Acorn TV Brings Welsh Drama 'Inside/Bariau' in June
Bill Skinner as George in 'Inside/Bariau'
Acorn TV is known as an alternative streaming service to BritBox. The latter is British-centric, where Acorn TV tends to pick up English-language shows from everywhere but the U.K., including New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Ireland. However, the race to become the American home for Welsh series is still up for grabs, with BritBox picking up several of the recent spate of dual-language releases airing on the BBC in recent years. Acorn TV is also trying to compete in the Welsh series space, having picked up a few series since the beginning of 2025. However, the streaming service is stepping up with its latest acquisition, Inside/Bariau, the first to be available in both languages on the platform.
The bilingual series, which premiered in January 2024, features ex-prisoners in the supporting cast and is based on the testimonies of real inmates and guards. When it debuted on the BBC, it received rave reviews and was renewed for a second season by the Welsh language production studio S4C. Season 2 only just arrived in the U.K., debuting in April 2025, and was once again a critical darling, and is most likely poised to land a Season 3 commission.
Acorn TV's picking up the series is a timely decision, with Harry Wild and the forthcoming Art Detectives as flagship shows over the next few months, viewership will be up, giving Inside a better chance at finding an audience.
Here is the series synopsis:
A gritty new S4C drama, set within the harsh confines of a contemporary adult male prison, based on testimonies from real-life prisoners and prison guards, the six-part series explores the complex interplay between four central characters on both sides of the law – highlighting the profound impact of the decisions they make on themselves and those around them.
The bilingual Welsh-English drama stars Adam Woodward (The Saint) as Kit and Bill Skinner (Ted Lasso) as George, debuting in a S4C Welsh drama. The two co-star alongside Welsh actors Annes Elwy (Y Golau/The Light in the Hall) and Gwion Tegid (Yr Amgueddfa). Supporting cast includes Glyn Prichard (White House Farm) and Iwan Garmon (Rough Cut). Season 2 will add Alicia Forde (Time), Sion Alun Davies (Steeltown Murders), Ian Puleston-Davies (D.I. Ray), Rolant Prys (Pobol y Cwm), and Wiliam Young (Hijinx).
The series is written by Ciron Gruffydd (Limbo), who penned all episodes, and director Griff Rowland (Hinterland) helmed all installments. The series is a Rondo Media production filmed at Llangefni’s Aria Film Studios on Anglesey; Alaw Llewelyn Roberts is executive producer.
Inside/Bariau Season 1 will be available as a binge on Acorn TV starting on Monday, June 23, 2025. Season 2 is expected to follow in 2026.
