Flintshire actor with Down Syndrome lands major role in Welsh detective drama

Justin Melluish, from Gwernymyndd, near Mold, has Down Syndrome playing one of the main parts in the third series of detective drama, Craith.

Justin, who is playing Glyn Thomas, is hoping to inspire people across Wales, showing that actors with Down Syndrome can take on leading roles and the responsibility that comes with it.

Known for its haunting storylines, Craith scenes can be tough to make, and watch. However, production company Severn Screen were committed to ensuring Justin, who plays Glyn, was given the opportunity to show his strengths.

“I loved every minute of playing Glyn,” Justin said.

“It was great working with Sion – we got on well and had a lot of fun on set. All the cast and crew were brilliant.

“I enjoy all kinds of performing and get to do theatre work, dance and music through my training with Hijinx - but I would really like to do more television work. I feel lucky because I get to be on TV twice – Craith first, and then Hidden. My whole family will be watching.”

Sian Reese-Williams, who also stars in the show, said: “It’s great that more programmes are including more actors with Down Syndrome or learning difficulties.

"What Craith did different, was give Justin as much responsibility as everyone else in a lead role. He is such an important character – not giving him that would have been the wrong decision because he is absolutely brilliant.

“Justin got into it head-first, he grabbed the opportunity and I'm so proud of him. I'm so glad Severn Screen didn't shy away from giving Justin proper responsibility. He proved it wasn't a problem for him at all. He has talent and he has an understanding of what it is to be an actor on set, which is so important. He’s lovely to work with and to be around.”

Central to the plot of series three, alongside DCI Cadi John (Sian Reese-Williams) and DS Owen Vaughan (Sion Alun Davies), are brothers Siôn (Sion Ifan) and Glyn Thomas (Justin Melluish).

Sion Ifan said: “Siôn (Thomas) and his brother Glyn have been thick as thieves since the death of their mother. I think people will feel empathy for Siôn - his love for Glyn, who has Down Syndrome, is what drives him. It’s what gets him out of bed in the morning.”

After the body of a local farmer is found in a stream, it quickly becomes apparent that Siôn is under immense pressure. He struggles to protect Glyn from his own, as well as others, actions.

“On paper, Siôn is the carer,” adds Sion Ifan. “But in reality, the whole story is about Glyn's strength, his resilience, the way he looks after Siôn. Glyn can't live without Siôn and Siôn can't live without Glyn. It's such a beautiful, equal relationship.

“At the end of the day, the terrible things Siôn does are driven by the love for his brother. There's emotion behind it, it’s from the heart. Craith has always been about complicated relationships, but it’s so much more difficult to process this time because caring is at the centre of it all.”

The third, and final, series airs on S4C every Sunday evening at 9pm between now and mid-November.

Viewers across the UK will be able to watch Craith on BBC iPlayer, before Hidden airs on BBC One Wales in 2022.