Fans of the beloved sitcom Gavin & Stacey are in for a festive treat, as actress and writer Ruth Jones makes a surprise return to one of her most famous roles. Jones will reprise her character Vanessa "Nessa" Jenkins in a new BBC programme titled Ruth And Steve: From Porthcawl With Love.
A Metamorphosis on Coney Beach
The special show features Jones introducing fellow actor Steve Speirs to her Welsh coastal hometown of Porthcawl. During their exploration, which includes a visit to the Coney Beach amusement park, Speirs has an unexpected encounter with the iconic Nessa. Reflecting on the experience at a recent screening in Porthcawl, Speirs expressed his astonishment at Jones's transformation.
"I’d never acted with Nessa before," Speirs said. "It's an absolute credit to the character Ruth created. When she gets into all that gear, there's a massive metamorphosis." He described the unique feeling of acting opposite the character, noting, "I just had this really wicked feeling that I wasn't acting with Ruth – like something else had taken over."
Celebrating Porthcawl's 200th Birthday
The programme coincides with Porthcawl celebrating its 200th birthday. It sees Jones reminiscing about her childhood, sharing poignant old home movies that were meticulously put together by her late father, Richard. "When I watched them, I did find it incredibly emotional to see my dad," Jones shared. "It was a real privilege to have such a happy upbringing and to capture those memories."
She added that the footage also provided a charming glimpse into the town's past, saying, "It was lovely to be able to see Porthcawl back in the 60s and 70s captured on those videos."
Family, Friends, and Candid Revelations
Throughout the show, Steve Speirs meets Jones's mother, her siblings, and two of her lifelong friends. Jones joked that some of the revelations from her friends about her teenage years were a little too revealing for the final edit. "He was asking my friends about what I was like as a teenager," she said. "But, you know, they were quite revealing."
Steve Speirs, whose credits include The Tuckers and Upstart Crow, concluded his praise for Jones by highlighting her unique talent. "I think there was such an iconic character created that there's a moment where we all look at that and sort of believe it's two people," he said. "And that's her talent."
Ruth And Steve: From Porthcawl With Love will be broadcast on BBC One Wales on Monday 15 December at 9pm.
