Ruth Jones and Steve Speirs Reunite for New Comedy
Ruth Jones and Steve Speirs are collaborating once again on a comedy that explores the complexities of relationships in middle age.
The duo previously co-wrote and starred in Stella, a series set in a fictional valleys town that aired from 2012 to 2017.
Jones is widely recognized for her role as Nessa in Gavin & Stacey, while Speirs created The Tuckers, a show about a South Wales family that ran from 2018 to 2022.
Their newest project centers on an unexpected friendship formed between two individuals who meet at a knee trauma clinic.
Clive, a 60-year-old retired teacher and widower, and Shelley-Ann, a 55-year-old environmental officer undergoing a difficult divorce, are the main characters.
"Steve and I are old friends and working with him is always a thrill. Can't wait," said Jones.
Speirs added: "I've worked with Ruth for over 30 years and am really looking forward to doing it again."
Previous Collaborations and Recent Projects
Their most recent joint appearances were last year when they toured each other's hometowns, revisiting places that shaped their lives.
Speirs explored his youth in From Merthyr With Love, while Jones guided him through her upbringing in From Porthcawl With Love.
Both have been prominent figures on television for decades. Speirs, aged 61, has appeared in films such as Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and Pirates of the Caribbean, as well as TV shows including Mrs Brown's Boys, Inside No.9, Death Valley, and Benidorm.
Jones recently portrayed Mrs Bennet in the comedy series The Other Bennet Sister, inspired by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Some scenes were filmed in Wales, where Jones gave the cast a tour of Barry Island.
Details of the New Comedy
Their latest, currently untitled, comedy has been commissioned by BBC Wales and BBC Comedy.
It is described as a "tender comedy" focusing on an "unlikely friendship" and the "challenges and rewards" of relationships for people in their 50s and 60s.
"We were genuinely weak at the knees when this script first landed in our inboxes," said BBC Director of Comedy Jon Petrie.
"It's a rare thing to read something that feels so instantly special, and we cannot wait to see it come to life."
