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 and Ruth Jones. Jones 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
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
Cast
Key Cast 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 2013–2017Julian Lewis JonesKarl Morris2012–2013, 2014, 2015–2016 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 Actor Character Duration Karen Paullada Nadine Bevan 2012–2017 Aled Pugh Bobby Gittins 2012–2017 Piers Ahia Billy Matthews 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 Tilly Blackwood Jan 2014, 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 Many celebrities appeared in the series as themselves:
Ashley Banjo Joe Calzaghe Colin Charvis Keith Chegwin Rylan Clark-Neal Nicky Clarke Gino D'Acampo Andy Fairweather Low Warren Gatland Russell Grant Eamonn Holmes Colin Jackson Gethin Jones Neil Kinnock Debbie McGee Gillian McKeith Only Men Aloud Damien O'Kane Mike Phillips Robert Plant Graham Price Scott Quinnell Tim Rhys-Evans Jonathan Ross Kate Rusby Craig Bellamy Andrew Stone Gareth Thomas Shane Williams
DVD releases SeasonDate releasedNotesThe Complete Series 112 March 2012The Complete Series 218 March 2013The Complete Series 1–218 March 2013The Complete Series 331 March 2014The Complete Series 1–331 March 2014The Complete Series 420 April 2015Includes 2014 Christmas specialThe Complete Series 521 March 2016The Complete Series 1–521 March 2016The Complete Series 66 November 2017Including 2016 Christmas specialThe Complete Collection6 November 2017
Filming The series was largely filmed in Ferndale in the Rhondda Valley in Wales.
References
External links