Connections Gavin & Stacey by DJ Forrest

Gavin and Stacey was a British television comedy series which ran for three years on the BBC, and is currently on Netflix, where my family have binge watched the entire boxset over and over, backwards and forwards, for over twelve months, still finding hilarities in episodes that have been played back more than thrice. It stars Mathew Horne and Joanna Page as Gavin, an English office worker, and Stacey an ice cream and coffee seller on Barry Island pleasure beach, and the intertwined lives of those between London and Wales. It was written by Ruth Jones (Torchwood, Adrift) and James Corden (Doctor Who, Closing Time, The Lodger), and stars a host of familiar actors from the world of Who.

As a tribute to a wonderful Welsh actress, who has played some cracking characters over the years, and will be missed by many, we’ve dedicated this particular Connections to Helen Griffin, who played Rita the Toll Woman in one particular episode.

We’ve done the research, so you don’t have to.

Cast & Crew

Writers

James Corden was creator of 20 episodes from 2007-2010. Was also associate producer for 18 episodes from 2007 - 2009, as well as playing Smithy in the series. James also played Craig Owens in Doctor Who for two episodes with Matt Smith's Doctor - The Lodger in 2010 and Closing Time in 2011. He was also uncredited in a tv mini series short - Night and the Doctor episode Up All Night in 2011.

Ruth Jones the second half of the writing team and creator of the full 20 episodes from 2007-2010, was also associate producer for 18 episodes from 2007 - 2009, who also played Nessa in the series, played Nikki, Mum to Jonah Bevan in the Torchwood episode Adrift in 2008.

Cast 

Joanna Page played Stacey for 20 episodes from 2007-2010. Played Elizabeth 1 in Doctor Who episode The Day of the Doctor in 2013. 

Margaret John played Doris for 8 episodes from 2007-2010. Played Grandma Connolly in Doctor Who episode The Idiot's Lantern in 2006.

Adrian Scarborough played Pete for 7 episodes from 2007-2009. Played Kahler-Jex in Doctor Who episode A Town Called Mercy and in The Making of the Gunslinger although uncredited in this episode, both in 2012.

Russell Tovey played Budgie for 4 episodes from 2007-2009. Played Midshipman Frame in Doctor Who episodes Voyage of the Damned in 2007 and returned for part two of The End of Time in 2010, sitting beside Captain Jack Harkness at the bar of a space cantina, as a gift to Jack from the Doctor!!! Tovey also appeared in the Doctor Who Confidential episode Allons-y in 2010 and in Doctor Who Greatest Moments in The Doctor episode in 2009.

Steve Meo played Owain Hughes for 3 episodes in 2009. Played Josh in Torchwood episode Random Shoes in 2006.

Samuel Anderson played Fingers for 3 episodes from 2007-2009. Probably better known for his role as Danny Pink for 11 episodes of Doctor Who in 2014.

William Thomas played the Vicar for 3 episodes from 2007-2010. Played Geraint Wyn Cooper for 6 episodes of Torchwood from 2008 - 2011. Played Mr Cleaver in Doctor Who episode Boom Town in 2005.

Jason Gregg played Gary for 3 episodes from 2007-2009. Played Human Dalek uncredited in the Doctor Who episode Evolution of the Dalek in 2007.

Edna Doré played Edna for 2 episodes from 2008-2009. Played Maeve in Doctor Who episode Fear Her in 2006.

Wayne Cater played Huw Davies for 1 episode in 2009. Played Stage Manager in Doctor Who episode The Unquiet Dead in 2005.

Joseph Long played Bepe for 1 episode in 2008. Played The Pope in Doctor Who episode Extremis in 2017, and played Rocco Colasanto in Turn Left in 2008.

Anthony O'Donnell played Ted for 1 episode in 2008. Played Kaagh in SJA episodes Enemy of the Bane parts 1 & 2 and The Last Sontaran parts 1 & 2 in 2008. 

Matt Lucas played Jammy for 1 episode in 2007. Played Nardole for 15 episodes of Doctor Who from 2015 - 2017.

Helen Griffin played Rita the Toll Woman for 1 episode in 2008. Played Mrs Moore in Doctor Who episodes Rise of the Cybermen and The Age of Steel in 2006. She also appeared uncredited in Journey's End episode in 2008. Helen Griffin died on 29th June 2018 aged 59.

Ian Hughes played PC Thomas for 1 episode in 2008. Played Knibbs in Doctor Who episode Empress of Mars in 2017. Played Ralph Finch in Torchwood: The Gathering, part of the Miracle Day story. 

Rhodri Lewis played bouncer Nev for 1 episode in 2009. Played Johnny Davies in five episodes of Torchwood Series 3: Children of Earth in 2009.

Helen Hughes played Patient, uncredited for 2 episodes from 2007-2008. Played an uncredited Nurse in SJA episode Eye of the Gorgon part 1 in 2007.

Alan David played Griff uncredited from 1 episode in 2007. Played Gabriel Sneed in Doctor Who episode The Unquiet Dead in 2005.

Robert Stone played Ralph uncredited for 1 episode in 2007. Played a Goth Man in Everything Changes, uncredited in 2006, and Bouncer in Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang in 2008.

Philippa Burt played an Air Hostess uncredited for 1 episode in 2008. Played a Dweller in Torchwood episode Adrift in 2008.

Aaron Fisher played an uncredited Office Worker for 1 episode in 2009. Played a Satellite Five Patient in Doctor Who episode The Long Game in 2005 and a Theatre Spectator in The Unquiet Dead episode also in the same year.

Film Editing

Liana Del Giudice was film editor for 20 episodes from 2007-2010. Was editor for 6 episodes of Doctor Who from 2005 - 2013.

Makeup Department

Kate Roberts was makeup designer for 13 episodes from 2007-2008. Was make up and hair designer for 4 episodes of SJA in 2008. Was makeup and hair designer for 3 episodes of Doctor Who in 2008 but uncredited, and make up supervisor for 5 episodes of Torchwood in 2008, makeup artist for 4 episodes from 2006 - 2007 and make up-artist for 2 episodes in 2006.

Claire Pritchard was makeup artist for 5 episodes in 2007. Was makeup designer for 14 episodes of Doctor Who from 2014 - 2018, makeup artist for 9 episodes from 2005 - 2006, and makeup supervisor for 1 episode in 2013. Was makeup supervisor for 14 episodes of Torchwood from 2006 - 2008, makeup designer for 7 episodes in 2011, make-up designer for 2 episodes in 2011, make-up supervisor for 2 episodes in 2006. Check out our interview with Claire a few years ago!

Hayley Watkins was makeup trainee for 5 episodes in 2007. Was makeup artist for Torchwood episodes Captain Jack Harkness and End of Days in 2007.

Nel Blatt was makeup artist for 5 episodes in 2009. Was makeup artist for 5 episodes of Torchwood Children of Earth in 2009.

Anwen Davies was makeup artist for 5 episodes in 2009. Was makeup artist for 13 episodes of Doctor Who from 2005 - 2006.

Elin Rhiannon was makeup artist for 1 episode in 2008. Was makeup artist for Torchwood episode End of Days in 2007. Was makeup artist for Doctor Who episode The Snowmen in 2012.

Steve Williams was makeup artist for 1 episode in 2008. Was makeup artist for 8 episodes of Doctor Who in 2005, and makeup supervisor for 1 episode in 2013.

Production Management

Beccy Jones was unit manager for 13 episodes from 2008-2009. Was unit manager for 2 episodes of Doctor Who from 2016 - 2017 and production manager for 1 episode in 2008.

Was location manager for 1 episode of Doctor Who in 2011.

Art Department

Alex Robertson was prop hand / assistant art director / dressing props / properties for 14 episodes from 2008-2010. Worked in the Art Department on Doctor Who for 16 episodes from 2005 - 2006 uncredited.

Dewi Thomas was prop hand for 7 episodes in 2008. Was props chargehand for 3 episodes of Torchwood from 2006 - 2007. Was stand-by props for 1 episode of Doctor Who in 2011 and props master for Doctor Who episode Blink in 2007.

Sound Department

Matt Stronge was sound editor for 5 episodes in 2007. Was dubbing mixer for Doctor Who: The Ultimate Guide documentary in 2013.

Stunts

Rod Woodruff was stunt coordinator for 1 episode in 2008. Was stunt coordinator for Doctor Who episodes Rose and World War Three in 2005. Appeared in Torchwood Declassified episode Dead Man Walking as himself in 2006.

Camera and Electrical Department

Sam Horsefield was best boy / electrician for 17 episodes from 2007-2009. Was electrician for 10 episodes of Torchwood from 2006 - 2007.

Adrian Rogers was still photographer for 6 episodes in 2007. Was stills photographer for 11 episodes of Doctor Who in 2014, was still photographer for 10 episodes from 2011 - 2013.

Was still photographer for 10 episodes of Torchwood from 2006 - 2007.

Dai Hopkins was grip for 5 episodes in 2009. Was grip for 3 episodes of Doctor Who from 2006 - 2011. Was grip for the Doctor Who TV Short Music of the Spheres in 2008.  Was grip for 8 episodes of Torchwood from 2006 - 2007.

Costume and Wardrobe Department

Kat Willis was costume supervisor for 6 episodes from 2009-2010. Was costume supervisor for 3 episodes of Doctor Who from 2016 - 2017.

Location Management

Clive Evans was location manager for 5 episodes in 2007. Was location manager for 5 episodes of Doctor Who in 2005.

Iwan Roberts was location manager for 5 episodes in 2009. Was location manager for 28 episodes of Doctor Who from 2010 - 2017. Was location manager for SJA episode Enemy of the Bane part 1 in 2008. Was assistant location manager for Torchwood episode Adam in the same year.

Charlie Coombes was runner: dailies but uncredited for 4 episodes from 2009-2010. Was production assistant for 14 episodes of Doctor Who from 2010 - 2011.