Set against the rugged landscape of Carmarthenshire, Wales, the second installment in the Light in the Hall series, titled Still Waters, continues a dark, atmospheric narrative rooted in themes of murder, activism, and fractured family ties. Filmed in Llandovery, the series returns to the fictional town of Llanemlyn to explore the complex aftermath of a decades-old crime intertwined with contemporary protest movements.

The plot centers on Rhys, portrayed by Mark Lewis Jones, who emerges after serving a lengthy prison sentence for the 1995 killing of his cousin Llyr, a fervent campaigner against a contentious reservoir development. Llyr died when a bomb he was planting detonated prematurely, but evidence also implicated Rhys, who bears bolt cutter marks linked to the act. Despite maintaining his innocence, Rhys’s release offers an opportunity to revisit the case, driven in part by Caryl, played by Siân Reese-Williams. Caryl, a determined trainee journalist and the sole returning character from the first series, views the story as a pivotal chance to secure a permanent position with a local newspaper.

The narrative unfolds with a layered network of relationships. Caryl’s journalism tutor, Eve (Nia Roberts), is Llyr’s former partner and mother to Mabli, an activist engaged in the ongoing anti-reservoir protests. Complicating matters, Eve is involved in a discreet relationship with Hari, Mabli’s close friend. Meanwhile, the reservoir’s proposed development is championed by Eve’s father, Robert (Robert Glenister), depicted as a driven capitalist whose English accent subtly marks him as the antagonist.

While the series crafts an engaging mystery, its tone remains consistently somber, and some critiques highlight moments of uneven pacing and occasional clunky dialogue. Observers note that the story might have been more tightly told within fewer episodes, as certain plot points develop slowly and some twists may be foreseeable to seasoned viewers.

Nonetheless, the production excels in atmosphere, utilizing Wales’s dramatic hills and grey skies to enhance the noir sensibility. The use of drone technology adds visual depth, capturing sweeping views of the landscape and storm-swept terrain, creating a moody backdrop for the unfolding drama. Performances, particularly from Lewis Jones and Reese-Williams, have been praised for their emotional depth and chemistry, bringing authenticity to their characters' struggle with past injustices and present turmoil. The series was also filmed in Welsh for broadcast on S4C, underscoring its cultural roots.

Still Waters offers a brooding exploration of personal and political conflict, set against the evocative terrain of rural Wales, providing viewers with a gripping, if occasionally uneven, addition to the regional noir genre.