Ruth Jones
Ruth Jones | |
---|---|
Born | Ruth Alexandra Elisabeth Jones 22 September 1966 |
Alma mater | Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1991–present |
Spouse |
David Peet (m. 1999) |
Ruth Alexandra Elisabeth Jones MBE (born 22 September 1966) is a Welsh actress, comedian, writer, and producer. She co-wrote and co-starred in the award-winning BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey (2007–2010, 2019). She later co-wrote and starred in the Sky One comedy-drama Stella (2012-2017), for which she was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Female Comedy Performance and won the BAFTA Cymru Award for Best Screenwriter.
Jones has appeared in various television series, including
Jones is also an author, writing three novels: Never Greener (2018), Us Three (2020) and Love Untold (2022).
Early life
Ruth Jones was born on 22 September 1966 in
Career
Stage
In November 1989, Jones undertook her first professional role, with Dominic Cooke's company, Pan Optic, playing Countess Almaviva in Cooke's adaptation of The Marriage of Figaro, which toured the UK for six months. Thereafter, she undertook some temporary clerical work.
At that point, she considered giving up acting and training to be a solicitor. However, in 1990, the comedian and pantomime producer Stan Stennett offered her an Equity contract, shifting scenery and playing a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (Michelangelo) in Dick Whittington at the Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl, where she had performed in school musicals.
In October 2018, Jones returned to the stage after a 12-year absence in the new play "The Nightingales" by William Gaminara, produced by Jenny Topper and Theatre Royal, Bath.
Television
Her first television job was an unbroadcast sketch show for BBC Wales, which included Rob Brydon and Steve Speirs. Soon after, she joined an improvisational theatre group in Bath. That group included Julia Davis, with whom Jones later appeared in Nighty Night and Gavin & Stacey.[5]
She first worked in TV and radio comedy for
Jones appeared on television as Kelly in four series of ITV's comedy Fat Friends, where she met James Corden. Afterwards she appeared in several BBC comedies, playing Myfanwy in Little Britain, Magz in Saxondale and Linda in Nighty Night.[7]
Jones achieved prominence in 2007 as co-writer with James Corden of the
The series won several awards, including two
In 2008, Jones featured in two BBC One television period costume dramas, Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Little Dorrit, as well as two episodes of The Street. In December 2009, she starred in A Child's Christmas in Wales. In 2010, she starred in BBC Four comedy The Great Outdoors alongside Mark Heap, and, in December, presented the first of four chat shows on BBC2, Ruth Jones' Christmas Cracker.[3] In January 2011, she starred as Hattie Jacques in BBC Four drama Hattie, which recounts Jacques' affair with her young driver John Schofield while she was married to actor John Le Mesurier, later known for his role in Dad's Army.[7][9]
In 2008, Jones co-founded Tidy Productions with producer David Peet. The company produced the series Jones presented on BBC Radio Wales in 2008-9, Ruth Jones' Sunday Brunch.[2][10] In 2010, the company had comedy and light entertainment production credits with BBC Two and BBC Three. It has made two 90-minute comedy dramas for S4C and light-entertainment shows for BBC Wales, and topical radio series What's the Story? for Radio Wales, predecessor to The Leek.
Tidy Productions also produced 58 episodes of the comedy drama Stella for Sky TV. The first series aired in 2012. It was Jones' first major comedy project since Gavin & Stacey; she created, executive produced and storylined the show with Peet. Jones stars in the title role, and wrote several episodes as well as co-writing episodes with Rob Gittins, Rob Evans, David Peet and Steve Speirs. Jones has stated she was worried about comparisons to Gavin & Stacey when setting a second programme in Wales and the company originally thought to set it in Bristol, but the decision was made to set it in the Rhondda Valley "I know people from the Valleys and it is just a joyously colourful place and full of characters."[11] A second series of Stella was filmed in summer 2012 and aired in early 2013.[12] A further four series plus two Christmas specials completed the run, with the final episode broadcast in October 2017.
In January 2018, Jones took the part of Mandy Haveez in Radio Wales comedy series Splott, written by David Peet and made by Tidy Productions.[citation needed] In March 2018, Jones worked with director Debbie Isitt, appearing in the film Nativity 4.[citation needed]
In 2020, she participated in Iaith ar Daith ('Language Road Trip'), a show for S4C where she and several other celebrities learned Welsh, broadcast in April 2020. An extra episode, Iaith ar Daith ‘Dolig ('Language Road Trip: Christmas') was broadcast at the end of 2020, interviewing each of the celebrities about whether they were still making use of their Welsh and the opportunities they had had to use Welsh during lockdown.[13]
Writer
In April 2018, Jones's first novel, "Never Greener", was published by Bantam Press. Based on a screenplay she’d written in 2004, it tells the story of a rekindled affair and the dangers of taking second chances. She signed a two-book deal with Transworld after a bidding war between ten publishing companies. The novel went into the Sunday Times bestseller list at number seven after just three days of sales, before reaching the number-one slot for two consecutive weeks.[citation needed] Lucy Letby had been reading the book when arrested by Cheshire Constabulary, providing possible insight into the killer's motives.[14]
Jones' second novel, Us Three, was published by Bantam Press in September 2020. It follows the story of three friends whose futures become unpredictable after an unexpected turn in events.[15][16]
Her third novel is Love Untold, which was published by Penguin Books in 2022.[17][18][19]
Personal life
Jones married David Peet, the TV and radio producer, in 1999.[20][21] Jones is step-mother to three children from Peet's previous marriage.[22]
In 2010, Jones took part in
In January 2019, Jones was the guest for
Recognition and awards
Jones was judged the Best Female Comedy Newcomer at the 2007
Jones was appointed
Jones was awarded the BAFTA Cymru Sian Phillips Special Recognition Award in 2009.[29] In 2012, Jones received a nomination for the British Academy Television Award for Best Female Comedy Performance for her performance in Stella.[30]
Filmography
Films
Year | Title | Character | Production |
---|---|---|---|
2018 | Nativity Rocks! | Farmer Beatie | Entertainment One |
2002 | Heartlands | Mandy | Miramax |
1999 | East Is East | Peggy | Film4 |
1998 | The Theory of Flight | Becky | Fine Line Features |
1996 | Emma | Bates' Maid | Miramax Films
|
TV
Year | Title | Character | Production | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015–present | One in Front and others | Jo | Series of adverts for Tesco | |
2015–present | Very British Problems | Herself | Alaska TV Productions | 3 episodes |
2012–2017 | Stella | Stella Morris | Sky 1 |
Tidy Production. 6 series and 2 Special |
2011 | Ruth Jones' Christmas Cracker | Chatshow | BBC Two | Special |
Hattie | Hattie Jacques | BBC Four | 1 episode | |
Ruth Jones' Summer Holiday | Chatshow | BBC Two | Special | |
2011, 2021–2024 | Ruth Jones' Easter Treat | Chatshow | BBC Two | Special |
2010 | Ruth Jones' Christmas Cracker | Chatshow | BBC Two | Special |
The Great Outdoors | Christine | BBC Four | 3 episodes | |
Marple | Miss Blenkinsopp | ITV |
The Secret of Chimneys | |
Igam Ogam | Birdie and Narrator | Calon, Telegael | 52 episodes | |
2009 | Ruth Jones' Christmas Cracker | Chatshow | BBC Two | Special |
A Child's Christmases in Wales | Mum | BBC Four | TV film | |
The Street | Sandra Lucas | BBC One | Series 3, Episodes 5 and 6 | |
Ar Y Tracs | Ingrid Crenski | S4C | ||
2008 | Little Dorrit | Flora Finching | BBC One | |
Tess of the D'Urbervilles | Joan Durbeyfield | BBC One | ||
Torchwood | Nikki Bevan | BBC Three | episode "Adrift" | |
Chaos at the Zoo | Narrator | Crackit Productions | ||
2007–2010, 2019 | Gavin & Stacey | Vanessa Shanessa Jenkins |
BBC | Star and co-writer |
2006–2007 | Saxondale | Magz | BBC Two | Series 1 and 2 |
2006 | Mayo | Cal Andrews | BBC One | |
2005–2006 | I'm With Stupid | Jean | BBC Three | |
2005 | Born and Bred | Ruby Moss | BBC One | Episode – The Element of Surprise |
2004–2005 | Nighty Night | Linda | BBC | |
2004 | The Baby Juice Express | Gladys | ||
2003–2006 | Little Britain | Myfanwy | BBC Three | |
2003 | Midsomer Murders | Rachael Rose | ITV |
Episode – Bad Tidings |
Roger Roger | Angelica | BBC One | Episode "Freedom's Just Another Word for Nothing Left to Lose" | |
EastEnders | Jenny Morgan | BBC One | Dot's Story | |
2002 | Heartlands | Mandy | ||
2001 | Tales from Pleasure Beach | Mandy | BBC Two | |
Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years | Sharon Bott | BBC | ||
2000–2005 | Fat Friends | Kelly Chadwick | ITV |
|
2000 | Human Remains | Elaine | BBC | Episode "All Over My Glasses" |
A Likeness in Stone | Joan Poole | |||
1998 | Picking Up The Pieces | Marie | ||
As Time Goes By | Gilly | BBC One | Episode "Pardon?" | |
1997 | Drovers' Gold | Mary |
Guest appearances
Year | Title | Appearance | Series |
---|---|---|---|
2015 | The Apprentice: You're Fired! | Herself | Series 11, Episode 10 |
Would I Lie to You? | Panelist | Series 9, Episode 8 | |
2014 | Duck Quacks Don't Echo | Herself | Series 1, Episode 1 |
2013 | The Jonathan Ross Show | Herself | Series 4, Episode 11 |
2012 | Hit the Road Jack | Herself | Series 1, Episode 1 |
Edinburgh International Television Festival 2012 | Herself | ||
The Matt Lucas Awards | Herself | Series 1, Episode 6 | |
Just a Minute | Panelist | Series 1, Episode 3 | |
Chris Moyles' Quiz Night | Herself | Series 5, Episode 7 | |
2011 | Alan Carr Chatty Man |
Herself | Series 7, Episode 7 |
2010 | The Big Fat Quiz of the Year | Herself | 2010 |
Chris Moyles' Quiz Night | Herself | Series 3, Episode 4 | |
The Graham Norton Show | Herself | Series 7 Episode 6 | |
Would I Lie to You? | Panelist | Series 4, Episode 2 | |
A League of Their Own | Panelist | Series 1 Episode 2 | |
2009 | The Graham Norton Show | Herself | Series 5 Episode 2 |
Chris Moyles' Quiz Night | Herself | Series 1, Episode 2 | |
Have I Got News for You | Guest Presenter | Series 37 Episode 7 | |
Comic Relief | Nessa | ‘’(Barry) Islands in the Stream'’ video |
Writing
Screen
Year | Title | Episodes | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2012–2017 | Stella | 6 series | |
2007–2009 & 2019 | Gavin & Stacey | 3 series and 2 Christmas specials | co-written with James Corden |
2009 | Ar Y Tracs | TV movie | |
2006 | The Chase | 1 episode | |
2005 | Fat Friends | 1 episode | Series 4 Episode 3 "Angels Delight" |
Books
Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
2018 | Never Greener | A passionate love affair that highlights why second chances should not always be given, or taken[32] Published by Bantam. |
2020 | Us Three | Three girls experience a turn of events, leaving their futures uncertain[15][33] Published by Bantam. |
2022 | Love Untold | A story of conflict between four generations of Welsh women.[34] Published by Bantam. |
Production
- Gavin & Stacey (Series 1, 6 episodes: BBC3 and BBC2 2007)
- Gavin & Stacey (Series 2, 7 episodes: BBC3 2008)
- Gavin & Stacey (Christmas Special: December 2008)
- Gavin & Stacey (Series 3, 6 episodes: BBC1 2009,2010)
- Ar Y Tracs Exec. Producer Tidy Productions S4C 2009)
Discography
- Islands in the Stream (cover version for Comic Relief)
References
- ^ "Ruth Jones. Biography, news, photos and videos". 8 October 2009.
- ^ a b c "Ruth Jones: 'Gavin & Stacey generated a lot of warmth. It's good to warm your cockles'". The Independent. London. 3 July 2009. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
- ^ a b c Wilson, Sophie (13 December 2010). "Ruth Jones: I have been fortunate to play parts that have not just been, 'Oh, you need a fat person'". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
- ^ a b "BBC Radio 4 – Desert Island Discs, Ruth Jones, actor and writer". BBC. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- ^ a b "What's occurring with Ruth Jones?". BBC South East Wales. 3 December 2009. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
- ^ "Ruth Jones interview". Wales. 26 November 2018.
- ^ a b "Ruth Jones profile". BBC Wales Arts. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
- ^ "Comic Relief single (Barry) Islands in the Stream tops charts". The Telegraph. London. 16 March 2009. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
- TheGuardian.com. 19 January 2011.
- ^ "Sunday Brunch programme page". BBC Radio Wales. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
- ^ Cadwalladr, Carole (1 January 2012). "The Observer : Ruth Jones: queen of comedy". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
- ^ "Ruth Jones' comedy Stella to have second series". Wales Online. 10 February 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
- ^ "Iaith ar Daith 'Dolig" [Language Road Trip: Christmas]. Boom Cymru. Archived from the original on 31 January 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/18/lucy-letby-the-beige-and-average-nurse-who-turned-into-a-baby-killer
- ^ a b "Us Three by Ruth Jones | Waterstones". www.waterstones.com.
- ^ Beckerman, Hannah (13 September 2020). "In brief: Us Three; Men Who Hate Women: Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs? – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
- ^ https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/238590/ruth-jones
- ^ Snell, Callum (5 June 2022). "'Gavin and Stacey' star Ruth Jones talks of latest book, Love Untold". The Leader. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
- ^ Halford, Ed (9 July 2022). "Abingdon bookshop hosts award winning author Ruth Jones". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
- ^ "TV's funniest woman: Ruth Jones on life after Gavin & Stacey". The Independent. 14 January 2011.
- ^ Vernon, Polly (29 December 2012). "Ruth Jones on fame, feminism and Liz Taylor" – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
- ^ Greenstreet, Rosanna (3 November 2018). "Ruth Jones: 'My biggest disappointment? The Guardian's review of my book'". The Guardian – via www.theguardian.com.
- ^ "The British Sitcom Guide – News". 7 November 2007. Retrieved 7 November 2007.
- ^ "Cosmo's Ultimate Women of the Year Awards 2009". 10 November 2009. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
- ^ "Warwick honorary degrees for stars of Gavin & Stacey & Hustle, RSC & Royal Court Artistic Directors, scientists, historians, philanthropist & a US government adviser". University of Warwick. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
- ^ https://twitter.com/oucymru/status/1588583184395952128
- ^ "No. 60728". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2013. p. 22.
- ^ "MBE 'proper tidy' for Ruth Jones". bbc.co.uk. 30 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ^ "2009 Cymru Siân Phillips Award | BAFTA Awards". awards.bafta.org. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
- ^ "2012 Television Female Performance In A Comedy Programme | BAFTA Awards". awards.bafta.org. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
- ^ "Ruth Jones". www.facebook.com.
- ^ O'Grady, Carrie (13 April 2018). "Never Greener by Ruth Jones review – Gavin & Stacey co-creator's debut is a soggy squib". The Guardian – via www.theguardian.com.
- ^ "Us Three by Ruth Jones". www.fantasticfiction.com.
- ^ "In brief: Love Untold; The Modern Bestiary; The Red Planet – review". the Guardian. 11 September 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
External links
- Ruth Jones at IMDb