James Corden and Ruth Jones have revealed the full cast of The Choir, their upcoming Apple TV series, including Hannah Waddingham, James McAvoy and Jim Broadbent as guest stars.
The show follows brother and sister Ben and Lisa, played by Corden and Jones. They have not seen each other in several years. Ben has been living abroad, while Lisa has stayed in their small English town, where nothing ever happens. When events take a sorry turn, Ben is forced to return to a life he never wanted, a town he never liked and a family from which he is estranged.
The Full Ensemble
The series features a deep ensemble beyond the leads. That includes Tom Davis, Rosie Sheehy, Susan Brown, Jason Watkins, David Harewood, Alexandria Riley, Sylvestra Le Touzel, Tom Edden, Gary Lamont, Emily Lloyd-Saini, Stephen Leask, Luiis Rouf, Jo Foster, Evie Jones and Farrah Abbassy.
The Production Team
The Choir is produced for Apple TV by Various Artists Limited and TidyTwo. Jones runs TidyTwo, and Corden’s company Fulwell Entertainment has been involved in his past work. This production arrangement differs from Gavin & Stacey, which was made by Steve Coogan’s Baby Cow and Corden’s Fulwell Entertainment.
Phil Clarke, Jack Bayles, Jones and Corden serve as executive producers. Jennifer Sheridan and Jim Archer are set to direct, and both are BAFTA nominees.
The Guest Stars
Waddingham recently landed global recognition for her role in Ted Lasso, which just launched Season 4. McAvoy is a BAFTA winner. Broadbent has an Oscar to his name.
What Happens in the Story
The plot centers on a family crisis that forces Ben back home. He returns to a town he left behind and a family he has grown distant from.
The Apple TV Lineup
The Choir is the latest project from Corden and Jones since Gavin & Stacey ended two years ago. That sitcom concluded as the UK’s most-watched show of 2024. The new series continues their partnership while moving to a new platform.
The Creative Team
The show’s creative team spans directors, producers and writers. Here is how the key roles break down:
- Executive producers: Phil Clarke, Jack Bayles, Ruth Jones, James Corden
- Directors: Jennifer Sheridan, Jim Archer (BAFTA nominees)
- Producers: Various Artists Limited, TidyTwo
Our View
The cast list reads like a wish list for anyone who loves British television. Waddingham, McAvoy and Broadbent bring serious weight to guest roles, and the ensemble around them is packed with talent.
The move to Apple TV is notable too. Corden and Jones are stepping outside the Baby Cow/Fulwell orbit that built Gavin & Stacey. Working with Various Artists Limited and Jones’ own TidyTwo marks a departure from their usual production arrangements.
The show has rolled cameras and will air next year. The wait will test whether the chemistry between Corden and Jones translates to a new setting.
The Choir looks like a strong bet for fans of the duo’s earlier work. The guest stars alone justify attention, and the central story promises the kind of domestic chaos that made Gavin & Stacey a hit.
Source material: “James Corden & Ruth Jones’ Apple Show ‘The Choir’ Reveals Cast & Guest Stars Hannah Waddingham, James McAvoy & Jim Broadbent,” Deadline.
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