DEREK

Derek is a bittersweet comedy drama about a group of outsiders living on society's margins.

Derek Noakes (played by Ricky) is a tender, innocent man whose love for his job and the people he cares for shines through. He's 49 years old and loves animals, Rolf Harris, Jesus, 'Deal or No Deal', 'Million Pound Drop' and 'Britain's Got Talent' - but his main hobby is autograph hunting.



He works in a retirement home with his mate and landlord, Dougie (Karl Pilkington in his very first acting role).

Derek cares deeply for old people because they're kind and funny and tell him stories about the olden days.



Hannah (Kerry Godliman) is a care worker at the home and is Derek's best friend. She's smart, witty and hard working, but unlucky in love; and like Derek, always puts other people first.

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A one-off pilot episode of Derek was broadcast on Channel 4 on April 12th 2012. The first full series began early in 2013 on Channel 4 and will be available on Netflix from Sept 12. A second series in on the way.

Karl Pilkington on his role in Derek By James Rampton Q: How did Ricky recruit you to play the role of Dougie? A: We were out having something to eat and he said to me, "I'm doing this new series called Derek. Do you fancy being in it?" He's always saying that – he got me to do a couple of lines in Extras. I replied, "It's nice of you to ask, but you know I'm not an actor. Why don't you get someone who knows how to do it?" I felt guilty about the idea of taking the job from a proper actor. But Ricky persisted, telling me, "All you have got to do is be yourself". I thought, "I can do that!" Q: Please outline your character for 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 we can't do anything about it. Q: How does he regard 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: How did people react to the pilot of Derek? A: My dad is a pretty good critic – he is not afraid to tell me if he thinks something I'm in is bad. But he really liked the pilot. The show messes with your emotions – it makes you laugh and cry – and there is not much around like that. Q: What is your take on Ricky as a director? A: He's incredible. It's amazing how he knows exactly what he wants in every scene. He is able to explain what you're doing wrong, and you just get on with it. It's over before you realise you've done it. It never gets to the point of him screaming and shouting. When he says to me at the end of a scene, "That's all right", I think, "I got away with it again!" Q: What do you think of Ricky as an actor? A: Ricky is a brilliant actor. I find it odd watching him act because I know him so well. Even though I know what is coming in every scene, he still does things that leave me with a lump in my throat. I know it's only acting, but it still gets a great reaction. Whenever he does that, I always think, "I can't do that. I'm going to get found out here!" Q: Do you think Derek can help change society's view of older people? A: It's a nice thought that after watching this viewers might be more pleasant to old people all of a sudden. It's probably not going to happen. But if this show makes one or two people change their view of older people, that wouldn't be at all bad. Q: Does this mean a new career for you as an actor? 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". 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 got a lot out of 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: Finally, have you enjoyed working on Derek? A: Yes. 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'm happy."

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LINKS

NEWS and REVIEWS

		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.

		TV Choice Awards Derek has been nominated for a TV Choice Award. Vote here.

		Life Lessons Buzzfeed collates a selection of adages drawn from Derek Read here.

		Ricky chats about Derek with Charlie Rose With Derek coming to Netflix UK on Jan 30th, Ricky talks to Bloomburg TV about his latest creation. Watch here.

		Derek reviewed Ricky hailed as the 'Tarantino of nice' Read here.

		Ricky on Derek in Sydney Ricky chats to the Sydney Morning Herald. Read here.

		Derek Review Roundup Here're some more Derek-related reviews and articles... Fast Company. Rolling Stone. Newsday. Montreal Gazette. Toronto Sun. Buzz Feed.

		Vote For Derek The National Television Awards have opened voting for the January 2014 awards. You can give your support to Derek in the poll here.

		Ricky Chats With Charlie Ricky sits down with the great Charlie Rose... Watch here.

		Letterman No. 25 Ricky's made his 25th appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman Watch here.

		Ricky's Times Talk An audience with Ricky in New York hosted by the New York Times. Watch in full here.

		Derek In Review Entertainment Weekly calls #Derek "marked by grace." Read the full article here .

		Ricky On The Red Carpet Ricky talks to Brad Blanks on the red carpet of The New York Premiere of Derek. Watch here on YouTube.

		Derek Hits The Airwaves Listen to Ricky's interview on Black Sky Radio. Here on YouTube.

		Hollywood Reporter's Video Report Watch the footage from the Hollywood Reporter's interview with Ricky. Here on YouTube.

		Hollywood Reports on Derek God-hating, Dinners with Seinfeld and Derek on Netflix... Read here.

		Derek Is Big Down Under The Sydney Morning Herald looks at Derek, which has just started showing in Australia... Read here.

		Kindness is magic. The Psychologist looks at Derek. Read here.

		Ricky on Derek in The Observer Ricky talks about hurting people's feelings, never reading books, and why Derek makes him well up. Read here.

		Meet the cast Ricky and the central cast of Derek talk to the Radio Times about their roles. Read here.

		Watch 'The Making Of Derek' As Channel 4 gets ready for Derek's full series premiere on January 30th, their catch-up service 4OD is now showing The Making Of Derek. Watch here.

		Ricky on Derek Ricky talks to Reuters about Derek and how it differs from his past shows. Read more here.

		Ricky on Derek Ricky talks to Metro about how people are wrong when they decribe Derek as learning disabled. Read here.

		Derek wins first place The New Yorks Shorts Festival 2012 has given Derek first place in its comedy category. Read here.

		Derek at the NY Shorts Fest Dereks's recent showing in a New York short film festival reviewed... Read here.

		Sunday Times on Derek The Sunday Times' Minette Marrin gives her verdict on Derek. Read here.

		Critics critiqued The Independent's Ian O'Doherty points out the problem with the views expressed by some people who didn't like Derek. Read here.

		'Derek' in review The Telegraph is impressed by Ricky's Channel 4 comedy drama. Read here. And Metro calls it "sharp, yet sweetly observed" Read here.

		More 'Derek' Previews The Independent considers whether Derek has 'a condition' or not; Ricky clarifies. [Read here] And the Daily Mail looks forward to Ricky at 'his irreverent best'. [Read here]

		Comedy with heart Ricky talks to the Irish Independent about his new comedy 'Derek' and its potential for controversy. Read here.

		A distant perspective on Derek US website CinemaBlend ponders whether Derek will make it on to American TV screens and shares some clips in anticipation. Read and watch here.

		Age Concern The Sun looks at 'Derek', Ricky's new comdey set in an old people's home, and Ricky takes the opportunity to point out how youth-centric today's society has become. Read here.

		Derek reviewed Heat World's verdict on Ricky's new show is in. Derek premieres on Channel 4 in the UK on April 12. Read here.

		Go Derek Digital Spy offers an in-depth appraisal of Ricky's new project, Derek, which airs on Channel 4 in the UK on April 12. Read here.

		Derek on the telly Ricky's latest project in which he stars as Derek Noakes, who works in a nursing home, will have its pilot episode broadcast on Channel 4 in April. Read more here.