Gervais lands part in US spy thriller

Ricky Gervais is to appear in American spy thriller Alias as a baddie.

He landed the part because the creator of the drama, JJ Abrams, is a fan of The Office.

Gervais says his character will be a "juicy, horrible, evil" villain, tailored to fit his low-key David Brent persona.

"A good bad guy doesn't have to be arch, over-the-top, moustache-twirly," Abrams told America's TV Guide magazine.

"A good bad guy needs to be smart. And certainly, Ricky is smart."

Gervais is scheduled to record his guest role early next year.

Alias, which stars Jennifer Garner as sexy, teenage chameleon-like secret agent Sydney Bristow is screened on ABC in the States and Five in the UK.

Published: 1 Nov 2003