Child actor who played Nessa and Smithy’s baby in Gavin and Stacey reprised role nearly ten years on

Child actor who played Nessa and Smithy’s baby in Gavin and Stacey gave up family trip to Florida to film Christmas special nearly ten years on

  • Oscar Hartland first played Nessa and Smithy’s son, Neil the baby, in 2009
  • Fortunately Oscar, from Machen, Caerphilly, has grown into a keen drama star 
  • He jumped at the offer to play the role once again for the Christmas special
  • Oscar said he formed his tightest bond with his on-screen mother Nessa 

A ten-year-old actor who played Nessa and Smithy’s baby in Gavin and Stacey gave up a family holiday in Florida to film the Christmas special a decade on. 

Oscar Hartland, from Machen, Caerphilly, first played Neil the baby, in the third series of the cult BBC show in 2009 before appearing in last night’s special.

Oscar has grown into a music and drama star and jumped at the offer to play the role once again, despite its July filming clashing with his family holiday. 

Oscar said: ‘I would rather film. I didn’t feel I missed out at all. I missed them but I didn’t feel like I missed out.’

Oscar Hartland first played Nessa and Smithy’s son, Neil the baby, in the third series of the cult BBC show in 2009

Oscar reprised his role as Neil the baby for last night's Christmas special of the classic BBC comedy

Oscar reprised his role as Neil the baby for last night’s Christmas special of the classic BBC comedy

Oscar played the part of Neil during a few scenes between episodes two and five of series three, alongside several other babies.

Oscar played the baby – full name Neil Noel Edmunds Smith – and was described as ‘absolutely fantastic’ by James Corden.

And he was delighted to get a shout for the audition – but did not know which part.

He said: ‘Because it is Christmas time they gave me a caroling scene to do.

‘So I had to knock on the door and act really not bothered about it. My mum knew about half an hour after the audition, but I didn’t know until a couple of weeks later.

Oscar played the part of Neil during a few scenes between episodes two and five of series three, alongside several other babies

Oscar played the part of Neil during a few scenes between episodes two and five of series three, alongside several other babies

Fortunately Oscar has grown into a music and drama star and jumped at the offer to play the role once again, despite its July filming clashing with his family holiday

Fortunately Oscar has grown into a music and drama star and jumped at the offer to play the role once again, despite its July filming clashing with his family holiday

‘I thought I was playing that small part, but then my mum said I was playing Neil. Oh my god. I couldn’t contain myself.

‘It’s so cool. There are no words I can use to describe how cool it is to be on set with everyone. Meeting everyone was the best part and working with them was just as good.’

‘It was unbelievable thinking I would meet Rob Brydon, Joanna Page, James Corden, Matthew Horne – it’s so cool.’

But Oscar said he formed his tightest bond with his on-screen mother Nessa.

He performed the majority of his scenes with Ruth Jones and found he performed naturally in her company.

Oscar played the baby - full name Neil Noel Edmunds Smith - and was described as 'absolutely fantastic' by James Corden

Oscar played the baby – full name Neil Noel Edmunds Smith – and was described as ‘absolutely fantastic’ by James Corden

He performed the majority of his scenes with Ruth Jones and found he performed naturally in her company

James Corden and Ruth Jones presented Oscar with a signed picture frame

He performed the majority of his scenes with Ruth Jones and found he performed naturally in her company (pictured: a signed picture frame given to him by his co-stars)

‘It’s really believable that we are a family,’ Oscar said. ‘You could tell. Everyone was laughing. Joanna Page was laughing about it.’

Oscar and his family watched the Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special at home with a big party to celebrate.

‘Hopefully I get another job,’ Oscar said. ‘I would love to do more work or filming. My favourite movie is Star Wars and if I was in Star Wars – that would be top.’ 

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