Mickel Clark
Ruth Jones, co-creator and star of Gavin & Stacey, is returning to BBC screens in a new comedy project she is co-writing with longtime collaborator Steve Speirs. After the success of the Gavin & Stacey revival and Christmas special, this new show marks a shift into themes of middle age, second chances, and the humour in later life’s twists.
Release Date & Format
The series, which is still untitled at present, has already been commissioned by BBC Wales and BBC Comedy. Reports confirm that it will consist of six 30-minute episodes and will air on BBC One, BBC Wales, and be available via iPlayer.
A specific premiere date has not yet been confirmed, but development and promotion are underway. More detailed scheduling announcements are expected in the coming months.
Synopsis
This new comedy centres on two characters brought together by unexpected circumstances. Clive, a 60-year-old widower and former teacher, crosses paths with Shelley-Ann, a 55-year-old environmental officer navigating a painful divorce. Their meeting occurs in something unusual, a knee trauma clinic setting, the stage for a story that promises warmth, awkwardness, companionship, and humour.
The series is described as “tender” yet full of comedic potential, focusing on what it means to rebuild, to connect, and to find laughter in life’s later chapters.
Cast
While full casting details are still pending, here are the confirmed leads and background about the creators and their past collaborations:
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Ruth Jones — co-writer and star (Shelley-Ann)
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Steve Speirs — co-writer and star (Clive)
Ruth Jones is widely known for Gavin & Stacey and Stella, and has just won the BAFTA Award for Best Female Comedy Performance (2025) for her role in the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special.
Steve Speirs has worked with Jones for decades, including in Stella, and has credits in Upstart Crow, Death Valley, The Tuckers, and guest roles in Extras and After Life.
Behind the scenes, the production is by Jones’s own company, Tidy, with commissioning handled by BBC Wales and BBC Comedy.
Wrap Up
This new BBC comedy from Ruth Jones and Steve Speirs is already generating buzz for its fresh premise and mature perspective. It moves away from youthful romantic hijinks into the territory of middle life, where relationships are different, challenges are more nuanced, and humour often lies in ordinary moments.
With the creative chemistry between Jones and Speirs, plus production by Tidy and support from BBC Wales, the project looks set to be a heartfelt, funny, and thoughtful addition to British television.
As more details become available, casting, trailer, and premiere date, fans of Gavin & Stacey, comedy aficionados, and viewers seeking stories about life’s second acts will certainly want to keep an eye on this one.
