Joanna Page teases possible future Gavin & Stacey series after Christmas special
And there's news on the fishing trip!
The Gavin & Stacey Christmas special is now just over a week away - and, let's be honest, it's going to be the main highlight of the day. Bar the pigs in blankets, of course. But it turns out that we may have more Gavin and Stacey to look forward to in the future, according to Stacey actress Joanna Page.
Joanna, who became a household name after starring as one of the titular characters in the series between 2007-2010, appeared in an interview on This Morning earlier today to discuss the upcoming Christmas Special.
She revealed that she'd always hoped for a reunion, but never thought it would actually happen, telling Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes that she'd been "so shocked" by the call from Ruth Jones - co-creator and Ness actress.
She said, "There’s not many jobs that are so close to your heart where you all click. It’s really like a family. And then when we all got the phone calls we were like, straight away, we’ll drop anything else and we just all want to get together and do it again."
Adding that they'd filmed over the summer, Joanna said, "And it was a very, very warm summer in Barry as well and I was in very, very woollen jumpers, puffer jackets. It was very very hot!"
But when Joanna was asked about potential new seasons of the show, she didn't disappoint, "Well, I think we would all love to do a series or more specials. This is what the cast is like to Ruth and James. So I think we would all desperately love to do more or a special every year. But I’ve no idea, it’s up to them." Sounds promising!
She finished the interview by teasing viewers that there could be more of an explanation about what happened on the fishing trip, which is a running gag on the show about something that happened between Bryn and his nephew Jason, "Tune in, because there might just be a little conversation about the fishing trip."
Scroll through to see the Gavin and Stacey cast then and now...
James Corden as Neil 'Smithy' Smith: Then
James was already a household name by the time he appeared on our screens as Smithy. Having worked with Ruth Jones on Fat Friends from 2000 to 2005, the pair got their heads together to create the show. James had additionally originated the role of Timms in the original London production of The History Boys in 2004, and also appeared in 2006 film Starter For 10 alongside James McAvoy.
James Corden: Now
As if he wasn't already on a pretty upward trajectory to the spotlight before Gavin & Stacey, his role as Smithy truly catapulted him to fame. Having starred in a number of high profile films like Into the Woods, Trolls and Cats, James hosted his own late night talk show in the US, The Late Late Show with James Corden, from 2015 to 2023.
Ruth Jones as Vanessa 'Nessa' Jenkins: Then
Like James, Ruth was a well-known face on British telly by the time Gav and Stace rolled around - having appeared alongside him on Fat Friends plus her time on Little Britain, Steve Coogan's Saxondale and Nighty Night opposite her future Gavin and Stacey co-star, Julia Davis.
Ruth Jones: Now
Post-Barry life was pretty major for Ruth - landing her own seasonal chat show and appearing in plenty of drama series including Torchwood, Marple and Hattie. She also co-created Stella, additionally starring as the titular character which ran for six series. Ruth was appointed an MBE in 2014 for services to entertainment, and even launched a successful career as an author - penning three fiction novels: Never Greener, Us Three and Love Untold.
Joanna Page as Stacey Shipman (née West): Then
Joanna had already featured in a major TV drama AND an iconic movie by the time she took on the role of Barry's princess, Stacey - namely the BBC adaptation of David Copperfield which launched the career of Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, as well as Christmas staple, Love Actually. Remember? She's the, er, stunt double who falls for her co-star, played by Martin Freeman.
Joanna Page: Now
As well as appearances on a fair few panel shows as herself, Joanna also gave a pretty memorable performance as Queen Elizabeth I in Doctor Who's 50th anniversary episode, plus a few other small roles on various TV shows. She notably took on the character of Pig on the second series of The Masked Dancer, but was the second famous face to be booted off the series. She joined the Loose Women panel as a regular in 2023, and also starred in TV film Men Up which followed the story of a real-life clinical trial for Viagra in the 90s.
Mathew Horne as Gavin Shipman: Then
Mathew started his career as a comedian, performing as a comedy duo under Mat and Mackinnon with a friend from university. The pair took to the stage at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe, where Catherine Tate was in the crowd and offered him a spot on her show, The Catherine Tate Show. Playing the role of Jamie, he's returned to the character a few times over the years - most recently in the 2022 film The Nan Movie. He also starred in British TV series Teachers and an episode of Doc Martin, before hitting it big as the loveable Gavin Shipman.
Mathew Horne: Now
Mathew understandably shot to fame after the first series of Gav and Stace, most notably as a sort of double act with James Corden. The pair hosted a fair few TV shows - including the actual BRIT Awards, co-hosting with Kylie Minogue (!) - as well as their own sketch show, and not-hugely-successful film Lesbian Vampire Killers. He also starred as eccentric headteacher Shaquille Fraser in Bad Education and had various roles on Drunk History.
Alison Steadman as Pam Shipman: Then
Alison was already a hugely established actress by the time she appeared in Gavin and Stacey! Having started out her career in theatre performances, she later had roles in loads of films including Shirley Valentine and was a well known TV star too - having been in The Singing Detective, Kavanagh QC plus her memorable turn as Mrs. Bennett in the 1997 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Of course, she also appeared in Fat Friends alongside her Gav and Stace co-stars Ruth Jones and James Corden - and was even awarded an OBE in 2000.
Alison Steadman: Now
Alison has continued to become a national treasure, starring in the likes of The Syndicate, Lewis, Love and Marriage, Midsomer Murders, Care, Life and Here We Go on telly, plus big screen turns in Dad's Army, The King's Man and the upcoming Robbie Williams biopic, Better Man.
Larry Lamb (Mick) then
"It's the last thing you expect to find when you get to work in the morning".
Larry Lamb (Mick) now
We love Larry Lamb, particularly after his 2016 stint on I'm A Celebrity...
Rob Brydon (Bryn) then
Bryn is forever Uncle goals.
Rob Brydon (Bryn) now
Rob Brydon hasn't changed one bit!
Melanie Walters (Gwen) then
Forever fantasising about Gwen's omelettes.
Melanie Walters (Gwen) now
Melanie often stars in panto and played the fairy godmother at Blackpool's Grand Theatre a few years back.
Steffan Rhodri (Dave Coaches) then
"How's it goin', alrigh'?"
Steffan Rhodri (Dave Coaches) now
LOOK AT DAVE NOW!
Julia Davis (Dawn) then
Dawn and Pete - the ultimate relationship goals
Julia Davis (Dawn) now
Julia Davis still looking amazing!