The Accidental Criminals: Everything You Need To Know About The 'Tree On A Hill' Cast And Series 2 Status

The Welsh dark comedy-drama Tree on a Hill (or Pren ar y Bryn in Welsh) has quietly become a critical darling on both S4C and BritBox, captivating audiences with its unique blend of rural charm and accidental criminality. As of December 2025, the series continues to garner attention, most recently securing a prestigious Broadcast Awards 2025 nomination, solidifying its status as a must-watch international drama. This article dives deep into the talented cast, the creative minds behind the show, and the current status of a much-anticipated second series.

The series, which first aired in 2023, is a masterclass in the "ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances" genre, focusing on a long-married couple whose quiet life in a remote Welsh town is instantly—and messily—upended. Its success is a testament to the powerful performances of its lead actors, many of whom are pillars of the Welsh television and film industry.

Meet the Cast: Biographies and Key Roles in the Welsh Drama

The core of Tree on a Hill's narrative strength lies in the chemistry and dramatic chops of its main ensemble. The cast is comprised of some of Wales' most respected bilingual actors, bringing a palpable authenticity to the fictional town of Penwyllt.

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• Rhodri Meilir as Clive Lewis: The central protagonist, Clive is an unassuming, long-married man whose life takes a dark turn. Meilir is an award-winning Welsh actor, an Honorary Fellow of Aberystwyth University, and a three-time BAFTA Cymru nominee. His notable credits include Dilwyn in the critically acclaimed BBC Three series In My Skin and roles in Hidden/Craith. His recent work for 2024 and 2025 includes the theatre production Nye for the National Theatre.
• Nia Roberts as Margaret Lewis: Margaret is Clive’s wife and co-conspirator in the series’ central crime. Roberts is a highly respected Welsh actress from Brecon, known for her roles in the Oscar-nominated film Solomon and Gaenor, the horror film The Feast, and her appearance in the Netflix hit The Crown. She is married to director Marc Evans, further cementing her ties to the Welsh creative scene.
• Hannah Daniel as Sylvia: Daniel plays Sylvia, a key character in the drama's unfolding mystery. She is a prominent Welsh actress and writer from Cardiff, best known internationally for her role as DS Siân Owen in the noir crime drama Hinterland (Y Gwyll). Her other major television credits include Keeping Faith and Holby City, showcasing her versatility across different genres.
• Richard Lynch as Herbie Watkins: Lynch portrays Herbie, the at-first unassuming carpet fitter. He is a veteran Welsh actor, highly respected in the theatre and television world, best known for his long-running role as Garry Monk in the popular Welsh-language soap opera Pobol y Cwm. His extensive career in Wales makes him a familiar and beloved face to the S4C audience.

The Essential Supporting Ensemble

The supporting cast provides the rich tapestry of small-town life, adding layers of dark humour and unexpected depth to the plot. These actors are vital to achieving the topical authority of the series.

• William Thomas as John Frederick Watkins
• Richard Harrington as Glyn (Harrington is another star of Hinterland, reuniting him with creator Ed Thomas and Hannah Daniel)
• Rhodri Evan as Sgt Ruth Ellis
• Steffan Cennydd
• Suzanne Packer

The Story: Dark Humour Meets Accidental Crime

Tree on a Hill (or Pren ar y Bryn) is not your typical crime drama. It is billed as a "rich mix of dark humour, unique characters and a touch of the absurd."

The six-part series centers on Clive and Margaret Lewis, a couple living a quiet, unremarkable life in the fading frontier town of Penwyllt. Their world is irrevocably changed after a single, catastrophic event forces them into a desperate cover-up. The drama explores themes of loneliness, change, and unexpected liberation, all set against the stunning yet isolated backdrop of the Welsh hinterland.

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The show’s offbeat tone and emotional depth have been widely praised, with the New York Times highlighting it as another iteration of the "regular people accidentally do a big crime" format, but with a distinctly Welsh, darkly comedic twist.

Creative Team, Critical Acclaim, and Series 2 Status

The show's high quality is no accident; it comes from a pedigree creative team with a proven track record in Welsh drama. The writer and creator is Ed Thomas, a name synonymous with international Welsh noir, having created the acclaimed series Hinterland (Y Gwyll).

The series was produced by Fiction Factory Films, the same company behind Hinterland, and was originally broadcast on S4C and BBC One/iPlayer, with the English-language version available on BritBox.

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Recent Awards and Recognition

The critical success of Tree on a Hill has translated into major industry recognition in 2025:

• Broadcast Awards 2025 Nomination: The series was nominated for Best Multichannel Programme, showcasing its impact beyond its original S4C broadcast.
• Rockie Awards 2025 Win: The original soundtrack, composed by John Hardy, won the award for "Best Use of Music in a Series," highlighting the show's unique atmosphere and production quality.

Will There Be a Series 2 of Tree on a Hill?

The question on every fan's mind is whether Clive and Margaret’s story will continue. As of December 2025, there has been no official announcement regarding the renewal of Tree on a Hill for a second series.

While S4C has announced a slate of returning dramas for the 2025/2026 period, Tree on a Hill (Pren ar y Bryn) was not explicitly named in the initial press releases. Given the show's significant critical acclaim, its international distribution on BritBox, and its recent award nominations, there is a strong possibility that a second season could be commissioned. Fans should keep an eye on announcements from S4C, BBC Wales, and Fiction Factory Films for any updates in the coming months.

Topical Authority and Key Entities

The success of Tree on a Hill is a major win for Welsh drama, demonstrating the global appeal of high-quality, bilingual productions. The series acts as a thematic successor to Hinterland, trading that show's grim procedural focus for a more absurdist, character-driven narrative, but retaining the same atmospheric setting and narrative depth.

Key entities that define the show's topical authority include the rural Welsh setting (Penwyllt), the production company (Fiction Factory Films), the broadcasters (S4C and BritBox), and the creative vision of writer-director Ed Thomas. The cast—Rhodri Meilir, Nia Roberts, Hannah Daniel, and Richard Lynch—are all prominent figures whose careers are deeply interwoven with the fabric of modern Welsh television, making the series an authentic and compelling watch.