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Stella (British TV series)

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Stella
GenreComedy-drama
Created by
Written by
Directed by
Starring
Opening themeAnd Then She Smiles by The Mock Turtles
Composers
  • Simon H Jones
  • Mark Thomas
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series6 (plus 2 Christmas specials)
No. of episodes58 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Tilusha Ghelani
  • Ruth Jones
  • Jon Mountague
  • David Peet
Producer
Editors
  • Peter Hallworth
  • Sara Jones
  • John Richards
Running time60 minutes (inc. adverts)
90 minutes (inc. adverts)
(2014 special & 2016 special)

70 minutes (inc. adverts)
(Series finale)
Production companyTidy Productions
Original release
NetworkSky One
Release6 January 2012 (2012-01-06) –
18 October 2017 (2017-10-18)

Stella is a British comedy-drama filmed in the Rhondda valleys that aired on Sky One from 2012 to 2017. It was created by David Peet along with Ruth Jones, who plays the role of the titular character and appears alongside a cast ensemble which includes Patrick Baladi. The sixth and final series premiered on 13 September 2017 and concluded with a 70-minute finale on 18 October 2017. Various celebrities make guest cameos, with former Wales rugby union international Scott Quinnell making the most appearances.

Plot

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Stella focuses on the ups and downs in the life of a struggling mother of three living in the fictional Welsh town of Pontyberry, earning a living doing the laundry and ironing for the locals. Stella’s eldest son, Luke, is serving a prison sentence for joyriding; her daughter, Emma, is completely besotted with boyfriend Sunil and wants to leave school without doing her exams; and her youngest son, Ben, is working on his family tree, which brings back a familiar face from Stella’s past and sends shockwaves throughout the valley.

Along for the bumpy ride are Stella’s best friend Paula, a functioning alcoholic funeral director married to Stella’s brother Dai, an ex-serviceman injured on duty; Stella’s dim, but well-meaning ex-husband Karl, father to Emma and Ben and now with the much-younger Nadine; and lollipop man and youth rugby coach Alan, Stella’s old schoolfriend who has had unrequited love for her since their schooldays.

Episodes

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SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1106 January 2012 (2012-01-06)9 March 2012 (2012-03-09)
21011 January 2013 (2013-01-11)8 March 2013 (2013-03-08)
31024 January 2014 (2014-01-24)28 March 2014 (2014-03-28)
Special (2014)22 December 2014 (2014-12-22)
4106 February 2015 (2015-02-06)10 April 2015 (2015-04-10)
51012 January 2016 (2016-01-12)15 March 2016 (2016-03-15)
Special (2016)23 December 2016 (2016-12-23)
6613 September 2017 (2017-09-13)18 October 2017 (2017-10-18)

Cast

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Key Cast

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Actor/Actress Character Duration
Ruth Jones Stella Jackson/Morris/Kosh 2012-2017
Patrick Baladi Michael Jackson 2014-2017
Craig Gallivan Luke Morris/Morgan 2012–2017
Catrin Stewart Emma Morris 2012–2014, 2016, 2017
Justin Davies Ben Morris 2012–2017
Di Botcher Aunty Brenda Draper nee. Kosh 2013-2017
Bethan Witcomb Zoe Stewart/Morgan 2013-2017
Mark Lewis Jones Rob Morgan 2012-2013, 2015, 2016, 2017
Elizabeth Berrington Paula Kosh 2012-2013, 2015, 2016, 2017
Owen Teale Dai Kosh 2012-2013
Maggie Steed Meg Kosh 2012
Michael Elwyn Ken Kosh 2012, 2017
Kenny Doughty Sean McGaskill 2012-2013
Steve Speirs Alan Williams 2012-2015

Supporting cast

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Actor Character Duration
Karen Paullada Nadine Bevan 2012-2017
Julian Lewis Jones Karl Morris 2012-2013, 2014, 2015-2016
Aled Pugh Bobby Gittins 2012-2017
Piers Ahia Billy 2014, 2017
Howell Evans Daddy Simpson 2012-2015
Daniel Gammond Little Alan Williams 2012-2017
Martha Mackintosh Katie Jackson 2014-2016
Pal Aron Jagadeesh Choudary 2012-2014, 2016-2017
Remy Beasley Beyonce Evans 2015-2017
Emma Rydal Celia Brackstone/Williams 2014-2016
Clive Russell Clem Draper 2016
Eiry Hughes Vivienne ‘Verv’ Draper 2014
Sudha Bhuchar Tanisha Choudary 2012-2014
Rory Girvan Sunil Choudary 2012-2013, 2014
Taj Atwal Jasminder Choudary 2012-2013, 2016
Yasmine Akram Parvadi 2014-2015
Leena Dhingra Nina Choudary 2016
Anthony O'Donnell Dai Davies 2012-2017
Maxine Evans Rhian Evans 2012-2017
Josh Cook Keckers 2012, 2014-2017
Russell Gomer Yanto Bead 2012-2017
Clare Hingott Cheryl Spragg 2014-2017
Tony Gardner Ivan Schloss 2016
Olwen Rees Mrs Jones / Olwen Kosh 2014, 2017
Leona Vaughan Cerys 2016, 2017
Frank Williams Lord Stanley 2016-2017
James Thornton Marcus Jensen 2014
Suzanne Packer Carole 2016
Daniel Laurie Jamie 2016
Joanna Scanlan Nancy Crook 2012
Lucinda Dryzek Leah 2013
Paul Kaye Peschman Hodd 2013
Denise Gough Collette Jensen 2014
Gillian Elisa Nanna Pat 2015-2017
Jane Asher Hazel 2015
Wayne Cater George the Butcher 2013-2016
Beth Robert Mrs Barclay 2012-2013
Dafydd Hywel Glen Brennig 2012-2017
Deddie Davies Marj Brennig 2012, 2014-2016
Scott Quinnell Self 2013-2017
Michelle McTernan PC Jane Glover 2012-2015, 2014
Ramon Tikaram Mr Honey 2015
Grace Fan Mrs Wong 2013-2016
Joanna Riding Melissa 2013
Eiry Thomas Lisa Howells 2012, 2013, 2016
Ifan Huw Dafydd Idris Howells 2012, 2013, 2016
Celyn Jones Brother ‘Alan Williams’ 2014
Gareth Pierce Lenny Mack 2013-2014
Katie Elin-Salt Amy Edwards 2012, 2014
Nadia Kamil Bethan 2012-2013
Mennar Trussler Bopa Boyce 2012-2014
Patricia Kane Mrs Collins / Dotty 2013, 2016
Donna Edwards Mo The Bap 2012-2013
Jamie Lomas Dan Brackstone 2015
Gruffudd Glyn Tom 2014
Wayne Forrester Barry 2014
Ian Hughes Rhys 2014
Tom Price Andy Marsh 2014
Alice Hewkin Lily 2015
Robert Evans Gwyn 2013-2014
Laila Rouass Maria 2016
Richard Elfyn Harris / Iwan Jenkins 2013, 2015
Andy Linden Big Rae 2012-2013
James Corden Steve 2012
Johnny Tudor Evan 2013
Robbie Lester Josh 2013
Glyn Pritchard Trevor Mackie 2013
Steffan Rhodri Leon 2013
Oliver Ryan Darren 2013
Nathan Williams Jacob Hillman 2013
Frank Honeybone Frank the Barman 2013
Michelle Luther Carley 2015
Dave Bond Mr Palmer 2012-2013
Nicola Reynolds Shelley Evans 2013, 2017
Lynn Hunter Merna 2012
Royce Pierreson Lee 2012
Euan Brown Alex Rees 2012
Ian Lavender Keith Jackson 2014
Eleanor Bron Anna Jackson 2014

Special guests

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Many celebrities appeared in the series as themselves:

DVD releases

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Season Date released Notes
The Complete Series 1 12 March 2012
The Complete Series 2 18 March 2013
The Complete Series 1-2 18 March 2013
The Complete Series 3 31 March 2014
The Complete Series 1-3 31 March 2014
The Complete Series 4 20 April 2015 Includes 2014 Christmas special
The Complete Series 5 21 March 2016
The Complete Series 1-5 21 March 2016
The Complete Series 6 6 November 2017 Including 2016 Christmas special
The Complete Collection 6 November 2017

Filming

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The series was largely filmed in Ferndale in the Rhondda Valley in Wales.[1]

References

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  1. ^ "Will TV hit Stella give 'Gavin and Stacey factor' to Ferndale?". BBC News Online. 17 March 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
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