After six long years away from the small screen, the beloved British sitcom Gavin and Stacey is set to return for one final showdown this Christmas. Fans of the show have been anxiously awaiting the fate of their favorite characters, especially the infamous Neil the Baby, who has captured hearts since his toddler days with the series.
The eagerly anticipated finale, titled Gavin and Stacey: The Finale, is scheduled to air on Christmas Day, December 25, at 9 PM on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The episode promises to deliver plenty of festive cheer, running for one hour and thirty minutes, described as 'film-length' by the network.
Fans might be thrilled to hear the entire main cast will be reprising their roles for this last outing. Mathew Horne and Joanna Page return as the titular Gavin and Stacey, joined by creators and co-stars Ruth Jones and James Corden, who portray Nessa and Smithy, respectively. Gavin's parents, Pam and Mick, played by Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb, are back, along with Stacey's Uncle Bryn and mother, Jason and Gwen, played by Rob Brydon and Melanie Walters. Yet, the absence of Stacey's daring neighbor Doris, portrayed by the late Margaret John, will be felt, as she passed away back in 2011.
The emotional reunion was preceded by the release of the official trailer for the finale, showcasing snippets of the characters’ antics and interactions. The trailer indicates Stacey is practically buzzing with excitement for a weekend getaway involving the core cast; she's ready for adventures alongside Gavin, Nessa, Uncle Bryn, and Gwen, and it looks like Smithy will also be making the trip from Barry.
One plot point deliberately kept under wraps is whether Smithy and Nessa have become romantically involved post-2019 cliffhanger proposal, during which Nessa unexpectedly proposed to Smithy, and the episode ended on the edge of suspense. The trailer teased their relationship status, showing Smithy and Nessa dancing closely, which some fans hope points to rekindled romance.
Oscar Hartland, who famously played Neil the Baby, is now 17 years old and almost unrecognizable. He reprised his role for the Christmas special released back in 2019, but whether he will appear again this time remains uncertain. Hartland expressed his eagerness to join the cast again; he noted, "I'd love to do it again - I'm ready if they are." His reflections on gaining fame from the show are poignant, as he shared how being Neil the Baby transformed his childhood experiences, offering both attention and challenges.
Meanwhile, excitement is mounting not only around Neil the Baby but also the unresolved mystery surrounding Uncle Bryn and Jason's secret fishing trip, which has intrigued fans since the show started back in 2007. James Corden has teased audiences about its relevance, stating no time jumps will occur, but he hinted the finale could answer this burning question.
Injecting some real-time drama, actor Mathew Horne recently suffered injuries during live performances, but he was determined to proceed. The incident occurred during the staging of The Tempest when Horne collided with stage decor just minutes after the show began. Remarkably, he took a brief leave to recover but has expressed readiness to tackle the finale filming with strength.
Corden recently dropped hints about the finale during his appearance on BBC Breakfast, where he expressed mixed feelings about closing this chapter of their careers. Sharing insights from behind-the-scenes, he remarked, “On one level, it's amazing and it's so joyous. Every day has just been so great... but you start going: 'Oh God, we're not going to be doing this again!'” His six-word remark about the show’s future echoed this sentiment: “It can’t carry on after this,” leaving fans curious about any potential spin-offs.
Ruth Jones, famed for her role as Nessa, didn't shy away from giving teasers, stating on Lorraine viewers would understand why this episode marks the end.
