This was originally a for newsletter subscribers only. Make sure you're not missing out by clicking here and entering your email address.

Barry and Barry Island offer plenty of settings that make the perfect backdrop for film and television, perhaps earning our town another nickname: Barrywood.

We decided to look back at the times our town has appeared on-screen…

Gavin and Stacey

Gavin and Stacey is the obvious answer, but it couldn't not be top of the list, could it?

The beloved BBC comedy filmed all over the Vale, transforming a house on Laburnam Way in Dinas Powys into Pam and Mick's Billericay home and the Glendale Hotel in Penarth into Luigi's Italian restaurant. You'll probably recognise the women's bathroom…

But residents will always spot those iconic Barry Island settings – at Marco's Café, Island Leisure Amusement Arcade, Boofy's Chip Shop and the Square.

Then there's that steep hill of terraces on Trinity Street, where Gwen, Stacey, Uncle Bryn and Doris all live. You can't miss it either, as the owners of Gwen and Stacey's home have pictures in the windows and welcome fans.

Another Barry location masquerading as Essex is The Colcot Arms, where Smithy hosts the best 'worst pub quiz' ever. Counting the empty glasses on the bar, he's at least six pints in by question 18…

Bloody New Year

Released in 1987, this horror flick follows a group of teenagers trapped in a haunted hotel on a remote island. That island is in fact Barry Island, and the 'Grand Island Hotel' is Friars Point House.

The fairground scenes were filmed at the funfair with minimal supervision from the owners, who gave the crew full use of the site and attractions for just £300 at the time (about £885 today) for one week of shooting.

Free rides were offered to the public for extras in these scenes, so you might spot some familiar faces.

The Welsh Great Escape

This 2003 TV film follows one of the largest manhunts of World War Two.

In 1945, 70 German POWs escaped from the high security camp in Bridgend and were tracked by a motley collection of armed soldiers, Home Guard, dogs, local children and Girl Guides.

Dramatic, serious and comic in turn, scenes recreating the soldiers' escape were filmed at Barry Steam Railway on Plymouth Road.

Doctor Who

Earlier this year, Nub News shared photos from Cold Knap Beach where Jodi Whitaker was spotted filming alongside some weeping angels.

The sinister statues have also been seen at Friars Point House, but we'll have to wait until season 13 is aired to see the episode in full and find out why the angels have descended on Barry.

Back in 2005, Barry Island Heritage Railway was used to portray a London train station in the midst of the Blitz, as the Doctor, Rose and Captain Jack solve the mystery of the gas-mask-wearing 'Empty Child', best recognised for the haunting question 'are you my mummy?'

Casualty

Film crews for medical drama Casualty have frequently been spotted around Barry in recent years, after the production base moved from Bristol to Roath Lock studios in 2011.

Railway scenes are often shot at the Tourist Railway, and Marco's Café, Whitmore Bay and Friars Point have also been used for filming.

Being Human

Canon Street, Barry Police station, Barry Island Pleasure Park, and Merthyr Dyfan cemetery and its adjacent allotments, are just some of the locations to feature in series three of this supernatural show.

The first seasons were originally filmed in Bristol before production relocated to Barry and began showcasing the town.

Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures

Both these Doctor Who spin-off shows used locations in Barry and more widely in Penarth and Cardiff.

The episode titled 'The Mad Woman in the Attic' of The Sarah Jane Adventures was filmed at Whitmore Bay, Barry Island train station, the promenade and Friars Road.

Meanwhile Torchwood, the moodier and more adult of the shows in the Who-niverse, Captain Jack Harkness teaches Gwen to shoot in a scene filmed at Barry shooting range.

A brief scene in Sherlock was also filmed at the shooting range, and can be spotted in 'The Blind Banker' as John Watson is held hostage.