Gavin and Stacey: What have the cast been up to since the last episode

Gavin & Stacey will be returning for its final episode


gavin and stacey cast
Updated: 3 days ago

We've all been buzzing since it was confirmed that Gavin & Stacey would be returning for a final episode in December, with stars James Corden and Ruth Jones appearing in a BBC post with the completed script. Although details on the plot are currently being kept quiet, we're certain that fans will finally find out what happened after Nessa proposed to Smithy.

The hugely popular comedy first premiered in 2007, following the long-distance relationship between Essex lad Gavin Shipman and Welsh girl Stacey West. The show ran for three seasons until 2010, before later returning with a Christmas special in 2019. 

But what have the cast been up to since the last episode aired in 2019? Find out here...

© Dave J Hogan

Mathew Horne - Gavin Shipman

Playing the titular Gavin, Mathew has been in high demand since the show concluded, appearing in several films, TV shows and even performing on stage. Fans will have spotted him in The Nan Movie alongside longtime friend Catherine Tate, Bad Education and Inside No. 9. In 2019, Mathew began dating set designer Celina Bassili, and the pair walked down the aisle in 2021 with the romantic ceremony taking place in Norway.

© Dave Benett

Joanna Page - Stacey

Joanna might be best known as the loveable Stacey, but she has also had a glittering career following the show's previous final episode. The Welsh-born actress has appeared in Doolittle alongside Robert Downey Jr, and has also enjoyed stints on The Masked Dancer and Cooking with the Stars and presents Shop Well for Less. In 2023, the star became a panellist on Loose Women. Joanna is married to fellow actor James Thornton and the pair share four children, two sons and two daughters.

© Dave Benett

James Corden - Smithy

James might have had one of the biggest careers since the conclusion of the show, becoming popular in both the UK and US with The Late, Late Show and its famous Carpool Karaoke segment. It was the star's move back to the UK in 2023 that prompted speculation that Gavin & Stacey would be returning to our screens. More recently, James has been seen in The Prom, Cinderella, Mammals and on stage in The Constituent. He shares three children with his wife, Julia.

© Karwai Tang

Ruth Jones - Vanessa Jenkins

We can't wait to see Ruth back on-screen as Nessa, and we're sure she's penned an incredible episode alongside James. Ruth isn't seen on-screen much these days, with the actress now focusing on her writing career, having published three books: Never Greener, Us Three and Love Untold, with the most recent being published in 2022.

© Gareth Cattermole

Larry Lamb - Mick Shipman

Larry has had quite the varied career, and the veteran star is still going strong, with his most notable role since the show's last episode being in Channel 5's four-part drama, The Inheritence. The actor has three daughters, and one granddaughter.

© Jeff Spicer

Alison Steadman - Pam Shipman

Alison has not slowed down since the final episode! Not only has she been an ambassador for the London Wildlife Trust since 2016, she has also starred in The King's Man, 23 Walks, Rules of the Game and Here We Go

© Karwai Tang

Rob Brydon - Bryn West

As well as hosting the popular panel show Would I Lie to You?, Rob has continued to star in hit shows and films including Green Eggs & Ham, Superworm and he even had a small part in the 2023 blockbuster film Barbie. He shares three children with his ex-wife Martina; daughters Katie and Amy and a son, Harry, and two sons with his wife Clare Holland, Tom and George.

© Tristan Fewings

Melanie Walters - Gwen West

When Melanie isn't playing Stacey's lovely mum, she is running a business teaching Pilates in Swansea! But that doesn't mean that she's given up acting, and she's been seen in shows like Pitching In, The Snow Spider and Father Brown.

© Dave Benett

Julia Davis - John Sutcliffe

Julia has seen many successes since starring on Gavin & Stacey, including scooping a BAFTA. Elsewhere, Julia has been seen in A Very British Scandal, The Outlaws, Sing 2 and The Toxic Avenger. Julia shares twins Arthur and Walter with her partner, Julian Barratt.

© ITV/Shutterstock

Robert Wilfort - Jason West

Robert, who plays Stacey's gay brother Jason, might have had one of the biggest careers since appearing in the show appearing in several of Netflix's biggest hits including The Crown, Sex Education and Bridgerton.

© ITV/Rachel Joseph/Shutterstock

Oscar Hartland - Baby Neil

Baby Neil is all grown-up and so is Oscar Hartland, but outside of the show the young man has been pursuing a music career, and is a guitarist and co-frontman for Redwood City. He seemingly confirmed he would be reprising his role when he shared the news of Gavin & Stacey's return on his Instagram Stories.