Star Wars show swaps galaxy far, far away for Wales

The latest Star Wars series, The Acolyte, has brought a touch of the galaxy far, far away to Wales. The show, starring Amandla Stenberg and Lee Jung-jae, filmed pivotal scenes across Bannau Brycheiniog, also known as the Brecon Beacons, and the south Wales valleys. Showrunner Leslye Headland shared that they shot a lot in Wales, praising its diverse landscapes. She mentioned that in Wales, you could film in a beautiful wooded area and then move to a snowy location, making it perfect for the show's needs. Wales has now officially become part of the Star Wars universe. Headland explained that they wanted the cast to feel like they were on different planets.

One of the filming locations was Trago Mills in Merthyr Tydfil. A small, empty lot to the west of Trago Mills was used, along with several fields opposite the Welsh branch of the UK department store. Production trailers were set up in a nearby vacant lot. It's unclear if any Wookiees stopped by for a Welsh cake at Bakestones.

Another significant location was Taf Fechan Forest in Bannau Brycheiniog. This forest was used for scenes set on the planet Brendok, the mysterious planet that is home to the Force-sensitive twins, Osha and Mae, played by Lauren and Leah Brady. A flashback in episode three shows the young twins playing under a Bunta Tree, with Taf Fechan standing in for the forests of Brendok. The Welsh countryside is prominently featured throughout the series, with Taf Fechan forest being a frequent filming location.

Upper Neuadd Reservoir in Bannau Brycheiniog was another key site. This drained reservoir served as the Jedi ship landing site in episode three. Although the reservoir is currently empty, it once provided potable water to the Merthyr Tydfil area. The site offers an excellent clearing for a Jedi landing site, and it's where Osha and Mae encounter the Wookiee Jedi master, Kelnacca, as he repairs a speeder. The distinctive treeline of the area can be seen in the background during these scenes.

Adjacent to the reservoir, the Upper Neuadd Dam also features in The Acolyte. Built between 1896 and 1902, the dam is situated on the south side of the now-drained reservoir. A robed figure is seen scaling an ancient-looking wall in the official trailer, which is the Upper Neuadd Dam. The dam was chosen for its specific aesthetic.

Production designer Kevin Jenkins explained that they aimed to depict an older, more peaceful version of the galaxy. He compared it to the Roman Empire, noting that what Rome looked like in 400 B. C. was different from 5 A. D. The scenes featuring the dam are from episode seven, with Sol, played by Lee Jung-jae, scaling the dam. The Acolyte is now available on Disney+, with the series finale set to air on July 16, 2024.