Better Later, the highly anticipated BBC comedy series from Ruth Jones, has received an exciting update. And in even better news, we have a first-look, behind-the-scenes picture to whet the appetite.
The "heartfelt" series, announced in October, is co-created and co-written by Jones and Steve Speirs, who also star in the lead roles. It is set in the fictional village of Brynfach, with filming taking place in South Wales.
Though we don't have a release date yet, we do have confirmation that filming has commenced. To celebrate the occasion, Jones and Speirs were pictured holding a clapperboard on the set.
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Better Later depicts the relationship between Clive (Speirs) and Shelley Anne (Jones), who meet at a knee trauma clinic. Clive is a retired teacher grieving his late wife, while Shelley Anne is an environmental health officer going through a "bitter divorce".
The pair, who are at a crossroads in their respective lives, soon develop a wholesome bond, with the six-part comedy series said to portray "the unexpected joys of an unlikely friendship".
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Jones, best known for co-creating and co-writing beloved sitcom Gavin & Stacey, said that her latest project has been a long time coming, ever since she first met Speirs over three decades ago.
"In a funny way, this show has been 35 years in the making, which is when I first met Steve," she said. "It's not that we're slow writers, it's just that we’ve been up to other things. It's fantastic to be back in front of the camera with him again."
Speirs, who has appeared in Upstart Crow and After Life, added: "Our first time acting together for quite a long time, Ruth makes me laugh more than anyone and I'm a terrible giggler. This could be a long shoot."
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The duo previously worked together on Stella, which Jones co-created with her then-husband, David Peet. She played the titular character in the comedy-drama, while Speirs portrayed Big Alan.
The pair then reunited last year for Ruth and Steve: from Merthyr with Love, an hour-long BBC special where the duo celebrated the history of Wales by exploring the town of Merthyr Tydfil.
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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.
