Development

The production was first inspired by a 2018 statistic that referrals to the UK government's de-radicalisation programme, Prevent, had a 36% rise in the previous 12 months.^[2]

Choosing to set the drama in an unnamed town in South Wales, writer Alan Harris set to demonstrate how “perception of the far right in this country is outdated…We think of skinheads and National Front marches. But things have changed – especially in terms of the online influence” and that “we tend to either demonise this problem or ignore it.” Researching the project, the production used literature from Hope not Hate and spoke to Prevent consultants and academics, including Hilary Pilkington. Harris told The Guardian that it can be important “to write characters you don’t agree with sometimes but you do care about…to get an effective drama across, these can’t be two-dimensional, easily dismissed characters. If we dismiss it, we’re not heading towards any kind of understanding.”^[3][4]

Casting

Sion Daniel Young lived locally to the production and turned down another guaranteed film part in order to write a letter to director Bulman asking to be considered for the lead role.^[5] Aimee-Ffion Edwards said she wanted to be part of the cast after reading the script and praised the production team “who are fearless in telling stories that people would rather not engage with.”^[6]

Filming

Principal photography took place in Cardiff and other parts of south Wales.^[7]