The Scurry is the latest directing project from Rhymney Valley’s Craig Roberts who is a seasoned actor and director
“Deranged squirrels” and “hypocritical vegans” might not scream a must-watch but add them together with two stars of the biggest TV shows of the past couple of years – House of the Dragons’ Rhys Ifans and Fallout’s Ella Purnell and in the dark comedic sensiblities of director, Craig Roberts and you might think again.
2026 will see Twin Town star Ifans star in comedy-horror The Scurry which was filmed at Dragon Studios between Llanharan and Bridgend, as well as on location, too.
In its official synopsis, The Scurry is said to follow two pest controllers fight for survival at an eco-country park that turns dangerous as night falls. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here.
It reads: “The Scurry follows two pest controllers who are called to an eco-café in a country park to investigate what begins as a routine vermin problem but as nightfall approaches an avalanche of deranged squirrels descend, wreaking revenge and mayhem on the staff and visitors in the park.
“With many fatalities, the survivors take shelter in the café as a freak storm takes out the power and communications leaving them isolated and under attack. An eclectic mix of survivors include pest controllers, a sulky teenager, hypocritical vegans, and a drug dealer – there is only an outside chance of survival.”
Also starring Paapa Essiedu (The Lazarus Project and Black Mirror), Daniel Mays from The Thursday Murder Club and Line of Duty, Antonia Thomas from The Good Doctor, the Scurry is headed up by Craig Roberts, from Maesycwmmer, whose directing CV has included Eternal Beauty and the Phantom of the Open.
Outside of The Scurry, which will be released later this year, there’s a big roster of Welsh-made movies including not one but three titles centred around Ynys Môn (Anglesey).
Firstly, On the Sea, which follows Jack and his family as they hand rake the mussel beds. In this remote, rural community where life revolves around Church and fishery, Jack falls in love with itinerant deckhand Daniel. We also have the highly anticipated Madfabulous from North Wales production company Mad as Birds.
The film depicts the life of the wonderfully eccentric 5th Marquess Henry Cyril Paget. Filmed on location on Ynys Môn, as well as Caernarfon and Pwllheli, the film stars Welsh actor Callum Scott Howells alongside Rupert Everett and Siobhán McSweeney.
It’s directed by Ynys Môn’s own Celyn Jones. Finally, Ynys Môn-shot thriller Black Church Bay from Welsh/Irish director Rhys Marc Jones, starring Welsh actor Tom Cullen. A respected teacher’s life unravels in a remote coastal village, when the sixth form student he’s in a secret relationship with, disappears.
Joedi Langley, interim head of Creative Wales looks back on the Welsh films of 2025 and ahead to their support in 2026: “2025 has been a phenomenal year for Wales-made films, from taking Richard Burton’s origin story to the world in Mr Burton, to The Man in My Basement which was showcased at the Toronto Film Festival and Sundance-nominated feature Brides, to name a few.
“The next year is also gearing up to be exciting, kicking off with the January release of the beautiful H is for Hawk, alongside the true story of the 5th Marquess of Anglesey, Henry Paget, in Madfabulous and the first Welsh-language feature film Effi o Blaenau co-funded by Creative Wales and S4C, which is currently finalising a festival run.
“Creative Wales is committed to giving this growing sector the vital support it needs to continue to thrive, through funding and connecting creatives within the industry with programmes to ensure Welsh films are given a platform to be enjoyed by audiences within Wales and around the world.”
