Cardiff is taking its place in the spotlight for The Guest, a new BBC thriller.
Torchwood star Eve Myles leads the cast in the Welsh crime drama that is packed with twists and turns that will keep viewers gripped throughout.
Here’s all you need to know about The Guest, from filming locations, its cast and when it airs on TV.
What is The Guest about?
The Guest tells the story of Fran and Ria, two women from opposite sides of Cardiff’s class system, who spiral into panic when a series of crimes turn their lives upside down.
Ria, a young woman in an unhappy relationship and struggling to pay the bills, is offered a job by wealthy Fran, who may not be as nurturing as she first seems.
One drunken night at Fran’s lavish mansion soon sees Ria caught up in a world of crime, but with it comes luxury and a new life that has some life-changing perks, even if the police are watching her every move.
Writer Matthew Barry was inspired by ’90s thrillers when creating the drama. ‘I wanted to create a fun, twisty thriller, but with the unique perspective of a working-class character,’ he says. Mission accomplished.
Where was The Guest filmed?
The Guest is set and filmed across Wales, from city centre streets, to grand estates and coastal views.
‘Wales offered brilliant filming locations and visual ambition,’ notes executive producer Davina Earl.
Fran’s huge home was filmed at Whitson Court
Most of the drama takes place at Maybury Court, the grand estate owned by Fran and her husband Simon. After an extensive search for a filming location, the production team settled on Whitson Court, a grand building dating back to 1791.
The estate was once home to a large zoo and the main building was home to German Jewish refugees during World War II.
‘Maybury Court is a beautiful home,’ says Myles. ‘The land around it is stunning, and it is filled with all types of animals. It’s an oasis of otherworldliness which lends itself to the otherworldliness of The Guest.’
‘When you first see those gates open, it feels almost magical, like stepping into a fairy tale or a grand castle. That is exactly how Ria feels when she first sees it,’ adds actress Gabrielle Creevy.
Ria and Francesca first meet at the famous Hayes Island Snack Bar
After a chance encounter in a supermarket that sees Ria accused of shoplifting, Francesca tracks her down and offers her a job that will change her life.
Eagle-eyed viewers will be able to see Cardiff’s famous Hayes Island Snack Bar during the scene. Dating back to 1911, it’s described as being the oldest operating snack bar in Wales.
Located in the heart of the city centre, The Hayes is also home to Cardiff Central Library and St David’s Hall.
Bars and restaurants of Cardiff feature throughout the series
The Master Gunner pub in Cardiff’s outskirts was used in the opening episode as Ria, boyfriend Lee and pals meet up.
When Ria meets up with the mysterious Mike, the pair go for cocktails along Cardiff’s Castle Arcade, stopping off at Gin & Juice.
Nearby coffee shop Maple and Bean, located along Morgan Arcade, is seen later in the series when Fran and Ria catch up over a coffee.
Ria and boyfriend Lee have a romantic meal at an Indian restaurant, with Cardiff curry house Mattancherry used as a filming location.
Finally, a barber shop on Pontcanna Street was used as a location when Ria tracks down a relative of a missing person that’s central to the mystery.
Cardiff’s real police station was used for interview scenes
Cardiff Central Police Station was used for both external and internal filming locations as Ria and Fran come under the eye of the law following the dramatic events of episode one.
The scenes on the coast were filmed in Swansea
As Ria spirals into panic, Fran whisks her away for a break by the sea. External and internal scenes were filmed at The Old Rectory at Rhossili Bay, Swansea.
The property is available to rent for a holiday, sleeping up to seven guests, but comes with a hefty price tag of £1649 for two nights.
The Rhossili Beach and coastal path can also be seen in the drama.
Barry features several times in the series
Some scenes set in Cardiff were actually filmed in the Welsh coastal town of Barry.
Just a 25-minute drive from Cardiff, Barry is best known for being the setting of sitcom Gavin & Stacey, but gets a more gritty side in The Guest.
The snooker club seen throughout the series is the Savoy Snooker Club in Barry, while a Premier corner store in Barry was used to film a brutal attack scene.
Who is in The Guest cast?
Eve Myles leads the cast of The Guest as Fran, a wealthy businesswoman who is hiding a more sinister secret lifestyle. The actress is best known for her roles in Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood, Broadchurch and A Very English Scandal.
Gabrielle Creevy co-leads as cleaner Ria, who is taken under Fran’s wing. The actress has appeared alongside Colin Firth in Operation Mincemeat, and took the lead in BBC Three drama, In My Skin.
Siôn Daniel Young (Slow Horses) stars as Ria’s boyfriend Lee, Julian Lewis Jones (House of the Dragon) as Fran’s husband Simon, Clive Russell (Game of Thrones) appears as gardener Derek, with Emun Elliott (The Gold) as Richard, Fran’s employee and secret lover.
When can I watch The Guest?
The Guest premieres on BBC One and BBC Wales on Monday, September 1 at 9pm.
All four episodes will be available to watch from 6am that day, or catch up on traditional TV each Monday at 9pm.
The final episode airs on Monday, September 22.
Is there a trailer?
Take a look at the clip below for a taste of the drama.
