For the first time since the finale of "Gavin & Stacey," Ruth Jones and James Corden are back together on screen. Their new series, "The Choir," is being produced for Apple TV and tells the story of two estranged siblings and a choir in a small English town. It is scheduled to premiere worldwide in 2027.
Apple has announced the comedy-drama series in an announcement from Apple TV. "The Choir" comprises eight episodes, is already in production, and is set to be released worldwide on Apple TV in 2027. Apple has not yet named an exact release date.
Jones and Corden wrote the series, play the lead roles, and are also executive producers. Apple TV has been showing the BBC comedy "Small Prophets" since October; "The Choir" is their first original British production.
Key Facts at a Glance
- "The Choir" is the first collaboration between Ruth Jones and James Corden since "Gavin & Stacey: The Finale".
- The series has eight episodes and is scheduled to launch worldwide on Apple TV in 2027.
- Hannah Waddingham, James McAvoy and Jim Broadbent make guest appearances.
- In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Apple TV is not included in iCloud+ and must be subscribed to separately.
What "The Choir" is about
Siblings Ben and Lisa haven't seen each other in years. Ben, played by Corden, has been living abroad, while Lisa, played by Jones, has stayed in her small English town. When things take a tragic turn, Ben is forced to return to a life he never wanted, a town he never liked, and a family he's broken with.
Whether the rift between the siblings can be mended will be decided in a place no one expects: a struggling local choir whose members sing with complete devotion every week.
The ensemble and the guests
The ensemble includes Tom Davis ("Wonka"), Rosie Sheehy, Susan Brown ("Mr Bates vs The Post Office"), Jason Watkins, David Harewood ("Homeland"), and Alexandria Riley, who is already a familiar face at Apple TV from "Silo." In addition to the two lead actors, Apple names a total of 15 people in the main ensemble.
Three prominent names appear in guest roles: Hannah Waddingham, who won an Emmy for "Ted Lasso," James McAvoy ("Split"), and Oscar winner Jim Broadbent ("Iris"). Jennifer Sheridan and Jim Archer direct, and the series is produced by Various Artists Limited and TidyTwo.
A proven duo in front of a new audience
I consider this project a safe bet for Apple, at least in the UK. Jones and Corden shaped this exact blend of family, small-town life, and heart over the years with "Gavin & Stacey," and Apple itself describes the finale as a record-breaker. Waddingham also brings the connection to "Ted Lasso," one of Apple's multiple Emmy-winning comedies.
In this region, there is an additional practical hurdle: anyone who wants to watch the series needs a separate subscription, because the Apple TV bundle in iCloud+ does not apply to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. What's on in the meantime is shown in the overview of Apple TV highlights in October.
Are you familiar with "Gavin & Stacey," or would "The Choir" be your first series by Jones and Corden? Let us know in the comments if the cast has already won you over.
