Ruth Jones 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 that she was worried about comparisons to "Gavin and 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.' A second series of "Stella" was filmed in summer 2012 and aired in early 2013. A
Gavin & Stacey surnames of known English serial killers for some of the main characters – Shipman, West and Sutcliffe — was deliberate. In 2009 Ruth Jones commented: "I suppose we were hoping that people wouldn't realise and then when it does come to light, it's even more delicious..." Although the production team received requests, the show declined to use celebrity guests for cameo roles in the 2008 Christmas special. However, both Noel Sullivan and John Prescott made brief cameo appearances at the end of the final series. Both figures had formed the basis of long-running jokes throughout the series. Nessa occasionally refers