About Derek

Derek is a British television drama series that aired from 2012 to 2014. Created, written, and directed by Ricky Gervais, the show follows the life of Derek Noakes, a simple-minded man who works as a caretaker in a nursing home. The series delves into themes of compassion, kindness, and the beauty of relationships.

Explore

• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music
• Soundtrack

About

The story of Derek revolves around the titular character, played by Ricky Gervais, who works as a caretaker at the Broad Hill nursing home. Derek is a well-meaning and kind-hearted individual, often displaying childlike innocence. The show explores the relationships Derek forms with the elderly residents of the home, as well as his interactions with his co-workers, Hannah (Kerry Godliman) and Dougie (Karl Pilkington).

The series portrays the challenges faced by the residents, touching on themes of aging, dementia, and loneliness. Despite the often somber subject matter, Derek approaches these issues with warmth and humor, highlighting the importance of empathy and human connection.

Making / Production

Derek was both created and written by Ricky Gervais, who also directed several episodes. The series was produced by Derek Productions in collaboration with Channel 4. Gervais drew inspiration from his own experiences working in a care home, allowing for a more authentic portrayal of the characters and their interactions.

The show was praised for its naturalistic style and Gervais' ability to bring out strong performances from the cast. The combination of comedy and drama, as well as the poignant storytelling, resonated with audiences and critics alike.

Actors

• Ricky Gervais as Derek Noakes - Derek is a kind-hearted caretaker with a simple outlook on life.
• Kerry Godliman as Hannah - Hannah is Derek's best friend and co-worker at the nursing home.
• Karl Pilkington as Dougie - Dougie is another caretaker at the home, known for his dry and pessimistic personality.
• David Earl as Kev - Kev is a resident of the home and Derek's friend, known for his crude sense of humor.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Ricky Gervais based the character of Derek on individuals he encountered during his time working in a care home.
• The show was initially a pilot and gained popularity, leading to a full series.
• Derek was praised for its sensitive and respectful portrayal of individuals with disabilities and the elderly.
• Ricky Gervais won a BAFTA for his performance as Derek Noakes.

Awards

Derek received critical acclaim and was honored with various awards, including:

• BAFTA TV Award for Best Male Comedy Performance - Ricky Gervais
• British Comedy Award for Best Sitcom
• International Emmy Award for Best Comedy Series

Quotes

• "Kindness is magic." - Derek Noakes
• "Old people are better than babies. Babies are rubbish." - Kev
• "You can be honest without being hurtful." - Derek Noakes

Music

The music in Derek is a combination of original score and licensed tracks selected to enhance the emotional depth of the scenes. The soundtrack features a mix of contemporary songs and classics that underscore the themes of the series.

Soundtrack

• "Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want" by The Smiths
• "Hallelujah" by Jeff Buckley
• "Skinny Love" by Bon Iver
• "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel
• Original Score by Dickon Hinchliffe