Gaynor & Ray to air as a Comedy Playhouse pilot

The BBC has confirmed the new one-off comedy-drama that reunites Gavin & Stacey stars Ruth Jones and Rob Brydon.

In Gaynor & Ray, the long-term friends play two fifty-something newlyweds, both married for a second time. Gaynor’s first marriage ended when she discovered her husband was unfaithful (multiple times); Ray’s first marriage ended because he was ‘impossible to live with’ (or so his ex-wife never tires of telling him). 

Jones wrote the 35-minute special with her real-life husband David Peet, and it will be made by their production company Tidy Productions.

It has been commissioned as a  Comedy Playhouse for broadcast on BBC One.

In a statement, the couple said: ‘We’re delighted to watch Gaynor & Ray come to life on screen. Through them we get to see the male and female take on life and relationships as well as the nonsense in the day-to-day.’

Gregor Sharp, commissioning editor for the BBC added: ‘Ruth and David’s portrait of the ups and downs of a new relationship is full of warmth, wit and wisdom and is brilliantly performed by the laugh out loud combination of Ruth and Rob, a match made in comedy heaven. We can’t wait for everyone to see it."’

Previous Comedy Playhouses for BBC One have led to series commissions for the likes of King Gary and Mister Winner.

Reports about  Gaynor & Ray emerged earlier this year when it was being filmed on location in the Scottish Highlands and South Wales.

Jones and Brydon have been friends since their schooldays in Porthcawl and went on to attend the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.

Made by: Tidy Productions
Created and written by: Ruth Jones and David Peet
Commissioned by: Tanya Qureshi, head of comedy at the BBC
Producer: Sarah Fraser
Director: Sandy Johnson
Executive producers: David Peet and Rhys John
Commissioning editor: Gregor Sharp.  

Published: 25 Aug 2021