Stella

I'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!!!

I 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.

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

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.

Some 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'!