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The Guest is a propulsive, twisting thriller that centres on the intense, toxic relationship between cleaner, Ria, and her mysterious employer, Fran.

As the two women’s lives become intertwined by shared secrets, an obsessive co-dependence emerges that ultimately threatens to become dangerous and manipulative - a psychological game of cat-and-mouse.

The Guest premieres on Monday 1 September 2025, with all episodes on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ iPlayer from 6am and episodes airing each Monday on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ One and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ One Wales at 9pm

• Add The Guest to your Watchlist on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ iPlayer now

Meet The Guest cast and creatives

Eve Myles (Fran Sharp)

What first drew you to Fran Sharp?

Fran is about opulence, wealth and confidence, she lives a life like none of us would ever see and there’s a mystery behind this woman. She's someone that I've very rarely got to play before, and it's been great fun tapping into Fran Sharp's character. When you meet her at the beginning and then start to scratch the surface, she becomes a very different person.

Where do we find Fran at the start of the series?

Fran is a very successful, independent businesswoman shopping in an up-market grocery shop, where she first bumps into Ria. From that moment on, both Fran and Ria’s lives start to intertwine and spiral in a direction neither of them expects.

Tell us about Fran and Ria’s relationship.

They begin with a very unusual relationship in which Fran has everything that Ria needs and wants. But as the story progresses, we see this power struggle between the two, and the relationship constantly flips all the way through. Ria is given an opportunity; Fran takes the opportunity. That’s what their relationship is all about, it is about what each does when given an opportunity and whether they are going to make the most of it or blow it.

How important are the themes of class and wealth disparity when it comes to the audience understanding Fran’s motives in the series?

The Guest explores class, but what I love is that it does so in a celebratory way. We have the working-class roots of Ria who is full of grit as well as the upper-class millionaires like Fran. Both worlds are shown with richness and respect. It’s rare to see Wales portrayed like this - opulent, ambitious, creative. There’s always been wealth in Wales, and this series puts that on screen. What’s more interesting, though, is how it bridges class divides. These two women from different backgrounds end up colliding — and that’s where the drama explodes, like a pin pulled from a grenade.

But really, underneath it all, the show is about opportunity. Wales is full of talented people. Fran and Ria are both handed chances, doors open. The question is what will they do with them? That’s the heart of the story.

What does Maybury Court tell us about Fran and how she lives?

Maybury Court is a beautiful home, the land around it is stunning, and it’s filled with all types of animals, there's peacocks and donkeys and cockerels. It’s an oasis of otherworldliness which lends itself to the otherworldliness of The Guest.

Tell us about Helen and Fran's relationship and what Fran thinks of her sister.

Their relationship is complex and quite unique. Helen is very maternal; she's embraced motherhood, home life, and a bit of luxury. Fran is the complete opposite, she’s driven, ambitious, an adrenaline junkie, she doesn’t have the tools to deal with children, and it’s probably the only time we see her feel truly insecure.

Fran took on a protective, almost parental role with Helen early on. She’s the tough one, who chased success, but she lost out on motherhood because of it. Helen seems to have everything Fran never could, so there’s an underlying envy from Fran.

Gabrielle Creevy (Ria Powell)

Describe The Guest

The Guest is an edge-of-your-seat thriller about two women who share a very toxic relationship. It’s full of surprises, with plenty of twists and jump scares that make it a lot of fun.

Who is Ria, and where do we find her at the start of the series?

Ria is a cleaner who’s struggling with financial issues. She has a deep desire to explore and experience new things, but her financial situation holds her back. She’s hardworking and a lovely person, but despite her ambitions, she’s unable to achieve them due to her circumstances.

Can you describe the relationship between Ria and Fran?

When we first meet Ria, she’s in a very vulnerable situation, trying to find a way to improve her life. Meeting Fran feels like the golden ticket for her - everything seems bright, like the sun is shining down on her, but as the story unfolds, things take a darker turn.

Can you describe the relationship between Ria and her partner Lee?

Their relationship is really complicated. They have been together so long that their dynamic has become more like friends than lovers. Lee clearly loves Ria more than she loves him, but she finds comfort in Lee, as he’s the only person she knows she can rely on, there’s a certain safety in their bond, but the romantic connection is long gone.

What was it like filming scenes at Maybury Court?

When you first see those gates open, it feels almost magical, like stepping into a fairy tale or a grand castle. It’s that feeling of wonder you get when you’re younger, imagining what it would be like to live in a place like that. That is exactly how Ria feels when she first sees it, it’s like her chance at a new life. The location is stunning; the grounds are vast, and the landscape of Wales looks beautiful. It really adds a layer of charm and mystery to the story.

What was it like filming with Eve Myles?

Eve is amazing. She’s fantastic at lifting everyone’s spirits and being a great team player. Acting alongside her has been such a privilege. I’ve always wanted to work with her, so it’s been a real highlight for me. I’m fairly new to the industry, and watching her work has taught me so much. Every take she does is different, and she brings a unique energy to her character. Her experience really shines through, and it’s been an invaluable learning experience for me.

What will appeal to audiences about The Guest?

It’s a thrilling, well-crafted show with plenty of unexpected moments and jumpy twists. The cast is incredible, and the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat. It’s a gripping thriller that keeps you guessing.

Siôn Daniel Young (Lee Mace)

Can you tell us about Lee? Where do we find him at the start of the series?

When we first meet Lee, he’s in bed being lazy, which is a pattern. A frustrating one particularly for his girlfriend Ria. His laziness leads to a lot of the issues that he has to deal with within the series.

Can you tell us about Lee’s relationship with Ria?

Lee and Ria have been together since childhood, and he hasn’t matured or grown up for various reasons. Ria has been the driving force in their relationship, she’s outgrowing him, and he can see that. He’s desperately trying to hold on to her. I find it really sad because he hasn’t learnt how to operate in an adult relationship, and he’ll lose Ria if he doesn’t change. He’s always been dependent on her, not only socially but financially too, and the fact they’re struggling so much puts such a strain on Ria. I don’t think he’s emotionally mature enough to acknowledge that and be willing to do something about it.

How does Lee deal with Ria getting closer to Fran?

Initially, he is excited for Ria and about the financial benefits of her working for Fran, she’ll be getting paid more to do Fran’s cleaning so, Lee jumps on board with that and thinks ‘this is great’. He’s a bit blasé about the things that start to concern Ria because he’s thinking ‘oh great, we have a bit more money coming in, I don’t need to do anything’. But when things really hit the fan, he’s not in tune enough with Ria to see the toll it’s taking on her. So, when he eventually realises that his dynamic has changed with Ria and the only new addition to their world is this woman, Lee starts pointing the finger at Fran rather than looking at himself.

What will excite audiences about The Guest?

I think audiences are going to really like the fact that you’re never quite sure what’s coming next. It is twisty and complicated, and you’re never quite sure about how you feel with the character relationships. When I was reading the scripts, I could never predict what was going to come, and that’s always exciting for an audience. I also think we have two of the best actresses that we’ve got in Wales leading this show which is really exciting – Eve and Gabi are both so watchable.

Emun Elliott (Richard Abbott)

Where do we find Richard at the start of the series?

Richard is very much a family man, and, on the surface, he seems like he has this perfect life. He's happily married to his wife, Eleri, they have three children and a lovely house. He loves his family very much; he's 100% devoted to them and he works hard in his career to support them but that hard-working nature might be being taken advantage of by Fran.

Tell us about Fran and Richard's working relationship.

Richard has worked with Fran and her husband, Simon for a long time. Simon heads up the business and Richard is responsible for the logistics. Richard and Fran are very close personally and work together well in a business sense but because of Richard's commitment to his family, sometimes it can feel like Fran asks a bit too much of him. Richard almost feels a push and pull between his loyalty to Fran and his loyalty to his family.

Can you tell us about Richard's relationship with his father, Derek?

Richard loves his father Derek dearly, and he's committed to looking after him. His father's getting on a little bit and doesn't quite have the faculties that he used to rely upon, so part of Rich's life is getting his father up in the morning and taking him to work as Fran’s handyman and gardener. Richard thinks that his father having this job helps motivate Derek every day since his wife left. When Richard's mother left, Derek seemed to spiral into despair then he is diagnosed with dementia, so Richard resents that this happened to his dad, and therefore that bolsters his commitment and love for him.

What did you first think when you read Matthew Barry's script?

I was immediately struck by the fact that there were two strong female leads which is a fantastic thing and we should be seeing more of that on TV. But what stood out to me was the disparity between Fran and Ria’s worlds, Fran comes from the wealthy elite and Ria is down on her luck, it’s fascinating to see these two worlds collide. Usually, I'm pretty good at predicting where a story might go, but with this one, I couldn’t. It was full of surprises that I don't think anyone will see coming. What starts as a quite light, sometimes comical story becomes twisted and dark as the drama takes hold.

What were some of your favourite experiences during the filming of The Guest?

Life on set was glorious, and despite the dark themes in the story, we had a lot of good times making it and a lot of laughs. There was a lightness on set working with Ashley, Eve and Gabrielle. It was important for us to feel that trust and support and hilarity between takes. I also get excited working on great writing. So, most of the time when I wasn’t on set, I would hole myself up in my hotel room preparing for the next day.

What was it like filming in Wales? What do you think the locations add to the drama?

Wales is fantastic, Cardiff is this brilliant urban city, but you step outside of it, and it’s a whole other world. We shot on Rhossili Bay, which is one of the most stunning locations I've ever seen. I think this series will have a sense of scale. Ashley Way, our director focused on not just the intricacies of the drama but also used the landscape and the city of Cardiff itself as another character in the plot. Aside from the landscape and the locations in Wales, the people were fantastic. I never worked in Wales before, but there was a real warmth that I felt immediately from both the cast and the crew.

Can you tell us what audiences can look forward to in the series?

The Guest has fantastic storytelling, that's full of surprises. Amazing actors, across the board, it's a fantastic display of Welsh talent, plus audiences will see Wales like it hasn't been seen on television before.

Julian Lewis Jones (Simon Sharp)

Can you describe The Guest, what is it about?

The Guest is essentially a complex drama, it tackles issues like class, wealth, jealousy, people wanting to aspire to be somebody else, people trying to be other people, and not being true to themselves. It’s gritty, it’s a very well-rounded drama.

Can you describe the relationship between Simon and Fran?

They’re a very aspirational couple. They’ve worked very hard, and the house we’re filming in is magnificent. They support each other, but it’s years of hard work and dedication. They want to work hard to maintain that status.

How do the themes of class and wealth disparity play into the series?

What’s really refreshing about this drama and something I don’t think we’ve seen much of in Welsh-set series is the exploration of class divisions and wealth. There are wealthy people in Wales, but that side of society isn’t often portrayed on screen. So, it’s great to see that contrast brought to life in a very real and grounded way.

Can you describe the relationship between Fran and Ria, and why it's important to the story?

I think right from the off, Fran sees her younger self in Ria and wants to help her in life. She sees Ria is down on her luck, Fran has worked hard and has been given opportunities that she wants to pass on. I think that’s the crux of the story. Fran really does care about Ria and wants to help her progress in life.

What can audiences look forward to seeing in The Guest?

Good drama, rounded characters, and there’s humour in the series. It’s something that grips you and each episode has a cliffhanger, which we all love!

What has it been like filming in Wales?

There’s such a strong wave of drama being produced right in Wales, which is exciting and what makes this even more special is that it’s not just something filmed in Wales, it’s set in Wales. It’s a Welsh story about Welsh people, and it’s showcasing a different Welsh identity that we don’t always see. I live about an hour and 20 minutes away, so filming locally has been a real bonus.

Tell us about filming in Maybury Court?

The location for Simon and Fran’s house is just jaw-dropping. When you drive through the gate for the first time, you just think, wow - these people have made it. The house is stunning, it’s genuinely one of the most beautiful locations I’ve worked in.

Catherine Ayers (Helen)

What makes The Guest a unique drama for audiences?

The Guest is a thrilling drama about two very strong women. It’s refreshing to see a story centred around powerful women, and the show explores what happens when two people from totally different classes and very different walks of life collide.

Can you describe the relationship between Helen and Fran?

Helen and Fran are sisters who grew up in the same household but have taken very different paths in life. Helen has always wanted to create a safe, family-oriented life, something she didn’t have growing up. She has a lovely family with two young daughters, and her world revolves around them. In contrast, Fran has made different life choices, which often leaves Helen perplexed. There’s some tension between them because they don’t always understand each other. I think there’s also a bit of jealousy on both sides- sometimes we want what we don’t have, and we think the grass is greener on the other side. However, despite their differences, they’re bound together by their shared past.

What is Helen’s first reaction to Fran’s new cleaner, Ria?

Helen is initially quite judgmental. She likes things a certain way and has seen many people come and go in Fran’s life, including cleaners. Her first instinct about Ria is suspicion, as she tends to be wary of anything related to Fran’s life.

What was it like filming in Wales?

As a Welsh person, it feels important to tell a Welsh story here in Wales. What makes it even more special is the fact that the crew is filled with Welsh talent. It just feels so homely and meaningful to be back working here.

What will excite audiences about The Guest?

The Guest has an incredible cast, including two lead actresses who will take audiences on one heck of a journey. The writing is clever and full of twists — it will keep people guessing. I love shows where you never quite know what’s coming next, and I think The Guest will definitely surprise viewers along the way.

Bethan Mary-James (Sharla)

Tell us about your character, Sharla.

Sharla is brash, bold, and fiercely loyal. She's also brutally honest, but I think that comes from a place of love.

Can you describe the relationship between Sharla and Ria?

Sharla and Ria’s friendship is deep, it goes beyond being just friends. It’s more of a sisterly bond. They’ve known each other for a long time, probably since school or even before. Sharla and Annette (Sharla’s mum) have supported Ria through tough times, and they continue to be there for her as she faces new challenges. They’ve really been there for each other over the years.

What does Sharla think of Ria’s new job?

Sharla sees Ria’s new job as a great opportunity. In their world, opportunities are rare, so Sharla encourages Ria to take it. She believes this is a chance for Ria to move on from where she’s been and sees a lot of potential in her. Sharla is supportive of this new step in Ria’s life.

What did you think of Matthew Barry’s scripts when you first read them?

I felt like I was watching a thriller when reading the scripts. I found myself reacting out loud, making noises at some of the twists. It’s one of those stories where you think you know what’s going to happen, but then it throws you off course with unexpected turns. It kept me on the edge of my seat, and that was a lot of fun!

What’s it been like filming in Wales?

Filming in Wales has been a real luxury. It’s rare to get the chance to film in your hometown, and it hasn’t happened for me until now, which has been incredible. I get to do the work I love, then return to my home and life outside of work. There's something special about bringing my own experiences and background to the screen. I feel like I’m paying homage to the girls I grew up with, and it’s amazing to share that on a wider platform.

What do you think will excite audiences about The Guest?

It’s not your typical thriller. When I first read it, I was surprised by how different it felt. While it’s thrilling, there’s so much drama and character development. The relationships that are built keep you guessing. Characters make unpredictable choices, and just when you think you know where the story is headed, it takes a twist. That element of surprise will keep people on their toes.

Matthew Barry - Writer

Where did the idea for The Guest come from?

The idea for The Guest came from my love of 90s thrillers, like The Hand That Rocks the Cradle and Pacific Heights. I wanted to create a fun, twisty thriller, but with the unique perspective of a working-class character.

What relatable issues does The Guest tackle in the show?

The Guest addresses class and wealth disparities that exist—and are widening — in society. I wanted to explore the gap between those at the top and those at the bottom of the social ladder, and how hard it is for people to move between these levels. Social mobility is getting more difficult, and I felt it was important to tackle that issue on screen.

Can you describe the journey Ria goes on in the series?

Ria’s journey is deeply tied to class disparity. For her, it’s not just about breaking through a glass ceiling; it’s more like she’s been trapped in a concrete bunker since birth, facing nearly insurmountable obstacles. Fran, on the other hand, comes from wealth and privilege. Ria has never been a part of that world - she’s seen it but never stepped into it. For the first time, she gets the chance to not just look - but to take, and Fran is the one who encourages her to do so. This shift is a huge moment for Ria, as she’s guided to take what she’s never had the opportunity to reach before.

How do the characters embody the class issues present in The Guest?

It was really important to me to tell this story from a working-class perspective. Ria entering Fran’s world was central to that. In many thrillers, we see the women in these pristine, upper-class settings, usually with a glass of wine in hand. I wanted to show the world through Ria’s eyes as she drives into Fran’s mansion for the first time. That moment was crucial because the barrier to social mobility is growing, and I wanted to represent that shift on screen.

What does Eve bring to the character of Fran?

Eve is an incredible actress, and it’s hard to put into words just how talented she is. Every little nuance she brings to a scene is impressive - she knows how to turn a line in a way that makes it feel so authentic. Just like Gabi brings authenticity to Ria, Eve does the same for Fran. The chemistry between the two of them is electric. You truly believe in their characters, and you also understand why Ria looks up to Fran, almost imagining that one day she could be just like her.

Can you describe the tone of the show?

I wanted the tone to be character-driven and layered with humour. I think sometimes mixing drama and comedy can be risky, but I believe it’s essential. The Sopranos is my favourite drama, and it’s also my favourite comedy, so I think life itself is a balance of both. With The Guest, I’ve tried to balance the thrills, twists, and scares with a deeper character-driven story and a tone that feels both interesting and authentic.

Davina Earl - Executive Producer

Can you tell us about how The Guest originated?

We’ve been working with Matthew Barry for a while now, we’d seen lots of middle-class thrillers on television with beautiful houses and affluent, aspirational worlds, but we thought it’d be interesting to see the point of view with a cleaner and access the world through someone we could relate to. We started with Ria and thought it would be fun to go on a journey with her into this world, that felt quite rarefied.

What did you think of the scripts when you first read them?

Matthew has a brilliant talent for understanding dialogue and stories, which’ll appeal to audiences – they’re very inviting, you’ll never feel left out of his scripts or storytelling. As always with a Matthew project, there’s a combination of high emotion and operatic feeling but then really grounded funny humour. We wanted to lean into big thriller twists and 90s thriller films which have influenced him as an audience member, so he wanted the twist to be big and unashamedly propulsive alongside real characters. So, I think that mixture makes it feel special.

The Guest explores themes of love, class, social disparity. Is it important to Quay Street Productions to explore these themes in drama?

Yes, it is as long as it doesn’t feel earnest or that we’re telling people a point of view. We want to entertain first and foremost, but then I think if that can be a Trojan horse to talk about something important, that’s great. I hope people enjoy this drama and come away with something to think about. We always want to talk about important things, but in an entertaining way.

What do you think about The Guest having universal appeal?

I think we all are aware we’re in a time where there’s a huge polarisation between rich and poor. It is so universal, so it is important and pressing that we talk about it, but we do it in a way that doesn’t feel like homework.

Can you tell us about the tone of The Guest?

It’s unashamedly thrilling and multi-dimensional. I hope people won’t see the twists and turns coming, but then what I love about Matthew’s writing is the juxtaposition of thrilling moments with unexpected left-field dark humour. What the cast has bought as well is a sexy shimmering tension at times.

Tell us about filming in Wales.

Matthew (Barry) is Welsh, he writes authentically, he knows the posh parts of Cardiff where Fran might hang out, he knows Ria’s world, and he understands her background, as does Gabi, who plays her. We have a beautiful manor house, and then Ria’s world, which is also shot so beautifully and with scale which feels gorgeous on screen. Then to be able to go to the Gower and see the coastline, which in the winter had a stark beauty about it. Wales offered brilliant filming locations and visual ambition.

Can you talk about some of the locations used in The Guest?

One of our key locations is Fran’s House- Maybury Court. This was one of the biggest tasks - how can we find a house that gives us everything we needed from the scripts, and we couldn’t believe it when we found Whitson Court. The house does everything we needed it to and it’s breathtakingly beautiful. It’s such a special place, not just the house but the grounds, the garden, all the land. It’s magical.

What are you most excited for audiences to see?

Eve and Gabrielle’s chemistry is so strong, they’re funny, dark, and there’s a blatant tension between the pair of them, so I’m excited for audiences to see that. In episode one, there’s a Cinderella moment where Fran gives Ria some posh clothes and does a little makeover with her, and it’s just gorgeous – they performed it so well together.

Tell us about Ria’s journey throughout the series.

We find Ria in a pretty low spot in life, with a boyfriend who’s not contributing much and a job that's tiring and punishing. She’s such a bright spark; she’s a clever, independent spirit, but she hasn’t had any nurturing because her mum died when she was young. She’s not had opportunity, but we know she has bags of potential. We’re so excited for her when Fran recognises that too. But we also fear, pretty early on, that Fran might be bad news. We will see Ria blossom as a person and recognise her own self-worth, want more and wonder whether she’s right to want those things. I hope we see her fight some of those difficult moments but come out with more self-worth than we saw her begin with, even though she’s had to face whether or not she’d want the rarefied existence she sees Fran has.

Tell us about Fran’s journey in the series.

With Fran, we see her as a confident, effervescent woman who lights up a room, we admire her, and we love that she champions the underdog. Then we get a glimpse that, even though she has material wealth, she’s lacking something in her life. We want these two women to come together, but with Fran, we see her having to face up to some of the things she has done and own the fact that her life isn’t quite what she wanted it to be.

Ashley Way - Director

Tell us about the central dynamic between Ria and Fran.

Ria and Fran's dynamics are interesting because they both come from similar backgrounds initially, then Fran has gained this wealth, status and power throughout her life, which she uses to manipulate Ria. It's a tale of the master and servant, but it becomes so much more than that. Fran begins to see a lot of herself in Ria and a genuine friendship and actual love develops between them. They begin to rely on each other, so the backbone of the story is the relationship between these two very interesting women.

How did you work with Eve and Gabrielle to bring these characters to life?

What's similar between Eve Myles (plays Fran) and Gabrielle Creevy (plays Ria) is that they're both very intuitive. What they feel is all immediate and real, they both need to process things in that way, so working with them together was a delight because they were both completely on the same wavelength. All I had to do was do my job and give them freedom.

Tell us about the casting process and working with the actors on set.

The casting process was quite easy, Gabi's name came up straight away, she had the right intensity. She was from a similar background to her character Ria, so for her, it was something that she wanted to play. I met with her initially, and we both felt on the same wavelength when it came to what direction we would take the story. I've worked with Eve before, so when she showed an interest in this project, it was a slam dunk that we had her on board. There's no one better in Wales.

How did you go about setting the look and feel for the series?

We started to set the look by looking at other female lead thrillers, things like Gone Girl, lots of work by David Fincher and psychological thrillers. That lent us a certain style and aesthetic, as we wanted it to be very cinematic. We wanted it to be an elevated look, That world needed to be alluring and seductive, so it had to have this alluring, seductive style to it.

The Guest was filmed in Wales. What does this location add to the series?

We as a nation are self-deprecating, and we have to make a conscious effort to put ourselves forward, which is innate in the Welsh people. Ria's very much in that vein, and Fran has found a way to step over that hurdle. It works for the story, I think people will enjoy seeing a female lead, and a Welsh psychological thriller that's ambitious. It looks beautiful, and it feels fresh for a Welsh-based drama.

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