Actor Iwan Rheon has highlighted the contemporary relevance of the BBC thriller The Rapture, a series set during a heatwave that reflects a warming world. Filmed in south Wales last autumn, the production used makeup effects to simulate extreme heat despite “changeable” weather conditions during filming.
The psychological thriller, based on the bestselling novel by Liz Jensen, creates a stark contrast between its onscreen environment and the reality of its production. While the plot centers on a heatwave, filming took place in south Wales during the autumn, where the temperature did not align with the script’s oppressive climate.
Simulating Sweat with Moisturizer
To bridge the gap between the Welsh autumn and the required heatwave aesthetic, the production relied heavily on the makeup department. Rheon noted that artists used heavy moisturizer to make the cast appear as though they were sweating.
Iwan Rheon, actor, said they had to make them look oily and sweaty.
The actor joked about the visual requirements of the role while acknowledging the irony of the timing. Speaking to Lucy Owen on BBC Radio Wales, Rheon mentioned that the weather during the most recent week would have been the perfect time to film it.
The Plot of The Rapture
The series follows the intersection of two lives: Dr Gabriele Fox, a forensic psychologist played by Ruth Madeley, and 17-year-old Bethany Krall, portrayed by India Amarteifio. The narrative tension centers on Bethany, who has been convicted of murdering her mother but maintains her innocence, claiming she possesses psychic powers and the ability to predict the future.
The cast is further bolstered by Ruth Jones, the co-creator of Gavin and Stacey, who plays the character Mel in the drama. The production was made for BBC iPlayer and BBC One by Mammoth Screen, part of ITV Studios, with additional support provided by the Welsh government via Creative Wales.
Iwan Rheon’s Welsh Production Slate
For Rheon, who grew up in Cardiff, The Rapture is one of three new productions that he has been filming in Wales. This concentration of work reflects a broader trend of utilizing the region’s creative infrastructure.
- Out There: A British sci-fi comedy filmed in Ceredigion. Set in 1999, it follows a teenage girl convinced her father was abducted by aliens. Rheon stars alongside Michael Sheen.
- The Mountain: A film shot on Anglesey about a neglected boy in 1980s Wales. Directed by Celyn Jones, the film features Peter Mullan and Rebecca Lucy Taylor.
- The Rapture: The aforementioned psychological thriller now available on BBC iPlayer.
Rheon expressed a sense of gratitude for the ability to work in his home region, stating that it is lovely to be back home because he gets to see family. He credited the Welsh creative industry for having great infrastructure now, fantastic crews
and an innate
ability to produce great actors.
Environmental Resonance and Global Warming
Beyond the technical challenges of faking a heatwave, the series carries a thematic weight that Rheon believes connects with current global events. The actor suggests that the show’s premise is no longer just a plot device but a reflection of a changing climate.
Iwan Rheon, actor, believes that this one really hits home.
This connection transforms the heatwave from a mere setting into a point of social resonance, aligning the fiction of Liz Jensen’s novel with the real-world experience of increasing global temperatures.
Availability on BBC iPlayer
All episodes of The Rapture are currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer. The series stands as a testament to the collaborative effort between Mammoth Screen and the Welsh government’s investment in local production.
