Gavin and Stacey

Gavin & Stacey Eps 1 and 2/6
Sunday 13 May
9.00-10.00pm BBC THREE

Gavin is an ordinary boy from Essex; Stacey is an ordinary girl from Barry, South Wales. They’ve spoken on the phone every day at work for months but they’ve never actually met… until now, as BBC Three’s new character-driven comedy begins. Written by and starring Ruth Jones (Nighty Night, Little Britain) and James Corden (The History Boys), the series also features Mathew Horne (Catherine Tate, Roman’s Empire), Joanna Page (Gideon’s Daughter, Love Actually), Rob Brydon, Alison Steadman, Larry Lamb and Melanie Walters.

Young love bridges two nations for Gavin (Mathew Horne) and Stacey (Joanna Page)

When Gavin and Stacey finally meet, and their ordinary worlds collide, viewers see through their friends, their family and their differences that there’s no such thing as ordinary after all.

The series begins with a double bill, and in episode one, Gavin and Stacey finally plan to meet up. Stacey’s guardian uncle, Bryn, is concerned as ever for his niece’s wellbeing and provides her with a rape alarm for her visit to London. Gavin’s mum, Pamela, is very excited for her “little prince”, while his best mate, Smithy, is sceptical and more concerned about what Stacey’s mate, Nessa, is going to look like. Nessa, meanwhile, couldn’t care either way.

When the four friends meet up, several pints and eight Aftershocks later, romance blossoms in the most unexpected of places…

As the second episode begins, Gavin and Stacey are happy and in love, until a misunderstanding on the phone at work leaves Stacey broken-hearted and Gavin in a state. Gavin decides there’s only one way to solve the problem and drives all the way to Barry Island to talk to Stacey in person.

Having made up, they can’t bear to be parted so soon and Stacey agrees to come back to Billericay with Gavin. Proud mum Pamela is beside herself with excitement and sets about cleaning the house from top to bottom. However, when Pamela and Gavin’s dad, Mick, finally meet Stacey, she’s acting very strangely…

Gavin is played by Mathew Horne and Stacey by Joanna Page. Pamela is played by Alison Steadman, Uncle Bryn by Rob Brydon, Nessa by Ruth Jones, Smithy by James Corden, Mick by Larry Lamb and Gwen (Stacey’s mum) by Melanie Walters.

When James Corden and Ruth Jones were sitting waiting to be weighed at Superslimmers – the fictional slimming class of Kay Mellor’s Fat Friends – they had no idea that, some years later, they would be writing their own comedy series and starring in it, too, writes Sarah Ward.

“We became friends during filming, and, when we were doing series three, James was talking about this idea he and his girlfriend had about a wedding that takes place between a guy from Essex and a girl from Barry Island,” explains Ruth. “I thought it sounded brilliant, and we’d sit in the hotel bar where we were staying and look around, because there was always a function going on, and we’d pick out characters that might be at this wedding and improvise what they might say,” she continues.

“I have ideas all the time and do nothing with them”, says James. “But Ruth was adamant we should try and write this.”

After putting pen to paper, James and Ruth sent their script to Stuart Murphy, ex-Controller of BBC Three, who loved their idea.

“Stuart said he didn’t have a slot for a one-off drama or comedy, but asked if we would be able to turn it into a series,” says Ruth, who has also written episodes of Fat Friends and BBC One’s The Chase.

It was quite a scary prospect but James, in particular, received some encouragement from a very high-profile source – the author and playwright Alan Bennett. James was performing in Bennett’s production of The History Boys at the National Theatre. “Alan gave me such confidence, and said to me: ‘James, you should write some of these ideas down because they’re really funny. There are lots of people who make people laugh now and again but you really have a chance, if you write these things down, to do something.’ And when Alan Bennett says that, you can’t really argue!”

(L-R) Joanna Page (Stacey), Mathew Horne (Gavin), James Corden (Smithy) and Ruth Jones (Nessa) star in new comedy about young love across two nations

We say “Yakki Da” to the residents of Barry, South Wales, and Billericay, Essex, and presents a Who’s Who guide to the characters.

Mathew Horne plays Gavin

Gavin is 26 and lives in Essex with his parents, Mick and Pam. His best mate, Smithy, lives just down the road and they’ve known each other since infant’s school. He’s a salt-of-the-Earth bloke – loyal, funny and big-hearted – and the sort of bloke that anyone would want as a friend. Gavin is gorgeous, but doesn’t really know it, and he’s never been in love – until now.

Joanna Page plays Stacey

Stacey is also 26 and lives in Barry, South Wales. Her dad died three years ago and she lives with her mum, Gwen. Her best friend, Nessa, is always round her house and Stacey relies on her for advice. Stacey’s very fluffy, but lovely, funny, beautiful and kind. Unlike Gavin, she has been in love before.

James Corden plays Smithy

Smithy is 26 and is Gavin’s best friend. He loves Gavin’s parents more than his own and is always round his house. Smithy is very much a bloke’s bloke – his friends are everything to him and he would lay down his life for Gavin – in theory, at least. He has a girlfriend, Lucy, who’s 17 and three quarters, and who no one ever really sees. He loves unusual beer, paintball and West Ham.

Ruth Jones plays Nessa

Nessa is approximately 40 and works in the arcade on Barry Island. She’s Barry born and bred, and yet she’s worked in places as far flung as Peru, Namibia and Egypt. She’s had sex with most of the men in Barry, plus several celebrities. Nothing really fazes Nessa. She’s stoical and grimly accepting of life, but she’s also loyal and protective of those she loves – especially Stacey, Bryn and Gwen.

Rob Brydon plays Bryn

Bryn is in his late-forties, single and doesn’t work. He lives across the road from Stacey and her mother, Gwen, and is fiercely protective of them – especially since Trevor (Stacey’s dad) died, God rest his soul. Something of an optimistic loner, Bryn loves meeting new people and having new experiences – even if it is trying out a skinny wet latte. He’s fascinated by technology and terrified of sex.

Alison Steadman plays Pam

Gavin’s mum, Pam, is in her early fifties and has been married to Mick for 26 years. She adores her only son, Gavin – her “little prince”. Pam is an Essex wife who doesn’t have to work and who loves a good party. She’s glamorous and fun to be with, and still has a great relationship with Mick. However, she can get a little hysterical when her lively imagination starts to run wild. She also loves Camilla Parker Bowles.

Larry Lamb plays Mick

Mick, a handsome, salt-of-the-Earth bloke, just like his son, Gavin, is in his mid-fifties. He’s happy with his life and runs his own company, plays golf and goes to the pub quiz every Tuesday night. He knows how to handle his wife, Pam’s, hysteria and is content for her to wear the trousers … until he wants them back, that is.

Melanie Walters plays Gwen

Gwen, Stacey’s mum, is in her late forties and a widow. She’s barely been out of Barry and lives her life very much through other people. She’s a consummate home-maker who will whip you up an omelette at any opportunity, and she has a heart of gold. Her seemingly timid exterior belies a more daring side to Gwen that occasionally peeps through.