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
