Gavin and Stacey

(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.