Ruth Jones and James Corden creating 'The Choir' for Apple TV
James Corden and Ruth Jones, the creative minds behind one of Britain’s most beloved sitcoms, Gavin & Stacey, are set to reunite for a brand-new project. According to Deadline, the pair have signed a lucrative multi-million-pound deal with Apple TV to develop The Choir, a fresh comedy-drama series.
The new show will centre on estranged siblings Lis and Ben, who have lived very different lives. Ben has spent years abroad, while Lis has remained in their quiet English hometown. Circumstances force Ben to return to the place – and the sister – he has tried to leave behind, sparking an emotional yet comedic exploration of family ties, unresolved history, and the clash between small-town life and the wider world.
Apple TV has ordered an eight-episode first season, with Corden and Jones not only writing but also serving as executive producers. Industry insiders, including The Sun, suggest the deal could be worth as much as £8 million, highlighting Apple’s confidence in the duo’s proven track record. The Choir is currently slated to premiere on Apple TV+ in 2026.
The announcement comes on the heels of Corden and Jones’s remarkable success with Gavin & Stacey. First airing on BBC Three in 2007 before moving to BBC One, the series became a cultural phenomenon, adored for its mix of sharp comedy, heartfelt storytelling, and instantly quotable moments. The final-ever episode, broadcast on Christmas Day in 2019, drew in over 18 million viewers, making it the UK’s most-watched scripted TV episode of the decade. Its record-breaking ratings reaffirmed the enduring appeal of the series and cemented its place in British television history.
With The Choir, fans and critics alike will be eager to see whether Corden and Jones can capture that same magic in an all-new story for a global streaming audience.