The creative partnership behind the massive television hit Gavin and Stacey is returning with a brand-new comedy drama series on Apple TV. Ruth Jones and James Corden have unveiled casting details and plot specifics for their upcoming project, titled The Choir, which marks their first joint script since their beloved sitcom concluded on Christmas Day in 2024.
The newly announced eight-episode series will feature high-profile guest appearances from notable British actors. The lineup includes Hannah Waddingham, widely recognized for her role in Ted Lasso, alongside X-Men star James McAvoy and veteran screen and stage actor Jim Broadbent.
The story centers on siblings who have been estranged for a considerable period. Corden will portray Ben, who has spent years living abroad, while Jones plays his sister Lisa, who remained in their quiet hometown where daily life rarely changes. When sudden circumstances disrupt the status quo, Ben must return to an environment and a family he intentionally left behind.
Production is currently underway, with an expected premiere date set for 2027. Jones and Corden are serving as executive producers for the program, which draws thematic inspiration from real-life experiences with amateur singing groups. The co-creators previously noted that the inspiration stemmed from family ties to local choirs, recognizing how such communal gatherings unite people from diverse walks of life.
The creators intend to highlight the power of community through the narrative. The show revolves around an eclectic ensemble of characters who gather weekly to sing, exploring the personal lives and challenges unfolding beneath the surface of the group.
Alongside the headlining guest stars, the extensive supporting cast features Tom Davis, Rosie Sheehy, Susan Brown, Jason Watkins, Alexandra Riley, Sylvestra Le Touzel, Tom Edden, Gary Lamont, Emily Lloyd-Saini, Stephen Leask, Luiis Rouf, Jo Foster, Evie Jones, and Farrah Abbassy.
The upcoming release follows the historic success of Gavin and Stacey, which originally launched in 2007 and produced three regular series alongside three holiday specials. The comedy finale, broadcast on Christmas Day 2024, drew record-breaking audiences and cemented the program as a major milestone in modern British television. Jones and Corden initially met while acting in the drama series Fat Friends in 2000, a collaboration that eventually led to their writing partnership.
Following the conclusion of their landmark sitcom, both creators have remained active in various television and stage endeavors. Corden recently completed a run of performances on Broadway, while Jones has pursued several separate projects, including a role in a Netflix adaptation of Harlan Coben's Run Away and a forthcoming comedy series titled Better Later, created alongside Steve Speirs.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.
