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| ROCK legend David Bowie is among an amazing galaxy of stars appearing in the new series of Ricky Gervais’s hit show Extras, The Sun can reveal. Hollywood A-list hunk Orlando Bloom, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe also have roles in the comedy. In one episode Ricky — as TV and film extra Andy Millman — even puckers up for a GAY KISS with Da Vinci Code actor Sir Ian McKellen. Ricky, 44, had a host of celebrities begging for bit parts — playing themselves — in the second series of the show. He wanted to keep the names under wraps until filming finishes in late summer — but we got hold of the top-secret cast list. Bowie, 59, has already filmed his episode — in which he sings. The singer, famed for hits like Ashes To Ashes and Starman, is shown in a private members’ club — where Andy (Ricky) is desperate to meet him. He bribes his way into the VIP area, but is asked to leave as Bowie bursts into song. In the gay kiss scene, Sir Ian tells terrified Andy to smooch with him for a play — and later calls a flunky to bring him VASELINE. Hunky Pirates of the Caribbean star Bloom, 29, plays a character desperate to date Extras’ unlucky-in-love Maggie (Ashley Jensen) — but she spurns him. An insider said last night: “Orlando demands she kiss him — but she refuses and he’s incensed. He’s not used to being treated like that. It’s brilliant — Orlando totally sends himself up.” The series even includes a dance sequence — and insiders reckon it could be as funny as Ricky’s hilarious jig as David Brent in The Office. In other storylines Chris Martin asks to star in a sitcom Andy is making — mirroring Ricky’s real-life requests from stars. Daniel Radcliffe plays a yob and TV newsreader Moira Stewart is in a cocaine plot. Other stars with roles in the series include Jonathan Ross, Richard and Judy, Diana Rigg, Richard Briers, Ronnie Corbett, feminist author Germaine Greer, Stephen Fry and the cast of Holby City. Madonna asked for a part — but had to pull out when filming clashed with her world tour. And Tom Cruise was also in talks to appear but is thought unlikely to sign now after the birth of his baby. However, insiders say one more big name is being lined up. Ricky began filming on Monday in Hertfordshire with co-creator Stephen Merchant, who helped write The Office. The insider said: “Ricky had dozens of people ask for a part. “But the names he’s got are fantastic and Ricky’s chuffed to bits. “Orlando Bloom, Bowie and Chris Martin are amazing signings. “Ricky feels a bit awestruck to be working alongside such big names, but he’s had a ball so far. “The first series was a huge hit and Ricky was nervous that this series might not be as good. “But he’s been really careful to cherry-pick the right stars.” |
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| HOLLYWOOD superstar Orlando Bloom and TV funnyman Ricky Gervais were spotted filming in Hertford last week. The pair were shooting scenes for the second series of Mr Gervais' BBC sitcom Extras at Balls Park. On the grass outside of the mansion one of the crew said: "They are filming mostly inside the building, one of the rooms is being used for a courtroom scene. Orlando Bloom is here as well, but has spent most of the time inside." The series centres around struggling actor Andy Millman who has given up his day job to follow his acting dream, but can never land the big parts. He spends most of his time with other extras waiting for their moment on the small screen. Each episode features a guest appearance from a famous star. The first series saw celebrities such as Samuel L Jackson, Ben Stiller, Kate Winslet and Patrick Stewart feature. In the episode filmed in Hertford, Bloom, who shot to fame as the elf Legolas in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, plays a character keen to date one of the extras, but she turns her back on his advances. Ricky Gervais, together with co-writer Stephen Merchant, is now recognised as one of the leading lights in British comedy following the huge success of his first sitcom The Office. He has won two golden globes, six BAFTAs and four British comedy awards. Mr Gervais took a break from the set to have a cup of tea and pose for a photo. He told The Herald the filming for the show had been going well. The crew were also seen at other spots in the town including Elberts, formerly Elbert Wurlings, where music legend David Bowie was taking his turn to line up in the Extras cast. It is not the first time film crews have descended on Balls Park mansion, just last year scenes from BBC period drama Bleak House were shot there. The mansion is a Grade I listed building built by Sir John Harrison in 1640 and was used as a teacher training college from 1947. It became a business school in 1979 until it was closed as a public college in 2003. |
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| Ricky Gervais has announced the date for the airing for the new series of Extras. If you didn't know, the series features around struggling actor Andy Millman (Gervais) and friend Maggie (Ashley Jensen) as they work with, around and on real 'A' list celebrities who satirise themselves. This series has been abound by rumour and conjecture as to who would be appearing, mainly because Gervais had been making up stories and dropping random names to the press. However names having become more concrete it seems that Gervais has upped the ante in the established celebs pot and will be featuring at least two an episode. The likes of Daniel Radcliffe, Diana Rigg, Stephen Fry, David Bowie, Orlando Bloom and Sir Ian McKellen who Andy, supposedly, has a snog with. Gervais stated on a recent podcast that this eagerly anticipated series will air on 15th September 2006 so start the rumour-mill for the Extras 3 cameos! |
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| You'd think it would be easy to be confident about your appeal if you're Orlando Bloom, but on the upcoming season of Ricky Gervais' "Extras," the long-haired heartthrob from the "Lord of the Rings" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" films shows his insecure side. "I'm a total bastard [in 'Extras']," says Bloom in an interview to promote his latest film "Haven." "I play a guy who just rips the s**t out of Johnny Depp. I sort of play like a schoolboy bastard version of myself where I'm so jealous of Johnny." In the critically acclaimed show by the creator of "The Office," Gervais plays struggling background actor Andy Millman, who just wants to land a speaking role that will launch him into stardom, but doesn't have much luck because of his lousy agent Darren Lamb (co-creator Stephen Merchant). Fellow extra Maggie Jacobs (Ashley Jensen) is content with her limited job, since it gives her plenty of time to pursue men on set. 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest' Showcard "And this girl Maggie is not interested in me," Bloom adds with a laugh. "Extras" is known for its send-up of well-known actors playing themselves on the set of fictional movies and TV shoes. Last season, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Stiller and Kate Winslet were among the big names who were happy to tarnish their image in the name of comedy. This coming season, the proposed A-list guest stars include "X-Men" star Ian McKellen, musician David Bowie and "Harry Potter" actor Daniel Radcliffe, all who encounter Andy's character on his road to success. "I can't tell you any more than that, but it's funny," says Bloom. "I don't think I'm that funny, but the series is really funny. The rest of it, the way it's developed, it's really great. He's fantastic, Ricky, and Stephen Merchant, they both are. It was fun as all hell." In real life, Bloom doesn't begrudge his "Pirates of the Caribbean" co-stars their success, even now that both Depp and Keira Knightley have Oscar nominations under their belts. Does Bloom feel the pressure to get a nod for his acting as well? "No, no, no," he says. "I just enjoy making movies." "Extras" returns to BBC2 in September, which means its stateside run on HBO shouldn't be far behind. |
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| The first episode of the new series sees a vain Orlando Bloom showing off magazine articles that name him the world's sexiest movie star, and incredulous when Maggie reveals she is not attracted to him. "He did say when we got him the first draft he loved it and said we can go further if we want," says Gervais. "They either get it or they don't. If they get it, they trust us and we can go anywhere. It's never happened that someone has said, 'I just can't do this.'" |
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| ORLANDO Bloom pokes fun at Pirates of the Caribbean co-star Johnny Depp in the new series of Extras. In the first episode of Ricky Gervais's award-winning BBC2 comedy he plays a vain actor who can't believe that an extra doesn't fancy him. Orlando tells the extra, played by TV comedy star Ashley Jensen, 36, the ladies were all over him on the film set, ignoring heart-throb Johnny. The Brit actor and Lord of the Rings star, 27, joked: "It's my looks that all the girls fawn over. Nobody was bothered about Johnny on set. "Johnny 'Freak, I make art-house movies and have stupid scissors for hands'? Willy Wonka - more like Johnny W***er." |
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| The other element that sets Extras apart, of course, is its employment of real-life stars playing twisted versions of themselves. For this series, Gervais and Merchant have persuaded such high-profile names as David Bowie, Chris Martin, Sir Ian McKellen, Jonathan Ross, Robert Lindsay, Stephen Fry and Daniel Radcliffe to send themselves up. In the first episode, Orlando Bloom bravely takes the rise out of his image as one of the world's most swoon-inducing heart-throbs. Displaying a commendable willingness to lampoon himself, this Bloom is vanity on legs. The gag is that Maggie, who previously showed herself comically eager to date anyone with a pulse, spurns his advances. Increasingly frustrated, he tries to win her over by planting his most passionate kiss on her lips. When he steps back, however, she looks distinctly non-plussed, shrugging: "Not really my cup of tea." Gervais says that Bloom was a tremendously good sport. "We needed the biggest 30-year-old heart-throb in the world because the joke is that he falls for Maggie and it's the one time she's not interested. Orlando was great - he wanted to make the character really desperate. "He totally sends himself up. In real life, he doesn't go around worrying about polls of the most handsome actors in the world. He knows that if you want any longevity in this business, the last thing you want to be known as is pretty." |
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| She came to London in 1997. 'After three years of working in Scotland I wanted to be a bit scared. I quite like scaring myself from time to time, putting myself in an environment I'm not entirely sure of.' Extras is famous for its A-list celebrity cameos - Ben Stiller and Samuel L Jackson last year, and in the new series Orlando Bloom, David Bowie and Chris Martin. Is that scary enough for her? 'Sometimes when you meet these people, you're thinking - please don't let me down, please don't be awful.' But everyone loves it and enters into the spirit. It's so relaxed. And at the end of the day, they are just people. There are moments when I go [gulp] ... David Bowie! Or when I'm standing at the bus stop next to Orlando Bloom's huge Pirates of the Caribbean poster, and I'm thinking, "My God I was talking about dogs with him just yesterday.' |
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| Three-and-a-half million viewers tuned in to see the first episode of Ricky Gervais's returning sitcom Extras. However, figures were down on the 4.8 million who saw the first episode of series one, which eventually drew an average of 3.9 million during its run. Featuring guest appearances by Orlando Bloom and Keith Chegwin, the programme saw Gervais's character Andy Millman battle to launch a generic BBC sitcom. David Bowie and Sir Ian McKellen are to appear in forthcoming instalments. Extras fared better than Channel 4's new drama Low Winter Sun, which drew 1.4 million in the same 2100 BST slot. But it was beaten by both BBC One's Aberfan: The Untold Story documentary and Bad Girls on ITV1, which drew audiences of 4.1 million and 4.7 million respectively. |
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| EXTRAS star ASHLEY JENSEN has such a crush on ORLANDO BLOOM she plucked up the courage to ask for his number when they filmed an episode of the hit show together. Jensen, who plays RICKY GERVAIS' long-suffering pal MAGGIE in the British TV show, shared an on-screen kiss with the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN star and admits it was better than her wildest fantasies. She says, "I've got his number! I haven't rung it though. "Sometimes when you meet these people, you think, 'Please don't let me down, please don't be awful.' But everyone entered into the spirit of Extras. "There were moments when I went: 'Gulp, DAVID BOWIE.' Or when I was standing at the bus stop next to a huge Pirates Of The Caribbean poster, and I thought, 'I was talking about dogs with Orlando yesterday.'" Jensen has recently landed a role in US sitcom UGLY BETTY. |