The Gavin & Stacey Christmas special 2024 now has a string of new pictures and the makers have also finally teased plot details. Plus we now have a confirmed time it will air on Christmas Day on BBC One.
Sadly, it will be the final ever episode of the beloved sitcom, but it promises to be 90 minutes of pure joy for fans.
Well, they say it's the final ever episode but given its creators, James Corden and Ruth Jones aren't that old, they might at some point be tempted to make another episode. But for now they’re saying it's the final one.
The BBC press office confirmed the worst kept secret in showbiz earlier this year that the comedy was coming back in a tweet, saying: "We'll have: A chicken bhuna, lamb bhuna, prawn bhuna, mushroom rice, bag of chips, keema naan, nine poppadoms and the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey!!! Coming this Christmas Day on @BBCOne and @BBCiPlayer”.
Talking about her feelings making the final ever episode, Ruth Jones says: "It was a mixture of excitement, nostalgia and sadness. Sad of course because this is the last time these characters will ever be on screen again, but so exciting to bring them to life again. And nostalgic because we’d be on set with the cast and we’d go down memory lane remembering the early episodes. We often reminisced about Maggie John [who played Doris] who's no longer with us but we felt she was in spirit, especially when we were on Trinity Street.
"It’s always so enjoyable to be in the room writing with James. We act out the characters when we write — I love playing Bryn and Stacey and James does a great Pamelarr!"
Here's everything we know about the Christmas TV highlight…
Gavin & Stacey Christmas special 2024: release date
The BBC has confirmed that the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special 2024 will air on Christmas Day on BBC One at 9pm. It will also be available on BBC iPlayer.
We don't have a US release date as yet.
Plot
The 2019 Christmas special, the last episode screened, ended on one hell of a cliffhanger. In the final moments, Nessa and Smithy enjoyed a smoke and smiled about Neil being 12 soon. It wasn't quite Bridgerton, but Nessa did make one big heartfelt speech: "You know you're all right as you are Smithy. I won't lie, you're not everyone's cup of tea. But at the end of the day, when all said and done you're tidy… I knows it's been complicated, you and me… but I love you… no Smithy, you’re not listening. I know it’s weird like, but I do, with all my heart. So… will you marry me?"
Teasing what happens in the festive episode, the makers say: "It's five years since we left Nessa down on one knee declaring her love for Smithy and asking him to marry her. And a lot has happened since then.
"In Barry, Bryn’s packing the Picasso in readiness for a trip to Essex; Stacey and Gavin are looking for new ways to spice up their seventeen-year marriage and Gwen is behaving most strangely. Nessa’s started a new business venture and Neil the Baby’s about to begin an apprenticeship with his dad.
"Over in Billericay Pam is stressing out at the prospect of playing hostess, not helped by a newly retired Mick practicing his golf swings in the living room and there have been more ups and downs in Pete and Dawn’s relationship.
"Join us on the journey to Barry and Billericay as we catch up with the Shipmans and the Wests for the very last time and maybe find out what exactly did happen on that fishing trip."
Cast
James Corden returns as Smithy with Ruth Jones as Nessa. Also back are Mathew Horne as Gavin, Joanna Page as Stacey, Rob Brydon as Bryn, Larry Lamb as Mick, Alison Steadman as Pam and Melanie Walters as Gwen.
Sheridan Smith is returning as Smithy's sister Rudi. It's the first time she's played the part since 2010. Plus Julia Davis is back as Dawn with Adrian Scarborough back as Pete.
Is there a trailer?
No, not yet.
Gavin & Stacey Christmas special 2024 behind the scenes
Filming took place over five weeks from September 2024 at locations across the Vale of Glamorgan. James Corden and Ruth Jones have written the special. Christie Gernon, who's directed the series before, is the director of the Christmas special. She's also worked on comedy classics like One Foot in the Grave and Absolutely Fabulous.
