Liam Neeson and Helena Bonham Carter

Liam Neeson and Helena Bonham Carter have joined the cast of Ricky Gervais’s next sitcom, Life's Too Short. 

They join a roster of guest stars that already includes Johnny Depp, Steve Carrel, Sting, Cat Deeley, Les Dennis, Keith Chegwin and Sophie Ellis Bexter.

Depp said: ‘Upon its debut, I anticipate an immediate 95 per cent plummet in my domestic earnings. Thank you, for ruining my career.’

The show, which Gervais co-created with Stephen Merchant, is a mockumentary about actor Warwick Davis, who plays conniving, fame-hungry version of himself, running a talent agency, Dwarves For Hire.

Gervais said: ‘If Warwick Davis isn't the comedy sensation of next year I'll eat Johnny Depp's hat.’

The seven-part series goes out on BBC Two from mid-October and on HBO in the States next spring..

Published: 19 Aug 2011