Stewart Joins The 'Extras' Tonight

Patrick Stewart has exchanged treading the boards for a guest spot on TV comedy Extras, which airs in the UK tonight.

Created by Ricky Gervais, the first season of the comedy comes to a close tonight on BBC 2 at 9pm. The show focuses on wannabe-actor Andy Millmam (played by Gervais) and his friend Maggie (Ashley Jensen). In the sixth and final episode of the season, Patrick Stewart stars as himself and gives a helping hand to Andy who, along with his agent, is called to a meeting at the BBC. However Maggie's careless talk threatens to wreck Andy's career.

Extras, which is co-produced by HBO, is set to make its debut in the US on September 25 on HBO at 10:30/9:30c. "It's an honor to be on the same channel that gave us The Sopranos and they made me an offer I couldn't refuse," said Gervais. Assuming HBO show all six episodes without a gap, it means Stewart's episode will air on October 30.

The show has also just been commissioned for a second season. The first season has featured a number of top-name actors such as Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Stiller. Gervais said that the trend will continue. "It's a good job the BBC offered us a second series, [co-creator Stephen Merchant] and I had already booked the studio and promised about 30 actors a job."

Pictures of Stewart in his role can be seen above right and below, courtesy of the BBC.

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