Martin Clunes to play Owain Glyndŵr in upcoming Hollywood blockbuster
Stephen Price
Doc Martin star Martin Clunes will be joined by Toby Jones and Maxine Peake in an upcoming Hollywood production detailing the life of Owain Glyndŵr, the last native Prince of Wales.
Starring alongside Clunes (Doc Martin, William and Mary) as the Welsh hero, Toby Jones (Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Mr Burton) will play Owain’s father, Gruffudd Fychan, while Maxine Peake (Dinnerladies, Gwen) will take on the role of Owain’s wife, Mared Merch Dafydd.
The Lord of the Rings-inspired drama, titled Owain Glyndŵr: Blood and Glory, also features support from Welsh acting giants Michael Sheen (Frost/Nixon, The Queen) as Charles VI of France and Dame Siân Phillips (I Claudius, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy) as an unnamed peasant.
Principle filming is expected to take place this spring in locations across North Yorkshire, as well as Pinewood Studios, London, with a pivotal love-making scene set to take place just outside Chepstow, with a full Wales-based canteen staff on hand for the two-day shoot.
Clunes shared his excitement for the role, saying: “It’s been so good to be back in Wales, assuming Chepstow is Wales that is, for part of the filming surrounded by so many incredible actors – many of whom I’ve worked with beforehand.
“The script grabbed me from the first read, and it was fascinating getting to learn about Owain’s life ‘on the job’ so to speak, not having heard of him before.
“I joked with the team at Gwalia Films that I’ve got the accent nailed from Out There, and then again for the Huw Edwards docu drama so they only chose me because they knew I’d be able to save them money on helping the other actors perfect the Welsh accent too.”
And for fans of Clunes’ earlier work, eagle-eyed viewers might spot a few cameos from fellow-stars of his beloved breakout production, Men Behaving Badly.
He told Nation.Cymru: “I’m not sure if I’m supposed to mention this, but Neil Morrissey, Caroline Quentin and Leslie Ash all feature in prominent roles.
“Leslie in particular blew me away with her part, and to see her take on more lines than both Sheen and Phillips just shows how much we’ve underestimated her talent until now.”
Maxine Peake, who plays the wife of Glyndŵr, and also The Lady of the Lake and a non-binary Merlin in a number of groundbreaking Arthurian-inspired dream sequences, said: “Like Martin, I’m no stranger to a Welsh role, and I’m just thrilled to be flying the flag for Wales on the world stage.
“The film is loosely inspired by the work of Emerald Fennell, so that fresh take on an old story really appealed to me – especially with the homoerotic elements that, although unspoken, bring an added dimension and humanity to a largely-forgotten character who I’m sure very few Welsh people are aware of.
“Like Martin, I had no idea about the story before, but it’s got such a Lord of the Rings feel that I’m sure it’ll capture new audiences who will be as excited as we were to immerse themselves in this absolute hero of British history.”
Rob Chode from Gwalia Films shared: “When the script landed on our desks, we knew we had to get the cream of acting talent for the role, and Martin Clunes was everyone’s first choice. It’s an absolute thrill to watch him in action.
“I’d also seen Peake and Jones tackle two important Welsh roles and with them on board the puzzle pieces fell into place.”
“Rest assured there will be no shortage of Welsh actors in supporting roles, all held together with the skill of Wales-based director, Penda Fenn, and we expect a surge in tourism to Chepstow.
“This is Wales at its best. We can’t wait for fans to get behind the man behind the myth – with just a little touch of fantasy, romantasy and Welsh magic added to the mix to bring this story up to date.
“Game of Thrones fans will not be disappointed. And who knows, if Welsh audiences get behind this first class production as we expect them to, we might even find ourselves at the beginning of a limitless Owain Glyndŵr multiverse.
“The possibilities are endless.”
Owain Glyndŵr: Blood and Glory is a Gwalia Films production funded with support from the Welsh Assembly’s Merthyr Tydfil Depot, and will hit Welsh cinemas on 4 September 2026 following its London premiere on 3 September 2026.
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I see what you did there Nation Cymru 👀
I had to put this down for ages after reading it, I was/am so angry. All the iconic Welsh actors out there and they have to stick the knife in again with an English cast in the main roles. Sheen should have played Glyndwr-an icon for an icon
For the sake of your blood pressure, check today’s date
Exactly!!! His welsh accent playing Hugh Edwards was appalling! Martin Sheen would have been perfect!
Huw
Michael
Yep, you got me hook line and sinker. Well played Nation Cymru!
Yes a welsh film needs gorgeous welsh actors who can speak welsh
And can sing !
The vast majority of Welsh people don’t speak Welsh.
Hate to break it to Martin Clunes, but there’s no such thing as “the Welsh accent”. There is a multiplicity of Welsh accents, and Owain Glyndŵr, hailing from north-east Wales certainly wouldn’t have had the generic pseudo-Welsh accent that Clunes seems to have had in mind.
April fool?
For about 10 minutes I was angry before I realised.
He’s English
It’s April 1st
Casting Toby Jones as Owain Glyndwr’s father is an inspired choice given he is Martin’s junior by 5 years. Will they be employing CGI-aging or will his role be as a sequence of flashbacks? This all sounds truly inspired, I’m particularly excited by the non-binary merlin / lady of the lake dream sequences.
This has the potential to be bigger than Lord of the Rings. Can’t wait, fingers crossed for a trilogy!
Perhaps the downvoters think you haven’t noticed the date.
I see Hywel is now above the waterline so hooray for the people who get it
It’s April 1st
That’s really a good one you totally had me!
Doniol iawn! More ‘Fake News’ though!
Happy ‘Trump Day’ to one and all!
Nearly fell for this brilliant April Fool’s joke, drew me in and got me annoyed – very funny!
I was hoping to get cast as Owain’s Mam, Ebrill Y Cyntaf.
Does this article have something to do with the fact that its 1 April?
This sounds promising, but if I’m honest I’m more excited about Clunes’ next two roles, as Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King
Nice try, Nation. Good attempt at an April Fool prank but I read “assuming Chepstow is Welsh” and knew it had to be bait.
Although I believe this is an April fool joke I would not be surprised if actually happens.
Very good NC. Comments section just as funny though.
Jesus Christ boyos in the comment section, do you not know what day it is?
Also starring Andrew RT Davies as his horse.
A pantomime horse?
Only the back end
Reform have said that they will block this, and all other pro-Cymru portrayals, once they enter the Senedd. Only images of Charlie, Wills and Katie being greeted by adoring crowds from Bethesda to Briton Ferry will be allowed.
Should I be saying, “a pinch and a punch for the first day of the month.?”
Da Iawn!
You nearly got me. Well done. Thanks to whoever wrote it.
“Rest assured there will be no shortage of Welsh actors in supporting roles” is an especially masterly touch.
I like Martin Clunes , but we have so many good welsh actors ,why have they chosen an English man ,makes no sense
Nice one.
Chwarae teg!
Although with the level of bonkers that our planet is currently at, it wouldn’t be a surprise.
Ha! Ha! I completely forgot the date! Lol!
Fabulous actor. Played a blinder playing Huw Edwards recently 👍
Absolutely disgusted!!!! Our Welsh actors should be playing Welsh icons. Sheen should be doing it. What an insult!
Another English man playing a Welsh man. I would have said that Michael Sheen would have been a better choice for the role.
Its a film Id love to see on the big screen so knew immediately it was an April Fool spoof – Penda’s Fen – thsoe were the days!
Nope has to be Michael sheen for me or luke evans
People are still falling for it. Hilarious. Maybe they only read the opening before reacting and moving on. Perhaps it could keep going until next April
Omigods and sweet green apples. Thank you NC for warning us to AVOID.
Maxine Peake, who plays the wife of Glyndŵr says he is “a largely-forgotten character who I’m sure very few Welsh people are aware of.”
Martin Clunes as Glyndŵr says “it was fascinating getting to learn about Owain’s life … not having heard of him before.”
Title: Owain Glyndŵr: Blood and Glory.
Rob Chode from Gwalia Films declares “Game of Thrones fans will not be disappointed.”