Celyn Jones has built a career telling stories about people who exist slightly outside the world around them. Whether as an actor, writer, director or producer, the Welsh creative has consistently gravitated towards characters shaped by ambition, loneliness, resilience and reinvention. Over the years, that instinct has helped establish him as one of the most distinctive voices working in British independent cinema today, with projects that feel deeply rooted in Wales while speaking to something far more universal.

His latest film, Madfabulous, may be his boldest work yet. Inspired by the extraordinary true story of Henry Paget, the flamboyant 5th Marquess of Anglesey, the film blends spectacle, emotion and rebellion into something that feels both historical and strikingly modern. Released during Pride Month, it is a celebration of individuality, self-expression and the people brave enough to live loudly in worlds determined to silence them.

For 1883 Magazine’s 18 Questions, Jones reflects on creativity, misunderstood characters, Welsh storytelling, family life, chaos, collaboration and the emotional heartbeat behind Madfabulous.

1. What’s the first thing you usually do when you wake up in the morning?

I try to wake up early, 5:30, and either get to the gym to do some weightlifting or go for a dip in the sea with some locals. All this while my family still sleeps, and then it’s back to make them breakfast, get the kids ready for school, drink coffee and listen to Radio 4. Oh, and drink more coffee.

2. When do you feel most connected to yourself creatively?

At night, while the world sleeps, and when my imagination is on the border of dreams, that’s when I write easiest. Also, when I’m in the bear pit of collaboration and ideas are flying around with freedom and excitement in a charged environment, but that only happens when there’s good and up for it collaborators.

3. What’s something about you that people often get completely wrong?

People expect me to be a wildman. I’m very sociable and love interacting with as many people as possible; be it at work or on the street, but that sometimes gives a false sense of me as, in truth, I don’t really go out a lot or drink much or party as I’ve never needed it. I prefer to be home with my family or have a meal or a cigar with a good tequila with a pal or colleague. My wife Kate is the best and I do like when we have a dance, and my kids are great company.

4. Are you someone who likes control, or do you work better in chaos?

Chaos doesn’t bother or scare me and I can absorb the pressure, but I do recognise that it’s good to have ideas of what might be coming. Prepare for the unknown but don’t hang on too tight to your preconceived ideas, as change is inevitable and can bring better ideas.

5. What kind of stories naturally pull you in, even before you fully understand why?

Misunderstood characters are what I gravitate towards. The monster in the man and the man in the monster. A chance to explore and change. Add that to a stranger than fiction story, a unique slice of history or unusual event and then I get moved and excited by watching, reading or making that story.

6. What’s one thing working in film has taught you about people?

It’s a team sport, a ship with all its different departments but all travelling in the same direction towards the same goal. Being adaptable, personable and resilient are key. Talent comes later and if it isn’t for you, well you find out very quickly because you will get left behind. It’s a fantastic job if it suits you, and there’s room for many.

7. When do you feel most proud of the Welsh creative scene right now?

Always feel proud. I love the ambition and I love its uncompromising survivalist attitude. I’m proud of the strengthening of the Welsh language across all media as well as the inclusivity of other languages which is so much better than when I was a kid. It’s not just in film and television, I feel proud in many areas of Welsh creativity – gaming, sports, theatre and music… the Welsh music scene is super cool!

8. Looking back, was there a moment where you realised storytelling had become your life?

In all honesty, it was stories that helped me make sense and understand my life. My strong and sometimes uncontrollable imagination has been the bedrock of everything. I then realised that there was something about my drive, optimism and ambition that got things done. People regularly say nice things about what I do and say they are inspired by the fact I just do things and make them happen for myself and others, but for me none of it is a choice. I just can’t help but to keep going and keep doing it. There’s also a big underdog story I carry on my back, but that’s understandable and I’m good with that. I’m always ready to prove doubters wrong.

9. Madfabulous tells the story of Henry Paget in a way that feels surprisingly modern. What was the first thing about him that completely grabbed you?

It was that famous picture, then the audacious story and then the fact it is set on Anglesey/Ynys Mon. It was exciting to create an old fashioned world that was behaving like it was 1790 not 1890 and then you send Henry like an asteroid from the future to not only bring the world and characters up to date, but also take them into the next phase of life. He changes the environment, the attitude, the aesthetic and that’s why it feels modern. Also, I didn’t want to flood this film with pop songs to make it feel modern, I think that’s been done and actually dates your film just in a different decade. So we needed the world and music to evolve and react to Henry making it transcend and hence feel modern, I want it to feel modern forever!

10. You described seeing photographs of Paget and thinking of Bowie, Bolan and Freddie Mercury. Do you think audiences underestimate how radical people from the past could actually be?

Maybe, but underestimation is nothing new and being radical happens on loud stages and quiet corners. It’s different for many. Henry may be dancing in jewels but he is also treating the maid as an equal making her and us instantly love him and understand him. He was a rockstar, no doubt.

11. There’s a real balance in the film between spectacle and emotional honesty. How difficult was it to stop Henry becoming a caricature?

Thank you. If a character is rooted in truth, then it stays tethered and it’s harder to caricature. Sometimes people have the wrong idea about acting and think the louder colours are easier and the quieter notes more real, but life isn’t like that. It’s about rooted truth and the inner-life people have, and the public life they project. Henry Paget is played by Callum Scott Howells and Callum is an extraordinary talent and has the ability and range to do it all, and everything Henry needs to be. He’s also surrounded by a phenomenal cast and ensemble who I respect so much and who I made sure all had reasons to be there and opportunities to play, and that’s why the acting is getting so celebrated. If we are talking about balance and genre and tonal shifts, well, Henry Paget is all of that. The best stories are.

12. Henry Paget lived completely outside social expectations, almost without apology. Do you think people today are actually any more accepting of individuality than they were back then?

Young people are loving this film and they don’t always go to see a period drama, and the period-loving crowd are on board, too. It’s so inclusive, which is beautiful. I think people are more accepting and tolerant, they must be, but also today’s audience are super celebratory and love it when they can cheer an ally and draw courage from their story.

13. Madfabulous feels very rooted in Wales while still feeling universal. Was it important to you that the film never lost that sense of place?

Yes, YES, thank you and absolutely. The boldest statement I feel I can make as a director and filmmaker is to do exactly that and make it here, about here but available to everyone.

14. You’ve worked as an actor, writer, director and producer. Which role brings out the most honest version of you creatively?

They are all me, truly. Acting was my first love professionally and will no doubt be my last, but writing has been so rewarding and directing suits my personality and ambition. I’ll keep doing them all for as long as you’ll let me. But none of them are as important, or mean more, than being Kate’s husband and dad to Greta, Tristan and Ivor.

15. Callum Scott Howells gives such a fearless performance in the film. What did he bring to Henry Paget that surprised even you?

He brought everything, from farm to table, this boyo is the real deal and I’m thrilled that the world is about to see it and feel it. He is very razor specific, which is always great when playing a character that may appear chaotic, and he can also improvise on a dime. I’m an actor’s director, I think, and it was great to be there for Callum on this.

16. You’ve spoken a lot about championing Welsh talent and stories. Do you still feel Wales is underestimated creatively within the wider UK industry?

Who cares if we are underestimated, it’s happening and Wales is doing it anyway and, as Steve Martin said, ‘Be so good they can’t ignore you!’ I will always champion others, probably because no one championed me. Even when I felt I was proving it and getting somewhere there was a block I felt from others… Maybe it was because they didn’t invite me or choose me or that I’m a working class kid or that I do all these jobs… who knows. All I know is to keep moving forward and bring as many others with me.

17. Your work often explores people who feel slightly outside the world around them. Do you consciously gravitate towards outsiders, or do those stories just naturally find you?

Ha, ha… I think you’ve got the measure of me now. Yes, I gravitate towards those stories and people, and if I don’t they have a habit of finding me. My life is a poetic life, caught between the private and public or being private in public and so on. If the work can shed a light or shine a light in an area that teaches or exposes or helps, then great.

18. With Madfabulous arriving during Pride Month, what do you hope audiences leave the cinema thinking or feeling after watching it?

First of all, I want to highlight the fact, in this day and age, it is very rare to have a film, an independent film, play in any cinemas, so the fact that we are releasing so wide is awesome and a credit to all who made the film. I hope multi-generations exit the cinema together having laughed and cried together, full of love, forgiveness and beauty having been introduced to the remarkable Henry Paget the 5th Marquis of Anglesey. And if they tell their friends and family to do the same, then that would be Madfabulous.

Madfabulous is out now.