In spring 2006, the tiny Monmouthshire settlement of Grosmont hosted filming for actor Damian Lewis’s latest venture, The Baker, which his brother Gareth directed.

The village transformed for the movie shoot. The Angel Hotel received a yellow exterior and became The Daffodil, while a building called Gentle Jane was turned into a café and bakery. At that time, the property was owned by Witek Mintowt-Czyz, who worked as a consultant at Royal Gwent Hospital, along with his wife Linda. The structure was also painted in cream, blue and red hues.

Lewis, recognised for his roles in Band of Brothers and Dreamcatcher, described his enjoyable experience residing in the village to Hannah Mlatem from the South Wales Argus at the time. He said he was delighted with the location, noting the residents had been wonderful and that was partly the reason they had selected it, describing the area as stunning and ideal.

The production needed particular features. He mentioned they required a castle, shops, a small pub, and when they visited the site a couple of years earlier, they immediately recognised it was the right choice.

He also spoke about his background, explaining his father was Welsh, and although he and his brother grew up in the capital, they held great affection for the region. During that period, he maintained a property near the Brecon Beacons. He observed that escaping the metropolitan area was wonderful and he would miss the location once they departed, though he possessed a residence in the area to return to whenever he wished.

Gareth Lewis wrote and directed The Baker, endorsing his brother’s views, saying it had been tremendous and he enjoyed visiting Wales, having done so regularly since his birth, comparing it to being children again pursuing what they had always cherished.

The movie centres on the character Milo, played by Lewis, a hitman who adopts the persona of a baker while remaining hidden in a Welsh village.