Ruth Jones starred as Nessa in the hit show Gavin and Stacey, which first aired in 2007.
21:00, 15 Dec 2025
Ruth Jones is set to reprise her iconic role as Nessa in a new BBC show.(Image: Ian West/PA Wire)
Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones is set to make a surprising return to her iconic role as Nessa in a new BBC programme. As one of the writers of the hit show, Ruth first played Vanessa ‘Nessa’ Jenkins way back in 2007.
After officially finishing the sitcom with a highly anticipated Christmas special in 2024, many Brits thought that was the last we would see of the legendary Welsh character. However, it seems that the actress isn’t ready to shake off the role just yet, as Nessa makes a surprise appearance in an upcoming programme.
Starring in Ruth and Steve: From Porthcawl With Love, Ruth will be showing her friend and fellow actor Steve Speirs around her home town on the Welsh coast. While exploring Coney Beach amusement park, the Upstart Crow and The Tuckers star gets to meet Nessa.
Speaking at a screening of the new show in Porthcawl, Steve said: “I’d never acted with Nessa, and I think this is an absolute credit to the character that Ruth created, that when Ruth gets into all that gear, there’s a massive metamorphosis.
“And when I went to act with that character, I just had this really wicked feeling, that I wasn’t acting with Ruth, like something else had taken over. I tried to respond in the way that anybody that wasn’t from that world would, you know, which is quite astonished by this character.”
Actor Steve Speirs meets Nessa as they explore Coney Beach amusement park.(Image: BBC/ITV Cymru Wales/PA Wire)
He went on to add that it “wasn’t Ruth at all”. He said: “I think that there was such an iconic character created that there’s a moment where we all look at that and sort of believe it’s two people, and that’s [Jones’s] talent.”
According to the BBC, the finale Christmas Day episode was seen by 19.1million people after seven-days of catch-up viewing. This makes Gavin and Stacey one of the most watched scripted TV shows of the century.
The new programme airing on BBC One Wales will follow the pair as they explore the seaside town, as it celebrates its 200th birthday.
Just 20 miles down the South Wales coast from Barry Island, Ruth looks back on her childhood, sharing home movies that were created by her late father Richard.
Ruth shows Steve around Porthcawl in South Wales as it celebrates its 200th birthday.(Image: Tom Jackson/BBC/ITV Cymru Wales/PA Wire)
Talking about the experience at the screening, Ruth said: “My dad was really good at organising things, keeping records of things.
“When I watched them, I did find it incredibly emotional to see, to see my dad. It was a real privilege to have such a happy upbringing and to capture those memories.
“It was lovely also to be able to see Porthcawl back in the 60s and 70s captured on those videos.”
Ruth also takes Steve to see her mother and siblings, as well as two of her lifelong friends. However, she did joke that some of this material needed to be cut from the show.
She explained: “He was asking my friends about what I was like as a teenager. But, you know, they were quite revealing.”
Ruth And Steve: From Porthcawl With Love will be broadcast on BBC One Wales on December 15 at 9pm.
