DEREK - SERIES 2
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RICKY GERVAIS / DEREK Q: What more do we find out about Derek in this series? A: You learn that Derek is fun. Also you discover that he is not just sweet and selfless and funny, but also really wise. He's got it spot on with his strategy. He knows that if you always do the right thing, the kindest thing, you can't go far wrong. I don't know if Derek's example can change anything, but at least it might make people think a bit. On Twitter last year people wrote, "I called my nan after watching Derek." That makes me well up. Q: What do you think the message of Derek is? A: Derek is a show about kindness. It shows that kindness trumps everything. I made the characters look like life's losers so I could pull the rug from under viewers. I don't want them to see it coming. I want people to be laughing at Kev, and then when he begs for his job back, I want them to see that he's got real feelings. Q: What other themes does the show throw up? A: It shows that women are the real role models in life. Men think they rule, but women actually rule, without having to show off about it. I've never liked the idea of women as props or air-heads or seductresses or super-bitches. Where are the real women in comedy and drama? The character of Hannah is based on women in my family. Q: Can you please expand on that? A: They are nurturing and care about babies and puppies, but they're also lionesses. They would take a baseball bat to someone in order to protect their family. Hannah is a conglomerate, a Frankenstein's monster of working-class women I have known. They are always prepared to take responsibility for things. My mum had to bring up four kids, but she also knitted, sewed and did the wallpapering. She made no money go a long way. Most women are like that. Q: How much of Derek is drawn from your own life? A: I have always written about what I know. I worked in an office for 10 years before I wrote The Office. The character of Gareth was based on someone I knew at school – that's why he's like a 14-year-old. Everything is semi-autobiographical. All my family are care workers, so that was the perfect place to put Derek because I knew about that world. I had 35 years of anecdotes stored up. That's a real world, so that's what I want to write about. Q: Why does the show mingle comedy with tragedy? A: Because that is what life is like. You have a laugh and then someone finds a lump and you deal with that. People ask me, "Is Derek a comedy or drama?" I reply, "What’s your life?" It is always a bit of both. The world is not entirely comic and it's not entirely dramatic. Q: Do you like writing the character of Derek? A: Yes. He is a fully formed character. If you're creating a three-dimensional character, based on reality and naturalistic, you can keep unearthing new things about him. What I like is that Derek changes all the time. We all change, even over a few weeks. In a documentary, you think you know this person intimately, but how well do you really know Derek after just a few hours? Q: Tell us more. A: In real life, friends keep surprising us - you never know how someone will react. It was the same with David Brent in The Office. People thought he was a buffoon, but later on they realised he was simply having a midlife crisis. He was a man who clung onto the idea of fame because he thought it would sort his life out. Andy Millman in Extras was the same. He was fine with his mates, but in the end he was bodysnatched because he wanted fame too much and sold his soul to the devil. Everything that is thrown at you brings up different parts of your personality. Q: Have you enjoyed making the second series of Derek? A: Absolutely. The second series of anything is usually my favourite because I'm writing for people I know. I know what they sound and look like. In the first series, you write blind - you don't write for David Earl or Martin Freeman or Mackenzie Crook. But in the second series, I use people's real voices because I want realism. So often I mention the actors' physicality because I want it to be like a real documentary. And by this stage, I really know the actors' strengths. Some people are at their best when they are given meticulous lines, and some people are at their best when you throw them ad libs. Everything is the best it could possibly be in the second series. That's partly why I don’t normally do a third series. I like the length of a 12-hour saga. It's like the epic novel of telly. Q: Do you enjoy directing your own scripts? A: Definitely. There are no surprises because I’ve lived with the script for so long. When I direct my own scripts, it's much easier as it's been in my head for a year already. If someone offered me the script of Matrix 4 to direct, I'd panic. What I love about this is having an idea and seeing it come to fruition on screen. I would like to direct someone else's script one day, but I might not get round to it before I die - you can't legislate for being hit by a bus! Q: Do find it hard to edit your own material? A: Yes. You have to be ruthless. At first it breaks your heart as some of the funniest scenes have to hit the cutting room floor. But story is king. Of course you can put those deleted scenes on the DVD extras, but forget it for the actual series. It reminds me of this 1960's advert for tins of salmon. The voice-over used to go, "It's the salmon John West rejects that makes John West salmon the best." I think that's a good metaphor for editing. It breaks your heart when you throw something away, but it's what left that counts. It's like worrying about the bits of rock you have knocked off in order to make a beautiful statue. You've wasted half the rock, yeah, but it's the Venus di Milo! Q: How would you respond to the critics of the first series of Derek who wondered if the show might be mocking someone with learning difficulties? A: Even if Derek did have learning difficulties, I don't see why it would matter because he's such a great role model. It's not taking the mickey out of him; it's taking the mickey out of the attitudes of the rest of us. I've never considered him disabled; he is an "out of the mouth of babies" innocent person who always says the right thing that you didn't see coming. And if I say he's not disabled, that's the end of it. He is a fictional character created by me, so you can't argue with that. You can't suddenly decide that Superman is dyslexic - he's not. Whatever Derek's got, I want some - because he's brilliant! Q: Finally, do you think the characters in Derek are very identifiable? A: Absolutely. I like showing life in the raw. When you first look at Broad Hill Retirement Home, you might say, "What is this place?" Then you realise that most people are like Kev and Hannah and Derek; they're not like Brad Pitt or George Clooney or Johnny Depp. If you see men at home, they will be more like Kev or Derek moaning about the weather. They will be sitting around in their pants saying, "Why won't this ruddy DVD work?" |
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KERRY GODLIMAN / HANNAH Q: Where is Hannah at the beginning of the second series? A: She's in love and happy. It's a nice new angle on her life, and it's been great fun to play. Has it affected her relationship with Derek? No, that's unique and special. It's very much intact and consistent. Derek is not jealous - he is not like that. It's a different dynamic between him and her. There's this great trust between Hannah and Derek and a very reliable sense of affection. Q: Can you develop that a little, please? A: Hannah's feelings remain the same - she knows that Derek is a very loving person and that he brings out the best in her. She's very protective - wants to shield him from women who are less sweet. She doesn't want him to be corrupted. She knows that he's a very open person who is not judgemental or cynical or any of the other bad things the rest of us are. A lot of heroes on TV are bullies, and a lot of shows are about Schadenfreude; we watch people being rubbish at something to make ourselves feel better. But Derek is the opposite. Viewers might be relieved to see a hero who shows you different ways of behaving. He is compassionate and giving and loving. I think that's quite a brave thing to portray. Q: How do you find acting with Ricky? A: He is lovely to act with. As the character of Derek has grown and the response has been so warm, I feel as if I have discovered things about Derek that weren’t there before. He is an incredible character who just keeps on growing. The response to him has been amazing. During our scenes together, it is not hard to convey that fondness and warmth towards him because I feel it. Q: How would you characterise Ricky as a director? A: He's very relaxed. He creates a great atmosphere on set, and he is lots of fun. Corpsing is not a problem as long as we get a scene at the end of it. Q: What have fans said to you about the show? A: They love it. I have genuinely had an overwhelming response. A lot of people say that as they watch it they laugh through the tears. The fact that people can laugh and sob at the same time is something new - it's not something they have experienced every week. Q: Can you expand on viewers' reactions to the programme? A: The people I have been particularly touched by are family friends who work in care. They have told me that they really recognise the place we have conjured up. They think it accurately captures a care home. For them, there is something familiar about the world we have created. People have said to me, "When I'm old, I want to go to Broad Hill Retirement Home." I've also had a lot of emails from people who have mental health issues in their family. Those pieces of feedback are the richest. Q: People have really latched on to the character of Hannah, haven’t they? A: Yes. Some people have said to me, "I want Hannah to look after me when I get older." I have to explain to them very patiently that I'm not actually Hannah. That's upsetting to some people. I'd be awful as a care worker. I think you'd struggle to find many comedians who'd make good carers! Q: Are you and Hannah very similar? A: No, we not very alike. I'd aspire to be more like her. I'd like her patience and her benevolence. I particularly like the fact that she is not judgemental. Some people feel that Kev doesn't belong in the nursing home. But Hannah doesn't have a problem with him because she cares for everyone and Kev is clearly desperate for care. She doesn't see him as any different from anyone else. He is a damaged soul who needs affection. Q: If it were to be commissioned, would you be keen to make a third series of Derek? A: Definitely. There are lots of new places to take it. As we keep moving forward, the show will throw up a lot of new stories - life does that. Is there more to say? The show is so human that that is like saying, "Is there more to say in real life?" I ruddy hope so! |
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DAVID EARL / KEV Q: Where do we find Kev at the start of the new series? A: He's back to his old self. He goes for a job interview as a caretaker at the nursing home. He tries to clean himself up and make a difference, but all the same, you can't really employ him. He's quite sweet, but unemployable! Q: How would you characterise him? A: He's like a dog in the corner of the nursing home. People just accept that there's this mangy looking mutt there. He needs a good stroke. During the course of this series, he reveals a deep self-loathing. We also meet his brother. He’s not great - he makes Kev look normal! Q: How does the relationship between Kevin and Derek develop? A: They become best mates. Kev is looking out for Derek now. He is like an older brother to him. They're a double act. Kev hasn't got anyone else. He looks up to Derek and admires the way deals with other people. At one point, Kev steps up to the plate and tries to sort things out for Derek. It's very touching. Q: Why has the show resonated with audiences? A: People have latched on to the series because it is so warm. It also keeps shifting in tone. You need that because the show can't be 100 percent about kindness. You have to have a bit of dirt thrown in. Kevin will give you a bit of dirt to provide relief for viewers from all the kindness! Q: Does the focus on kindness make the show stand out? A: Yes. It's unusual in this cynical age to have a programme extolling kindness. Maybe comedy and kindness don't normally go hand-in-hand, but Ricky has found a great way of achieving it. Q: What has the fans' response to the show been? A: On Twitter, it's been 100 percent positive. They're always really nice about the programme, and that's lovely. People also come up to me on the street and say how much they adore the show. That's really nice, too. But that has only happened in the last month since I've grown Kev's moustache again. Before that, it was quite pleasant to walk around in disguise! Q: If asked, would you like to return for a third series? A: Without a doubt, I'd love to come back. I can see Kev finding love because you wouldn't expect that. It would be nice to give him a happy ending. Q: What's it been like working with Ricky? A: It's been brilliant. He's the funniest bloke I've ever met. He's just been telling me about another comedian who never turns off and is constantly funny - Ricky really wants to look at himself! He gives me so much opportunity to play as Kev. It doesn't feel like a job at all! Q: How similar are you to Kev? A: I don't do any of the pervy things that he does. I'm not like him at all, thank God! |
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HOLLI DEMPSEY / VICKY Q: What is happening to Vicky at the start of the second series of Derek? A: Vicky is in a much better place. She's found her way. She's discovered something she's good at. She does nails and hair extensions for OAPs, and that snowballs. She likes to care for people - for her that's the most important thing in the world. Q: Tell us a bit about Vicky. A: She's into hair, nails, clothes and boys. She is on the cusp of being growing up and being cool. Working in a care home is not that cool, but she does it because she sees the good in people like Hannah and Derek. You can really see the growth in her during this series. Q: What does Vicky think of Hannah and Derek? A: She really admires Hannah. She knows she's really strong and can handle anything. Vicky looks up to Hannah and wants to turn out like her. She also thinks Derek's kindness is infectious. You'd have to be a horrible person not to be infected by him. She loves him because he is so sweet and kind. Q: How have you found Ricky as a director? A: You almost forget that he's the director because he's so relaxed. He's really good at communicating - you always know what he wants. He also laughs constantly - that can't be a bad thing. The mood on set is always up, and that means everyone looks forward to coming to work with him every morning. Q: What has it been like working with Ricky the actor? A: I find it so interesting to see the transition between Ricky and Derek. Ricky will be laughing and joking as the director, and then suddenly he will snap into the character of Derek. That underlines what a tremendous actor he is. Q: In one episode of the new series, Vicky accompanies the pensioners on a trip to the zoo. Did you enjoy filming those scenes? A: Absolutely. It was brilliant fun. Ricky was clearly in his element - he loves animals, as we all do. The storyline was about how much the old people were loving their day out, but the truth is the rest of us loved it just as much. Q: Does Derek have something to teach us about the way we regard older people? A: Definitely. Especially in this country, we have a great fear of getting older. People are scared of mortality. I have friends from India and Africa who don't see that. We can learn a lot from the show, and it can help us to become less frightened of getting older. Everyone who's watched Derek says that it's made them think, and that can only be a good thing. If it makes you pick up the phone to your granny or your auntie, that's more than enough. Q: What message do you think that Derek sends out? A: The message is so basic: be kind - that's an inherent human instinct that we forget about all too often. The show stands out because its message is so simple, but so strong. Everyone can relate to it because everyone can relate to the idea of trying to be more kind. That really rings true for people. |
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BRETT GOLDSTEIN / TOM Q: What appealed to you about this project? A: The chance to work with the greatest people in comedy. I've always wanted to work with Ricky Gervais. When they asked me, "Do you want to work on Ricky Gervais' new series?" did I say, "Hang on, I'll have a think about that. I'm very busy at the moment. I've got to do a gig above a pub for 10 quid tonight"? Of course I didn’t! I said, "Yes, please! It's the new Ricky Gervais show, for God's sake!" Q: Talk us through your character. A: Tom is quite a serious man. He's also quite frustrated as he was in the merchant navy and is now landlocked. There's no work, and he feels undervalued. But on the upside, he's fallen in love with Hannah. Q: What brings them together? A: Tom really likes Hannah, and let's face it, the competition isn't up to much. It's Tom or Kev! Tom's lucky in that if he stands next to Kev, he'll look like someone with prospects, even though he doesn't have any. But he seems like a real catch because Kev is always so drunk. Q: What does Tom see in Hannah? A: She is lovely. She looks after people. She's a very good person, she's funny, and she's fit. That's three very good reasons. Q: How would you assess Ricky's directing? A: He's brilliant. He's like a toddler in a playground who's allowed all the toys and put in charge for the day. It's like the Make a Wish Foundation - you can run the playground for today. You look at the results and think, "How did that turn out so well?" Q: Would there be mileage in a third series? A: Absolutely. I hope there would be a future in Hannah and Tom's relationship. It would be a shame if Tom were killed off between series. It would be sad if the next series opened with someone saying, "I’m sorry to hear that Tom died at sea." Q: Why has the show proved so popular? A: People love it because it's so warm. In fact, it's an unusually warm show. Now it's established, the characters feel like one big family. We all hang out together in one room, and the atmosphere is lovely. Q: What do you hope that audiences will take away from the show? A: I think it helps us reassess our view of old people. One of the treats of making Derek is that I get to hang out all day with old people. That's not something I've done a lot. My grandparents are sadly no longer with us. There are not many opportunities for different generations to mix. It's like Martin Luther King said: "Stick everyone together, and we’ll all be alright." I'm paraphrasing. |
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KARL PILKINGTON / DOUGIE Q: When Ricky offered you the role of Dougie, did you initially reject it? A: Yes. I felt guilty about the idea of taking the job from a proper actor. But Ricky persisted. Q: Please describe Dougie to us. A: Dougie is me if I hadn't had any luck. Although he hasn't been very lucky, he always tries his best. Deep down he still knows that life is basically rubbish, but he can't do anything about it. Q: Does he enjoy his job at the nursing home? A: As much as he moans about his job, part of him likes it. It gives him a sense of worth. Like a lot of people, the highlight of his week is Friday when he gets paid. But despite his complaints, Dougie knows he has to keep working. In fact, he thinks that everyone should work. He hates scroungers and people who come to the nursing home hoping to benefit from their relatives' wills. He's always complaining about Britain's Got Talent and people who don't want to work for a living and just look for an easy life. Q: Does this mean you are now going to focus entirely on acting? A: No. This is not a new line of work from me. I'm not looking to become an actor. I still don't feel like a proper actor. Kerry is a proper actress. When you're doing a scene with her, you're looking over your shoulder and thinking, "Blimey, she's really good". I always think, "I can't do that. I'm going to get found out here!" The hardest part is remembering the lines and trying not to laugh. Ricky is determined to make me laugh all the time - that must drive the crew mad! Q: Have you benefited from this job? A: Yes. I've learnt a lot, and it's been a great experience. Ricky has been great. From the start, he's told me, "You can do it. What are you worried about?" I suppose I can't believe my luck. I've got no qualifications, but I've been given this great opportunity and I want to make the most of it. I suppose Ricky didn't go to drama school either. In the end, if you can convincingly be that person onscreen, what does it matter? Q: What will you take away from the experience? A: I'm a bit rubbish at knowing when something is good. But if it goes out and I can say, "I wasn't as bad as I thought I would be", then I'll be happy. Until then, I'll be thinking, "I shouldn't be here!" Q: Finally, why do you think the show works so well? A: It messes with your emotions - it makes you laugh and cry - and there is not much around like that. |
NEWS
Humanity Tour Reviews
Genius. Fact.
GQ magazine proclaims Ricky to be 'Genius of the Year' at its annual 'Men of the Year Awards'.
Read more here at GQ.com.
Ricky on retweeting idiots
Fitness website Coach talks to Ricky about his career, the Brent movie and routine mischief on Twitter.
Read here.
Ricky to receive Charlie Chaplin Award
BAFTA Los Angeles will honour Ricky with the Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy at its annual celebration in Beverly Hills on October 28.
Read more here.
Ricky on the cover
The Hollywood Reporter puts Ricky front and centre on this week's issue.
Read the interview here.
David Brent: Life On The Road Teaser Trailer Released
Ricky's released a first look at the new Brent movie (in cinemas this August).
Check out the trailer on these three sites - along with their insights on this brief glimpse of what's to come.
Watch and read at Shortlist or over at The Guardian, and you can also share your thoughts at Esquire.
Guardian Film Editor on Special Correspondents
The Guardian gives its commentary on the first Special Correspondents trailer. Special Correspondents is exclusive to Netflix from 29 April.
Read and comment here.
Special Correspondents Shortlisted
Shortlist gives a ballsy appraisal of the first trailer for Special Correspondents. Only on Netflix | 29 April.
Read more here.
Trailer Splash: Special Correspondents
IndieWire gives an industry take on the first trailer for Special Correspondents suggesting the movie's potentially a strong awards contender.
Read more here.
Poster Posted: Special Correspondents
Movie resource IMDB has been updated with the poster artwork for Special Correspondents.
Check it out here.
'Special Correspondents' Cast Revealed
Get the low-down on the principal cast for Ricky's new movie along with a group photo for you to match the host of household names and well-known faces.
Read more here.
'Special Correspondents' First Cast Photo
The Wrap has an exclusive look at the cast of Ricky's new movie.
Read more here.
Brent Movie to be released in 2016
'Life On The Road' is set for a summer 2016 release.
Read more here.
Brent Movie gets funding
The lights are green for The Office's David Brent to return in 'Life On The Road'
Read more here.
Netflix buy 'Special Correspondents'
In a characteristically maverick move by Netflix, Ricky's next movie 'Special Correspondents' will make its debut on the game-changing streaming entertainment service.
Read more here.
News Vlog
Hear about Ricky's latest goings on - straight from the man himself.
Watch here on YouTube.
Ricky talks fame, philosophers and following a career in TV.
Details magazine has a Q and A with Ricky
Read here.
9 Questions with Ricky
Backstage chats with Ricky as 'Derek' is nominated for a Golden Globe.
Read here.
Vote For Derek
Wherever you are in the world you can vote for Derek in the National TV Awards
Vote here.
The Improbable Success of Ricky Gervais
A marketeer's perspective on Ricky in the limelight.
Read here.
Ricky on his 21st Emmy Nomination
The Hollywood Reporter quizzes Ricky on his career to date.
Read here.
Ricky's Facebook Q and A
Ricky answers readers' questions via facebook.
Read here on Gervaisaholics.com.
Brent Gets Standing Ovation
A run of sell-out gigs ended at Hammersmith's Apollo on Satuday. Read the reviews...
Daily Telegraph
Radio Times
London Evening Standard
Ricky Talks To Q Magazine
He submits to a probing via Q's regular 'cash for questions' feature which relies on its readers to come up with the questions. And great questions they are too.
Read here.
Read the Sunday Times interview.
Read the Daily News's one page biography.
Ricky on Jimmy Kimmel
Ricky chats about his new Muppets movie on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live.Watch part 1, part 2 and part 3.
WSJ talks Muppets, Celebs and more
Ricky meets the Wall Street Journal for a chat heralding his new movie, Muppets Most Wanted.
Read here.
