It had to happen sooner or later. Despite the fact that I've enjoyed every single second of Extras, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's follow up to The Office, I've always known that like its predecessor, this would not be a long running show.The Office lasted 12 episodes and was wrapped up with a two-part special that tied up all of its loose ends, particularly the romance between Tim and Dawn. So I was curious to see what would happen if Gervais and Merchant actually created a third season of a show. But at the same time I knew the likelihood of Extras coming back for a third season (and outliving, as it were, The Office) was slim to none.
Sadly, we'll never know what a long-running Gervais and Merchant comedy would look like. The writing/producing/starring twosome have opted not to continue Extras, after all. Like The Office, the series will end with a special.
That special, unfortunately, doesn't have a date or casting in place. A spokesperson for the BBC added that the idea for the Extras conclusion was still in the early planning stages. However, Gervais and Merchant "will, at some point, sit down together and write it," she said. (Er, yeah.)
Personally, I think it's sad that the story of Andy, Maggie, and Darren is coming to a close so soon, just when the series really hit its stride in Season Two, with the arrival of When the Whistle Blows' wig, glasses, and catchphrase and some brilliant comedic gems from Ashley Jensen's Maggie and Stephen Merchant's Darren.
Here's to the memories, my friends.
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But since lightning probably won't strike twice, I'm looking forward to the last hurrah.
And if you haven't seen it, Gervais/Merchant's Comic Relief segment was pretty good.