BAFTA Cymru has revealed the Special Awards recipients for this year’s BAFTA Cymru Awards.
The BAFTA Cymru Outstanding Contribution to Television Award will be presented to Russell T Davies, who, for the last two decades, has been a trailblazer within LGBTQIA+ drama, while also leading BBC hit Doctor Who, as showrunner. One of BAFTA Cymru’s highest honours, the Award is presented to a Welsh individual who has made an outstanding contribution to Television and will be presented at the BAFTA Cymru Awards, taking place at ICC Wales, Newport, on Sunday 5 October.
Davies began his illustrious career 40 years ago as a graphic artist for the BBC Children’s programme Why Don’t You. A true revivalist, he helped bring Doctor Who back to TV screens in 2005 and, for over 25 years, Davies has been at the heart of queer drama, creating Channel 4’s groundbreaking Queer as Folk which premiered in 1999, 15 years ahead of Cucumber, another series noted for its inclusive portrayal of LGBTQIA+.
Having redefined perception of the on-screen portrayal of LGBTQIA+, his accolades span the years, channels and genres. He received his first BAFTA – for Children’s Drama – in 1996 for Dark Series.
Respected journalist and presenter Bethan Rhys Roberts (pictured) is to be honoured with the Siân Phillips Award – presented to a Welsh individual who has made significant contributions to film and/or television.
Bangor-born, her varied work has been guided by purpose-led journalism, taking her across the world, from harrowing war zones in Bosnia and Turkey to refugee camps in Sudan.
A leading and authoritative voice, Bethan co-anchors Newyddion S4C and co-hosted the weekly current affairs programme Wales Live (BBC One Wales), which delved into topical political and social issues.
Having gained a degree in French and Italian, Bethan studied European journalism in Paris, where she stayed as a freelance journalist before moving to London to become Parliamentary Correspondent for the BBC.
