Sky denies Ruth Jones comedy Stella is to end
Sky has denied reports that Stella, the comedy drama created by Ruth Jones, will end after the next series.
It was recently announced that the satellite network had ordered a fourth series of the show, however reports have emerged today suggesting that will mark the comedy drama's finale.
Ruth Jones reportedly told The Sun newspaper: "We have no plans to do any more after the fourth series. Everything has its time [and] it's good to enjoy the moment."
Explaining why the show might end, she added: "It takes eight months of the year. When I set up my TV company, I knew I'd have to really commit to it and that's what I've done. I've thrown everything into Stella and enjoyed it so much. You sow something and it grows and grows. The plan now is to develop new projects."
However, there seems to have been a lack of communication between The Sun and Sky - both of which are controlled by Rupert Murdoch's companies - as executives at the TV channel have been quick to deny the story.
Writing on Twitter, Sky's Director of Entertainment Stuart Murphy said: "Re #Stella story that it's ending. Right now we're all focussed on delivering a great Christmas special and fourth series for 2015.
"We're incredibly proud of the series and love working with Ruth Jones. We're in talks regarding a fifth series of Stella and when we have further news we will let you know. But it's NOT decided it's ending, despite reports."
Story Update:
Sky have released an official statement saying: "Regarding the future of Stella, right now, we're all focused on delivering a great Christmas special and fourth series for 2015. We're incredibly proud of the series and love working with Ruth Jones. We're in talks regarding a fifth series of Stella and when we have further news we will let you know."
Ruth Jones added: "Far from it being the end of Stella, we are talking to Sky about doing a FIFTH series. And maybe even more. It's true that Tidy Productions is developing other projects, including a comedy and a comedy drama for the BBC written by myself and David Peet which we're really excited about. But we love working with Sky and we love Stella. You certainly haven't seen the last of her. She's from Pontyberry after all -and made of stronger stuff!"
The third series of Stella finishes on Sky1 tonight, with a question mark hanging over whether Stella's love interest Michael (played by Patrick Baladi) will move to Chichester. The series finale also sees Luke and Zoe's wedding taking place (Episode Guide).
Sky is clearly keen to keep Stella going. Speaking at the time the show was recommissioned, a press release stated: "Stella was swiftly established as a customer favourite, claiming the spot of the second biggest UK comedy launch in multichannel history with its debut in 2012. The heartwarming family saga, set in the Welsh valleys, continues to charm audiences and is the channel's most watched comedy to date. The series was also honoured last year with three British Academy Cymru Awards in the Television Drama, Editing and Writing categories."
Sky Comedy commissioner Lucy Lumsden added: "Stella's continued success has been a massive part of comedy's journey on Sky 1 HD. With its Welsh warmth and wit, we are delighted to bring back the fourth series for our customers."
Production is now under way on the Christmas special, with the ten new hour-long episodes which will form Series 4 to follow that. The next series will be ready for transmission in early 2015.