Gervais will not star in US remake

Ricky Gervais will not be repeating his role as David Brent in the American version of The Office.

He will instead acting a script consultant and executive producer on the remake.

However, if the show takes off, it could make millionaires him and co-creator Stephen Merchant, who is also acting as executive producer, millionaires.

The pair have just returned from the States where they have thrashed out script ideas for the transatlantic remake, which will be set in Los Angeles - not New York as first thought.

A spokesman told MediaGuardian: "The point of the LA meeting was for Ricky and Stephen to meet US writers from shows such as Malcolm in the Middle, King of the Hill and Seinfeld, which they think shared similar sensibilities and help start the hunt to find the new David Brent."

The original BBC2 version of The Office has been aired on cable channel BBC America in January, attracting positive reviews.

Published: 10 Mar 2003