Stella

Ruth Jones's series about the chaotic life of a divorcee in the Welsh valleys has always had a bit of steel beneath its joyful family dynamics and cosily eccentric characters. On the evidence of the opening episode of series two, there'll be more drama this year in the aftermath of the first run's cliffhanger: Stella (Jones) might not live happily ever after with her new man Sean, since the baby she's expecting might not be his, and her rekindled old flame, Rob, is inconveniently still around.

We're setting up the new storylines tonight but, in between, there are the usual bursts of bawdy comic relief, from Stella's heroically rude aunt, back from Tenerife and insulting everyone in Pontyberry, to dipsomaniac undertaker Paula (Elizabeth Berrington). Her husband Dai is more involved in the business now, but needs a lot of training. "Well, of course, they have to be dead first! It won't work otherwise, will it?"

It's a tribute to the strength of Ruth Jones's writing (and the on-screen class of old hands like Elizabeth Berrington and Owen Teale) that Stella - returning tonight for a second series - works as well as it does. In other hands, this relentlessly gentle comedy-drama would be intolerable. But Jones's obvious affection for her characters is counteracted by the occasional mischievous zinger, tonight mostly provided by Stella's Auntie Brenda in the time-honoured role of 'OAP who can say the unsayable'.

As we rejoin Stella in the Welsh valleys, we find her still confused over the identity of her imminent baby's father, and her extended family about to come home to roost. Elsewhere, Berrington and Teale are the pick of a solid supporting cast as Paula and Dai, their bedroom activities now compromised by Dai's new job at the funeral parlour.

Ruth Jones returns as the single mum from Pontyberry in this exceptional comedy drama. Stella's expecting, and unsure who the daddy is - lovely Shaun or her unreliable ex Rob. Meanwhile eldest son Luke has moved back to Canada with Rob to start a new life, and Auntie Brenda is back on a visit from Tenerife with a truckload of her unminced words to dish out to all and sundry. You care about the people, you want to know what happens next, and the acting is superb. Simple, effective storytelling.

A third run of Ruth Jones's lovable series has already been commissioned. And as we return to Pontyberry for series two, Stella's still in a bit of a dilemma.

She's 42, a grandmother, pregnant and not sure if the baby belongs to toyboy Sean or her first love, Rob, who's working away in Canada.

Perhaps Stella could ask her straight-talking Aunty Brenda for advice. This new arrival (played by Di Botcher) arrives from Tenerife in a shocking pink raincoat and with an even more shocking tendency to speak her mind, greeting Stella with the words every woman loves to hear: "Oooh. Haven't you put on weight!"

The big ensemble cast have plenty to keep them busy. Sunil's parents are so proud as they wave him off to become a doctor, little realising what medical students get up to.

Dai is working in the funeral parlour and when he's not having kinky sessions with Paula, he's practising his elegant glide.

And even for lollipop man Alan, the world refuses to stand still. Or, as Aunty Brenda would put it: "Now there's a man who's aged!"

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