Work starts on new episode

Ricky Gervais’s plans for another episode of Extras have taken another step forward – after Stephen Merchant agreed to take part.

This week Gervais said he wanted to another Christmas special – but thought that co-writer and co-star Stephen Merchant would take some convincing.

In a magazine interview, he said: ‘The truth is I have an idea for one more Extras, which would work best as another Christmas special. I think it would be funny to see Andy trying to make it in Hollywood. The problem is, I don't think Stephen Merchant wants to do it. But I reckon he will if I insist.’

But it turns out that Merchant, too, wants the show to return – so Gervais has now started writing it.

On his blog, Gervais wrote: ‘Steve must have seen the thing in the press about me thinking about doing another Extras special.

‘He's in LA at the moment but the story that went out across America was that, although I would consider it, I thought Steve would take some convincing.

‘Well I got an email today from him saying he's up for it. I started work on it immediately. Does anyone know Al Pacino?

Published: 23 Oct 2008