Stella (British TV series)
| Stella | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Comedy-drama |
| Created by | Ruth Jones David Peet |
| Written by | Ruth Jones Rob Evans Steve Speirs Ben Edwards Simon Ludders |
| Directed by | Sandy Johnson Sue Tully Juliet May Tony Dow Mandie Fletcher Sarah O'Gorman |
| Opening theme | "And Then She Smiles" by the Mock Turtles |
| Composers | Mark Thomas Simon H Jones Nick Lloyd |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 6 (+ 2 Specials) |
| No. of episodes | 58 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Barry Lynch Lucy Lumsden Ruth Jones Jon Mountague |
| Producers | Jane Dauncey Josh Dynevor |
| Editors | Sara Jones Peter Hallworth John Richards |
| Running time | 60 minutes (inc. adverts) 90 minutes (inc. adverts) (2014 Special & 2016 Special) 70 minutes (inc. adverts) (Series Finale) |
| Production company | Tidy Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | Sky 1 |
| Release | 6 January 2012 – 18 October 2017 |
Stella is a British comedy-drama which aired on Sky 1 and was created and written by David Peet and Ruth Jones, who played the lead role of Stella. The series was largely filmed in Ferndale in the Rhondda Valley in Wales.[1] Various celebrities made guest appearances as themselves in some episodes. A Christmas special aired on 23 December 2016.[2]
The sixth and final series began on 13 September 2017 and ended on 18 October 2017.
Background
The series is set in the fictional village of Pontyberry in the South Wales Valleys. Stella is a 40-something single mum who earns a living doing the locals' ironing. Most of the time, she's relatively happy with life as she juggles the ups and downs of her family, amid the chaos of her eccentric friends, relatives and children's fathers. Her brood consists of eldest son Luke, who starts the series in prison as a consequence of stealing five cars and a lorry; 16-year-old Emma who's smitten with her first love Sunil; and 12-year-old Ben.
Then there's Stella's best friend, sister-in-law Paula, a functioning alcoholic funeral director. Stella's not-too-bright ex-husband Karl who's now seeing 28-year-old Nadine; not forgetting lollipop man and youth rugby coach Alan, an old school friend of Stella's who's been in love with her since 1984. Finally there's Stella's brother Dai who is an ex-serviceman injured on duty. He doesn't work now but is always willing to help out while enjoying an exciting sex life with his wife Paula.
A running joke of the series is the Daddy character played by Howell Evans who only speaks in an unfathomable language, yet everyone in the village is able to understand him but outsiders cannot. However, Daddy appears in the choir scenes where he appears to sing the same words as the rest of the choir members. In episode 2.7 Ashley Banjo thinks Daddy is speaking Welsh but Paula says Daddy does not speak Welsh. However, in episode 2.10 Aunty Brenda says Daddy can speak Welsh and Punjabi.
A number of main cast members did not return after the second series and exited off screen. Consequently, new cast members were added for the third series.
Catrin Stewart did not return as Emma in the fourth series having departed on screen in the Christmas special but returned in episodes 9 and 10 in Series 5 and the final episode of series 6. Several other cast members also did not return.
In Series 4 Episode 7 Elizabeth Berrington returned as Paula Kosh after having not appeared since Series 2, however her return was only temporary, she departed in Episode 8. She also returned in episodes 7 and 8 of Series 5, because of Daddy's death. She also appeared on the final episode.
Synopsis
 | This section's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. (March 2014) |
Stella is a family saga starring Ruth Jones in the titular role as a mum juggling the demands of life and love. Stella is a 40-something mum who earns a living doing the locals' washing and ironing. And, most of the time, she's relatively happy with life as she juggles the ups and downs of her family, amid the chaos of her eccentric friends, relatives and children's fathers. Her brood consists of eldest son Luke, a lovely boy who starts the series in prison; beautiful 16-year-old Emma who's smitten with her first love Sunil; the brains of the family 12-year-old Ben and their dog Banjo.
Then there's Stella's best friend Paula, a functioning alcoholic funeral director. Stella's not-too-bright ex-husband Karl who's now seeing 28-year-old Nadine; not forgetting lollipop man and youth rugby coach Alan, an old school friend of Stella's who's been in love with her since 1984. Finally there's Stella's brother Dai who is an ex-serviceman injured on duty. He doesn't work now but is always willing to help out while enjoying an exciting sex life with his wife. Stella's life isn't straightforward. Bagging toy boy Sean and son Luke's release from prison indicated that things were on an upward turn in the first run, but teenage daughter Emma's pregnancy and the untimely return of Stella's first love Rob soon knocked the family off balance. In the last episode, Luke revealed he was emigrating to Canada, although Stella stole the show by confessing to Emma that she was pregnant – but didn't know if Rob or Sean was the father.
Series two joins Stella and Sean preparing for their new arrival, while Emma and Sunil adjust to married life. Domestic bliss looks doubtful for both, however, as Rob's business dealings bring him back to Pontyberry and Sunil enrols at a brainy (and boozy) medical school. Elsewhere, Dai begins work at the funeral home with wife Paula, creating untoward problems for the usually adventurous couple. Catch up with lollipop man Alan too, who experiences a run of bad luck when his crossing is replaced by traffic lights. Karl and Nadine's new salon Tantastic Bodies, meanwhile, promises to make the town "browner and beefier", and they've already got a potential client in Aunty Brenda, a new arrival from Tenerife armed with bags of insults and an appetite to offend.
English lawyer Michael Jackson moves to the house next door to Stella after an acrimonious divorce has caused him to downsize his lifestyle. As he tries to adjust to valley life he soon becomes inextricably linked to Stella's household. When we left Pontyberry at the end of Series 2 Stella had made the life changing decision not to go to Canada with Rob. She also parted ways with Sean and he emigrated to Australia with his new love. As the story picks up for series 3 will Stella have entirely given up on men? Or could new neighbour Michael become the new apple of her eye?
Cast
Main cast
| Actor/Actress | Character | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruth Jones | Stella Jackson | 2012–2017 | |
| Craig Gallivan | Luke Morgan | 2012–2017 | First child of Stella and Rob |
| Bethan Witcomb | Zoe Morgan (nee Stewart) | 2013-2017 | Luke’s wife |
| Catrin Stewart | Emma Morris/Choudary | 2012–2014, 2016, 2017 | Daughter of Stella and Karl |
| Justin Davies | Ben Morris | 2012–2017 | Son of Stella and Karl |
| Patrick Baladi | Michael Jackson | 2014–2017 | Husband of Stella |
| Holly Morgan | 2016–2017 | Toddler daughter of Stella and Rob. Although initially thought to be Micheal’s child. | |
| Di Botcher | Aunty Brenda Draper (nee Kosh) | 2013-2017 | Aunty of Stella (sister of Stella’s Dad) |
Supporting/occurring cast
| Actor | Character | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Karen Paullada | Nadine Bevan | 2012–2017 |
| Aled Pugh | Bobby Gittins | 2012–2017 |
| Steve Speirs | Alan Williams | 2012–2015 |
| Daniel Gammond | Little Alan | 2012–2017 |
| Mark Lewis Jones | Rob Morgan | 2012–2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Russell Gomer | Yanto Bead | 2012–2017 |
| Elizabeth Berrington | Paula Kosh/Simpson | 2012–2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| Pal Aron | Jagadeesh Choudary | 2012–2014, 2016–2017 |
| Maxine Evans | Rhian Evans | 2012–2017 |
| Emma Rydal | Celia Braxton/Williams | 2014–2016 |
| Scott Quinnell | Himself | 2012–2017 |
| Josh Cook | Keckers | 2012–2017 |
| Michael Elwyn | Ken, Stella's father | 2012, 2017 |
| Piers Ahia | Billy | 2013, 2017 |
| Clare Hingot | Cheryl Spragg | 2014–2017 |
| Remy Beasley | Beyonce Evans | 2015–2017 |
| Dafydd Hywel | Glen Brennig | 2012–2017 |
| Kenny Doughty | Sean McGaskill | 2012–2013 |
| Gillian Elisa | Nanna Pat | 2015–2017 |
| Jackson Michael Jackson | 2016–2017 | |
| Julian Lewis Jones | Karl Morris | 2012–2016 |
| Eiri Hughes | Verv/Vivienne | 2014 |
| Anthony O'Donnell | Dai Davies | 2012–2015 |
| Alice Hewkin | Lily | 2015–2016 |
| Leona Vaughan | Cerys Ferris | 2015–2016 |
| Wayne Cater | George the Butcher | 2012–2016 |
| Howell Evans | Daddy Simpson / Uncle Huw Simpson | - |
| Taj Atwal | Jasminder Choudary | 2012–2013, 2016 |
| Sudha Bhuchar | Tanisha Choudary | 2012–2014 |
| Yasmine Akram | Parvadi | 2014–2015 |
| Tony Gardner | Ivan Schloss | 2016 |
| Owen Teale | Dai Kosh | 2012–2013 |
| Maggie Steed | Meg, Stella's mother | 2012 |
| Deddie Davies | Marj Brennig | 2012, 2014–2016 |
| Rory Girvan | Sunil Choudary | 2012–2013, 2014 |
| Olwen Rees | Olwen Kosh / Nanna Kosh | 2017 |
| Joanna Scanlan | Nancy | 2012 |
| Clive Russell | Uncle Clem Draper | 2016 |
| Michelle McTernan | WPC Jane Glover | 2012–2014, 2015 |
| Grace Fan | Mrs ‘Betty’ Wong | 2013-2016 |
| Nadia Kamil | Bethan | 2012–2013 |
| Katie Elin-Salt | Amy Edwards | 2012, 2014 |
| Joanna Riding | Melissa | 2013 |
| Lucinda Dryzek | Leah | 2013 |
| Gareth Pierce | Lenny Mack | 2013–2014 |
| Paul Kaye | Peschman Hodd | 2013 |
| Tilly Blackwood | Jan Jackson | 2014, 2017 |
| Celyn Jones | Brother Alan | 2014–2015 |
| Vern Griffiths | Dewi Phillips | 2015 |
| Ramon Tikaram | Mr. Jeffrey Honey | 2015 |
| Donna Edwards | Mo the Bap | 2012–2013 |
| Beth Robert | Mrs. Barclay | 2012–2013 |
| Menna Trussler | Bopa Boyce | 2012–2013 |
| Andy Linden | Big Rae | 2012–2013 |
| James Thornton | Marcus Jensen | 2014 |
| Denise Gough | Collette Jensen | 2014 |
| Tom Price | Andy Marsh | 2014 |
| Jamie Lomas | Dan Braxton | 2015 |
| Richard Elfyn | Iwan Jenkins | 2015 |
| Jane Asher | Hazel | 2015 |
| Eiry Thomas | Lisa Howells | 2012-2013-2016 |
| Ifan Huw Dafydd | Idris Howells | 2012-2013-2016 |
cast characters
| Actor/Actress | Character | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ian Lavender | Keith Jackson | 2014 |
| Matt Lucas | Wes | 2017 |
| Melanie Walters | Sonographer | 2013 |
| Darren Day | Will Morgan | 2017 |
| Michelle Luther | Carley | 2015 |
| Tim Rhys-Evans | Himself | 2016 |
| Laila Rouass | Maria | 2016 |
| Ruth Madoc | Mayor Mary Meyer | 2016 |
| Richard Harrington | Ian Meyer | 2016 |
| Patricia Kane | Dotty | 2016 |
| Andy Fairweather Low | Himself | 2016 |
| Keith Barron | The Captain | 2014 |
| Wynne Evans | Dafydd Sanchez | 2015 |
| Suzanne Packer | Carole | 2016 |
| Warwick Evans | Jake | 2015 |
| Craig Bellamy | Himself | 2017 |
| James Corden | Steven | 2012 |
| Warren Gatland | Himself | 2012 |
| Colin Jarvis | Himself | 2012 |
| Wayne Forrester | Barry/Dirk | 2014 |
| Ian Hughes[disambiguation needed] | Rhys | 2014 |
| Ian Lavender | Keith Jackson | 2014 |
| Eleanor Bron | Anna Jackson | 2014 |
| Huw Rhys | Adam | 2014 |
| Paul Chan[disambiguation needed] | Mr Cheung Li | 2014 |
| Eirlys Bellin | Reporter | 2014 |
| Josie Lawrence | Valerie | 2016 |
| Adrian Scarborough | Horst | 2016 |
DVD release
The complete first series of Stella was released on DVD on 12 March 2012.[3]
The complete second series of Stella was released on DVD on 18 March 2013.[4]
The complete third series of Stella was released on DVD on 31 March 2014.[5]
The complete fourth series and the 2014 Christmas Special of Stella was released on DVD on 13 April 2015.[6]
The complete fifth series of Stella was released on DVD on 21 March 2016. A series 1–5 boxset was also released.
References
- ^ Stella filmed in Ferndale
- ^ "Stella 2016 Christmas special filming in Barry Island". 27 September 2016.
- ^ "Stella – Series 1 [DVD]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
- ^ "Stella – Series 2 [DVD]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
- ^ "Stella – Series 3 [DVD]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
- ^ "Stella – Series 4 + 2014 Christmas Special [DVD]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
External links
- Articles with links needing disambiguation from June 2020
- 2010s British comedy-drama television series
- 2012 British television series debuts
- 2017 British television series endings
- British comedy-drama television programmes
- Sky television programmes
- Television shows set in Wales
- English-language television programs