'Extras' features Gervais as Andy Millman, a wannabe actor who is left disgruntled at not landing the big parts as he is stuck in the green room with fellow extras envying the A-list stars.
Each week, the series has a different setting and cameo appearances from guest stars including Samuel L Jackson, Kate Winslet, Ben Stiller, Ross Kemp, Vinnie Jones and Les Dennis.
'The Office' co-writer Stephen Merchant, who usually shuns the limelight, is taking a role in 'Extras' as Andy Millman's agent.
British Comedy Award-winning sketch show 'The Catherine Tate Show' is set to return with new characters as well as the old favourites.
'Absolutely Fabulous' star Joanna Lumley is fronting a new dark comedy series called 'Sensitive Skin', which looks at life through the eyes of a successful couple living in London. 'Holby City' actor Denis Lawson is to co-star.
In factual, one man's quest to start his own country in 'How to Start Your Country' follows 'Random Acts of Kindness' host Danny Wallace as he sets out to prove a political point.
In drama, an adaptation of William Golding's classic 'To the Ends of the Earth' and 'The Strange Case of Sherlock Holmes & Arthur Conan Doyle' headline.
Elsewhere, controversial childrens' programming presenters Dick and Dom, from 'Dick and Dom in Da Bungalow' fame, make the transition to peaktime with 'Ask the Family with Dick and Dom' reinventing the family entertainment quiz show.
The duo have been regularly rapped by TV regulators for their lewd comedy sketches and were even referred to in the House of cOMMONS last year as an example of "dumbed down" TV on the BBC.
Pic: BBC/Ray Burmiston
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic join the debate in the .
.jpg)
.jpg)