Ricky Gervais co-created the British television series The Office with Stephen Merchant.
Gervais also wrote the series, played regional-manager character David Brent, and co-directed episodes with Merchant. The mockumentary premiered on BBC Two in 2001 and followed the awkward routines of employees at the fictional Wernham Hogg paper company.
The Office ran for two six-episode series and a two-part Christmas special. Its intentionally uncomfortable humor and documentary-style camera work influenced later workplace comedies around the world, including the American adaptation starring Steve Carell.
David Brent is the character, not the comedian who created him. Steve Coogan and Dylan Moran are also British comedians associated with television comedy, but neither co-created The Office with Merchant.