Duration
60 minutes
Series Info
Season 2 Episode 1

Quick Summary

MARK DRAKEFORD - Dot Davies escorts Wales' First Minister on an intimate, emotional tour of the National Library of Wales vaults, unveiling the personal side of pandemic leadership. Part of a compelling series, this documentary episode delivers programme highlights for UK television, blending drama and entertainment in a quick overview at a glance for British TV and S4C HD programming, perfect for UK viewers scanning the television guide.

About This Program

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW DOT DAVIES GUIDES MARK DRAKEFORD – WALES’ FIRST MINISTER DURING THE PANDEMIC – ON A PERSONAL AND EMOTIONAL JOURNEY THROUGH THE VAULTS OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF WALES. This one‑hour documentary series offers a rare, intimate portrait of the leader who steered Wales through unprecedented health crises, set against the historic backdrop of the nation’s greatest repository of cultural memory. WHAT TO EXPECT VIEWERS WILL BE TAKEN THROUGH A CAREFULLY CURATED selection of letters, diaries, photographs and secretarial notes that reveal the human side of decision‑making in a time of crisis. EACH EPISODE UNFOLDS LIKE A THRILLING DRAMA, with Dot Davies acting as both guide and confidante, drawing out stories of sleepless nights, family sacrifices and the quiet moments of hope that sustained the First Minister. The narrative interweaves personal anecdotes with broader social context, delivering an in‑depth review of how policy and emotion intersected during the pandemic. KEY FEATURES - EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF WALES’ ARCHIVES, never before seen by the public. - A CHARISMATIC PRESENCE IN DOT DAVIES, whose empathetic interviewing style brings authenticity to every scene. - HIGH‑QUALITY PRODUCTION VALUES, with cinematic lighting in the library vaults and a subtle, atmospheric score that underscores the emotional weight of each revelation. - RICH HISTORICAL CONTEXT, linking the pandemic response to Wales’ long‑standing tradition of community resilience. - EPISODE‑BY‑EPISODE STRUCTURE that allows UK viewers to absorb the story in digestible, compelling segments. WHY WATCH FOR DISCERNING UK TELEVISION VIEWERS, THIS PROGRAMME IS A MASTERCLASS IN DOCUMENTARY STORYtelling, blending the gravitas of a political biography with the intimacy of a personal memoir. It offers FULL DETAILS about the inner workings of Welsh governance, while also delivering the emotional resonance of a drama. The series is a must‑watch for anyone interested in British TV that combines entertainment with education, providing insight into leadership, public health, and cultural heritage. S4C HD PROGRAMMING CONTEXT THIS DOCUMENTARY FITS SEAMLESSLY INTO S4C HD’S TRADITION OF HIGH‑QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING, sitting alongside acclaimed series such as “The Crown” and “Our World”. It enriches the channel’s portfolio of UK‑focused programmes, offering a unique blend of historical documentary and contemporary relevance that will appeal to a broad spectrum of British TV audiences seeking depth, authenticity, and a compelling narrative.

Cyfrinachau'r Llyfrgell broadcasts on S4C at 9:00pm, Sunday, 21 September 2025. (Subtitles, repeat)