Extras Christmas Special
Overview
The Extras Christmas Special is the final feature length installment of the BBC/HBO series Extras. It acts as a natural conclusion to the programme after the two preceding series, in the same manner as The Office Christmas Specials. 5.3 million people viewed it when it aired on BBC One on 27th of December.
Plot
Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.
Though When The Whistle Blows has bought him fame and fortune, a visit to a supermarket with Maggie brings Andy face to face with the downside to his success. A Ray Stokes doll is on sale, and, if the smug shop assistant is to be believed, is not selling well.
Strolling past a TV display, Andy learns of Greg’s starring role as Percy Shelley alongside Clive Owen in the new Byron biopic. Maggie is more impressed than Andy at this development.
This seems to act as a catalyst for Andy’s realisation that he is not in the place he aspires to be in his career. Rather than being content at his upmarket flat on Hampstead Heath or his VIP status at The Ivy Restaurant, he instead takes it upon himself to expand his acting horizons, seeking the more artistically satisfying roles he yearned for in the beginning.
A chance meeting with Greg’s agent Tre Cooper gives Andy the ray of hope he needed. Deciding to use Tre to further his career, Andy fires Darren and quits the sitcom to allow himself to concentrate on the more prestigious roles that will undoubtedly come to him. However, Andy and Tre are soon in discussion as to how to boost his public profile via appearances on reality TV shows and other low brow programming. At this point, Andy’s artistic integrity is still a forethought and he proceeds to wait for more important roles to flood in. This burst of focus toward his acting career causes him to lose touch with Maggie, who has fallen on hard times. After relying on extras work for so long she finally quits after being humiliated on the set of Clive Owen’s new film. Her lack of experience and qualifications means she can only get work as a cleaner, a decrease in monetary income forcing her to abandon her flat and move into a small bedsit in order to be able to afford rent. Her contact with Andy is increasingly dictated by his schedule, and she is left alone and unhappy with the turn her life has taken. Desperate for employment she visits Darren at the Carphone Warehouse, where he is now working alongside Dean Gaffney and Barry from Eastenders.
Andy’s unwillingness to subscribe to the media hungry celebrity culture he so despises causes his acting career to flounder. Tre has seemingly lost interest in Andy’s career, causing him to accept the low brow roles he initially declined, and thus beginning his downward spiral into self obsession, constantly trying to remain in the public eye. This leads to an altercation between Andy and Tre, where his two options are made clear: either do as Tre says to stay rich and famous, or lose his profile by chasing credibility and respect. Andy chooses fame, a decision made all the more painful due to the fact that this meeting takes place in front of Greg, whose sucessful career Andy has envied from the start.
Tre’s position lands Andy a spot in the latest Celebrity Big Brother, but he quickly comes to terms with the fact that this is not where he wants to be, and after several exchanges with the other housemates about their lack of dignity, he finally buckles under the emotional pressure and makes a tearful and heartfelt speech about his views on Celebrity culture, and he apologises to Maggie who has been watching him at home for the duration of his time in the house. He leaves the show.
In an ironic twist of fate, this speech brings him more media attention and respect than he could ever have gained just by struggling to fulfill his career. Before a press conference Andy causes a scene yet again whereby he escapes unseen to Maggie, who is waiting for him. Together they drive towards the airport, engaging in the inane chat that cemented their friendship in the first place.
Cast/Characters
Main Cast
Ricky Gervais as Andy Millman/Ray Stokes
Stephen Merchant as Darren Lamb
Ashley Jensen as Maggie Jacobs
Shaun Williamson as Barry from Eastenders
Shaun Pye as Greg Lindley-Jones
Recurring Cast
Andrew Buckley as Gobbler
Jamie Chapman as Brains
Guy Henry as Iain Morris
Sarah Moyle as Kimberley
Liza Tarbuck as Rita
Guest Stars
Lionel Blair
Dean Gaffney
Lisa Scott-Lee
George Michael
Clive Owen
Hale & Pace
Gordon Ramsay
Chico Slimani
June Sarpong
Vernon Kay
David Tennant
Supporting Cast
Scott Baker as Paparazzi
Liam Barham as Child
Jason Barnett as Doorman
Steve Brody as Estate Agent
Lolita Chakrabati as Maitre D
Fergus Craig as Runner
Toby Foster as Journalist
Kerry Goodliman as Floor Manager
Adam James as Tre Cooper
Gerard Kelly as Bunny
Stuart McQuarrie as Shop Manager
Karl Pilkington as Autograph Hunter
Nicola Redmond as Journalist
Claudia Sermbezis as Wren
Suzy Kane as Amy
Dan Tetsell as Extra
Ben Willibond as Film Director
Awards and Acclaim
Stephen Merchant was nominated for a BAFTA in 2008 for his role as Darren Lamb.
Trivia
- Karl Pilkington appears as an autograph hunter outside the Ivy. Karl made a behind the scenes documentary about his time on set entitled ‘The Real Extras’.
- The soundtrack features the song ‘This Woman's Work’ by Kate Bush and ‘Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want’ by The Smiths.
- It first aired in the USA on 16th December, and in England on the 27th.