Gervais signs deal with HBO

British funnyman Ricky Gervais has signed a deal with American TV network HBO to screen his upcoming comedy Extras in America.

The Golden Globe-winning creator of The Office, which has been re-made for US audiences, plays an aspiring actor in the behind-the-scenes BBC comedy which will feature cameos from a host of Hollywood stars including Samuel L Jackson, Kate Winslet, Ben Stiller and Patrick Stewart.