Pilkington and Gervais star in Derek
Ricky Gervais’ comedy drama, Derek, has been commissioned by Channel 4, it has been confirmed.
One episode of the show, starring Gervais as care home worker Derek Noakes, was broadcast by the Channel in April and received the highest audience figures for a scripted comedy in nearly two years.
Head of Comedy at Channel 4, Shane Allen, said of the news:
“The pilot triggered an amazing response and Derek’s story had only just begun so it’s brilliant that we can explore this world and its beautifully drawn characters across a series”
Gervais, 50, also commented:
“David Brent [of The Office] was an egotistical, failed musician and the most annoying man in the world.
“Derek is a 50 year old man with bad hair and clothes, whose best friend is a whinging bald Manc twonk. Where do I get my ideas from?”
Derek follows the lives of a “group of outsiders living of societies margins” and stars Karl Pilkington as landlord, Dougie and Kerry Godliman as a care worker at the home.
The series will again be written and directed by Gervais and is set to air next year.
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