TINSELTOWN arrived in Neath as the stars stepped out for the premiere of a new TV series.
The town's Gwyn Hall was the setting for the UK premiere of Da Vinci's Demons.
Thanks to the magic of Hollywood scriptwriter David S Goyer, Swansea Bay was turned into Renaissance Florence during filming of the show.
Margam Castle was turned into the Medici Palace and many scenes brought to life through the incredible sets at Bay Studios, which has injected new life into the former Visteon site on Fabian Way.
Mr Goyer, who was in Neath for the premiere, has already enjoyed top reviews for his new series about the life of the 25-year-old Leonardo Da Vinci.
Mr Goyer said: "It's a bit surreal as on Wednesday we just put the final touches to episode eight of the first series and then got the pick up on the second series.
"I have had a fascination with Da Vinci since I was a little kid. Who else in history measures up to him?" Mr Goyer said he loved working in Wales, but confessed Welsh rain had delayed filming in Swansea Bay.
He added that he made sure he had wellies and rain gear for seven months of filming in the area.
Mr Goyer added: "We did lose one or two days because of the weather but we learned from our mistakes."
Last weekend, when the show was launched in the US, more than 2.14 million viewers tuned in and it has led TV firm Starz to confirm that South Wales will once again be transformed into Renaissance Italy for to a second series in conjunction with BBC Worldwide.
Tom Riley, who plays the lead role of the young Da Vinci, was also at the Neath premiere.
He said the Bay Studios sets were so realistic he thought he was in Italy.
"Some of the sets in Fabian Way are identical to Florence, production designer Ed Thomas has been amazing."
Members of the show's production team were also at the red carpet event, including the show's executive producer Julie Gardner, for Adjacent Productions, and Swansea-born Ed Thomas.
Mr Thomas said "Starz were so pleased with what they have seen they want 10 episodes instead of 8.
"We start filming in two weeks' time which will take us until November 22."
He added: "It's fantastic to have the premiere in Neath.
"We insisted it should be in Neath Port Talbot because this is where the show is made." Businessman Roy Thomas, who owns the site of Bay Studios, added: "It's excellent news for Wales and for college students and youngsters who are interested in getting — hopefully the opportunities will grow."
Swansea singer and songwriter Mal Pope said it had been amazing to see the project come to fruition.
"It's brilliant to see Hollywood come to Wales," he added.
"I was there on the first day of filming and they got me back on the last day of filming as a drunk." Welsh Economics Minister Edwina Hart, and Neath Port Talbot Council leader Ali Thomas were also at the event.
The series has helped to create more than 2,500 part-time and 160 full-time jobs across Swansea Bay.
Da Vinci's Demons is being broadcast internationally via BBC Worldwide Productions, Starz Entertainment and Fox International Channels across 200 Channels in 120 countries.
The show makes its UK debut on Fox at 10pm tonight.
