Fool Me Once: Welsh stars of Netflix hit say success is wild

It's the Netflix drama that has gripped millions worldwide.

Starring Michelle Keegan and Dame Joanna Lumley, Harlan Coben's Fool Me Once is the British whodunnit mystery-drama everyone is talking about.

For two of its Welsh stars, the show's success has been "wild".

Actors Dino Fetscher and Laurie Kynaston, from Cardiff and Llanfyllin respectively, said seeing the drama on billboards from New York to London had been "incredible".

"You put your heart into these projects and you give so much, you hope people are going to enjoy it," said Dino, who plays goofy detective Marty McGreggor in the drama.

"The extent of the success has been mad.

"We were on Times Square. We've been all over bus stops in London. It's been amazing."

Originally from Cardiff, Dino has starred in productions such as Gentleman Jack on the BBC, as well as working closely with Swansea-born screenwriter Russell T Davies, who he says gave him his "first big TV job" in Channel 4's Banana.

"He's really like a mentor to me and a friend. I have so much respect for him."

With Russell back at the helm of Doctor Who, would a cameo be on the cards for Dino?

"I would love to and there have definitely been talks, it's just about finding the right time, I think."

Dino is joined on the Fool Me Once call sheet by Powys-raised Laurie Kynaston who plays whistle-blower Corey Rudzinski.

"I've never known anything like it," he said.

"I was in a cathedral in Gran Canaria and an elderly Spanish couple stopped me in the middle of the cathedral and said 'congratulations on your series'."

The 29-year-old, who has also recently featured in the Disney+ drama about Anne Frank, A Small Light, said working with stars such as Dame Joanna had been "incredible".

"They were all the most normal, delightful, professional, incredibly talented people."

As the story unfolds, Dino's character Marty grows in confidence and shares with his colleague, Det Sgt Sami Kierce, played by Four Lions' Adeel Akhtar, that he's dating a man.

"I did a lot of research around what it is to be queer in the police," says Dino, adding that he wanted to "honour" people's experience in the establishment.

While Dino said it was "important" a space was carved out in dramas to reflect serious issues that the LGBTQ+ community face, he enjoyed playing Marty - a character "who just happens to be a gay person".

"So much of the focus has been on things like coming out, all those kinds of struggles which are important.

"But it's nice to see someone happy, a beautiful soul, good at their job, a really great person who just happens to be a gay person or a queer person. I think it's really important for representation and visibility."

As the drama continues to garner global attention, what comes next for the Welsh pair?

"I'd love to film in Wales," says Dino, who cites the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff as the birthplace of his love of drama.

"It was where it all began, where my passion grew, where a sense of play really developed, and where my hunger for it really kind of manifested.

"I'd love one day to do a co-production with them because it would be a full circle moment for me."

Laurie, who first got into drama through Theatr Clwyd and National Youth Theatre Wales, said sustaining funding for the arts was "so important".

"Youth groups are closing down, and youth theatres are far less than they were.

"I think they are so important to make people feel that they're not alone, and also to harbour their burgeoning talent."

And like Dino, Laurie said he would "absolutely love" to brush up on his Welsh and come home to star in a bilingual production.

"I spent a lot of time in mid Wales over Christmas and New Year, and it was just so beautiful to be back and be speaking a little bit in Welsh and trying to get my Welsh back.

"It's not very good at the moment, but I think it wouldn't take me too long.

"Something in Wales would be gorgeous."