The series was signed by HBO after BBC Worldwide made the decision not to broadcast the series on BBC America, which gets comparitively low audiences of around 2m while HBO receives up to 10m for hit shows like 'The Sopranos' or other hits such as 'Six Feet Under'.
The series, which will air on BBC Two this summer, sees 'The Office''s Gervais play a long-time struggling acting extra convinced he is destined for bigger and better things.
It was co-written by Gervais and 'Office' co-creator Stephen Merchant, is due to air next year and will feature a host of A-list celebrities, including 'Pulp Fiction' actor Samuel L Jackson and 'Finding Neverland' and 'Titantic' actress Kate Winslet, playing twisted versions of themselves.
'Cold Mountain' actor Jude Law, who was set to star in the series, has pulled out at the last minute although there is talk of him appearing at a later date. Gervais replaced the 'Alfie' heart-throb with Shakespearean actor and 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' and 'X-Men' star Patrick Stewart.
Also set to appear is 'Meet the Parents' and 'Starsky and Hutch' comedian Ben Stiller, and Merchant who plays Gervais' on-screen agent.
Gervais, who won two Golden Globes for 'The Office' in the US, said: "It's an honour to be on the same channel that gave us 'The Sopranos' and they made me an offer I couldn't refuse."
Carolyn Strauss, president of HBO, said: "Ricky Gervais is one of the most original comic voices working today. HBO is extremely proud to join with the BBC in bringing his new show to America."
It is unclear how much HBO paid for the series, but Five reportedly paid in the region of £500,000 an episode of US comedy series 'Joey'.
'Extras' builds on the BBC's long-standing relationship with HBO that has seen previous successful co-production partnerships, which include the upcoming series 'Rome', as well as the HBO Films presentations 'Dirty War' and 'The Gathering Storm'.
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