Ruth Jones (I)

Ruth Jones interview

The Gavin and Stacey creator has turned a forgotten script into her debut novel. There are no rules to writing a book, she says.

Ruth Jones interview

'We all have a public face that we put on, some people are better at it than others'. In her début novel, actress and screenwriter Ruth Jones explores infidelity, messy relationships and second chances.

Ruth Jones knows a thing or two about quitting while she's ahead. After the succinct greatness of Gavin & Stacey, she now ends Stella, Sky's only successful comedy origination, after a comparatively epic six series. There's plenty still to resolve in this final episode. It's Stella's graduation, but what will happen to Nadine and Jag, to Stella and Michael Jackson, or Brenda's claim to lordly parentage? There's more drama than you might think before we get to the end.

As with Gavin & Stacey, Ruth Jones is good at knowing when to walk away and leave us wanting more. And so it proves with her gentle but likable Sky comedy-drama, which takes its final bow this week. Stella is graduating, but she's not in the mood to celebrate just yet.

Preview - Stella

Ruth Jones's comedy drama returns for one final series.

Ruth Jones interview

The Stella creator on comedy, James Corden and her farewell to Pontyberry.

A bit like Gogglebox, but for the news, this new series finds the topical stories of the day - from breaking news to bizarre headlines - dissected by "real British people". So, that means dinner ladies from Leeds, market traders from London's East End and butchers from Birmingham. The folk giving their two penn'orth are so chosen for their incisive wit and "unfiltered" manner, so expect blunt reactions to the week's news. Ruth Jones is on voiceover duties.

Preview - Common Sense

Anyone with any common sense will be able to tell you that the production company behind Gogglebox is trying to repeat the same formula elsewhere.

Compounding the fact that the comedy-drama isn't going anywhere (creator and star Ruth Jones told of "how cross" she was earlier this year over rumours it was facing the axe after five series), here's a festive special. As the season of goodwill approaches, it's a time for families coming together, with some new faces in Pontyberry (including folk singer Kate Rusby making a cameo), as well as a few familiar ones returning.