Doctor dominates Bafta Cymru list

David Tennant and Michelle Ryan in the most recent Doctor Who episode
BBC News

Doctor Who has received nine nominations in the Bafta Cymru awards, which will be held in Cardiff in May.

The hit sci-fi BBC drama, which won six awards in 2008, tops the list again, including as best TV drama and Russell T Davies in the screenwriter category.

The film Edge Of Love is nominated twice, including Matthew Rhys as best actor in the Dylan Thomas bio-pic.

Eve Myles is on the best actress shortlist for Belonging, as the final episode airs on BBC1 Wales on Thursday.

She was nominated for Torchwood last year, and it again receives two nominations, for best design and best costume.

The other Doctor Who stable-mate The Sarah-Jane Adventures is nominated for best children's programme.

Amazon with Bruce Parry is up for six awards, including best presenter for Parry himself, with the documentary series tracing the river and its people and the pressures they face from changing environment, big business to the drugs trade.

There is a best documentary nomination for the tribute to Ray Gravell - A Wonderful Life.

Clare Hudson, head of English programmes for BBC Wales, said she was thrilled with 33 nominations.

"I'm delighted that BBC Wales programming will be represented at Bafta Cymru in so many different areas, showing the strength and quality of our output across all genres in both English and Welsh."

Welsh language programmes and films make up 59% of all shortlisted nominations.

The film Martha, Jac a Sianco, shot in Ceredigion for S4C and based on Caryl Lewis' book about farming life, is in the running for eight awards, including best actor for Ifan Huw Dafydd and best actress nominee Sharon Morgan.

BAFTA Cymru director Lisa Nesbit said 2009 was a "landmark year".

"Nominations across all categories have shown an 18% increase in 2009 from 2008 and it is demonstrative that Welsh talent and productions are flourishing now more than ever," she said.

The ceremony at the Wales Millennium Centre on 17 May will be hosted by presenter Gethin Jones.