BAFTA Cymru award for actor Mark Lewis Jones from Wrexham

Actor Mark Lewis Jones from Rhos, Wrexham, who has appeared in critically-acclaimed films and television dramas during his 38-year acting career, will become the 18th recipient of the Siân Phillips Award at the BAFTA Cymru Awards on October 20.

Mark’s many appearances include Welsh dramas Stella, Keeping Faith, and Dal y Mellt, the first Welsh language series to feature on Netflix.

He is also known for globally recognised programmes The Crown, Gangs of London and Baby Reindeer. He is one of the stars of BBC drama Men Up, nominated in six categories at this year’s BAFTA Cymru Awards.

Previous Siân Phillips Award recipients include: actress Rakie Ayola, director Euros Lyn, actor Rhys Ifans, writer Russell T Davies, actor Michael Sheen, actor Ioan Gruffudd and writer/actress/producer Ruth Jones.

Mark said: “I am delighted to be honoured with this award, diolch BAFTA Cymru. I was born and bred in Rhosllanerchrugog near Wrexham and come from a family with no connection to the arts or creative industries but I was very fortunate to receive opportunities and support, for which I am very grateful. I fear that a young Mark Lewis Jones might not get the same opportunities that I did.

(Image: staff)

“Arts and culture are the backbone of our society and an integral part of our nation’s identity. The consequences of de-funding any arts organisations and initiatives are immeasurable.

“I feel especially honoured to receive this award in the name of someone who has shown such courage and tenacity throughout her extraordinary career and hope dearly that I will be able to use this platform to help and inspire others to realise their dreams.”

Alongside Mark, former BBC Wales Head of Drama and Bad Wolf co-founder Julie Gardner, MBE is to receive the Outstanding Contribution to Television award.

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Julie Gardner MBE said: “Being the recipient of this prestigious Welsh award means the world to me, diolch BAFTA. From the moment I was given the job as BBC Head of Drama Wales in 2003, my mission was to bring projects into Wales The skills, passion, commitment and work ethic of people in Wales, is unbeatable."

Angharad Mair, BAFTA Cymru Chair, said: “These two awards go to individuals of the highest calibre.

"Wales is proving once again that we not only have amazing talent in Wales, but that we’re creating work of the highest quality…Likewise, Julie has made a huge contribution here and internationally, and we are looking forward to honouring both Mark and Julie on 20 October.”