A Monmouth actor is to play Gwynfor Evans in a powerful new TV drama.

As S4C celebrates its 30th anniversary, the channel is broadcasting a powerful drama documentary this Sunday (4th November) about Gwynfor Evans' decision to announce a fast until death in the campaign for a Welsh-language channel.

The drama documentary Gwynfor: Y Penderfyniad is a portrayal through drama, archive and witness accounts of the nationalist leader's decision to make a controversial stand as part of the Welsh-language TV channel campaign.

Written by the Archdruid T James Jones and produced by Apollo production company, it recreates a critical year in the life of Gwynfor Evans. Actor Aneirin Hughes portrays Gwynfor.

In September 1979, the new Conservative Government under Margaret Thatcher announced they wouldn't establish a Welsh-language television channel despite promising to do so in the party's manifesto.

That led to Gwynfor Evans announcing his protest to fast until death and within 12 months, the Government had changed its mind again and decided to establish a Welsh-language channel after all.

Producer Lona Llewelyn Davies said: "It is a warm and sensitive portrayal of a brave man who made a far-reaching decision that could have led to his death.

"The drama documentary is based strictly on the historical facts but also allows the imagination of author T James Jones to explore the psyche of Gwynfor Evans at the time."

Author T James Jones explained that "to convey Gwynfor's thoughts and feelings alone in a drama portrayal was a very special challenge and that the script called for a similar treatment to composing a poem.

"Gwynfor had suffered from depression following 1979 and this Government U-turn was arguably an opportunity for him to redeem himself in some way.

"I felt compelled to suggest this in as concise a way as possible in the monologue. On the other hand, I admired his courage and hope that will also manifest itself in the drama.

"One of the greatest mysteries was trying to imagine the feelings of his wife and life partner, Rhiannon. The marital relationship is given huge prominence and Rhiannon develops to be the story's heroine."

Actor Aneirin Hughes says that playing Gwynfor Evans was one of the greatest honours bestowed on him as an actor.

The 54-year-old, who is originally from Penybontrhydybeddau near Penrhyncoch, Ceredigion, but lives in Monmouth, says that he'd love to play Gwynfor in a feature length film one day.

"It was a great honour to be offered the part," he said.

"I was aware how important Gwynfor Evans was from a very early age. He was my father's hero and his picture hung on the wall above his armchair at home."

Aneirin, who has won a BAFTA Cymru for his lead role in the film Camaelon, added: "It was a challenge to portray Gwynfor because he's so well-known and he's been a high-profile figure recently as S4C celebrates 30 years of broadcasting.

"I am a great admirer of Gwynfor. In preparation for the role I studied some old tape archive, read some of the letters he wrote when he made the decision to fast and re-read his classic book of Welsh history 'Aros Mae' (It endures)".

Aneirin, who plays bank manager Moc in the drama series Pobol y Cwm on S4C, was at university when Gwynfor Evans made the decision.

"I hugely admired his stand. He was one of the few people who could inspire the people of Wales.

"People don't always realise what he has achieved – he gave us a priceless treasure – without S4C our language would not be as healthy as it is today. His message was that we, as a country, can stand on our own feet."