Earlier this year, S4C commissioned a three-part drama provisionally called Y Pennaeth (The Head Teacher), which was set to examine the failures and missed opportunities to stop former headteacher and paedophile Neil Foden.
The channel have since decided to pull the plug on the drama and have apologised "for the distress this has caused." Welsh actor Mark Lewis Jones was cast as Neil Foden, who was previously headteacher at Friars School in Bangor , before his arrest in 2023 and subsequent 17-year prison sentence after being convicted of sexually abusing four girls between 2019 and 2023.
An independent review in 2025 found that more than 50 opportunities to prevent him from continuing to sexually abuse girls had been wasted. The drama was relying on evidence and documentation from the trial at Mold Crown Court, alongside an independent report prepared by expert Jan Pickles.
For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter Y Pennaeth was to be produced by MOJO Productions, who had devoted 18 months developing the series in conjunction with S4C .
However, it was announced on Wednesday, November 11, that the channel have decided to not proceed with the drama as "the wellbeing of those affected by these events comes first." An S4C spokesperson said: "S4C has an important role in telling stories that shine a light on matters of public interest.
"However, following careful consideration, we have concluded that it would not be appropriate to proceed with the drama series provisionally titled Y Pennaeth . "The wellbeing of those affected by these events comes first. This is S4C’s decision, and we apologise for the distress this has caused.
"Out of respect for the privacy of those affected, we will not be commenting further." Ensure our latest news and sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings
