Ruth Jones's Stella gets third series
Gavin & Stacey star Ruth Jones revealed today that comedy drama Stella has been recommissioned - before the next series has even finished production.
The hit Sky1 series debuted in January this year, and was an instant hit with audiences. Created by Jones, who also stars as the title character and acts as lead writer for the series, Stella follows a single mother living in the Welsh valleys with her three children, attempting to make ends meet and perhaps find love along the way.
The series, made by Jones' own company, Tidy Productions, was deemed such a success by comedy commissioner Lucy Lumsden and channel head Stuart Murphy that a second, 10-part series was ordered before the first run had finished broadcasting. It is being filmed this summer and is expected to broadcast from January 2013.
Speaking at the Edinburgh International Television Festival today, Jones revealed that Sky have already ordered a Christmas special for 2013, and a third series, also of 10 episodes.
Ruth Jones said: "I feel that this third series commission is a vote of confidence in Tidy as an established production company that'll be around for years to come. I never thought we'd do a second series so it's exciting that we're doing a third."
Lucy Lumsden commented: "Stella was a huge success and with filming already going so well on series two I am thrilled Ruth will be returning to our customers' screens for a third series. Stella has been a massive part of Sky's comedy achievements over the last 18 months and we are very proud to have Ruth and Tidy Productions on board for another brilliant series."
Jones also confirmed that there at present no active plans to make any more episodes of hit BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey, which she co-wrote alongside James Corden, as both of them were involved in other projects for the time being.
Series 2 of Stella will start on Sky1 in January 2013.
In the following online-exclusive clip, Stella discusses colloquial terms used in the valleys: