'One of the best scripts I have ever had to learn'

Sir Ian McKellen says that whenever he needs cheering up, he watches himself in Extras.

The 82-year-old actor played a parody of himself as a serious actor in Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s comedy.

Speaking on the Graham Norton show tonight, Sir Ian says: ‘ It is one of the best scripts I have ever had to learn and perform – the laughs fall out of you because of the way it was written.  When I watch it, I laugh my head off!’

Merchant is also on the BBC One talk show tonight, promoting his new series The Outlaws, and interjected: ‘It was one of my proudest moments.  It was the first time I had worked with an actor of Ian’s calibre – it was a joy.’

Merchant also described his role in his own show, which launches at 9pm on Monday: ‘I really stretched myself.  I play an awkward middle-aged gangly nerd – you may as well get Bafta on the phone now because it is quite a performance!’

Sir Ian was on Norton’ show  – which airs at 10.35pm tonight – to promote his role in The Cherry Orchard at the Theatre Royal, Windsor.

Published: 22 Oct 2021