Ryan Reynolds is bringing Welsh TV shows to an American audience.
The Hollywood actor’s new television channel will feature a slot called “Welsh Wednesdays” – showcasing popular dramas, short films and documentaries.
Reynolds is the co-owner of Wrexham Football Club alongside It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star Rob McElhenney – and both have been praised for promoting Welsh language and culture globally in recent years.
The Deadpool star’s new channel is called Maximum Effort – and the first “Welsh Wednesday” will feature the drama series Bang as well as documentary series Pen Petrol (Petrol Head), Y Wal Goch (Red Wall), Wrecsam Clwb Ni (Wrexham Our Club), Fets (Y Fets) and Gareth Bale: Byw’r Freuddwyd (Gareth Bale: Living the Dream).
Reynolds said: “As many have noted, there is an alarming lack of Welsh content available for American viewing pleasure. That stops today. Well, actually Wednesdays.
“We’re so grateful to S4C for helping bring Welsh programming to a broader audience. And to that broader audience, don’t worry, I am told there will be subtitles.”
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S4C’s chief content officer, Llinos Griffin-Williams, said Reynolds understood “the importance of Welsh culture and the language”.
She added: “This commercial deal will take Welsh language content to Hollywood and the world.
“It will benefit the entire creative sector and talent pool here in Wales as we showcase everything from S4C dramas to entertainment formats, documentaries and sport. We’re a small nation that punches well above our weight.”
