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.
Gavin & Stacey: The Finale will air on BBC One on Christmas Day.
Read an interview with one of the stars Julia Davis below
How did it feel when you received the final script and what was your initial reaction?
We were all anticipating the new script for a while, so it was very exciting when it came and I think a lot of us felt it read like a film. A rom com really, with some traditional twists and turns but made unique and brilliant in the earthy world of Gavin and Stacey. I enjoyed picturing some of the stuff I would be doing as Dawn with Pete and I am ALWAYS delighted to read the myriad types of insults Dawn has in store for Pete!
In 2007 the first episode aired, can you remember what it was like to be a part of the show in those early years?
For me the first part of filming on Gavin and Stacey was marked by the fact I was six weeks pregnant with twins! I didn’t know it was twins, but Ruth and Jo and everyone were feeling my stomach and so this was another layer of excitement. I remember from the first time I read episode one just having a sense that there was something so effortless about reading it, which is so rare in a script, it was deceptively simple and flowing and I could tell it was special.
What is your earliest Gavin & Stacey memory?
Probably calling Pete a vicious little pig!
Do you have a favourite Dawn moment from the entire series?
Maybe Pete and I singing ‘if you’re lost you can look and you will find me..’ (Time After Time)
Fans are going to see a real glimpse into behind the scenes with the documentary, talk us through what that was like to film?
Unfortunately I HATE the behind the scenes thing though I LOVE watching them. I just don’t want anyone to know anything about the real me. I just like playing different characters. But some of the cast (Rob Brydon) love and thrive on that stuff so let’s hope they feature the most heavily!
What does Gavin & Stacey mean to you?
It means hanging out with brilliant actors like my comedy heroine Alison Steadman, and just lovely people who want to make a great ensemble show.
Why do you think the show continues to be so popular and loved with audiences?
Because the characters and dynamics between families and friends in the show are so recognisable. At the heart of it all they are love stories, but always underpinned by comedy that has a little bit of edge sometimes, so it can be deeply poignant one moment and funny the next.
Did you sneak any memorabilia home with you from set?
I may have tried to sneak Pete back to my house.
How did it feel to be on set for the last time with everyone?
It felt fun, warm and familiar, much like the show and I guess it had an underlying sadness too at times when you realise we’ll never do it again. A unique chemistry and unspoken understanding between all the actors that makes it all flow...
Dawn (Julia Davis) and Pete (Adrian Scarborough) (Image: BBC/Toffee International Ltd./Tom Jackson)
Interview supplied by BBC
