Gavin & Stacey’s Ruth Jones will return to the BBC as part of a standalone special to celebrate the history of Wales.
The star, who co-wrote and portrayed Nessa Jenkins in the beloved sitcom, will team up with actor and comedian Steve Speirs for Ruth and Steve: from Merthyr with Love, an hour-long special in which the pair “hit the road” in the town of Merthyr Tydfil.
The special is one of four programmes commissioned by BBC Cymru Wales to coincide with the bicentenary of Cyfarthfa Castle, with the collection aiming to “celebrate the history, culture, and people of Merthyr” (via BBC).
Airing in June, the season will “spotlight Merthyr’s rich past” as the world’s first industrial town whilst reflecting on the “legacy of this important chapter in Wales’ history.” Furthermore, the collection will “challenge stereotypes” whilst “highlighting” the town’s special qualities.
“Merthyr Tydfil! Who knew?!” said Jones in a statement. “I had the best time learning about this brilliant place and being shown around by my dear friend Steve Speirs. I’m definitely going back!”
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“To take someone who’s very special to me to the place that’s most special to me was one of the happiest filming experiences of my life,” said Speirs, who played Richard Burbage in the BBC sitcom, Upstart Crow.
“We laughed so much, we talked so much… and we nearly cried quite a few times. Our Merthyr trip was brilliantly memorable for both of us. If the joy of the weekend comes over half as much on the telly box as it was in reality… then I’ll be very pleased.”
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In addition to Ruth and Steve: from Merthyr with Love, the collection will consist of Boom Town: How Merthyr Made the World, a “landmark” documentary from Steffan Powell which charts Merthyr’s history as an industrial town
Additional television programmes include Live From Merthyr Tydfil, a two-part comedy special from Kiri Pritchard-McLean, and Rewind: 60 Years of Welsh Pop, a 30-minute documentary which explores the “musical heritage” of Merthyr and the Valleys.
Ruth and Steve: from Merthyr with Love will air on the BBC in June. Gavin & Stacey is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
