Bowie and Chris Martin to star in Extras' second series

by Alex Donohue, Brand Republic 09-Jun-06, 09:00

LONDON - The second series of Ricky Gervais' BBC comedy series 'Extras' will feature a host of high-profile cameos, including David Bowie, Coldplay's Chris Martin, Orlando Bloom and Sir Ian McKellen, when it is broadcast later this year.

The show's first series, which is based around Gervais' character Andy Millman, a struggling actor who is "the star of the show, who is never star of the show", featured guest appearances from Hollywood star Kate Winslet, Samuel L Jackson and Ross Kemp among others.

The BBC said that 'Harry Potter' actor Daniel Radcliffe is also slated to appear, as well as novelist-turned feminist commentator and 'Celebrity Big Brother' contestant Germaine Greer.

The line-up for the second series, which is co-written by Gervais and writing partner Stephen Merchant, will also include 'The Avengers' actress Diana Rigg, news presenter Moira Stewart, and comedians Richard Briers, Ronnie Corbett and Stephen Fry.

The corporation confirmed that filming for 'Extras' began earlier in the week, but specific plot lines were not being discussed.

The first series of 'Extras' picked up two prizes at the Rose d'Or TV awards in April for best sitcom, and best sitcom actress for Ashley Jensen, who plays Gervais' sidekick Maggie Jacobs.

The show was nominated for two Baftas in March, but missed out to Armando Iannucci's political satire 'The Thick of It' in the best sitcom category.

Channel 4 signed up Gervais in April for a four-part series, 'Ricky Gervais Meets', where he will interview his comedy heroes, including Garry Shandling of 'The Larry Sanders Show', and 'This is Spinal Tap''s Christopher Guest. The show screens later in the month.

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