---
name: "Ruth Jones"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/ruth-jones"
fi1m_id: "ruth-jones"
imdb_id: "nm0429197"
tmdb_id: 192927
wikidata_id: "Q7383058"
roles: ["Actor","Writer"]
born: "22 September 1966"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 9
average_fi1m_score: 74
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 9
updated: "2026-10-07T13:40:07.872521+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Ruth Jones

## Identity

Ruth Jones

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/ruth-jones
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** ruth-jones
- **IMDb ID:** nm0429197
- **TMDB ID:** 192927
- **Wikidata ID:** Q7383058
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Jones, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7383058, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0429197/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/192927

Actor and writer. Born 22 September 1966 in Bridgend, Wales, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Writer
- **Born:** 22 September 1966, Bridgend, Wales, UK
- **Active:** 1999–present
- **Also known as:** Ruth Alexandra Elisabeth Jones
- **Frequently works with:** [Alison Steadman](https://film.one/person/alison-steadman.md), [Matt Lipsey](https://film.one/person/matt-lipsey.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 74, as actor, over 9 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 74 (1), 2000s 74 (6), 2020s 73 (2)
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 2 of 7 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 6, Drama 6, Mystery 1
- **Screen time:** 2 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $28m across 1 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Jones, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7383058, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0429197/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/192927

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Gavin & Stacey*](https://film.one/tv/gavin-and-stacey.md) (80), [*The Other Bennet Sister*](https://film.one/tv/the-other-bennet-sister.md) (78)
- **Netflix:** [*Run Away*](https://film.one/tv/run-away.md) (68)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Ruth Jones

> Ruth Jones makes outspoken women funny without losing their warmth. We rate her in broad comedy and in drama, with a reservation: an engaging performance can only do so much when the writing lets it down.

Ruth Jones can play a brash woman without making her seem incapable of kindness. Nessa Jenkins in *Gavin & Stacey* (2007–2024) is outspoken and loyal, and the affection matters as much as the broad comedy. After *East Is East* (1999) and *Fat Friends* (2000–2005), her breakthrough came with the series she co-wrote with James Corden. She went on to create and star in *Stella* (2012–2017), a comedy-drama set in the Welsh valleys. That history matters when we watch her dramatic work: she knows how to make a character worth staying with.

The move into dramatic television puts that ability to hold our attention to a different test. In *Run Away* (2026), Jones plays Elena Ravenscroft, a private investigator in a mystery whose developments become increasingly hard to believe. We were grateful for her performance because it kept us interested after the twists had begun to lose us. Alongside James Nesbitt, she keeps the series involving, but neither can make the weaker ensemble passages or clichéd dialogue disappear. Across eight episodes, that is a useful contribution, though we would recommend the series chiefly to thriller viewers willing to forgive the plotting.

*The Other Bennet Sister* (2026) is the more rewarding programme, though it again asks Jones to make repetitive writing work, this time as Mary’s mother. She and Tanya Reynolds, as Caroline Bingley, are capable of making the broad comedy watchable. Writers Sarah Quintrell and Maddie Dai keep returning to Mary’s marriageability, however, long after Ella Bruccoleri’s performance has made the embarrassment clear. We could do with fewer of those jokes and more for Jones to play, since making the family so unpleasant leaves little doubt about whom we should support. Try this one for a warm period drama, with the caveat that its sympathy for Mary can make the people around her rather too simple.

## Biography

Ruth Alexandra Elisabeth Jones (born 22 September 1966) is a Welsh actress, comedian, writer and producer. She trained at the University of Warwick, where she studied drama and theatre studies, and at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.

Jones co-wrote and co-starred in the BBC sitcom *Gavin & Stacey* (2007–2010, 2019, 2024) as Nessa Jenkins, for which she won the BAFTA Award for Best Female Comedy Performance in 2025. She also co-wrote and starred in the Sky One comedy-drama *Stella* (2012–2017). Her other television work includes roles in *Fat Friends* (2000–2005), *Little Britain* (2003–2007), *Nighty Night* (2004–2005) and *Saxondale* (2006–2007). She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2014 New Year Honours for services to entertainment.

In 2026 she appeared as Mrs Bennett in the BBC series *The Other Bennet Sister* and as Elena Ravenscroft in the Netflix series *Run Away*.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, bbc.co.uk, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (9)

- *Run Away* (2026), Fi1m 68, as Elena Ravenscroft — [page](https://film.one/tv/run-away.md)
- *The Other Bennet Sister* (2026), Fi1m 78, as Mrs. Bennett — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-other-bennet-sister.md)
- *Little Dorrit* (2008), Fi1m 76, as Flora Finching — [page](https://film.one/tv/little-dorrit.md)
- *Gavin & Stacey* (2007), Fi1m 80, as Vanessa Jenkins — [page](https://film.one/tv/gavin-and-stacey.md)
- *Saxondale* (2006), Fi1m 75, as Magz — [page](https://film.one/tv/saxondale.md)
- *The Street* (2006), Fi1m 74, Actor — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-street.md)
- *Nighty Night* (2004), Fi1m 82, as Linda — [page](https://film.one/tv/nighty-night.md)
- *Little Britain* (2003), Fi1m 58, as Myfanwy — [page](https://film.one/tv/little-britain.md)
- *East Is East* (1999), Fi1m 74, as Peggy — [page](https://film.one/film/east-is-east.md)

## Complete filmography (55)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Rapture* (2026), series, as Mel Thomas
- *The Other Bennet Sister* (2026), series, as Mrs. Bennett — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-other-bennet-sister.md)
- *Run Away* (2026), series, as Elena Ravenscroft — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/run-away.md)
- *Ruth Jones Remembers... Hattie* (2025), Actor
- *Gavin & Stacey: The Finale* (2024), as Vanessa Jenkins · Writer, Executive Producer
- *We Love Gavin and Stacey* (2020), Actor
- *The Big Night In* (2020), as Various Roles
- *Gavin & Stacey: A Special Christmas* (2019), as Nessa Jenkins · Writer
- *Nativity Rocks!* (2018), as Farmer Beatie
- *Eat Locals* (2017), as Mrs. Thatcher
- *Duck Quacks Don't Echo* (2014), series, Actor
- *Us & Them* (2014), series, Original Series Creator
- *Stella* (2012), series, as Stella Morris · Writer, Creator
- *Hattie* (2011), as Hattie Jacques
- *On the Tracks: The Train to the Game* (2011), as Ingrid Crenski
- *The Great Outdoors* (2010), series, as Christine
- *Channel 4's Comedy Gala* (2010), series, Actor
- *On the Tracks* (2009), as Ingrid Crenski · Writer
- *A Child's Christmases in Wales* (2009), as Mum
- *Igam Ogam* (2009), series, Actor
- *Now That’s What I Call Comedy* (2009), as Nesa Jenkins
- *Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special 2008* (2008), as Nessa Jenkins · Producer, Writer
- *Little Dorrit* (2008), series, as Flora Finching — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/little-dorrit.md)
- *Tess of the D'Urbervilles* (2008), series, as Joan Durbeyfield
- *Gavin & Stacey* (2007), series, as Vanessa Jenkins · Producer, Writer, Associate Producer, Creator — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/gavin-and-stacey.md)
- *Little Britain Live* (2006), as Mafanwy
- *Torchwood* (2006), series, as Nikki — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/torchwood.md)
- *I'm with Stupid* (2006), series, as Jean
- *Saxondale* (2006), series, as Magz — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/tv/saxondale.md)
- *The Street* (2006), series, Actor — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-street.md)
- *Mayo* (2006), series, as Cal Andrews
- *Twisted Tales* (2005), series, as Trina
- *Agatha Christie's Marple* (2004), series, as Blenkinsopp
- *The Baby Juice Express* (2004), as Gladys
- *Nighty Night* (2004), series, as Linda — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/nighty-night.md)
- *Little Britain* (2003), series, as Myfanwy — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/tv/little-britain.md)
- *Heartlands* (2003), as Mandy
- *EastEnders: Dot's Story* (2003), as Jenny Morgan
- *Born and Bred* (2002), series, as Ruby Moss
- *The Bench* (2001), series, as Mandy Jenkins
- *Tales from Pleasure Beach* (2001), series, as Amanda
- *Very Annie Mary* (2001), as Complaining Customer
- *Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years* (2001), series, Actor
- *Human Remains* (2000), series, as Elaine
- *Fat Friends* (2000), series, as Kelly Simpson, Kelly Chadwick · Writer
- *East Is East* (1999), as Peggy — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/east-is-east.md)
- *The Theory of Flight* (1999), as Becky
- *Picking Up the Pieces* (1998), series, as Marie
- *Drovers' Gold* (1997), series, as Mary
- *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Rachael Rose — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md)
- *Emma* (1996), as Bates' Maid
- *As Time Goes By* (1992), series, as Gilly
- *Gaynor & Ray*, as Gaynor · Writer
- *The Choir*, series, Executive Producer, Creator
- *Better Later*, series, as Shelley Anne

## Gallery

- ![Ruth Jones as Elena Ravenscroft in Run Away (2026)](https://film.one/media/title/2039/still-c900eb00652f.jpg) Ruth Jones as Elena Ravenscroft in *Run Away* (2026) — Image via TMDB
- ![BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2015](https://film.one/media/person/22228/gallery-37fba9ab0787.jpg) BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2015 — Bryan Ledgard, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/Vanessa_%27Nessa%27_Shanessa_Jenkins_%28Ruth_Jones%29_%2816632550654%29_%28cropped_2%29.jpg/1280px-Vanessa_%27Nessa%27_Shanessa_Jenkins_%28Ruth_Jones%29_%2816632550654%29_%28cropped_2%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2015](https://film.one/media/person/22228/gallery-02e824e6f6e2.jpg) BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2015 — Bryan Ledgard, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/Vanessa_%27Nessa%27_Shanessa_Jenkins_%28Ruth_Jones%29_%2816632550654%29.jpg/1280px-Vanessa_%27Nessa%27_Shanessa_Jenkins_%28Ruth_Jones%29_%2816632550654%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2015](https://film.one/media/person/22228/gallery-abd5ca18b460.jpg) BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2015 — Bryan Ledgard, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a9/Vanessa_%27Nessa%27_Shanessa_Jenkins_%28Ruth_Jones%29_%2816632550654%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Vanessa_%27Nessa%27_Shanessa_Jenkins_%28Ruth_Jones%29_%2816632550654%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Ruth Jones](https://film.one/media/person/22228/gallery-d30cd0d92d4b.jpg) Ruth Jones — Image via TMDB
- ![Ruth Jones](https://film.one/media/person/22228/gallery-6d39298f6d3f.jpg) Ruth Jones — Image via TMDB
- ![Ruth Jones](https://film.one/media/person/22228/gallery-bbef3fa05585.jpg) Ruth Jones — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 1 won

- honorary doctorate 2022: honorary doctorate (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/ruth-jones