Stella is one of the best comedies I've seen in recent years. The characters are warm and believable as are the situations they find themselves in. I don't have a favourite character - they all have qualities of their own. Although I do find the relationship between Bobs and Daddy quirky and hilarious. I do worry though that because there is a particular Welsh sense of humour it may may not translate beyond the Welsh or people familiar with the Welsh,. Being Welsh myself I find the comedy laugh out loud funny - I grew up with the characters, in fact I think I may be one of them. Ruth Jones is a proved comedy writing talent and for my part she has surpassed Gavin and Stacey with Stella. To use a clumsy pun, Stella is stellar.
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Off the back of her success with Gavin & Stacey, Ruth Jones created a new comedy drama, it's more serious than Gavin & Stacey, it has more depth and structure but it is remarkably clear how similar they are in so many ways. With longer episodes, more episodes in a series and an array of characters, Stella is a fantastic comedy which really stands on its own two feet.
Ruth Jones plays Stella, a Welsh, out of luck in love, single mum to three kids. She has no man in her life, not much money but has an incredible upbeat personality and some cracking friends. The show follows Stella and her friends and family's lives, the ups, downs, trials and tribulations. It can make you laugh one minute and cry the next, no matter what is going on though; it is incredibly well made and will always make you feel good after watching.
Stella's greatest aspect is its mix of memorable characters and the way they interact with each other. Not one single character in this show feels out of place, they all fit into their roles and feels like if they weren't involved the show would miss them! As with Gavin & Stacey, there are many flamboyant characters which have their own quirky ways with their own style of delivery, Aunty Brenda being one of these!
The meaning I take from this show is that no matter how down life can make you feel and how situations can go against you, you can always have a positive outlook and response, and it's really your choice. Above all else, the importance of family and friendship is portrayed in Stella, and this is the focus point of the entire show.
The only factor that has stopped me giving this top mark of 10/10 is that the later series are not as strong as the first couple. They are very good and as a series it has kept a consistent level of quality but it just misses out on 10/10.
Ruth Jones has created something special in Stella and I don't think its gets the recognition that it deserves. As I write this, I have just finished watching Series 4 and I already cannot wait for series 5.
9/10 -
malpasc-391-9153803 May 2021Some years ago Sky commissioned a few comedy dramas where not much really happens in a dramatic sense and Stella is the finest of all of these.
I watched the 6 series of this show when they were first broadcast, and have just re-watched them and it still works for me. The mix of characters is brilliant along with storylines that go from romantic, to serious, to just utterly silly and hilarious. The beautiful Welsh valleys provide a wonderful backdrop for this funny, sweet, sentimental show.
The only downsides really are the disappearance of some characters between series, which seems to be slightly random. Possibly those actors were unavailable to do further series as time went on? But new characters come in and fill the gaps well. The introduction of Di Botcher as Aunty Brenda is a particular favourite - like a nagging busybody on steroids, but she isn't one dimensional, and you do feel the love she has for her friends and family as well as the love they have for her. A couple of deaths of major characters through the series are handled brilliantly without them feeling like they were done for shock. As in the real world life and death happens and people handle it the way they do.
Ruth Jones has created a classic with Stella, which even with repeated watching doesn't wear out. It's perfect rainy day TV in a way and cheers you up. I hope one day we might get to have another visit to Pontyberry to see how everyone is doing. In the meantime if you haven't seen it already I recommend you do 'presh'! -
Fancyacuppa5 September 2014I stumbled upon this show on Hulu and just finished binge watching it. It's by far my favorite television series and I'm waiting with bated breath for series 4 - hopefully there will be one. The casting is impeccable. The quirky characters are a nice mix with the more relatable ones. The Welsh countryside is breathtaking. I wish I had a bench to sit on with the view they have from their bench. The characters have everyday problems that we all share. I shed tears and I laughed and found so much of it that I could relate to. I think if Americans give it a chance they will enjoy it as much as I did. Hats off to Ruth Jones....you're brilliant!
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selffamily8 July 2013I happened across the dvds of series 1 by chance, and fell in love. With members of my family from Wales, and a firm love for the country, I felt as though I was at home. The sense of humour is fall-on-your-knees funny and the characters are brilliantly drawn. Every minute is a gem and I am about to embark on a hunt for further series. I love the reality of the storyline and that nothing is too far-fetched. A special mention for Daddy, who has me crying with laughter, and the lovely Welsh scenery is beautifully included.
This is a brilliant series and I hope it runs longer than Gavin & Stacy. I hope Ruth Jones gets recognition for her writing / acting. -
amelia5811 March 2012I have watched every single episode of the comedy Stella and i saved the series to watch again and again i have watched Ruth Jones in Gavin and Stacey but i think this has been a fantastic series. Ruth Jones is a fabulous writer things that all families can relate to that is why this series is so popular and i hope she writes another series as this has been fun from start to finish this is how life really is for some people and its a pity there is not more programs like this on TV
So Ruth please please lets have some more i am upset to think that my Friday nights of waiting to watch are over its such a shame please write some more and let us no when a new series will be coming out????????????? -
Rednoi8217 November 2014I've stumbled upon the Binge On The BBC section on Hulu and it has been the best i could ever done.
After becoming hooked by Gavin and Stacey, I watched all episodes back to back, I had to find out more about Ruth Jones.
Stella, her new pride and joy, is absolutely phenomenal. I'm not at all familiar with Welsh culture, but just by watching this show alone you will be, because it's addictive. The comedy and story- lines are universal. And that Welsh flare, the Welsh valley based characters are beautifully written. The characters are all adorably flawed which creates great room for story telling. And Ruth takes full advantage of that room.
The casting is brilliant. Every part is spot-on to the T.
I can now say that I'm and avid British television fan.
Just brilliant! Can't wait for series (season) 4!!! -
xx-shattered-core-xx7 March 2013I absolutely love this show, I was a tad hesitant to watch Stella to begin with because I thought no way could it be anywhere as good as Gavin and Stacey but in my opinion it's better and that's saying something as I love Gavin and Stacey. Ruth Jones is an amazing actress and writer and the story line is incredible, it's funny, it has serious issues and most of it is set in my home town the Rhondda valleys. The characters are so lovable and you can't not like one even if I do prefer a few of the characters more than others. You have Paula and Dai the naughty couple, Stella and her childhood sweetheart Rob and her new young, hunky boyfriend Sean, you have Stella's ex husband Carl and his new wife Nadine and also Carl and Stella's children Ben and Emma and also Stella's son Luke who is also Robs son and then you also have Emma's husband Sunil and their child Abra the storyline also follows Sunhils family and a lot of other well liked characters in the small town of Pontyberry. It's definitely worth watching, I have many times and still can't get enough of it.
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elandharry5 March 2012Definitely worth watching! Following the success of Gavin & Stacey, Ruth Jones has brought another great series to the screens. Set in the Welsh valleys with Ruth Jones playing the lead of Stella, a divorced woman in her forties with 3 children. It is a well written, funny and heart warming story that unfolds through the episodes. The character selection and relationships between the characters is excellent. As a Welsh person myself I have really enjoyed the humor and the catchphrases have certainly caught on as a joke between friends. The only thing that could of improved the airing of the series was if it was broadcast on BBC TV as Gavin & Stacey was, therefore, making it more widely available.
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Stella is a wonderful show. The stories are interesting and the characters are all well defined. Ruth Jones is awesome. The locations are wonderful as well. I had to watch the whole series in one go. It'll make you love the Welsh people!
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janekieran28 October 2021Loved it and it was funny but the most loved up couples should have stayed together. How many bedrooms did Stella's house have? Loved Bobby and daddy. Characters disappeared from one season to the next not explained! Skipped as much as I could of Brenda not long after she appeared, it became too much about her and her character was boring. But on the W hi ole I did love it and wished those yummy older men existed.
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pamela-lucas68-492-1423463 October 2012Stumbling upon the series Stella has been an absolute delight! There is not one detail of this series that I don't adore. From the quirky characters, to the delightful dialogue, to the beautiful scenic villages - I'm in love with it all. When Gilmore Girls went off the air in the states, I thought I'd never find another series like it - with Stella, I have found that void. Ruth Jones is absolutely brilliant. She is a true gem and delight. I have repeatedly watched the first series and agonize in anticipation for the commissioned two series to follow. I can't wait to see what quirky, outlandish characters are added, where each of the story lines go and what new paths they lead this fan down. If Ruth Jones ever decides in adding an outlandish, American hillbilly to the characters, I certainly hope she considers ringing me up!!
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Standard, Bridget Jones fare. The main character can do no wrong, and even when she does, it always comes up roses in the end.
People are mostly depicted as simpletons, and RJ has crow-barred as many working-class Welshisms into the dialogue as possible, to the point that it becomes irritating and unrealistic.
Every aspect of working-class like is reduced to schmaltzy, folsky cheese, with warm piano ballads playing and characters gazing wistfully at the sky or their loved ones, seeming to marvel at how much love there is in their world. A bucket won't suffice.
I'm surprised at this, given Ruth Jones's involvement in many of TV's finest modern comedies. If only she'd channelled an iota of that edge into "Stella". -
Ruth Jones as Stella plays a role that alternates between cracking you up and making you weep. Nothing is more important to her than her family all of whom she supports without reservation. Unfortunately every one of them is addicted to making the worst life choices possible. Add to this a supporting cast of British loonies with idiosyncrasies that make them endearing, infuriating, and hysterical and you have a series that is as addicting as eating potato chips. While there is a core cast, you can count on Nadine, Big Alan, and Aunty Brenda to stay, every new season drops some characters and adds new ones. There is one certainty: Stella will have her heart broken as her choices in men lead to continuous disaster. But if you stick with it you will enjoy a crazy soccer game, a graveside fight, and a heart warming Christmas special. It may take some patience presh to get used to the mardy ass cocking dialect but eventually good boy it begins to make sense just avoid the bog roll bewt.
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lisalacking2 October 2017I love watching Stella very much, it has so many lovable characters and it makes me laugh a lot. I think Ruth Jones is a great actress and writer and anything with her in has me hooked. The show is so realistic with such lovely people Id love to be part of it as an extra. I love the romances between Stella and her boyfriends especially Michael Jackson (Patrick Baladi another great actor I love to watch and very sexy). I liked how Stella and Michael hated each other at first and then when they fell in love it was magical. The show shows life as it is day after day with added spark love and plenty of laughter. I just wished there was another series after the sixth, or I hope Ruth Jones goes on to produce some else brilliant to watch.
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I was very late to the party with Gavin & Stacey, only watching it last year and absolutely loving it, so much so, that I've watched every episode at least half a dozen times over including the specials.
Because of G&S I knew of Ruth Jones, despite finding her character disgustingly funny in equal measures, but what a great actor she is !
Been looking for something new to watch and came across STELLA, I'm half Welsh, my paternal Grandparents are from Pontypridd so the right area and one of my favourite friends here in Leicester is from Mountain Ash , also in the Rhondda.
I've been binge watching this brilliant series and still got series 4 to watch. Relatable, funny, sad, weird, outrageous and just utterly brilliantly written and acted.
Ruth, if you are reading this, hats off to you girl, thank you so much for this and Gavin and Stacey ! Can't recommend it enough.
Right, I'm going now, in a minute !! Cheeers. -
lizollipop22 March 2014I loved the first two series of Stella, as they were extremely funny and shocking (in places!!) and in this new series, it was good to see that Ruth Jones has taken a more sentimental approach to her story telling of life in Pontiberry... There have been many moments when I have had tears in my eyes as a response to the many love-stories at its heart. Maybe I have become a sentimental fool in my nearing 40 age range, but I think that Ruth Jones and the cast of Stella have got it spot on! Just what Friday night needs... I hope that she will be continuing to write story lines for the existing characters, and it would be so lovely to see some of the old characters returning (Rob? he was gorgeous!!). It is really evident that the cast get on really well, as it shines through on the screen.
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crw114 February 2021I lasted, somehow, to S6E2. And I only lasted that long by muting the sound for the dreadful, bulldozing Aunty Brenda, Bobs and the ridiculous oaf Karl.
I could stand the presumably authentic Welsh mix of third person singular and plural ('E have') but the 'C'm year' prelude to another panacea hug scraped the nerves every time.
It's a great ad for contraception too with the phone constantly interrupting for yet another event-disrupting pathetic drama with one of the clueless kids. And for other reasons.
And when it comes to excruciating over-acted facial contortions, Bobs, Nadine and sneering Little Al come equal worst.
Some of the repartee was chuckleworthy (keeping me going) but the realisation that, for example, ghastly people like Beyonce really exist finally drove me away. -
cala328 September 2020I tried but I couldn't get through the first episode. I didn't find any of the characters likeable. Maybe you have to be a local to appreciate it.