Cowbois ac Injans ''(Cowboys and Engines)'' is a

Welsh language Welsh ( or ) is a Celtic language of the Brittonic subgroup that is native to the Welsh people. Welsh is spoken natively in Wales, by some in England, and in Y Wladfa (the Welsh colony in Chubut Province, Argentina). Historically, it has ...

television drama written by brother and sister Jon Tregenna and Catherine Tregenna which was broadcast on

S4C S4C (, ''Sianel Pedwar Cymru'', meaning ''Channel Four Wales'') is a Welsh language free-to-air public broadcast television channel. Launched on 1 November 1982, it was the first television channel to be aimed specifically at a Welsh-speaking ...

. The series was made by Teledu Opus, which later became Rondo Productions. The title was a pun on the phrase "Cowboys and "Injuns"; "injun", a mis-pronunciation of "Indian" (as in " American Indian") sounds similar to "injan", Welsh for "engine".

Plot

The comedy drama is set in a used car showroom, Garej Wheelers, somewhere in the ''Wild West'' of Wales. Things don't always go according to plan. It's a world of love, lies and second-hand cars. The series also deals in the fading dreams of the staff, for as Billy Wheeler said, 'No ever grows up wanting to be a car salesman.' The series had a serial element but also featured a 'story of the week' with guest actors appearing to take the role of customers.

Main characters

*Bili Wheeler: Simon Fisher - patriarchal figure and proprietor of Wheelers *Balders: Rhodri Evan - hapless clown-like salesman who write romantic fiction in his spare time. *Jo-Jo: Catherine Ayers - Billy's daughter - former carnival queen who has a crush on Manny. *Manny: Geraint Todd - new salesman just back from London where he was in a band. *Cez: Mared Swain - Jo-Jo's best friend and Manny's loving wife. *Del: Janet Aethwy - 40-something and fiery - a woman whose husband left her for a younger model. *Jimmy: Neil Williams - Del's ex - an underwear salesman. *Carwyn: John Rowley - Balders' mute cousin. *Arwyn:

Rhys ap William Rhys or Rhŷs is a popular Welsh given name (usually male) that is famous in Welsh history and is also used as a surname. It originates from Deheubarth, an old region of South West Wales, with famous kings such as Rhys ap Tewdwr. It is pronounced ...

- Balders' bullying cousin. *Val: Sara Harris-Davies - Billy's wife. *Russ: Gareth Morris - Cez's Dad - he's dying of cancer which is the reason Cez and Manny came home. *Vince: Huw Ceredig - barfly at the local pub.

Location

The main location - the showroom - was in The Herberts, a small village outside

Cowbridge Cowbridge ( cy, Y Bont-faen) is a market town in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, approximately west of the centre of Cardiff. The Cowbridge with Llanblethian community and civil parish elect a town council. A Cowbridge electoral ward exists fo ...

in the Vale Of Glamorgan. It was formerly a

Rover Rover may refer to: People * Constance Rover (1910–2005), English historian * Jolanda de Rover (born 1963), Dutch swimmer * Rover Thomas (c. 1920–1998), Indigenous Australian artist Places * Rover, Arkansas, US * Rover, Missouri, U ...

dealership. The building has since been demolished. Other locations included

Pontarddulais Pontarddulais (), also known as Pontardulais (), is both a community and a town in Swansea, Wales. It is northwest of the city centre. The Pontarddulais ward is part of the City and County of Swansea. Pontarddulais adjoins the village of Hend ...

Llanelli Llanelli ("St Elli's llan (placename element), Parish"; ) is a market town and the largest community in Carmarthenshire and the Preserved counties of Wales, preserved county of Dyfed, Wales. It is located on the Loughor estuary north-west of ...

Llantrisant Llantrisant (; " Parish of the Three Saints") is a town in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, within the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan, Wales, lying on the River Ely and the Afon Clun. The three saints of the town's name ar ...

and various other locations throughout the Vale.

History

The series was commissioned by Angharad Jones for

. The first series of 8 episodes aired during Autumn 2006. The series returned for a second series which began transmission on 4 February 2007.

Awards

In April 2007, ''Cowbois ac Injans'' was awarded the prize for Best Drama Series at the

Celtic Media Festival The Celtic Media Festival, formerly known as the Celtic Film and Television Festival, aims to promote the languages and cultures of the Celtic nations in film, on television, radio and new media. The festival is an annual three-day celebration ...

in Scotlan

At the 2007

BAFTA Cymru BAFTA Cymru (or BAFTA in Wales or WAFTA) is the Welsh branch of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and was founded in 1987.

Awards, Gareth Bryn Evans won the prize for Best Newcomer after directing episode six of ''Cowbois ac Injans'' Series 1. At the 2008

BAFTA Cymru BAFTA Cymru (or BAFTA in Wales or WAFTA) is the Welsh branch of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and was founded in 1987.

Awards, Rhodri Evan won Best Actor for his role as 'Balders'. The prize was presented by

Ruth Jones Ruth Alexandra Elisabeth Jones (born 22 September 1966) is a Welsh actress, comedian, writer and producer. She co-wrote and co-starred in the award-winning BBC sitcom ''Gavin & Stacey'' (2007–2010, 2019). Jones has also appeared in various ...

from

Gavin & Stacey ''Gavin & Stacey'' is a British sitcom written by James Corden and Ruth Jones about two families: one in Billericay, Essex; one in Barry, South Wales. Mathew Horne and Joanna Page play the titular characters Gavin and Stacey and the writers ...

References

External links

''Cowbois ac Injans'' Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cowbois Ac Injans 2006 British television series debuts 2007 British television series endings S4C original programming British drama television series 2000s British drama television series 2000s Welsh television series