Ricky Gervais’ beloved show Derek will air its series finale on Channel 4 later this month. Like the bulk of his television programs, the show lasted two seasons and will end with a special, one-off Christmas episode. “I’m sorry to end it but I know that leaving something you love and starting something else is always the best thing to do creatively,” Gervais said of the series.
Derek is written and directed by Gervais, who also plays the title character of Derek Noakes. Derek is a simple man with a heart of gold who spends his days helping out the elderly residents of the Broad Hill old folk’s home. He is pleasant and selfless, and enjoys YouTube clips almost as much as he does, animals. Hannah (Kerry Godliman), who runs the struggling Broad Hill facility with all she’s got, values Derek’s genuine personality and does her best to watch over him. The sex-crazed Kev (David Earl), the insincere Geoff (Colin Hoult) and the reformed Vicky (Holli Dempsey) round out Derek’s primary crew. The show has also offered interesting side story threads including Hannah’s evolving relationship with Tom (Brett Goldstein) and Derek’s heartfelt reunion with his father Anthony (Tony Rohr).
The upcoming Christmas special will focus on Derek, trying to hold the retirement home together while now dating Tracey (Vicky Hall), whom he met on a blind date in the Season 2 finale. Partners Hannah and Tom get used to his new job closer to home while Kev finally comes to realize the true meaning of “family.” No word yet on whether the sorely missed Dougie (Karl Pilkington) will stop by for one last visit to Broad Hill. “There are also a couple of big surprises, said Gervais on his website, “but I don’t want to give you any clues,” So you’re telling us there’s a chance!
It’s sad to see such a great series like Derek come to an end so soon but there’s no doubt the show, with its message of “kindness is magic,” will surely live on with fans. The Christmas series finale airs Dec. 22 at 10 p.m on Channel 4 in the UK. The first two seasons of Derek were released to Netflix so we assume the Christmas special will follow suit, but no word on that just yet.
William Fanelli is a contributor to Flickering Myth – You can follow him on Twitter