The creators of the beloved British sitcom Gavin and Stacey, James Corden and Ruth Jones, recently shared their creative challenges in bringing the series to a satisfying conclusion. Appearing on The Graham Norton Show, the duo discussed the process of crafting the highly anticipated Christmas special, revealing that they initially struggled to align their visions for the show’s ending.
Creative Differences
Ruth Jones, known for her role as Nessa, opened up about the differing perspectives she and James Corden had over the years. “Initially, when the last episode went out, I was keen to follow it up, and James wasn’t,” Ruth shared. “Then he was keen, and I wasn’t. Over the last few years, we’ve been in different places with it. I was content to leave it on a cliffhanger, but eventually, we both landed in a place where we felt we owed it to the fans to finish the story.”
James, who played Smithy in the series, echoed her sentiments, admitting the difficulty of crafting a finale that would satisfy both the audience and the characters. “It was quite pressured and hard to think about how to make the end satisfying. Ruth and I got together on our own, and it was only when we thought we had a story – about 70 pages into a 100-page script – that we called the BBC.”
Bittersweet Farewell
The pair confirmed that this Christmas special will undoubtedly be the last installment of Gavin and Stacey. “It’s very hard to talk about because there are so many spoilers, but when people watch it on Christmas, they will see why it will be, without question, the last time you will see these characters,” James explained.
Describing the final day on set as “very special,” James shared an emotional moment: “Everyone was there at the end with lots of crying. Joanna [Page], who plays Stacey, pretty much cried every day. There were lots of goodbyes. It was very emotional.”
The Next Chapter: A Book
While fans will bid farewell to the series, James and Ruth have announced a new project—a book titled When Gavin Met Stacey and Everything in Between: A Story of Love and Friendship. Set to be released in Autumn 2025, the book will provide readers with behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the iconic series.
In a joint statement, Ruth and James shared their excitement about the book: “We’re so excited to be sharing the story behind the story of Gavin and Stacey. The show has played a huge part in our twenty-five-year friendship, and we hope this book will give readers a fresh insight into how it all came about.”
A Legacy to Remember
As fans prepare to watch the final episode and reflect on the series that captured the nation’s hearts, the creators’ upcoming book offers a new way to celebrate the magic of Gavin and Stacey. With laughter, love, and friendship at its core, the series and its creators leave behind a lasting legacy.
