 2016 that Ruth Jones would be penning a sequel, based around Wales' national day, St David's Day. The cast of the first film is expected to return as well as new additions to the cast.