BBC | Toffee International Ltd | Tom JacksonRuth Jones, co-creator and star of the beloved British sitcom *Gavin & Stacey*, has revealed that she and writing partner James Corden always envisioned a romantic future for their characters, Nessa Jenkins and Smithy, from the very inception of the series.
Jones and Corden achieved widespread recognition for their collaborative writing efforts on the acclaimed comedy, in which they also portrayed the roles of Nessa and Smithy, the iconic best friends to the titular characters. The show, which aired for three seasons and concluded with three special Christmas episodes between 2007 and 2024, resonated deeply with audiences, and Jones admitted to feeling a sense of “unfinished business” between Nessa and Smithy right up until the series finale.
The narrative culminated with Smithy making a pivotal decision in the final episode, choosing to marry Nessa after a dramatic last-minute change of heart at another wedding.
Adam Tatton-Reid/Hay Festival“I think that we always knew… from the very first scene in Leicester Square, where Smithy and Nessa met and instantly hated each other, except they also shared a love of pizza,” Jones shared during an onstage discussion at the Hay Festival with author and broadcaster Hannah Beckerman. “I think we always knew that they would have to get together, that that had to be the actual ending of the show, but we didn’t have time.”
She elaborated that the conclusion of series three saw Smithy moving to Barry and beginning to adopt the local dialect, while Gavin and Stacey were expecting their first child, effectively tying up those narrative threads.
Adam Tatton-Reid/Hay Festival“We kind of suggested that Smithy and Nessa, at that point, had come to some kind of an agreement, a workable relationship, but I think there was always this unfinished business,” Jones continued. “When we got together in 2019, to do the Christmas special, I think originally we’d intended to marry them then – but it was just too much of a story to tell. Such a long time had passed, it was 10 years almost since we’d finished it.”
The show’s final broadcast, aired on Christmas Day 2024, saw the long-anticipated union of Smithy and Nessa, drawing an impressive overnight viewership of 12.3 million.
In other news, Jones announced that her new Welsh comedy project with *The Tuckers* creator Steve Speirs is set to commence filming in Wales next week.
The upcoming drama, tentatively titled *Better Later*, will explore the complexities of relationships in middle age and centers on an unlikely friendship formed between two individuals recovering from knee injuries at a physiotherapy clinic. Jones and Speirs have a history of successful collaborations, including the popular series *Stella*, which aired from 2012 to 2017 and depicted life in a fictional Welsh valley town. Jones confirmed that many of the original *Stella* cast members are expected to return for *Better Later*.
Business Style Takeaway: The enduring appeal of relatable, character-driven narratives like *Gavin & Stacey* underscores the power of authentic storytelling in building lasting audience connections. For brands and executives, understanding and leveraging such cultural touchstones can foster deeper engagement and resonate globally by tapping into universal themes of connection, humor, and the journey of relationships.
Based on materials from : www.bbc.com