HISTORIC Highmead Hall, near Llanybydder is the setting for our interview with Hinterland star, Mali Harries.

The building, which is for sale for £950,000, has been used for many things in its time - a stately manor, a psychiatric hospital, a school for Islam and now a location for the hit detective series in which Mali plays DI Mared Rhys.

Taking a break from filming, Mali is keen to talk first about her character’s famous coat.

“There was a big discussion about the coat,” she says, referring to the red parka.“Should it be coloured? Should it have fur? I just wanted it to be warm!

“I think what they came up with is great because Mared is not sexually free. The coat helps with that, she can hide behind it... and you can also hide a microphone in it!”

Mali is happy to let me try on the coat and I can vouch for its warmth, an essential quality when filming in all weathers in Ceredigion.

That’s Mared’s exterior, but what about the character’s interior? Will viewers find out more about her in the next series?

“We learn a lot,” Mali confirms.

“We learn about who she is and more about her relationship with her daughter. It feels new because we see her in a different light.”

For the full feature see this week’s south editions, available in shops and online tomorrow