Hollywood Actor Joins Welsh Soap After Learning Language
Hans Obma, a Hollywood actor known for roles in Better Call Saul, The Vampire Diaries, and Criminal Minds, is set to join the cast of the Welsh-language soap opera Pobol y Cwm after learning Welsh.
Obma, originally from Wisconsin, USA, has taken on a new role in the fictional village of Cwmderi, located in south-west Wales. Inspired by his Welsh grandmother, he describes Wales as his "second home" during his time filming for the 51-year-old S4C soap.
"It's been quite a journey," said Obma, adding that his grandmother was "such a cherished person" and that Wales and the Welsh language have always held special meaning for him.
His grandmother, Olive Cecile Hales, was originally from Brynmawr, Blaenau Gwent, but did not speak Welsh herself. She emigrated to the United States after World War Two.
"I had the honour of visiting Wales with her some years ago and her Welsh accent came straight back to her," Obma recalled.
In an interview with BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Obma expressed his enthusiasm for learning and using the Welsh language.
"For me, the fact of learning a language and then using a language is exhilarating, there is nothing I've enjoyed as much as this."
"I need to be on the top of my game acting in Welsh," he added.
Obma could not disclose extensive details about his character but mentioned that he plays an American who retains his accent, while the show is predominantly in Welsh, with 97% of the dialogue in the language.
Pobol y Cwm, which translates to "People of the Valley," is the BBC's longest-running television soap opera. It first aired on BBC Wales on 16 October 1974 and moved to the Welsh-language channel S4C in 1982, where it currently broadcasts three times a week.
Over the years, the show has featured several notable actors, including Ioan Gruffudd, Iwan Rheon, Michael Sheen, and Alexandra Roach.
Obma shared that he prepared for his role by watching Pobol y Cwm, Rownd a Rownd, and Newyddion S4C to aid his Welsh language learning, describing the experience of joining the set after years of viewing as "strange."
"I believe the news and soap operas are such a good tool for people who want to want to learn a language."
Recognised for his role in the American supernatural series The Vampire Diaries, Obma also portrayed construction worker Adrian in the fourth and fifth seasons of Netflix's Better Call Saul, the prequel to Breaking Bad.
"I find that through learning a language I have immediate, unique relationships with people," he added.
Obma has family ties in Wales, with aunties and cousins residing in Cardiff. He now divides his time between Wales and Wisconsin, naming Pembrokeshire and the Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd among his favourite locations.
The actor plans to return to Wales for the Eisteddfod in August and has attended the Welsh language cultural festival three times previously.
"Wisconsin is home but this is going to become a great second home," Obma said.
"I'm enjoying this so much that I absolutely am here to continue to work in the Welsh language, so accordingly I hope people like what I do and I hope they receive the character well."
