The third series of Gavin And Stacey is back on BBC One. Hurrah! Tell us about it. What’s new?
Well, the biggest difference in this series is that the later episodes are set in the summer, so we get to see Barry Island in the sun! And there’ll be a whole episode set on the beach which was really fun to film. Loads of people were there watching too, so it was a real party atmosphere. And we were so lucky with the weather – later on in the shoot we had torrential rain, and the place where we were filming nearly flooded. So those beach days… the gods of Barry were smiling down on us then.
And what about Nessa? What’s been happening in her life?
She’s been living in Dave’s caravan down Sully since he proposed at Christmas and has carried on working down the slots. She takes Neil the baby to work with her which is nice.
She and Dave are getting on fine, even though it is a bit cosy in the caravan. And things are about to get even cosier when Nessa’s dad turns up in episode one for Neil’s christening and needs somewhere to stay.
Nessa’s attitude to life pretty much stays the same. She’s never in a different mood, always the same one. And she takes whatever life throws at her in her usual measured way. If she won the lottery or if she found herself on a sinking ship, she’d probably pretty much react the same way to both.
How do you feel about this series being the last ever one? Was it more exciting or emotional to film?
It was very emotional filming at the end. Even from day one we all had this sad feeling about it all ending.
In the final week me and Jo Page just couldn’t stop crying. We were pathetic and we looked like frogs. And on the last day me and James were awash. It sounds silly I know, but it’s been a big part of our lives for the past three years…
But, y’know, things have to move on. As Nessa said in episode one of series one: “Times change. People move on.” And they do.
I like to think that we dipped into the lives of Gavin and Stacey and their family and friends for a couple of years, and now it’s time to dip out again and let them get on with it. I actually do believe sometimes that these people exist! Am I going mad?
One of the episodes takes place on the beach. It must have been hard with all the crowds watching! Can you tell us any funny stories from filming?
There’s one scene in episode four where Pam and Dawn are having a conversation about a DVD. And Alison, Adrian and Julia just couldn’t get through it without laughing. In the end Chris our director had to send everyone off for a tea break, and even after that they were still laughing… They got there in the end but it was a real struggle. The outtakes will be on the DVD extras!
Episode one is Baby Neil’s christening. Can you tell us about it?
We wanted a big occasion to kick off the third series and as well as that we always need some kind of gathering as an excuse to bring together our English and Welsh contingent. The christening of Neil the baby seemed to be the perfect opportunity.
We get to see how dysfunctional Smithy’s family is and finally meet his mother, played by the wonderful Pam Ferris. And we also meet Nessa’s dad played by Ifan Huw Dafydd. And, yes, there is some singing. And some musical prowess demonstrated by Doris.
Nessa’s dad Neil makes an appearance in this series. What’s he like?
We wanted Neil the Father to go against what people might expect of Nessa’s dad and Ifan Huw Dafydd plays him brilliantly because although he’s clearly quite dodgy and has a past, he’s still a warm and friendly guy. God only knows where Nessa’s mother is though.
Is that really it? You won’t be tempted to write just one more series or special?
We definitely won’t be writing another series. Where would we go with it? No, it’s really time to say goodbye to these characters now. But we’ve never ruled out the idea of a special maybe in a few years’ time. Not in the near future though. James and I will definitely write together again though – we want to write a film. We’ve already had an idea!
What about Gavin And Stacey The Movie?
Well, that film I was telling you about? It won’t be a Gavin and Stacey movie! That’s because both James and myself think G&S very much belongs to the little screen, not the big one. And there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just the right medium for it. So why spoil it by trying to turn it into something it’s not? Now Gavin and Stacey the musical… that’s a different story!
What is your favourite bit from the new series?
There’s so much I love… There’s a scene in the caravan in episode five firstly between Nessa and Neil the baby (played on that occasion by Ewan who was always superb!) and then Dave Coaches arrives.
I think it’s maybe my favourite ever Nessa scene… but apart from that, I just think James’s acting, especially in episode six, is a joy to behold. That man is so talented. He really is!
At the end of the Christmas special we saw Smithy asking Nessa not to marry Dave – what’s occurrin’ there then?
Well it’s kind of what it says on the tin. Smithy doesn’t want to marry Nessa but he doesn’t want her to marry Dave either. Their relationship is quite bizarre. There’s certainly no love lost between them!
We think they’re perfect for each other – please tell us Smithy and Nessa live happily ever after?
Do you want me to tell you what happens in the end? Of course you don’t. You’ll have to wait and see!
Ness seems to have had quite a few surprising ex-boyfriends – who is her most high-profile conquest?
That’s a good question. What’s interesting is that people assume they know who Nessa is referring to in her past a lot of the time but in fact they get it wrong. For example, we have never mentioned the actual name Mohamed Al Fayed. Or Richard Madeley. But people have made assumptions about them.
My favourite Nessa conquest isn’t a celebrity. It’s Paulo. From South America. Who she describes as the only man she ever really loved. And she thought she saw him once down Barry Magistrates. She didn’t. It wasn’t him.
I guess the John Prescott stuff is really funny, I have to say, John was very good humoured about that reference, thanks John! And of course Tom Jones when we made the Comic Relief film. He was great fun!
Do you and James have any plans to collaborate together on any other projects in the future?
Well there’s the film but we may also write some more TV comedy together. We’ve had a couple of thoughts…
Pam Ferris is a new addition playing Smithy’s mum. Can you tell us a bit about her character?
She’s tired all the time. And cannot be bothered to do anything. You realise why Smithy spends so much time at Pam and Mick’s!
Are there any other famous faces popping up?
There are a couple of little cameos but I don’t want to spoil it by telling you who… And a couple of nice mentions of well-known people too.
What would you like to think Nessa is doing in 10 years’ time?
James and I were talking about this the other day. We reckon she’ll rejoin the circus. And Neil the baby will learn to walk on stilts or become a trapeze artist.
Nessa will inherit a couple of secondhand tigers in not very good nick and hers will be the only illegal, animal-based circus in the country. She’ll be the ring mistress of course, but will smoke while doing it. And look quite bored.
Now you’re hanging up the leathers, fishnets and the dragon tattoo, what’s next?
My production company, Tidy Productions, which I run with my husband David, is currently filming a Christmas film for S4C which I co-wrote with Catrin Dafydd and in which I appear as a Polish cafe manager. After that I’m playing Mum in a BBC Four comedy drama by Mark Watson inspired by Dylan Thomas’s Child’s Christmas In Wales, which is a fabulous script. And then I’m going on holiday!
And finally… the suspense is killing us. Do we ever find out about Bryn and Jason and that fishing trip?
Again, do you want me to spoil it for you? It’s so much fun leaving it to people’s imaginations. With the caveat that whatever did happen was not illegal in this country and involved soup.
