Gavin & Stacey Cast Bids Tearful Farewell as Final Episode Filming Begins

The beloved British sitcom Gavin & Stacey is drawing to a close, with Alison Steadman revealing the emotional atmosphere on set as filming for the final episode commences. The BBC has confirmed that production for the Christmas finale, scheduled to air on December 25, 2024, is now underway.

Steadman, who portrays Pam Shipman in the series, shared with My Weekly magazine the unique bond among the cast members. She stated, "It is the only show I have ever worked on where we finish each character's final scenes, and everyone puts their heads down and cries as we are so sad it's over." This sentiment reflects the strong camaraderie that has developed over the years, which Steadman believes is a key factor in the show's success.

The sitcom, created by Ruth Jones and James Corden, originally aired for three series from 2007 to 2010. It made a triumphant return with a Christmas special in 2019, which ended with a cliffhanger proposal from Nessa (Jones) to Smithy (Corden). This episode garnered impressive ratings, with an average audience of 11.6 million viewers on the night and a total of 17.1 million views by early 2020.

Corden announced the show's final episode on May 3, 2024, via Instagram, sharing an image of the script titled "Gavin and Stacey: The finale." The BBC confirmed the start of filming on September 2, 2024, with a photo of a clapperboard captioned with a nod to Steadman's character's catchphrase: "Oh. My. Christ."

The series has left an indelible mark on British culture, winning multiple awards and spawning popular catchphrases. It has also had a significant impact on tourism in Barry, Wales, where part of the show is set. The success of Gavin & Stacey catapulted James Corden's career to international heights and has been broadcast in several countries worldwide.

As the cast and crew work on the finale, Corden expressed his emotions about concluding the series. In an interview with Chris Evans on Virgin Radio, he reflected on the end of writing for beloved characters like Pam and Bryn, highlighting the bittersweet nature of this final chapter.

"We've finished writing, we will never write anything that Pam says again. We will never come up with an interesting thing that Bryn has done."

With its blend of humor, heart, and memorable characters, Gavin & Stacey has secured its place in the pantheon of British television. As fans eagerly await the Christmas finale, the tears shed on set are a testament to the impact this show has had on both its creators and its audience.