Film nerd mates create comedy love letter to valleys

In a delightful twist of creativity, three friends who share a passion for films and television have come together to create a unique animated sitcom titled The Golden Cobra. This show is set in the fictional Golden Cobra takeaway, located in the town of Ebbw Vale, which is known for its rich history in steel production. The trio, consisting of Adam Llewellyn, James Prygodzicz, and Tom Rees, have spent years nurturing their friendship and their shared love for storytelling. Adam, who also took on the role of animator for the series, expressed his excitement by stating, 'It's about time people from the valleys have their own TV show. ' The first episode introduces viewers to the chaotic world of the Golden Cobra, where the kitchen is infested with vermin, and a food inspector unexpectedly pays a visit. Tom added, 'Even though it is a cartoon and it's over the top and crazy it is authentically valleys,' highlighting the show's commitment to capturing the essence of their hometown. The journey to creating The Golden Cobra began in 2019 when Adam, during a break from his teaching job, experimented with animation software and produced the first episode of a YouTube series called The Vale. This initial project quickly gained traction, and the friends decided to collaborate on a larger scale. They cleverly engaged their audience by hosting a competition where fans could share the show on social media for a chance to be drawn into an episode. This interactive approach led to a surge in popularity, with many locals proudly using their portraits as profile pictures. The success of The Vale caught the attention of BBC Wales, leading to a partnership with production company Beastly Media to develop a pilot for The Golden Cobra. Now, the eight-part series is set to premiere on BBC iPlayer, BBC One Wales, and BBC Three. Adam admitted to feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety about the show's release, saying, 'On one side I’m like ‘this is awesome’, then you have a side that is just like nerve-racking. ' He humorously noted that his friends have taken on the role of therapists during this process. The storyline revolves around the Abassi family, who run the Golden Cobra takeaway. The first episode features a comical incident where the family patriarch, Basil, voiced by Jeff Mirza, accidentally poisons a food inspector during an unannounced visit. The creators were mindful of the cultural representation in their show, as they are three white men writing about an Indian family. James explained, 'When we were writing the scripts we didn't make a conscious effort to say 'this is an Indian family, therefore we have to have things from their culture in it', it was basically just they run a takeaway, they happen to be Indian. ' Adam shared that the inspiration for the Abassi family came from a childhood friend whose family owned a corner shop in Ebbw Vale. He felt it was important to tell a story about the only Asian family in a predominantly white town. The characters in The Golden Cobra are crafted with love and authenticity, reflecting the real-life experiences of the creators. The show also aims to introduce audiences outside of Wales to the charm of Ebbw Vale, much like how other shows have showcased different regions. Adam expressed, 'The Welsh valleys gets barely any love on TV… so when it came to making a cartoon we were like, let's absolutely set it in the real Ebbw Vale world. ' With their unique perspective and humor, the creators hope to resonate with viewers and create a connection through their storytelling. Adam has transitioned from his teaching career to focus on animating and writing full-time, while Tom supports adults with disabilities, and James works for British Gas. The collaborative process has been enjoyable for the trio, as they often discuss their favorite films and TV shows during writing sessions. Adam remarked, 'We all have a tremendous laugh,' emphasizing the joy they find in their creative partnership. Despite the challenges they face, they remain committed to producing a quality show that reflects their love for their hometown and the characters they have created. The Golden Cobra promises to be a fun and engaging series that showcases the vibrant culture of Ebbw Vale.