Heartwarming reason James Corden and Ruth Jones 'turned down huge Netflix deal' for Gavin and Stacey finale
James Corden and Ruth Jones, the stars and creators of Gavin and Stacey, reportedly turned down Netflix for the show's finale, feeling that they've made the "right decision" to keep it on the BBC. The exciting news, announced this week, revealed that the beloved sitcom will return for its "finale" this Christmas, airing on BBC One.
This follows the latest festive special episode of the BAFTA-winning series that had aired on the channel in 2019. Earlier in the year, there was talk of a potential "bidding war" between the BBC and Netflix over the show's future episodes.
Seemingly referring to the speculation, Ruth, 57, had previously discussed it before the announcement. Now it seems clear that she and James, 45, who play Nessa and Smithy on the show, think they have made the "right decision" by returning to the BBC.
This is where all three series of Gavin and Stacey, along with its two specials, have been broadcast since the show's debut in 2007. A source had revealed to the Sun that Netflix did hold conversations with the creators about the upcoming episode but the pair apparently "went with their hearts" and chose the BBC.
An insider said the streaming giant "threw everything at them" to nab the special episode, revealing: "James, Ruth and the team were effectively offered a multi-million pound one-off deal, and were promised it would open the show up to a whole new international audience. Obviously it was tempting, but they felt Gavin and Stacey belonged to the BBC - and the nation, really," reports the Mirror.
The source also dished: "The optics wouldn't have been great had they 'sold out' so they went with their hearts, not the cash."
They added that the squad are "happy" knowing the "right decision" has been made for the upcoming episode.
James dropped the bombshell that the beloved series is making a comeback in an Instagram post on Friday. He uploaded a black-and-white snap of him and Ruth holding up a script for the episode, which is penned by the duo and tentatively titled 'Gavin and Stacey: the finale'.
His caption spilled the exciting news: "Some news... It's official!!! We have finished writing the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey.
"See you on Christmas Day, BBC One. Love Ruth and James."
The much-loved BBC sitcom first hit screens from 2007 to 2010 and made a smashing return with a Christmas special in 2019, leaving viewers hanging with an unresolved proposal. The anticipation is now through the roof with confirmation that the show will grace our screens once more this year for a final hurrah.
