Welsh language PSB to create two roles to replace Gwenllian Gravelle

S4C’s head of drama and film Gwenllian Gravelle is exiting the Welsh language PSB after seven years.  

S4C plans to recruit two roles – a head of drama and a head of film – to replace her.  

Gravelle revealed her departure via a post on LinkedIn, stating that the time had come “to turn the page and begin a new chapter”.  

She will conclude her day-to-day duties from 8 September but will remain in a transitional capacity until 8 December 

She joined as a drama commissioner in 2019, before being upped to her current role in 2022. Her credits include Craith/Hidden, Y Golau/The Light in the Hall and its follow up Dŵr/ Still Waters, produced with Channel 4, Dal Y Mellt/Rough Cut, which became the first Welsh langauge drama to be picked up by Netflix, Anfamol/Unmotherly and upcoming dramas Y Streic Fawr/The Great Strike and Santa Maria. 

Her other highlights include appearing on stage at the Banff World Media Festival, Women in TV & Film International and Content London events, as well as moderating a panel at the International Emmy Festival in New York. Other achievements include having S4C dramas nominated for Broadcast Awards alongside “some of the UK’s biggest English-language” scripted programmes.  

She is also a founding member of Sinema Cymru, a scheme between S4C and the Welsh government to promote Welsh language films on a global stage. The initiative recently announced a Western, Lluest, produced by Severn Screen. 

“Beyond the ratings, nominations and industry milestones, the real achievement has been the people,” she wrote. 

“The producers, writers, directors, crews, commissioners and collaborators who brought ambition, creativity and passion to every project. Thank you! Diolch o galon.” 

An S4C statement said Gravelle made a “transformative contribution” to S4C’s scripted strategy and creative output during her tenure.  

It continued: “She has played a central role in shaping and delivering an ambitious drama and film slate, building long-term strategic partnerships with producers, distributors and broadcasters, and aligning bold creative ambition with S4C’s strategic objectives to grow audiences and elevate the broadcaster’s reputation for premium scripted content.” 

Prior to joining S4C, Gravelle spent 24 years as a producer with the BBC.