“Hinterland” (Y Gwyll in Welsh) is a 2013 Welsh noir crime drama series set in the bleak, atmospheric landscapes of Aberystwyth, Wales. Blending psychological depth with traditional crime storytelling, the show follows Detective Chief Inspector Tom Mathias as he investigates complex murders that often reveal dark secrets about the local community.
Season 1 Recap
Season 1 consists of four feature-length episodes, each delving into standalone cases that gradually reveal more about Mathias and the haunting landscape he works in. The series is characterized by its slow-burn storytelling, atmospheric cinematography, and exploration of rural isolation.
Main Characters
- DCI Tom Mathias (Richard Harrington): A brooding, introspective detective running from a troubled past in London. He is emotionally scarred and seeks solace in his work.
- DI Mared Rhys (Mali Harries): Mathias’s competent and intelligent second-in-command, deeply rooted in the local community.
- DC Lloyd Ellis (Alex Harries): A young, diligent detective with a strong sense of duty.
- DS Sian Owens (Hannah Daniel): A driven and ambitious detective who often challenges Mathias.
Episode-by-Episode Breakdown
Episode 1: “Devil’s Bridge”
Case: The murder of Helen Jenkins, an elderly woman and former caretaker of a children’s home. Her body is found in a stream near Devil’s Bridge.
Investigation:
- Mathias and his team uncover that Helen was once involved in running a children’s home where abuse was rampant.
- Several former residents, now adults, harbor deep emotional scars.
- Helen was murdered to silence her before she could reveal the home’s dark secrets.
The episode delves into themes of childhood trauma, institutional abuse, and the long-lasting effects of hidden crimes.
Episode 2: “Night Music”
Case: The brutal murder of Glyn Maddox, a reclusive piano teacher, is found dead in his home.
Investigation:
- Glyn’s past reveals a history of abusive behavior toward his music students.
- His estranged daughter and a former student are key suspects.
- The murder is revealed to be motivated by revenge for past abuse.
Explores familial estrangement, revenge, and the psychological scars left by abuse.
Episode 3: “Penwyllt”
Case: The skeletal remains of a man are discovered in an abandoned quarry village.
Investigation:
- The victim is identified as a former quarry worker involved in labor disputes decades ago.
- The investigation uncovers old tensions between workers and quarry owners, revealing betrayal and greed.
Focuses on class conflict, industrial decline, and how the past continues to affect the present.
Episode 4: “The Girl in the Water”
Case: The body of Alys Thomas, a young woman, is pulled from a river.
Investigation:
- Alys had been involved with several older men, sparking suspicions of exploitation.
- A local businessman is implicated in manipulating young women.
- The case reveals a web of deceit and exploitation.
Examines manipulation, exploitation of women, and small-town secrecy.
Season 1 Character Arcs and Development
Team Dynamics: Tension grows between Mathias and his team as they navigate the complexity of the cases and Mathias’s unconventional methods.
Tom Mathias: His past trauma is subtly hinted at throughout the season, suggesting a personal tragedy that led him to Aberystwyth. His isolation and obsessive dedication to work show he’s running from more than just failed relationships.
Mared Rhys: Acts as a grounding force for Mathias. Her knowledge of the local community and commitment to justice balance Mathias’s impulsiveness.
Season 1 Ending Explained
By the end of Season 1, while each murder case is resolved, Tom Mathias’s personal story remains ambiguous. His past in London, hinted at through fleeting references and his tormented demeanor, is left unexplored, teasing future revelations. The season ends with Mathias still an outsider in Aberystwyth, struggling to find peace but deeply entangled in the community’s darkness.
Season 2 Recap
“Hinterland” (Y Gwyll) Season 2 continues the dark and atmospheric crime drama set in the remote, brooding landscapes of Aberystwyth, Wales. The season deepens the focus on DCI Tom Mathias’s personal struggles while unraveling new complex cases steeped in local history and secrets.
The tone remains bleak and moody, with crimes reflecting the hidden darkness of the seemingly quiet Welsh countryside.
Main Characters Season 2
- DCI Tom Mathias (Richard Harrington): Still haunted by his past and more isolated than ever, Mathias becomes more driven and obsessive in solving cases.
- DI Mared Rhys (Mali Harries): Balances her loyalty to Mathias with her commitment to doing things by the book. Her relationship with Mathias grows more strained as his behavior becomes more erratic.
- DC Lloyd Ellis (Alex Harries): Continues to show his dedication but struggles with the increasing complexity of the cases.
- DS Sian Owens (Hannah Daniel): More assertive and ambitious, often questioning Mathias’s methods.
Episode-by-Episode Breakdown
Episode 1: “Ceredigion”
Case: The body of Richard Harries, a retired police officer, is found in a remote farmhouse.
Investigation:
- Harries was connected to old cases involving the disappearance of children.
- His murder appears to be linked to past corruption within the police force.
- Clues hint at a long-standing cover-up involving powerful local figures.
Corruption, childhood trauma, and the abuse of authority are explored, raising questions about how far institutions will go to protect themselves.
Episode 2: “The Cave”
Case: The discovery of a woman’s body in a cave leads to an investigation into a small rural community.
Investigation:
- The victim, Mari Davies, was deeply involved in local traditions and myths.
- The case uncovers a secretive group practicing pagan rituals.
- Tensions rise between locals as ancient beliefs clash with modern life.
Themes: Explores folklore, superstition, and the impact of community isolation.
Episode 3: “The Man in the Woods”
Case: A man is found hanged in the woods, staged to appear as a suicide.
Investigation:
- The victim, Geraint Ellis, had a violent past and was feared by many.
- Evidence suggests he was involved in manipulating vulnerable people.
- The case reveals a tangled web of blackmail, abuse, and revenge.
Justice vs. revenge, manipulation, and community silence.
Episode 4: “Old Scores”
Case: The charred body of a young man is found in a remote, abandoned house.
Investigation:
- The victim, Leighton Jones, was part of a close-knit farming family.
- The investigation exposes feuds between farming families, stemming from land disputes and old rivalries.
- It becomes clear that long-held grudges fueled the crime.
Themes: Family loyalty, land ownership, and rural conflict.
Ongoing Story Arc: Mathias’s Past
Throughout Season 2, fragments of Mathias’s troubled past begin to surface. His estranged family and a personal tragedy from his life in London continue to haunt him, contributing to his deteriorating mental state. His isolation deepens as his relationship with DI Mared Rhys grows tense due to his unorthodox and increasingly reckless investigative methods.
Additionally, internal police corruption becomes more prominent. The murder of Richard Harries in Episode 1 hints at deep-rooted institutional misconduct within the force, suggesting that Mathias is up against more than just criminals.
Season 2 Ending Explained
By the end of Season 2, Mathias finds himself entangled in a larger conspiracy within the police force. His pursuit of justice is hindered by internal politics and cover-ups.
The season concludes with Mathias more isolated than ever, questioning whom he can trust within the force. The unresolved corruption storyline hints at greater dangers ahead, setting the stage for the events of Season 3.
Season 3 Recap
“Hinterland” (Y Gwyll) Season 3 is the final season of the critically acclaimed Welsh crime noir series. Continuing the dark, atmospheric tone of the previous seasons, Season 3 ties together lingering plotlines while delving deeper into Detective Chief Inspector Tom Mathias’s fractured psyche and the sinister underbelly of Aberystwyth. This season focuses heavily on institutional corruption, personal trauma, and the consequences of past crimes.
Main Characters (Season 3)
- DCI Tom Mathias (Richard Harrington): Haunted by personal demons and increasingly isolated, Mathias becomes more erratic in his pursuit of justice.
- DI Mared Rhys (Mali Harries): Now leading many investigations, Mared struggles with balancing her loyalty to Mathias and her duty to the police force.
- DS Sian Owens (Hannah Daniel): Ambitious and determined, Owens grows increasingly frustrated with Mathias’s unpredictable behavior.
- DC Lloyd Ellis (Alex Harries): Continues to be a steady presence on the team, though more cautious as internal tensions rise.
Episode-by-Episode Breakdown
Episode 1: “The Decline”
Case: The body of local businessman Ifan Williams is found in a secluded boatyard, suggesting a brutal murder.
Investigation:
- Ifan was involved in shady land deals and had many enemies.
- Mathias and Mared discover that Ifan’s death is connected to a wider conspiracy involving corrupt officials and land development projects.
Themes: Explores corporate greed, local corruption, and how economic pressures impact small communities.
Episode 2: “A Poisonous Tree”
Case: A woman’s body, Nia Roberts, is discovered in the woods, showing signs of ritualistic murder.
Investigation:
- Nia was involved with a support group for victims of abuse, hinting at a connection to older, hidden crimes.
- Evidence suggests the involvement of powerful local figures suppressing damaging secrets.
Themes: Focuses on abuse of power, cover-ups, and how victims are often silenced by those in authority.
Episode 3: “The Silent Truth”
Case: A young man, Aled Thomas, is found dead on a rural farm, staged to look like suicide.
Investigation:
- Aled was digging into his family’s dark past, particularly a scandal involving his father.
- His death is linked to old police investigations, drawing Mathias closer to uncovering institutional corruption.
Themes: Highlights how family secrets and generational trauma can lead to tragedy.
Episode 4: “The Reckoning”
Case: The season’s final episode sees the culmination of the corruption storyline as the police force itself is implicated in covering up past crimes.
Investigation:
- Mathias discovers a direct link between high-ranking officers and criminal activities spanning decades.
- Mathias’s obsession with exposing the truth brings him into direct conflict with his superiors.
Themes: Institutional corruption, betrayal, and the personal cost of seeking justice.
Ongoing Story Arc: Mathias’s Struggle and Corruption
Season 3 heavily focuses on Mathias’s deteriorating mental state. His obsessive pursuit of justice pushes him further into isolation, straining his relationships with his team, particularly Mared Rhys. Mathias’s past trauma, hinted at throughout the series, becomes more apparent, revealing that his drive for justice is deeply personal.
The season also fully unravels the police corruption subplot introduced in earlier seasons. Mathias uncovers that senior officers were involved in covering up historic crimes, particularly cases of abuse and misconduct linked to prominent local figures.
Mared becomes increasingly conflicted, torn between loyalty to Mathias and her role in a system she is starting to distrust. Sian Owens, sensing Mathias’s instability, questions his judgment, adding internal conflict within the department.
Season 3 Ending Explained
In the final episode, Mathias confronts the deep-rooted corruption within the police force. His relentless search for the truth forces him to go against his own superiors, exposing the institutional rot that has allowed powerful individuals to escape justice for years.
However, Mathias’s obsession leads to his professional downfall. Facing internal disciplinary actions and growing distrust from his team, Mathias realizes that the system he’s trying to change may be too broken to fix.
The series ends with Mathias walking away from the police force and the community of Aberystwyth. His departure is ambiguous—did he leave by choice, or was he forced out? This ending leaves viewers questioning whether Mathias achieved justice or simply lost himself in the process.
Meanwhile, Mared Rhys is left to pick up the pieces, now questioning her own role within a flawed system. The unresolved corruption hints at the uncomfortable reality that some truths remain buried, despite Mathias’s sacrifices.
