If you love thrillers, it's time to get excited as The Guest is coming very soon to the BBC, with a fantastic Welsh cast, including Eve Myles (Keeping Faith) and Gabrielle Creevy (In My Skin). Filmed in and around Cardiff, this fast-paced new drama centres around the toxic and beguiling relationship between a successful business owner and her cleaner.
Nick Andrews, Head of Commissioning for BBC Cymru Wales, describes the show as “a twisty-turny, edge-of-your-seat thriller that you’ll be watching from behind your sofa.”
At its core, however, The Guest is more than just your average drama. “At its core this is an examination of class, social mobility, and the growing disparity between those at the top and bottom of our society,” says screenwriter Matthew Barry. Actress Eve Myles adds that the series explores class in a “celebratory” way. “It is rare to see Wales portrayed like this - extravagant, ambitious, creative.”
What is The Guest about?
According to the BBC: “Ria has never had the time or opportunity to think about what she might actually want from the world. So, when she starts cleaning for Fran, she’s intoxicated by this confident and self-assured woman who encourages her to take control of her life. When Ria flourishes, an intense friendship is forged.”
However, when Fran’s advice leads to a shocking event, the lives of these two very different women become intertwined by shared secrets and dangerous plots. “What follows is a compelling and manipulative game of cat-and-mouse. But just who is playing who?”
What happens in The Guest trailer?
The trailer opens with a sweeping shot of a grand country house. A cheerful voice calls out, “Hello? It’s the cleaner,” as Ria (Gabrielle Creevy) waits at the edge of the long gravel driveway. Inside, a robotic vacuum whirs across the polished floors while Fran (Eve Myles), vibrant and full of energy, carries boxes as though she’s just moved in.
Ria follows her new boss through the sprawling estate, wide-eyed at its scale and elegance, but several warnings from others urge her to get out while she still can. Curiosity outweighs fear, and when she finally asks Fran why she was hired, Fran replies bluntly: “Because I felt sorry for you.”
The tension escalates as flashing blue lights tear down the road and Stephan Rhodri’s character shouts, “Run.” Instead of fleeing, Ria lingers in the shadows, spying on her enigmatic boss. Fran catches her but, instead of anger, a strange glimmer appears in her eyes, as though she is just as captivated.
We then see a young man, around Ria’s age, with the ominous words, “I know who you are.” The trailer climaxes with a standoff on a rocky cliff, where Fran screams, “You did this,” in Ria's face. The trailer concludes with the chilling caption “Don’t let her in”, as Fran’s voice whispers that it’s all in Ria’s head.
Gabrielle, one of the show's stars, says that there are "plenty of unexpected moments and jumpy twists" along the way.
Who's in The Guest cast?
Eve Myles (best known for Keeping Faith, Hijack and Broadchurch and the upcoming Cold Water series) and Gabrielle Creevy (In My Skin, Black Doves, The Pact) will be leading this fantastic cast of Welsh actors as Fran Sharp and Ria.
The series also stars:
• Siôn Daniel Young (Witness Number 3, Lost Boys & Fairies, Slow Horses) as Lee
• Emun Elliott (Sexy Beast, The Gold, Guilt) as Richard Abbott
• Catherine Ayers (Keeping Faith, Missing You, The Way) as Helen
• Julian Lewis Jones (Stella, Invictus) as Simon Sharp
• Bethan Mary-James (Death Valley, Cuffs, Friday Night Dinner) as Sharla
•Joseph Ollman (Queenie, The Tattooist of Auschwitz)
• Kimberley Nixon (Fresh Meat, Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging) as Eleri Abbott
• Clive Russell (Ripper Street, Game of Thrones, The Witcher) as Derek
Speaking to Radio Times magazine, Eve Myles opened up about Fran’s wardrobe, admitting that some of the costumes were a challenge to wear. “Oh, my God, how do you even wear this – have I got it on back to front or upside down?” she recalled. Rather than dark or muted tones, Fran’s look leaned heavily on creams, golds, and champagne shades - choices that Myles said felt “so exposing.”
Where was The Guest filmed?
One of the standout locations in The Guest is Fran’s striking home, which was filmed at Whitson Court in South Wales. The grand property doubled as Maybury Court, the fictional name given to Fran’s house in the series.
With its sweeping drive, period architecture and elegant interiors, Whitson Court provided the perfect backdrop for the unsettling drama that unfolds within its walls.
Does The Guest have a release date?
The Guest will be released on Monday 1st September. It will begin at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer at 9pm and has been commissioned in co-production with BBC Cymru Wales.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who has watched hundreds of dramas and is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, scrapbooking, playing board games and going on walks with her three dogs.