Parents' Guide to

Gavin and Stacey

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Romantic comedy has too much racy stuff for young kids.

TV BBC America Comedy 2008
Gavin and Stacey Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 16+

Based on 2 parent reviews

emily5678
emily5678 Adult
April 17, 2020
age 18+

it is so good

so do try this app

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Jane Austen fan
Jane Austen fan Parent of 16-year-old
September 14, 2009
age 14+

This title has:

Too much sex
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

GAVIN AND STACEY is a British comedy series that dramatizes the highs and lows of falling -- and staying -- in love. After six months of getting to know each other through phone calls, Gavin (Mathew Horne) and Stacey (Joanna Page) finally meet face to face and confirm their mutual attraction. Everything seems meant to be, and the two start planning their life together, but it's not long before the proverbial curveballs are hurled into their path. Only time will tell whether their love for each other is enough to see them through life's uncertainties -- and the discrepancies between their personalities (and families).

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (8):

It's no accident that this engaging series garnered multiple awards since it premiered in the UK in May 2007. The characters are relatable, the story is believable, the cast is superb, and the writing has a freshness that's surprising in the often-clichéd romantic comedy genre. Unlike other series that overplay romance for the sake of drama, writers Ruth Jones and James Corden -- who also co-star as Stacey and Gavin's quirky best friends, Nessa and Smithy -- simply tell the story of two romantics who find each other and are convinced that that's all they need to be happy.

But for all the refreshing simplicity that Gavin and Stacey offers grown-up viewers, it's equally full of stuff that's not suitable for kids -- even some teens. Sexual content is extensive and fairly graphic; while there's no actual intercourse, there's plenty of everything else, including references to threesomes and other bedroom habits, nude shots of men's butts, suggestive foreplay (kissing, butt slapping, crotch grabbing, etc.), and unmistakable sounds through bedroom walls. Plus, the characters drink and smoke habitually. Still, once the kids are out of the way, adults will be entertained by the show's take on modern-day romance and the challenges that couples face when they commit to each other.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the real-life consequences of the kind of things the characters on this show do, from drinking to casual sex.

  • Which shows do you know of that glamorize playing the field and "hooking up"? Does that come across as more exciting than being part of a happy, faithful couple? Why or why not? How do you think love and marriage are typically portrayed in the media?

TV Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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