Kate Winslet is to appear in Ricky Gervais's follow-up to The Office.

The Oscar-nominated Titanic star is the second Hollywood name to sign up for Extras, as Jude Law has already agreed to a cameo.

The sitcom, co-written with his usual writing partner Stephen Merchant, sees Gervais playing cocky film extra Andy Millman.

Winslet – who, like Gervais, was born in Reading - and Law will play exaggerated versions of themselves, while the comedy concentrates on the no-hope extras.

Gervais said: “It's great to have Kate Winslet and Jude Law on board as we have so few British people who have made it big in Hollywood, but these are two who have.

"I can't believe people like Kate, Jude and Matt want to work with me - it's great.

Gervais has previously said of his new creation: "He's cocky, confident and knows exactly where he is in life. His failure is that he avoids trying in case he fails - the complete opposite of Brent.

"I think there's a lot of mileage in this character. I've always liked wisecracking. I want this to be a throwback. I was brought up on characters like Bilko, and Bob Hope They laughed in the face of adversity and were full of wicked put-downs."

Gervais has also agreed to take a part opposite Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible III.