Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born and raised in Caergybi, Celyn Jones has established himself in the film industry as an actor, director, and writer.
Recently, he returned to his childhood home to direct his latest film, MadFabulous, which tells the story of Henry Cyril Paget, a vibrant figure in the island's history.
He is passionate about prioritizing Wales in the film industry and strives to make the path easier for those following in his footsteps.
'Why Not Ynys Môn?'
"In 2023, I was invited to open the Aria Film Studios in Llangefni – it was an incredible moment – and I remember saying build it and they will come," recalled Celyn.
"Having ambition is essential. Since then, we've had Daniel Day-Lewis there, Anthony Hopkins...
"And the way I see it is, why not? Why not Ynys Môn?"
Celyn with his BAFTA Cymru award for Best Actor, which he won for his portrayal of murderer Levi Bellfield in the drama Manhunt. He has also been nominated for a BAFTA Cymru for his writing work on the Dylan Thomas film, Set Fire to the Stars.
However, things were very different for the young Celyn growing up in Caergybi.
With his father a sailor and his mother a weaver, his family was almost as far removed from the world of cinema as possible. Yet, Celyn's love for film was enough to spur him forward.
"At school I discovered acting, which just made sense to me; it strengthened my communication and channeled my energy. And I was good at it. That’s what drove me forward. I went to the Manchester Youth Theatre and then to drama college in Oxford, and doors started opening for me.
"Years later, I started writing because I felt I wanted to create parts for myself to act. I wanted to play Dylan Thomas, so I co-wrote the script for Set Fire to the Stars with Andy Goddard, and that was the start of the production company.
"No one stood in my way and said ‘you can’t’, but even if they had, I’m from Caergybi, there was no stopping me, to be honest...!"
Elijah Wood as John Malcolm Brinnin and Celyn Jones as Dylan Thomas in Set Fire to the Stars, inspired by the true story of the American’s attempt to look after the man from Talacharn on his first visit to America.
Moving Away to Succeed
Celyn had to move away from home to prove his success – he has worked in London, France, America, and now lives on the Wirral. However, he sees change in the industry, with more opportunities for Welsh people to stay in their homeland to work.
"I love home, that’s where all my family is, but I never imagined I could do my job from home.
"But now, it’s possible, and it’s exciting.
"I’ve been in the industry about 26 years and I’d never done a job on Ynys Môn.
"And now I’ve just done three in a row, and the next film is being made on Ynys Môn too, so it really feels like coming home to me – the place is calling me back."
Acting with Anthony Hopkins
The path to success in such a competitive field has not always been easy for Celyn. However, he firmly believes in "not giving up, or you’ll never succeed."
This was recently exemplified when he fulfilled a dream by filming with the Hollywood star from Port Talbot, Anthony Hopkins, for A Visit to Grandpa's.
"I was there with him and Catherine Zeta Jones in Dolgellau in a Dylan Thomas film – talk about peak Welsh!
"Why was Sir Anthony Hopkins in Dolgellau?
"I had a few conversations with him, which was an incredible experience. Here’s an 88-year-old man, with two Oscars, a global superstar, talking about his childhood and school in Wales.
"And I’ve never felt so ego-free – it didn’t matter to me if I was even in the film, that was just a lovely moment.
"When I got into drama college, my mum said ‘You want to be like Anthony Hopkins!’. And if people ever asked me about my favourite actor or who I’d like to work with, he was always the answer. So this was huge for me, and these things can only happen if you stay in the game."
Celebrating a Welsh Film
There has been much anticipation for the release of MadFabulous, directed by Celyn and filmed entirely in North Wales, with a significant portion on Ynys Môn.
In it, Callum Scott Howells portrays Henry Cyril Paget, the fifth eccentric and flamboyant marquis of Ynys Môn from the 1890s.
The idea for a film about him had been developing in Celyn’s mind since he saw the iconic picture of him "looking like a 70s rock band member," he said.
Henry Cyril Paget – who went bankrupt after spending the family fortune on expensive clothes, jewelry, and a lavish lifestyle.
"But the challenge was how to get the audience to like a character who caused so much stress and financial trouble.
"Through researching the archives, I saw he was someone who wanted to be loved, and he was vulnerable. The local community loved him and wanted to look after him and accept all his whims, and I loved that.
"Lisa Baker – who is also from Ynys Môn – wrote the first draft of the script, and I knew that was the right angle."
Celyn enjoyed living and filming back home and is "so proud" of what he helped create, he explained.
"It’s the product of an incredible and passionate team coming together. The film was made with love and talent, and I think you can feel that; it’s visible on screen.
"It’s amazing to have an independent film going to so many cinemas across the country, with a trailer before The Devil Wears Prada 2, on billboards – it’s so obvious.
"And it’s a Welsh film; made in the north and finished in the south, with a cast and crew almost entirely Welsh. That needs to be celebrated."
Some of the cast and crew of MadFabulous, created entirely in Wales.
From Ynys Môn, For Ynys Môn
From acting to directing, writing, and producing films, Celyn has many projects underway.
He has recently acted in his first ever Welsh-language role in a short film by two young filmmakers. Celyn is well aware of how difficult the path to success in the industry can be and is eager to help others as much as possible.
"I remember when I was growing up in Caergybi, we heard about this actor who lived on the mountain. He had been a henchman in a James Bond film. That was our closest link to Hollywood.
"And we had a video shop. That was us.
"And now, there are film studios on the island, and films are being made here about where we’re from, about characters who came from here.
"There are posters for MadFabulous on bus stops and billboards, and I love that what it is is Callum Scott Howells as Henry Paget at Plas Newydd on the shores of the Menai Strait, the very house Henry lived in.
"Maybe the film’s called MadFabulous, but it’s really real."
Celyn directing Callum Scott Howells on the set of MadFabulous.
MadFabulous is released in cinemas from 5 June.
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Also of Interest:
- Callum Scott Howells: 'Lucky' to Portray Marquis of Anglesey
- Collecting 3,000 Films and Followers Worldwide on YouTube
- The Story of Arthur Cheetham, the Film Pioneer from Rhyl
