John Hefin, a remarkable individual with a storied career in British television, has made significant contributions to the industry, although his work has often been overlooked by critics and historians outside of his native Wales. As the head of drama for the BBC, Hefin had a long and highly successful tenure, during which he played a pivotal role in promoting Welsh language and culture.
One of his most notable achievements was overseeing the production of the first drama series entirely in Welsh, a groundbreaking milestone in the campaign to preserve the language. In the 1970s, Welsh was on the brink of extinction, but thanks to efforts like Hefin's, it is now spoken by nearly a quarter of the population.
In the early 1990s, Hefin was instrumental in founding the Welsh Film Commission, which he also managed for a time. After partially retiring, he dedicated himself to creating a course in film and television at the University of Wales in his hometown of Aberystwyth. His dedication to his craft has been unwavering, and he has recently begun a long-awaited return to film and television directing, leaving a lasting legacy in the industry.
