The highly anticipated Gavin & Stacey Christmas special is nearing its grand finale, set to air on December 25, 2024, at 9 p.m. on BBC One. Co-creator James Corden has hinted at emotional layers and character exploration, particularly of Nessa, as the show aims to end on a high note after capturing audiences since its debut. The upcoming episode promises to weave together humor and poignant moments, reflecting on five years since fans were left with the cliffhanger proposal of Nessa to Smithy.
The 2019 Christmas special ended abruptly as Nessa, played by Ruth Jones, famously proposed to Smithy, portrayed by Corden, leaving viewers clamoring for answers about his response. Corden stated, "It’s one of the best pieces of acting, what Ruth did with [Nessa]. The show picks up five years after we left off… Nessa has had this unbelievable chequered life and you find out more about it in this special – some really fun bits we wrote." This Christmas special will finally shed light on Nessa's backstory and the experiences she has been through, aiming to deepen the audience's connection to her character.
Corden recently appeared on the podcast Table Manners alongside Jones to discuss what fans can expect. He emphasized the emotional weight of the episode, referring to it as "one of the most amazing pieces of writing" they've put together. Jones echoed this sentiment, noting, "I laughed, I cried," when she read through the finale script. The duo’s longstanding friendship has infused the storytelling with authenticity, and according to Jones, scenes like Nessa telling Smithy, "I loves you with all my heart," were genuinely heartfelt.
Fans of the show are eager to discover how the characters have evolved. The finale will feature original cast members including Mathew Horne as Gavin, Joanna Page as Stacey, and Larry Lamb as Mick. Lamb expressed deep nostalgia for the filming experience, stating it felt like “waiting for the last day of school.” He shared how emotional it was to wrap up the series with his colleagues, adding, "The whole day was really emotional because we all knew, which is very unusual, they would film the last day of the series on the last day of the shoot." Lamb reminisced about his last scene with co-star Alison Steadman, who plays his on-screen wife Pam, noting the sentiment shared as they embraced like any couple would.
The emotional exploration doesn't stop with Nessa and Smithy's storyline. Fans have long speculated about the mysterious fishing trip involving characters Bryn (Rob Brydon) and Jason (Robert Wilfort), which has been referenced multiple times throughout the series. While viewers may wish for clarity on what transpired during the trip, Lamb hinted at disappointment: "That's one of those things... nobody knows. They’re not going to tell everybody. That’s the long-running cliffhanger, what happened on the fishing trip." This hint at unresolved storylines adds to the mystery surrounding the episode.
James Corden has made it clear this finale will be the last outing for Gavin & Stacey, stating, "It can’t carry on. When you’ll see it, you’ll know." Despite concluding the series, the possibility of spin-offs doesn’t seem to be entirely off the table. Corden mentioned, "We don’t know if we have another idea in us but, if we didn’t attempt to even explore the idea of writing together then I’d be so disappointed." Such openness leaves hope for fans eager to see more of the beloved characters.
Leading up to the Christmas Day airing, the stars have embraced the nostalgia surrounding Gavin & Stacey's original series, which began back in 2007. Amidst emotional farewells and fond memories shared by the cast, fans are preparing for what may be one of the most talked-about specials this Christmas. With Corden and Jones adeptly balancing humor and emotional storytelling, expectations are high for how the finale will encapsulate everything viewers have adored about the series.
One clear takeaway for fans is the connection they’ve built with these characters over the years, ensuring there will be tears, both of joy and sadness, when the finale airs. Corden reminisced about their filming experience back at the hotel where parts of the show were written, stating, "It's tired now... those 16 years have not been kind. I think it’s under new ownership." Such nostalgia not only defines the making of the episode but is reflective of the show's lasting impact on its audience.
On Christmas Day, audiences can tune to BBC One or watch on BBC iPlayer for what promises to be not just another sitcom finish but rather, the culmination of years of cherished moments, humor, and heartfelt storytelling.