Biography
An actor, comedian, writer and producer, Ruth Jones is as well known for her portrayal of Nessa on the award-winning Gavin & Stacey as she is for her bestselling novels. Born in 1966, Jones was passionate about the theatre and acting from a young age. After graduating from the University Of Warwick with a degree in Theatre Studies & The Dramatic Arts, she performed in many theatre productions and briefly considered becoming a solicitor when she found herself out of work.
In 1991 she made her first of many television appearances; she went on to star in shows such as Fat Friends, Saxondale, Little Britain and Nighty Night, but she was propelled to stardom in 2007 after co-writing and starring in the BAFTA award-winning Gavin & Stacey. Jones also appeared in several BBC dramas, including Little Dorrit, Tess Of The D’Urbervilles, The Great Outdoors and Hattie.
In 2018, after a bidding war between 10 publishers, Jones published her first novel, Never Greener. Based on a screenplay she’d written over a decade earlier, it explores second chances, the nature of regret and the dangers of living in the past. It quickly became a Sunday Times bestseller, remaining at the number one spot for two consecutive weeks.
Her second novel, Us Three, tells the story of three women, best friends since primary school, who find their friendship tested when faced with the complications, secrets and disappointments of adulthood. Us Three also topped the bestsellers charts, as did her third novel, Love Untold, a multi-generational family drama that deals with the complex relationship between mothers and daughters.
Candid and comforting, bittersweet and heartwarming, Ruth Jones’ novels explore the realities of everyday life, the complicated dynamics of relationships and the power of female friendships.
