Warwick Davis plays a needy, self-important version of himself running a talent agency for little people while scrambling for acting work. The BBC Two series follows him through divorce negotiations, tax arrears and humiliating auditions, all captured by a documentary crew. Gervais and Merchant appear as callous versions of themselves, refusing his pleas for help and offering barbed advice from their luxurious offices.
Celebrity cameos arrive to be embarrassed. Liam Neeson attempts improvised comedy with excruciating results, Johnny Depp plots revenge on Gervais during a Pirates photocall, and Helena Bonham Carter endures Davis stalking her on set. The humour mines height for cringe comedy, yet the sharpest jokes target vanity and fading fame rather than stature.
Seven episodes aired in 2011, followed by a 2013 special concluding with Davis accepting a job as comptroller of Star Wars conventions. Created by Davis, Gervais and Merchant, the show reused the celebrity-extras format of Extras but drew smaller audiences and mixed reviews for its tone. Davis later admitted the portrayal damaged his public image.
Production Details
BBC Two / 1 Season / 7 Episodes / 2011
Created by: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Warwick Davis
Showrunner(s): Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais, Mark Freeland
Writer(s): Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Producer(s): Charlie Hanson
Main Cast
Warwick Davis as Warwick Davis
Ricky Gervais as Ricky Gervais
Stephen Merchant as Stephen Merchant
Shaun Williamson as Shaun Williamson
Rosamund Hanson as Cheryl
Steve Brody as Accountant
Jo Enright as Sue
Les Dennis as Les Dennis
Kiruna Stamell as Amy
Jon Key as Anthony
Matthew Holness as Ian
Liam Neeson as Liam Neeson
