At the BAFTA Cymru Awards 2026, Eastieoaks caught up on the red carpet with Rownd a Rownd star Buddug Povey, who plays the long-standing character Kay Walsh in S4C’s iconic Welsh-language soap opera.
Fresh off her BAFTA Cymru nomination celebrating her incredible 27-year tenure on the show, Buddug opened up about her earliest memories on set, the intense grief and addiction storylines her character has endured over the past year, and how she manages to switch off when the cameras stop rolling.
Reflecting on nearly three decades with Rownd a Rownd, Buddug beamed when asked if she remembers her very first day on set. ‘I do indeed, yes! I arrived in a van, the whole family, and it was very noisy… I remember it very clearly.‘
Without hesitation, she admitted to being surprised at still being on the show 27 years later.
Over the past year, viewers have watched Kay navigate an incredibly turbulent emotional journey, facing devastating losses, including the departures and death Kelvin – followed by a raw, deeply personal struggle with alcohol addiction.
Speaking on the emotional toll of such heavy material and how it feels to portray scenes that resonate so strongly with viewers, Buddug shared her passion for diving deep into complex acting challenges: ‘I don’t switch off often because I enjoy the part so much! So when you get a big storyline like that, it’s nice to really dig into it and just enjoy the experience.’
Unlike many soap plotlines that resolve or move past tragic grief quickly, Rownd a Rownd has taken a deliberate, long-term approach to Kay’s journey, something Buddug deeply appreciates. ‘It’s a long storyline, and I’m still in it as well, it’s still going on with what I’m filming now. But it’s just a privilege.‘
‘Will it get better? You’ll have to watch and see!’ she laughed, keeping spoiler details strictly under wraps. ‘I couldn’t tell you anything!’