Will life be on the up for the residents of the Maes Menai estate in the latest, and final, installment of S4C’s Caernarfon-based drama series Tipyn o Stad?
The last series reached an exciting finale. Joyce had murdered Steve, Heather was at the end of her tether, Robin had been rejected by Carys and Ian Flash was caught trying to rape Whitney Marie.
The only ray of sunshine amid this chaos was the exciting news that Susan had won £200,000 on the bingo.
When we catch up with everyone, several months have passed. The lives of Susan, Tony and family have changed a lot since winning the big money. This week, they move into the former home of the Gurkha family, which has undergone a stunning transformation.
“It’s so life changing for Susan, and it’s been like a breath of fresh air for me,” says Elen Gwynne, who has played the part of Susan for six years.
“What’s interesting is that although Susan and Tony are now living in a more upmarket house and don’t have to worry about money, they haven’t really changed. She and Tony suit each other, they love each other, they’re happy. What’s funny is that Susan thinks she’s posher than she is. But, as we see during the series, money doesn’t buy you style!”
After all these years, playing the part of Susan is as natural to Elen as breathing. “I don’t have to think about how she reacts to things any more, it comes naturally.”
Another person who knows the characters of Tipyn o Stad as well as her own family is producer, Pauline Williams who has worked on the series since the very beginning. Will she miss them when the series comes to an end?
“Of course I will miss them, but after managing their lives for so long, it will be good to let them go, and concentrate on new projects,” she says.
“It’s been interesting to see the characters develop and grow over the years, with the actors putting their own stamp on them."
© 2008 S4C
O Gymru / Made in Wales