Fans of entertainment news Ireland have a fresh reason to pay attention: James Corden and Ruth Jones are teaming up again for a new Apple TV comedy-drama called The Choir. Best known for creating and starring in Gavin and Stacey, the pair are stepping back into a shared project that already has viewers curious about its story, cast and release plans.
The new series sees Corden and Jones play siblings rather than the unforgettable Smithy and Nessa dynamic that made them household names. Early details suggest a mix of emotional family drama, small-town tension and the kind of character-led humour both creators are known for.
What to know about The Choir in entertainment news Ireland
According to the first plot details, The Choir follows brother and sister Ben and Lisa, played by James Corden and Ruth Jones. The siblings have been apart for years, with Lisa remaining in their quiet hometown while Ben left as soon as he could.
He is eventually drawn back home after difficult circumstances force a return to a place he never liked and a family he has grown apart from. That setup points to a comedy-drama with both warmth and conflict, blending reunion, resentment and the awkward familiarity of going back to where it all began.
For audiences who follow Irish entertainment news and broader TV and streaming Ireland updates, this is exactly the sort of high-profile project likely to make early watchlists.
Cast includes major guest stars and familiar faces
The supporting line-up adds even more appeal. Alongside Corden and Jones, The Choir will feature guest appearances from:
- Hannah Waddingham
- James McAvoy
- Jim Broadbent
The wider cast also 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.
That ensemble gives the show a strong dramatic base while leaving room for the comic rhythms viewers expect from these creators. In latest entertainment news Ireland, it is rare for an early announcement to reveal this much star power so quickly.
Who is making the new series?
The Choir is being produced for Apple TV by Various Artists Limited and TidyTwo. Corden and Jones are also executive producers, alongside Phil Clarke and Jack Bayles.
Behind the camera, BAFTA-recognised directors Jennifer Sheridan and Jim Archer are attached to the project. The production backing is notable too, with Various Artists Limited bringing prestige credentials after work on acclaimed television.
For readers tracking Apple TV Ireland, streaming news Ireland and major film and TV Ireland developments, the creative team suggests this series is being positioned as a significant release rather than a minor catalogue addition.
When can viewers watch it?
There is no confirmed premiere date yet, but the series is expected to launch next year on Apple TV. Until then, viewers will have to wait for a trailer, first-look images and more detailed character reveals.
If early interest is anything to go by, The Choir could become one of the more talked-about entries in what to watch Ireland coverage once its release window is locked in.
Why this reunion matters
Corden and Jones built a lasting connection with audiences through sharp writing and emotionally grounded comedy. Their return in a new format gives this project instant weight in entertainment news Ireland and among fans of prestige television.
The big takeaway: The Choir already has the ingredients of a must-watch series, from its family-centred premise to its standout cast and experienced production team. For anyone following entertainment news Ireland, this is one Apple TV project worth keeping firmly on the radar.
