S4C drama Y Streic Fawr, on the Friction Dynamics strike, starts on 6 December

S4C has released the first look at Y Streic Fawr, a new three-part drama based on the Friction Dynamics dispute, one of the longest-running industrial disputes in British history. The first episode airs on 6 December at 9pm. The whole series will be available on S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer from the same date.

The strike behind it

The series centres on Caernarfon, the focus of the dispute. This year marks 25 years since workers walked out at the car parts factory in 2001. Writer Ffion Dafis worked closely with some of the strikers to reflect their experiences, and some of the real-life strikers will appear as supporting artists. Most filming took place in and around Caernarfon.

Cast and makers

Rhodri Trefor plays Tomi Jones, who later became a full-time officer for the Transport and General Workers' Union in North Wales. Gruffudd Glyn plays Gerald Parry and Rhys ap Trefor plays John Davies. The ensemble also includes Carwyn Jones, Sion Eifion, Emyr Gibson, Catrin Powell, Manon Wilkinson and Betsan Ceiriog. Mojo Productions made the series, directed by Huw Chiswell.

What S4C says

Llion Iwan, S4C's Chief Content Officer, said the story is set in North Wales but "resonates with many communities across Wales", mirroring the struggles of miners and steelworkers in the South Wales valleys and North-East Wales. He said that while filming earlier this year, people would drive past and sound their car horns in support, as they did more than twenty years ago.