Gavin and Stacey

In a recent interview confirmed that she is already working on series 2 of Gavin and Stacey.

“I’m in one of the new Miss Marple films for ITV1, the Beeb’s update of literary romp Fanny Hill and in the second series of Gavin and Stacey, written by my good friend Ruth Jones, who’s Welsh. That’s going onto BBC Two, which is great. It’s nice to play that part, there’s no angst, it’s uplifting. I love the way my character loves Camilla Parker Bowles!”

So that’s a treat to look forward to in 2008!

After it’s first spectacular run on BBC Three. BBC 2 is now showing Gavin and Stacey on Tuesday nights at 10:00 pm.

Another chance for us to enjoy it or a lovely introduction to new fans!

Second season has already been ordered

LONDON — Launching a new comedy with a target aud of cynical twentysomethings can be difficult, but BBC sitcom “Gavin and Stacey” is making inroads.

The fact that it is produced by Baby Cow Prods., the outfit owned by edgy British comedy star Steve Coogan, aroused expectations. And now, despite employing mostly unknown writers and cast, the show — which ends its six-part run on June 10 — a second season has already been ordered.

The program is a romantic, if offbeat, boy-meets-girl story that miraculously manages to be both charming and hip.

Gavin, a wholesome boy who still lives with his

It’s Gavin and Stacey’s wedding day, as the comedy concludes. The Shipmans and the Wests are beside themselves with excitement and pride. Smithy attempts to deliver the greatest best man’s speech, but it doesn’t go quite to plan, while Pamela and Mick perform some unique karaoke. Uncle Bryn is still acting strangely around Stacey’s brother, Jason, but Nessa is acting the oddest of all. Will she spill the beans on her big secret?

It’s wedding bells for Gavin (Mathew Horne) and Stacey (Joanna Page)

Gavin is played by Mathew Horne, Stacey by Joanna Page, Smithy by James Corden, Pamela by Alison Steadman, Mick by Larry Lamb, Uncle Bryn by Rob Brydon, Jason by Robert Wilfort and Nessa by Ruth Jones.

t’s Gavin and Stacey’s stag and hen nights. Stacey’s delighted when her brother Jason returns home – but there’s definitely something very awkward happening with Uncle Bryn. Meanwhile both Nessa and Stacey are hiding big secrets. Will Gavin ever discover Stacey’s secret past? And if so, will he still want to marry her?

With just six weeks to go until the wedding, the nerves and excitement are beginning to show. Gavin has a very important question for Smithy, while Nessa is having uncharacteristic doubts about herself.

Meanwhile the Shipman family and friends travel to Barry for a wedding fair. The event exceeds all expectations, with Smithy completely mesmerised by Jammy the ultimate stag do organiser (guest star Matt Lucas), and Bryn totally sold on a magician for the wedding.

Gavin & Stacey Ep 3/6
Sunday 20 May
9.00-9.30pm BBC THREE

Gavin and Stacey prepare to tell their friends and family about their surprise engagement, as the character-driven comedy continues. Gavin’s parents, Pamela and Mick, are over the moon for their “little prince”, Stacey’s family have some very big concerns over the announcement, and Smithy refuses to even talk to Gavin.

Pamela (Alison Steadman) and Mick (Larry Lamb) are over the
moon at Gavin and Stacey’s engagement

However, when the Shipmans invite the Wests to Billericay for an engagement party, nothing will get in the way of the celebrations or Bryn’s temptation to use his satnav for the long journey.

Later, the two families get on like a house on fire, until conversation turns to money and Gavin and Stacey drop a bombshell on their unsuspecting friends and family.

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

Some of the music from the show.

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!”