News

Disgraced “After Life” producer Charlie Hanson has severed his last ties with ex-wife Amma Asante (“Belle”) after resigning from her production company Awol Films.

Hanson, who was removed as a producer from the hit Ricky Gervais show by Netflix after being accused of historic sexual assaults in May, has been a part of the company since its incorporation in 2002.

He and Asante divorced in 2007.

In June, The Times of London reported that 11 women had complained about Hanson’s conduct. An anonymous email detailing the allegations against him was sent to Netflix, which quickly moved to remove the producer from the third season of the show, which was then in production.

Hanson denied the allegations at the time, with his lawyers telling Variety: “He maintains that he has never acted inappropriately on any production, or at all, and has never had any complaints made about his conduct over the course of...

Hello, and a warm welcome to International Insider. As the film half of the industry prepares to reunite in Cannes next week, here’s what you need to know from the past seven days. Want to get in touch? I’m on jkanter@deadline.com. And to get this delivered every Friday, sign up here.

Cannes We Dig It?

Yes, we can: It’s actually happening, Tom Grater reports. After an unprecedented 26-month gap, Cannes Film Festival returns next Tuesday, and it won’t look like any edition that has come before. Firstly, international travel remains a challenge. The U.S. is on France’s “green list,” which for vaccinated travelers should keep entry barriers to a minimum, though Deadline spoke to people this week who were still unclear how they would demonstrate their vaccinated status due to the lack of a Qr code on the U.S. vax card.

#MeToo scandals that have erupted in British TV, prompted by the accusations of sexual harassment and bullying by Doctor Who star Noel Clarke and, more recently, the sexual misconduct allegations made against producer Charlie Hanson, has forced one U.K. industry giant and production house to put new policies in place.

Sky, the Comcast-owned TV giant, and its production arm Sky Studios have unveiled a series of newly enhanced on-set safeguarding measures for its shows, which have been sent to its production partners alongside a reiteration of current policies.

New polices being introduced include:

Requiring every production to have a named Safeguarding Representative, who ...

#MeToo scandals that have erupted in British TV, prompted by the accusations of sexual harassment and bullying by Doctor Who star Noel Clarke and, more recently, the sexual misconduct allegations made against producer Charlie Hanson, has forced one U.K. industry giant and production house to put new policies in place.

Sky, the Comcast-owned TV giant, and its production arm Sky Studios have unveiled a series of newly enhanced on-set safeguarding measures for its shows, which have been sent to its production partners alongside a reiteration of current policies.

New polices being introduced include:

Requiring every production to have a named Safeguarding Representative, who ...

BAFTA chair Krishnendu Majumdar has said that sexual misconduct allegations against actor Noel Clarke and producer Charlie Hanson have brought “shame” on the UK film and TV business, and must act as a “wake-up call” for improving complaints procedures for victims.

In his annual letter to BAFTA members, Majumdar reflected on the industry’s #MeToo reckoning, which engulfed BAFTA itself after the organization faced difficult questions over why it honored Clarke with a special film award after being made aware of allegations of misconduct against the Adulthood and Bulletproof star.

Weeks later, BAFTA was presented with claims against Hanson, a producer on Ricky Gervais’ Netflix hit After Life. The charity suspended Hanson and branded the allegations “abhorrent.” Both Clarke and Hanson vehemently deny wrongdoing.

“BAFTA has been a lightning rod for the issue of harassment and bullying in our industry to be talked about. This has been a wake-up call,...

UK broadsheet the Times has issued an apology to BAFTA and its chair Krishnendu Majumdar over its claim in a May article that Majumdar had “close links” with the actor Noel Clarke, who is facing numerous allegations of misconduct, and that their relationship may have influenced the decision to present the actor with an honorary prize. The Mail Online has also agreed to issue a similar apology, the org said today, after picking up on the original report.

Here’s the Times’ apology in full: “In “BAFTA boss Krishnendu Majumdar worked with scandal star Noel Clarke on diversity”, we reported concerns that Krishnendu Majumdar’s close links with Noel Clarke and their work together to promote diversity could have hampered Bafta’s handling of the sex allegations against Clarke. We accept that this suggestion is incorrect. There are no close links between the men. BAFTA’s response to...

Hello, and welcome to International Insider — happy Euro 2020 day! Jake Kanter with you, as usual, bringing you all the news, views, and analysis from the world of film and TV. Please do get in touch with feedback or stories on jkanter@deadline.com. And to get this delivered directly to your inbox every Friday, sign up here.

Cannes Market Heats Up

Cooking up a storm: The online Cannes market doesn’t get underway until July 21, but things are already heating up ahead of the superbowl of movie sales. My colleagues have been hoovering up scoops on some of the hot packages hitting the French Riviera. Here are a few of note:

Andreas Wiseman got the skinny on Marlowe, the Storyboard Media and CAA Media Finance-backed noir thriller about Raymond Chandler’s iconic detective Philip Marlowe, which is set to star Liam Neeson. Oscar-winner Neil Jordan (The Crying Game) will...

BAFTA CEO Amanda Berry has called for an industry-wide summit to tackle sexual harassment and bullying in the U.K. entertainment industry.

Her suggestion follows a statement from Time’s Up (U.K.), issued on Wednesday, calling for an independent standards body to oversee U.K. productions and offer guidance and advice, a mediation service and a place to report historic and current allegations, among other things.

“We join Times Up U.K. in calling on the industry to come together at a high-level summit to address the urgent need for a consistent and trusted industry-wide approach to responding to allegations of bullying and harassment, as well as to make meaningful changes to the culture and working practices to support people making complaints and better safeguard all those working in the screen industries,” Berry said.

“As part of this, BAFTA is accelerating its work with industry partners to encourage employers to adopt the bullying,...

Ricky Gervais has confirmed that production has wrapped on the third season of his Netflix series “After Life,” following a seven-week shoot.

The actor and writer tweeted “Day 35 on #AfterLife3 And that’s a wrap” alongside an emoji of two champagne glasses clinking. He also included a photograph of himself walking through a bucolic forest landscape with his canine companion Brandy (played by a female German Shepherd called Anti.)

The actor was spotted filming last week in a village in Hertfordshire, according to a local newspaper. He has also shared near daily updates from the shoot on Twitter over the past two months.

Production of “After Life” was rocked last week when sexual misconduct allegations emerged against Charlie Hanson, the show’s producer. Netflix removed the executive — a long-time collaborator of Gervais’ who has produced a number of his series and movies — from the production. He is accused of sexual misconduct by 11 women.

Hello! Welcome to International Insider, I’m Jake Kanter. It’s been a short week both in the UK and America, but there’s still been a glut of news. Keep scrolling for all the headlines you need to read. As always, I’m on jkanter@deadline.com if you want to send comments, feedback or stories. And to get this delivered directly to your inbox every Friday, sign up here.

UK TV’s #MeToo Moment

Triggered: The question I’ve been asking this week: have the allegations of sexual misconduct against Noel Clarke opened the floodgates to the UK television industry’s #MeToo moment? Time’s Up UK chair Dame Heather Rabbatts certainly thinks that the actor and producer’s high-profile status in the British biz has “helped to act as an accelerator for others to come forward” with further claims, she tells me. Alex Pumfrey, the CEO of The Film & TV Charity,...

Exclusive: Time’s Up UK, the charity born out of the Harvey Weinstein scandal and subsequent #MeToo movement, is exploring ways of improving accountability in the British television industry when allegations of sexual misconduct emerge years after a production has shut up shop.

Time’s Up UK chair Dame Heather Rabbatts told Deadline that her organization wants to address the “gray space” that exists when there is a lag between an inappropriate incident taking place and a complaint being lodged or made public.

It follows the allegations against Noel Clarke made by more than 20 women. Many of the accusations, which Clarke vehemently denies, date back to shoots that have long since wrapped or are in the hands of a different production team, such as BBC sci-fi drama Doctor Who.

“The overwhelming majority of productions have really clear procedures, as do broadcasters, around anything that happens at the time. The difficulty...

Ricky Gervais issued a statement Saturday, commenting on the “immediate removal” of Netflix’s “After Life” producer Charlie Hanson following accusations made by several women of predatory behavior.

“I am shocked and appalled to learn of the historical allegations made by a number of women against Charlie Hanson. The decision was made to immediately remove him from production and I am confident the matter is being handled thoroughly,” Gervais said.

Gervais’ long-time collaborator was the subject of an anonymous email sent to Netflix and BAFTA, detailing a history of sexual misconduct. Although his name was initially withheld, the U.K. outlet The Times revealed it was Hanson, and it reported that 11 women complained about the producer’s behavior. Hanson has since been removed from “After Life” and suspended by BAFTA.

“Charlie Hanson is a predator who uses his reputation, connections and standing in order to groom far younger, impressionable and...

Ricky Gervais has spoken out after his frequent collaborator and After Life producer Charlie Hanson was accused of sexual misconduct by 11 women, according to a report in U.K. newspaper The Times.

“I am shocked and appalled to learn of the historical allegations made by a number of women against Charlie Hanson,” Gervais said in a statement Saturday obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. “The decision was made to immediately remove him from production and I am confident the matter is being handled thoroughly.”

Netflix confirmed that Hanson was removed from After Life.

“On Monday, we received an anonymous email containing historical allegations about a producer ...

Ricky Gervais has spoken out after his frequent collaborator and After Life producer Charlie Hanson was accused of sexual misconduct by 11 women, according to a report in U.K. newspaper The Times.

“I am shocked and appalled to learn of the historical allegations made by a number of women against Charlie Hanson,” Gervais said in a statement Saturday obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. “The decision was made to immediately remove him from production and I am confident the matter is being handled thoroughly.”

Netflix confirmed that Hanson was removed from After Life.

“On Monday, we received an anonymous email containing historical allegations about a producer ...

Ricky Gervais has responded to misconduct allegations against “After Life” producer Charlie Hanson, a long-time collaborator on numerous projects by the British comedian.

“I am shocked and appalled to learn of the historical allegations made by a number of women against Charlie Hanson. The decision was made to immediately remove him from production and I am confident the matter is being handled thoroughly,” said Gervais in a statement on Saturday.

Hanson produced two seasons of Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s BBC and HBO comedy “Extras” as well as the pair’s film “Cemetery Junction.” He was also behind Gervais and Merchant’s series “Life’s Too Short” and “Derek,” which starred Gervais.

Hanson was revealed as the male producer removed from a Netflix production after the streaming giant received an anonymous email detailing historical allegations about the executive. News of the producer’s removal was first reported by industry outlet Broadcast,...

Bafta suspends Hanson, who denies all allegations.

UK producer Charlie Hanson has been removed from production of season three of After Life by Netflix, in the wake of allegations against him by 11 women including of serious sexual assault.

The allegations were detailed in a report by UK newspaper The Times today (May 29); Hanson has denied all wrongdoing, according to the paper.

They follow a report by Screen’s sister publication Broadcast yesterday (May 28) that Netflix had removed the producer following anonymous emails the company received on Monday (May 24) containing allegations of historical sexual harassment; the story didn’t identify Hanson by name.

British television producer and director Charlie Hanson has been removed from Netflix’s Ricky Gervais comedy After Life and he has been suspended by BAFTA amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

Both Netflix and BAFTA were sent an anonymous email this week containing allegations about Hanson. The Times of London reported on Saturday that he is the subject of complaints from 11 women, who have detailed accusations dating from 2008 to 2015. Hanson strenuously denies wrongdoing.

Netflix confirmed Hanson is no longer a producer on After Life. A spokeswoman said: “On Monday, we received an anonymous email containing historical allegations about a producer on one of our titles. Whilst the allegations are unrelated to his time on the show, we immediately removed him from the production and referred the matter to the police.”

In a statement, Gervais added: “I am shocked and appalled to learn of the historical allegations made by a number of women against Charlie Hanson.

Television producer Charlie Hanson has been removed from Netflix series After Life after a group of women accused him of sexual misconduct, U.K. newspaper The Times reported Friday.

Netflix confirmed that Hanson was removed from After Life.

“On Monday, we received an anonymous email containing historical allegations about a producer on one of our titles,” a rep for the streamer said in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. “Whilst the allegations are unrelated to his time on the show, we immediately removed him from the production and referred the matter to the police.”

The story notes that Hanson, 68, was asked ...

Television producer Charlie Hanson has been removed from Netflix series After Life after a group of women accused him of sexual misconduct, U.K. newspaper The Times reported Friday.

Netflix confirmed that Hanson was removed from After Life.

“On Monday, we received an anonymous email containing historical allegations about a producer on one of our titles,” a rep for the streamer said in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. “Whilst the allegations are unrelated to his time on the show, we immediately removed him from the production and referred the matter to the police.”

The story notes that Hanson, 68, was asked ...

Members of the U.K. film and TV industry are calling for an overhaul of on-set safety measures and a “recalibration” of how to protect survivors of abuse following reports of multiple allegations of sexual harassment and bullying against Noel Clarke during his decades-long career as an actor, writer and producer.

Since The Guardian released its investigation into the star, best known for his roles in “Doctor Who” and “Bulletproof,” as well as creating “The Hood” film trilogy, 26 people have come forward with accusations against him. Clarke has categorically denied any sexual misconduct or criminal wrongdoing, but released a statement apologizing for some of his actions.

The revelations have emboldened industry insiders to speak out about a culture that has allowed professional misconduct to continue, even after the Time’s Up movement swept the film and TV world four years ago with the #MeToo reckoning sparked by the Harvey Weinstein scandal.

Disney Hires Netflix Emea Exec Emma Smart

Disney has recruited Emma Smart, Netflix’s London-based director of business affairs for original series, as its VP for business affairs, originals. Smart will report to Diego Londono, Disney’s EVP, media networks and content, negotiating UK-based original productions, as well as having oversight of European production deals. She will work alongside Sonja Brugger, VP acquisitions and commercial affairs, and Liam Keelan, VP, original production. Prior to joining Netflix in 2018, she was head of business affairs for drama at ITV.

‘After Life’ Season 3 Begins Shooting

Netflix has announced that Season 3 of Ricky Gervais comedy After Life has started shooting. Set in the small, fictitious town of Tambury, the comedy-drama series follows Tony (Gervais), a writer for the local newspaper whose life is upended after his wife dies from cancer. Produced by Derek Productions, the third season forms part of an overall deal Gervais has with Netflix.

Netflix has picked up a third season of the Ricky Gervais series “After Life” as part of a new overall deal the comedian has signed with the streamer.

Under the agreement, Gervais will develop both scripted series and stand-up specials for Netflix, following on the success of projects like “After Life” and “Ricky Gervais: Humanity.”

“After Life,” which returned for Season 2 last week, stars Gervais as Tony, a man whose perfect life changes once his wife Lisa dies. After contemplating taking his own life, he decides instead to live long enough to punish the world by saying and doing whatever he likes from now on.

Also Read: 'Space Force' Teaser: Steve Carell Comforts Himself by Singing 'Kokomo' Alone in His Office (Video)

The series also stars Penelope Wilton, David Bradley, Ashley Jensen, Tom Basden, Tony Way, David Earl, Joe Wilkinson, Kerry Godliman, Mandeep Dhillon, Jo Hartley, Roisin Conaty,...

Ricky Gervais has struck an overall deal with Netflix as the streamer brings back comedy After Life for a third season.

The Office creator will develop new scripted projects for the digital platform as well as stand-up specials as part of the multi-year deal.

This comes after the launch of season two of the British comedy.

Set in the small, fictitious town of Tambury, the comedy-drama series follows Tony (Gervais), a writer for the local newspaper whose life is upended after his wife dies from cancer. In series 2, Tony tries to become a better friend to those around him while still struggling with his own grief. Each character is grappling with their own problems and that’s only intensified by the looming threat of the local newspaper being shut down.

After Life is a Netflix original series from Derek Productions. The six-part series is created, written and directed by Gervais.

Ricky Gervais is making Netflix his more permanent home.

The British comedian, who created “The Office” and has hosted the Golden Globes multiple times, has signed a multi-year overall deal with the streamer. As part of the deal, his show “After Life” has been renewed for a third season.

The news comes less than two weeks after the launch of “After Life” season 2. Gervais’ new partnership with Netflix will see him produce both scripted series and stand-up comedy.

“After Life” centers around Tony (Gervais), a middle-aged journalist whose “perfect life” has been reduced to dust since his wife died of cancer. After contemplating taking his own life, he decides instead to live long enough to punish the world by saying and doing whatever he likes from now on. He thinks it’s like a Super Power, but eventually finds out life is more complicated, when everyone around him tries to...

In today’s roundup, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” announces upcoming guest judges and Netflix sets the premiere date for Season 2 of “After Life” starring Ricky Gervais.

Castings

Whoopi Goldberg, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Chaka Khan, Robyn, Leslie Jones, Normani, Jeff Goldblum, Daisy Ridley, Thandie Newton, Olivia Munn, Rachel Bloom, Daniel Franzese, Jonathan Bennett and Winnie Harlow have been cast as guest judges on Season 12 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” They join rapper Nicki Minaj, who was previously announced, in the lineup, and will assist show regulars Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, Ross Mathews and host RuPaul as they decide who will stay, lip-sync for their life or “sashay away.” As other seasons, the show will follow 13 queens will compete for the ultimate title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar” and a grand prize of $100,000. Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, Steven Corfe, Mandy Salangsang and RuPaul serve as executive producers. The upcoming season will premiere Feb.

The second season of Ricky Gervais’ comedy After Life will premiere on Netflix on April 24, the streamer has confirmed.

The six-part series will return to the fictional town of Tambury, where Gervais’ character Tony is attempting to rebuild his life following the death of his wife and a traumatic bout of grief.

Journalist Tony is attempting to become a better friend to those around him, each of whom are grappling with their own problems, while there is also the looming threat of the local newspaper being shut down.

After Life is made by Gervais’ production company Derek Productions. Charlie Hanson is the producer and Gervais and Duncan Hayes are executive producers. Returning cast will include Penelope Wilton, David Bradley, Ashley Jensen, Tom Basden and Kerry Godliman.

Ricky Gervais’ dark comedy After Life is coming back to Netflix for a second season.

The Svod platform has ordered another six-part run of the show, which was created, written and directed by The Office creator, who also starred in the lead role.

This comes after the British comedy, which is produced by Gervais’ Derek Productions, launched on Netflix in March. Last month, the Derek star revealed that he’d never had a reaction to a show that he created before and said that he had a “spring in his step as he skips towards writing season two”.

The show follows Gervais’ Tony who had a perfect lies. But after his wife Lisa dies, Tony changes. After contemplating taking his own life, he decides instead to live long enough to punish the world by saying and doing whatever he likes from now on. He thinks it’s like a Super...

Ricky Gervais’ bleakest show yet is returning for a second season, Variety has learned.

Netflix has announced it is renewing “After Life” for a six-episode season 2, which will launch in 2020. The first season debuted in March, 2019.

“I have never had a reaction like this before. It’s been insane. And heartwarming. But now I have to make sure the second season is even better so I’ll probably have to work much harder than usual. Annoying really, “ said Gervais.

The show centers around Tony (Gervais), a middle-aged journalist whose “perfect life” has been reduced to dust since his wife died of cancer. After contemplating taking his own life, he decides instead to live long enough to punish the world by saying and doing whatever he likes from now on. He thinks it’s like a Super Power, but eventually finds out life is more complicated, when everyone around him tries...

There’s life after “After Life” Season 1: Netflix has renewed Ricky Gervais’ “After Life” for a second season, which will consist of six episodes and launch in 2020.

“After Life” centers around Tony (Ricky Gervais), who seemingly had a perfect life. But after his wife Lisa dies, Tony changes. After contemplating taking his own life, he decides instead to live long enough to punish the world by saying and doing whatever he likes from now on. He thinks it’s like a super power — not caring about himself or anyone else — but it turns out to be tricky when everyone is trying to save the nice guy they used to know, per Netflix.

“I have never had a reaction like this before. It’s been insane. And heartwarming,” Gervais said on Wednesday. “But now I have to make sure the second season is even better so I’ll probably have...

In today’s TV News Roundup, “So You Think You Can Dance” gets renewed and DeWanda Wise and Jessica Williams enter”The Twilight Zone.”

Dates

Netflix’s new Ricky Gervais series “After Life” is set to launch March 8 with co-stars Kerry Godliman, Tom Basden, Tony Way, David Bradley and Ashley Jensen. “After Life” follows Tony (Gervais) who decides to punish the world by saying and doing whatever he wants after his wife Lisa (Godliman) dies. Other cast members include Penelope Wilton, David Earl, Joe Wilkinson, Kerry Godliman, Mandeep Dhillon, Jo Hartley, Roisin Conaty, Tim Plester and Diane Morgan. In addition to executive producing, Gervais created, wrote and directed the series alongside producer Charlie Hanson and fellow executive producer Duncan Hayes.

Conan O’Brien‘s late-night talk show “Conan” is set to return with guest Tom Hanks Jan. 22 at 11 p.m. on TBS. The premiere, which marks O’Brien’s ninth...

Netflix has set March 8 for the premiere of After Life, a six-part series is created, written, directed by and starring Ricky Gervais.

In After Life, Tony (Gervais) had a perfect life. But after his wife Lisa dies, Tony changes. After contemplating taking his own life, he decides instead to live long enough to punish the world by saying and doing whatever he likes from now on. He thinks it’s like a Super Power — not caring about himself or anyone else — but it turns out to be tricky when everyone is trying to save the nice guy they used to know.

Kerry Godliman (Derek) also stars as Tony’s wife Lisa, Tom Basden as Tony’s brother-in-law Matt, Tony Way (Edge of Tomorrow) as Tony’s best-friend Lenny, David Bradley as Tony’s dad, and...

Exclusive: Vertical Entertainment has acquired North American rights to Where Hands Touch, the new film written and directed by Amma Asante that will have its world premiere at next month’s Toronto Film Festival. As part of the deal, the pic, which stars Amandla Stenberg, George MacKay, Abbie Cornish and Christopher Eccleston, will hit U.S. theaters September 14, followed by an exclusive window on DirecTV starting December 6. It will then stream exclusively on Hulu beginning in March 2019.

Where Hands Touch is Asante’s fourth film to bow at Toronto after A Way of Life (2004), Belle (2013) and A United Kingdom (2016). It will premiere there September 9 as a Special Presentation; Asante will also be part of the fest’s women’s rally September 8.

The coming-of-age film is set in 1944 Germany. Leyna (Stenberg), the 15-year old daughter of a white German mother (Cornish) and a black African father, meets Lutz (MacKay), a compassionate...

Exclusive: Cast is now set for Ricky Gervais’ new Netflix Original comedy series After Life, which is under way in London.

Joining Gervais will be Downton Abbey and Doctor Who star Penelope Wilton, Harry Potter and Game Of Thrones star David Bradley, Ashley Jensen (Extras), Tom Basden (Plebs), Tony Way (Edge of Tomorrow), David Earl (Cemetery Junction), Joe Wilkinson (Him and Her), Kerry Godliman (Derek), and Mandeep Dhillon, Jo Hartley, Roisin Conaty and Diane Morgan (all from David Brent: Life On The Road).

Gervais is creator and will star in, direct and executive-produce the series which is about Tony (Gervais), a man with a seemingly perfect life. However, after his wife Lisa suddenly dies, Tony changes. After contemplating taking his own life, he decides instead to live long enough to punish the world by saying and doing whatever he likes from now on. He thinks it’s like a super...

Netflix has ordered the first season of the After Life TV show from Ricky Gervais, co-creator of The Office (UK), which spawned NBC's long-running hit, The Office (Us). The multi-hyphenate created and is starring in the new dark comedy. He is also executive producing with his Extras colleague, Charlie Hanson. Gervais has announced After Life is in pre-production. Reportedly, the Netflix season one order is for six 30-minute episodes, with a start date Tbd. Gervais says, "Afterlife] I play a man who, after the death of his wife, becomes suicidal but decides to live long enough to punish the world," by saying and doing what he pleases. Check out his announcement (with a little Nsfw language), below. Read More…...

Ricky Gervais will return to Netflix for his new scripted comedy series, After Life. The comedian will create, executive produce, direct and star in the six-episode, half-hour show. The company has yet to announce a cast list or premiere date.

According to The Hollywood Reporter's summary of the project, Gervais will star as protagonist Tony, whose radiant outlook on life shifts following the death of his wife, Lisa. After debating and ruling out suicide, he resolves to spite the universe by doing and whatever what he feels from that point forward.

Ricky Gervais is returning to the single-camera comedy world via Netflix.

The streamer has given a six-episode series order to After Life, a half-hour sitcom starring the Office, Extras and Derek vet as a widower who abandons his internal censor. Here’s the official logline:

Tony had a perfect life. But after his wife Lisa suddenly dies, Tony changes. After contemplating taking his own life, he decides instead to live long enough to punish the world by saying and doing whatever he likes from now on. He thinks it’s like a Super Power — not caring about himself or anyone...

Netflix has ordered a comedy from Ricky Gervais, “After Life” the streaming company said on Wednesday.

The scripted comedy stars Gervais as a guy who, after his wife suddenly dies and an attempt at suicide, decides to live long enough to punish the world by saying and doing whatever he likes from now on. Netflix has ordered six episodes.

“After Life” is created, executive produced and directed by Gervais, with Charlie Hanson on board as an executive producer as well.

Also Read: Ricky Gervais on How Much It Hurt to Play His 'Office' Character Again

The series marks Gervais’ return to scripted television since the British comedy “Derek” and continues his relationship with Netflix. Along with “Derek,” which Netflix aired in the U.S., the streamer is the home to the comedian’s “Humanity,” his return to stand-up after seven years. Netflix also owns the U.S rights to “David Brent: Life on the Road,” a film spin-off of Gervais’ character he portrayed on the original, BBC version of “The Office.”

Read original story Netflix Orders Ricky Gervais Sitcom ‘After Life’ At TheWrap...

It’s official. Netflix has ordered six half-hour episodes of After Life, a new dark comedy series from Ricky Gervais.

Created, executive produced, directed by and starring Gervais, After Life centers on Tony (Gervais) who had a perfect life. But after his wife Lisa suddenly dies, Tony changes. After contemplating taking his own life, he decides instead to live long enough to punish the world by saying and doing whatever he likes from now on. He thinks it’s like a Super Power — not caring about himself or anyone else — but it turns out to be tricky when everyone is trying to save the nice guy they used to know.

Charlie Hanson (Extras) also executive produces.

Gervais has a long history with Netflix. The Internet TV network bought his stand-up show Humanity, which premiered in March, and bought the rights to his next stand-up show. Netflix also acquired U.S.

Netflix has ordered a new comedy series from Ricky Gervais, Variety has learned.

Titled “After Life,” the series follows Tony (Gervais), who had a perfect life. But after his wife Lisa suddenly dies, Tony changes. After contemplating taking his own life, he decides instead to live long enough to punish the world by saying and doing whatever he likes from now on. He thinks it’s like a Super Power — not caring about himself or anyone else — but it turns out to be tricky when everyone is trying to save the nice guy they used to know.

Gervais created the series and will also executive produce and direct in addition to starring. Charlie Hanson who previously worked with Gervais on shows like “Derek” and “Extras,” will also executive produce. Netflix has ordered six half-hour episodes of the new series.

The series orders continues Gervais’ relationship with the streaming giant. Netflix...

Protagonist Pictures sells Amandla Stenberg, George Mackay, Abbie Cornish coming-of-age drama.

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (Spwa) has acquired most international rights excluding select European territories and Australia from Protagonist Pictures to Amma Asante’s Second World War drama Where Hands Touch.

Amandla Stenberg, George Mackay and Abbie Cornish star in the Germany-set coming-of-age story, which is currently in post and centres on the romance between a biracial girl and the son of a high-ranking SS officer.

Charlie Hanson of Tantrum Films produces alongside Pinewood Pictures, UMedia, the BFI, Isle Of Man Film, British Film Company, Head Gear Films, and Metrol Technology.

“Amma Asante is a skilful storyteller whose films reach a wide audience”, said Protagonist Pictures CEO Mike Goodridge. “We couldn’t be happier that our friends at Spwa have embraced her bold vision of a young biracial girl struggling to survive in Nazi Germany.”

Goodridge and head of worldwide sales Vanessa Saal brokered the deal with...

Amandla Stenberg, George Mackay, Abbie Cornish star in Amma Asante coming-of-age drama.

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (Spwa) has acquired most international rights excluding select European territories and Australia from Protagonist Pictures to Amma Asante’s Second World War drama Where Hands Touch.

Amandla Stenberg, George Mackay and Abbie Cornish star in the Germany-set coming-of-age story, which is currently in post and centres on the romance between a biracial girl and the son of a high-ranking SS officer.

Charlie Hanson of Tantrum Films produces alongside Pinewood Pictures, UMedia, the BFI, Isle Of Man Film, British Film Company, Head Gear Films, and Metrol Technology.

“Amma Asante is a skilful storyteller whose films reach a wide audience”, said Protagonist Pictures CEO Mike Goodridge. “We couldn’t be happier that our friends at Spwa have embraced her bold vision of a young biracial girl struggling to survive in Nazi Germany.”

Goodridge and head of worldwide sales Vanessa Saal brokered the deal...

Author: Zehra Phelan

British screenwriter, director and former actress, Amma Asante’s career as a filmmaker is going from strength to strength particularly with her last film, A United Kingdom. The film told the tale of the 1940’s interracial relationship between the Prince Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo) of Botswana and a white woman (Rosamund Pike) from London and earned her critical acclaim.

Related: Amma Asante on A United Kingdom

With the release of the first image of her next film, Where Hands Touch, Asante sticks to the theme that has worked so well for her in a tale which tells of the struggles of love between the daughter of a bi-racial couple, Leyna, played by Amandla Stenberg and a young man who is a member of the Hitler Youth, Lutz, played by George MacKay.

Asante said: “It has been a passion of mine to tell this story, for many years...

Exclusive: Abbie Cornish, Christopher Eccleston, Tom Sweet join drama sold by Protagonist.

Abbie Cornish (Bright Star), Christopher Eccleston (28 Days Later) and Tom Sweet (The Childhood of A Leader) have joined the cast of A United Kingdom director Amma Asante’s next film Where Hands Touch, alongside the previously announced Amandla Stenberg (As You Are) and George Mackay (Pride).

Set in Berlin in 1944, Where Hands Touch follows a bi-racial German teenager (Stenberg) who begins a friendship with a member of the Hitler youth (MacKay).

Asante wrote and will direct the project, which commenced shoot in Belgium this week.

Charlie Hanson (David Brent: Life on the Road) is producing with Remi Adefarasin (Elizabeth) on board as DoP. The film is a Tantrum Films / Pinewood Pictures Production, co-produced with UMedia and financed by BFI, Isle of Man, Head Gear and British Film Company.

World Sales are handled by Protagonist Pictures.

On the latest casting additions, Asante said: “I...

The Office is considered one of the best American sitcoms of the 2000s. Though, it was based on a UK comedy that came a few years before it from the creative and hilarious mind of Ricky Gervais. Gervais is reprising his iconic role of ex-boss David Brent in the all-new feature film Life on the Road. It was announced that this upcoming comedy will debut exclusively on Netflix in the U.S. and select international territories sometime in 2017. But it is getting a proper theatrical release in London and surrounding territories this summer. To help celebrate, BBC Films and EntertainmentOne have released a new video, which finds Gervais sliding into the sleeveless white T of his most popular character to date.

David Brent is seen wondering through the woods, wistfully singing the catchy folk song 'Lady Gypsy'. David Brent has released music videos before, the most popular of which was 'Equality Street'.

The streaming platform has acquired Us and select international rights to Ricky Gervais’ upcoming film excluding the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

David Brent: Life On The Road will premiere on Netflix in 2017 and catches up with the notorious paper company middle manager from BBC smash The Office.

In the mockumentary, Brent now plies his trade as a travelling salesman and holds on to his dream of rock stardom by self-funding a UK tour with his band, Foregone Conclusion.

eOne plans a saturation theatrical release in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand in August.

Netflix and Gervais collaborated...

Feature is based on the character made famous in BBC comedy The Office.

Principal photography has begun today on David Brent: Life On The Road, directed, written and starring Ricky Gervais.

The feature sees a documentary crew catching up with David Brent 12 years on from the BBC2 ‘documentary’ The Office. Brent is now a travelling salesman, chasing his dream of rock stardom by self-financing a UK tour with his band, Foregone Conclusion.

Shooting on location in and around London and Slough, production will shoot for five weeks and is due to wrap on Dec 18.

In addition to Gervais, the cast includes Ben Bailey Smith as Dom, most recently seen rapping in Brent’s Equality Street and writer-comedian Tom Basden as Dan, Brent’s road manager.

The film sees the introduction of Brent’s new office colleagues including love-struck Pauline (Jo Hartley), his ‘comedic’ partner in crime Nigel (Tom Bennett), his office nemesis Jezza (Andrew Brooke) and his...

The trio join the board of the festival, which aims to increase the heritage of British diversity.

Former Bafta rising star Adam Deacon will join the board of the British Urban Film Festival (Buff), which celebrated its tenth year in 2015.

In total, there are seven new board members and patrons, including director Mo Ali, whose feature Montana premiered at Buff in 2014, and actor/director Femi Oyeniran, who appeared alongside Deacon in Kidulthood and had his directorial debut Fresh Off The Boat screen at Buff in 2009.

Sue Caro, the former senior diversity manager of the BBC, is also a new appointee.

There are four actors joining the board: Clint Dyer (Unknown); Lateef Lovejoy (The Dark Knight); Aaron Fontaine (Hollyoaks); and Kyla Frye (The Key).

Other appointees include producers Charlie Hanson (Cemetery Junction) and Damian Jones (Belle).

Writers Donna Marie Dowe and Babi Isako (Venus vs Mars) complete the new-look board, both of whom will be script judges for the...

Ricky Gervais, James Marsh, Armando Iannucci films on slate.

BBC Films has revealed details of its upcoming slate, which includes new projects from Ricky Gervais, Armando Iannucci, James Marsh and Ritesh Batra.

The slate of projects was revealed during an event in London to celebrate the 25th birthday of BBC Films, whose first first theatrical production, Truly Madly Deeply, directed by Anthony Minghella, was released in 1990.

As previously reported, Ritesh Batra (The Lunchbox) will direct an adaptation of Julian Barnes’ Man Booker Prize winning novel The Sense of an Ending.

The adaptation is the debut screenplay of award-winning playwright Nick Payne and tells the story of Tony Webster, whose comfortable world is rocked to its foundations by the emergence of an explosive letter from his careless youth.

David Thompson will produce for Origin Pictures.

Rafe Spall is confirmed for Swallows and Amazons, a reinvention of Arthur Ransome’s classic. Written by Andrea Gibb, the film will...

BBC One has revealed casting and a first image for Matt Lucas's new comedy series Pompidou.

The six-parter - now shooting for broadcast in 2015 - is inspired by Lucas's passion for classic silent comedy, such as the works of Charlie Chaplin.

Billed as a "visual comedy series", Pompidou will star the Little Britain comic as the title character - an elderly oddball aristocrat who has fallen on hard times.

Alex MacQueen (The Inbetweeners) plays Hove - Pompidou's long-suffering butler - while the likes of Bella Emberg, Roy Barraclough, Jane Asher and Tony Way will make cameo appearances.

"Matt has worked incredibly hard on creating a unique comedy universe for Pompidou," said Shane Allen, Controller of Comedy Commissioning for the BBC.

"Only someone of his immense talent and experience could achieve something that feels so modern and inventive which also has an underlying nod to past classic comedy masters like Chaplin and Laurel & Hardy.

Steve Oram to star in directorial debut alongside Julian Barratt, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Hannah Hoekstra and Tom Meeten.

Sightseers star and co-writer Steve Oram is to make his directorial debut on comedy Aaaaaaaah!, a film full of “sex and indiscriminate violence” in which actors will play monkeys and talk mostly “gibberish”.

Oram has assembled a comedy cast including The Mighty Boosh’s Julian Barratt, Green Wing’s Julian Rhind-Tutt (most recently seen in Rush), regular collaborator Tom Meeten, and Hannah Hoekstra, star of App and sexually explicit Dutch arthouse film Hemel.

Speaking to ScreenDaily, Oram said: “The script is in ‘human dialogue’ but the actors will throw the script away once they’ve learnt it.

“We’ll mainly use noises. It will be a combination of gibberish and monkey talk and it will be about expressing things physically. We’ve already done a bit - it has been really funny and gone very well.”

The self-financed...