Gervais show gets second series on US TV

Gervais and his friends have been given an animated makeover

The Ricky Gervais Show has been recommissioned for a second series on US TV by broadcaster HBO.

The first run of the animation, created by Gervais, Stephen Merchant and their friend and producer Karl Pilkington, first aired on the network in February.

The show, based on Gervais's comedy podcasts, has yet to be shown in the UK but is due to be aired on Channel 4 from 23 April.

The second series is expected to be screened in the US next year.

Film collaboration

"With this second series we would have already done as many episodes as The Office and Extras put together," said Gervais.

"This can run and run as long as Karl remains a global village idiot," he added.

Michael Lombardo, a president at HBO, said the channel was happy to bring the show back for a second series.

"Ricky's hilarious show has sparked a loyal and enthusiastic following that is growing steadily throughout the season," he said.

Gervais and Merchant's first film collaboration, Cemetery Junction, will be released in the UK on 7 April. The pair previously wrote and directed the hit TV comedies The Office and Extras.

Cemetery Junction, set in the 1970s, is about three young men, one of whom dreams of escaping his small town lifestyle.