The making of Mr Burton in Wales

In April 2025, Mr Burton premiered in cinemas across Wales. The Welsh-made biopic tells the story of how Richard Jenkins – a working-class boy from Pontrhydyfen – became the iconic actor Richard Burton, thanks to the guidance of his teacher, mentor and later legal guardian, Philip Burton.

Directed by Marc Evans and starring Harry Lawtey as young Richard and Toby Jones as Philip Burton, Mr Burton is backed by BBC Wales, Ffilm Cymru  and us, Creative Wales.

To learn more about how this story made it to screen and what it says about filmmaking in Wales, we spoke with Hannah Thomas, producer from Severn Screen.     

The idea for Mr Burton began a decade ago when Ed met Josh Hyams at an event in Hay on Wye. He mentioned a script he’d co-written with Tom Bullough about a young Richard Burton. 

 ‘I’d already been researching the subject whilst at the BBC,’ says Hannah. It felt like a perfect fit for Severn Screen, known for showcasing authentic Welsh stories. 

She was also drawn to the story’s relevance. ‘At a time when opportunities for working-class kids to access the arts are being stripped, it’s a reminder that talent is everywhere – sometimes you just need someone to light a spark.’

Getting funding for a film is one of the first hurdles. Early support for Mr Burton came from BBC Wales, Ffilm Cymru and Creative Wales, which showed its cultural and commercial potential.

‘That was a real seal of approval’ says Hannah. ‘It meant we could go out to the market and say our home funders saw the value in this project.’

Once funding was secured, the focus shifted to casting, crew and shaping the film’s release strategy. ‘We attached great talent,’ says Hannah. ‘Toby Jones, Lesley Manville, Harry Lawtey, and brilliant Welsh actors like Aneurin Barnard, Aimee-Ffion Edwards and Steffan Rhodri.’

For Hannah, the goal as a producer was to instil confidence by showing strong support and a clear creative direction. ‘I needed to get people comfortable by saying we’ve got funding, talent, and a visionary director (Marc Evans), arguably one of Wales’ best. Then it’s about convincing others to share that vision.’

Despite its deep Welsh roots, Mr Burton tells a universal story that resonates with audiences far beyond Wales. ‘It’s about how we develop nascent talent,’ says Hannah. ‘And how it can be found in the most unusual places.’ This broader appeal is vital to making a Welsh production successful – helping to reach wider audiences beyond its borders.

Filming for Mr Burton began in summer 2024. The filming process can be daunting, especially during pre-production when you’re scouting locations, designing sets, and coordinating departments, all while finalising finance and handling contracts.

‘It’s a stressful phase,’ says Hannah. ‘But once production starts, it feels great.’

This is where support from our Filming in Wales service  can make a big difference to productions filming in Wales – helping find locations, crew and studio space.

Challenges like bad weather are common. On Mr Burton, a beach scene had to be rescheduled due to torrential Welsh rain, so having the right crew is vital. ‘There was such talented, local crew attached to Mr Burton,’ says Hannah. ‘Everyone saw the value of it and brought so much energy, love and compassion.’

After filming, the project moved into post-production, which included a music score recorded by the National Orchestra of Wales, followed by distribution.  

Hannah advises emerging filmmakers to seek out distribution partners. ‘We have a distribution partner responsible for handling cinema bookings,’ says Hannah. ‘And the BBC have been brilliant. It’s on the BBC in November during the centenary of Richard Burton’s birth.’

Further support from Ffilm Cymru and Creative Wales helped bring the film to Welsh cinemas, showing what’s possible with the right backing and a strong story.

Filming in Wales offers many advantages, from diverse locations to a strong network of talented crews. ‘Filming in Wales always feels like coming home,’ says Hannah. ‘On Mr Burton, retracing Richard’s footsteps and feeling that history and legacy of a Welsh story was special.’

The production was deeply rooted in both place and people. From the local premiere in Aberavon to support from those who remember Burton personally, the film felt connected to its Welsh origins and community. 

Along with its spirit, Wales offers a unique blend of landscapes, from the South Valleys to coastal locations, making it easy to find diverse settings for your project.

‘We filmed everywhere across Wales – from Newport to the South Wales Valleys. Wales is so diverse, and because it’s so small, you can get to different locations quickly.'

For aspiring filmmakers, Hannah says Wales boasts world-class crews, experienced suppliers and a rich history of storytelling. ‘We’re a creative nation, and that’s something we should be proud of.’

And of course, if your production films in Wales, uses local crew, talent and facilities, and contributes to the Welsh creative economy, you can access our support.

While Wales offers great opportunities for new filmmakers, there are universal challenges.

‘There’s a downturn in the market,’ says Hannah. ‘Raising finance is tricky, and there’s huge competition – which is healthy, but it means you must work harder for stories to punch through’.

Her advice? Be adaptable, work with experienced people, and don’t let challenges limit creativity. ‘If you can cut your cloth and work to a lower budget, there are still opportunities out there.’

Interested in filming in Wales? Want to discover more about the productions filmed here? Visit our dedicated page to learn more.