The television series plays against a dark, atmospheric setting that complements its intense storyline. One distinctive feature of the production is that it was filmed in both Welsh and English. The Welsh-language version premiered on SC4 in May, while the English version followed on Channel 4 from January 4.
This bilingual approach introduced an added challenge for the actors, particularly Joanna Scanlan, who plays Sharon, a grieving mother. Scanlan, who was relatively new to the Welsh language, had only been learning it for a year before taking on the role.
Her character is deeply affected by the murder of her daughter, Ela, whose body was never found despite a local man, Joe, confessing to the crime 18 years earlier. However, he was unable to reveal where she was buried. Below, we examine the series finale, shedding light on who was responsible for Ela’s death and whether her remains were eventually discovered.
A heated family argument sets off a tragic chain of events (Photo: The Light in the Hall/Duchess Street Productions and Triongl in association with APC Studios)Viewers interested in further details regarding specific episodes, streaming options, or whether the story has real-life connections will find those aspects covered as well. Additionally, those who appreciated the visual elements of the series will be glad to learn more about the striking locations where it was filmed.
Breakdown of the Final Episode
As The Light in The Hall draws to a close, new details about Ela’s last moments come to light. Troubled by recent events, Ela decided to visit her girlfriend, Izzy, following a heated argument at home involving her mother, Sharon, and stepfather, Gafyn.
The dispute escalated when Gafyn accused Sharon of having an affair with a colleague, Dai. This confrontation reopened old wounds since Sharon and Gafyn had started their relationship while her previous husband was battling cancer.
When Ela attempted to intervene, she exchanged harsh words with her mother, calling her offensive names. In a moment of anger, Sharon slapped Ela, which prompted her to leave the house and seek comfort at Izzy’s place. That would be the last memory Sharon had of her daughter.
During her time with Izzy, Ela was told that Joe, a gardener, had made an inappropriate advance towards Izzy. However, later scenes reveal that Izzy had fabricated the claim. In reality, she had flirted with Joe, but he refrained from reciprocating.
This falsehood added to Ela’s distress, leading her to confront Joe directly, with Izzy following her to see how the situation would come to play. Wyn also noticed both girls heading towards the woods.
When Ela arrived at Joe’s caravan, she angrily accused him of being a predator, which led to an intense altercation. As Joe attempted to escape the confrontation, Ela fell and lost consciousness momentarily. Upon regaining awareness, she picked up a knife, intent on continuing the confrontation, but by that time, Joe had already fled the scene.
Shortly after, Ela ran into Izzy and made it clear that she intended to track down Joe while armed. Shocked, Izzy admitted that her initial accusation had been nothing more than a joke.
The revelation infuriated Ela, leading to an argument between the two. In the heat of the moment, Ela stabbed Izzy, who reacted by pushing Ela down a hill. The fall resulted in Ela hitting her head on a cluster of rocks, which caused her death.
To prevent scandal from tainting his family, Joe’s father took steps to frame Joe for the crime. He plants misleading evidence, such as Ela’s necklace and the knife, and secretly buries her body near Nina’s house.
Later, Ela’s sister, Greta, came across crucial details in Ela’s diary that revealed the extent of the bullying Ela endured at the hands of Cat and Caryl. Despite initial suspicions, their actions stemmed from sheer cruelty rather than any deeper motive.
Why Did Joe Believe He Was Responsible?
Joe genuinely thought he had caused Ela’s death during their dispute at the caravan. His struggles with dissociative amnesia made it difficult for him to recall details accurately. This condition, as outlined by the NHS, often results in memory loss, particularly regarding traumatic incidents.
A heated family argument sets off a tragic chain of events (Photo: The Light in the Hall/Duchess Street Productions and Triongl in association with APC Studios)Due to these memory gaps, Joe was unable to recognize that Ela had actually left his caravan alive and later met her fate elsewhere. The extent of his condition became clear when he and Cat confronted Izzy in the woods. The encounter triggered a partial recollection of the argument, which, had he remembered earlier, might have supported his case.
Was Ela’s Body Recovered?
Yes, the series confirms that Ela’s body was eventually found. The final scenes show Sharon and Greta mourning at her grave. Izzy’s confession regarding the incident pressured Wyn and Nina into disclosing where Ela had been buried.
Before reaching this point, forensic investigators were seen gathering evidence near Nina’s home while Sharon and Cat look on. Although Joe had no idea where Ela’s remains were hidden, the discovery allowed Sharon to finally give her daughter a proper burial.
Audience Reception and Reviews
On Rotten Tomatoes, The Light in the Hall holds a 71% rating from critics and an 89% audience score. Andrew Murray of The Upcoming commended the performances, particularly Joanna Scanlan’s portrayal of Sharon.
Carol Midgley of The Times had mixed views, pointing out that the show followed a formula similar to other crime dramas, though she acknowledged Scanlan’s layered performance.
Audience reactions varied, with one viewer praising the series for its gripping story and outstanding acting, while another found the plot too predictable, feeling that it lacked originality despite the strength of the cast.
