Ricky Gervais is one of the UK’s biggest comedy exports. The Reading-born comedian rocketed to fame after he co-created (with Stephen Merchant) and starred in the Office, a sitcom that would go on to spawn several different versions around the world. In addition to his work on TV, Gervais was also a pioneer in the podcast world. His Ricky Gervais Show podcast with Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington would go on to become one of the most popular podcasts of all time and help launch the medium to what it is today. Aside from TV and podcasting, Gervais is an established and talented director and actor, starring in movies from both the UK and the USA.

This article will list Gervais’ 10 best roles across movies and TV according to Rotten Tomatoes (not counting appearances as himself).

Afterlife: 71%

While Ricky is known primarily for his comedic talent, perhaps he doesn’t receive enough praise for his ability to write thoughtful and emotional drama into his comedy. All of his sitcoms have emotional depth, whether it be Derek, The Office Christmas Special, or even Extras, but Afterlife is his most emotional yet.

Perhaps the term ‘dramedy’ is best used to describe Gervais’ most recent work, as it delves just as deep into the emotional territory as it does the comedic.

Stardust: 77%

Stardust is one of several properties on this list that appears to have been underrated by both the audience and critics. Written by Neil Geiman and starring Robert de Niro, Sir Ian McKellen, and Ricky Gervais, Stardust was a fantastical love story that was truly a visual marvel.

The film followed a young man as he tries to find a fallen star to impress a woman, only to find out that the fallen star is also a woman.

Muppets Most Wanted: 80%

Muppets Most Wanted followed the iconic puppets on another adventure that sees the gang become embroiled in an international crime caper. While critics suggested that the film wasn’t the best in the Muppets series, it was still a hilarious movie with a sharp script.

This isn’t Ricky Gervais’ first foray into children’s entertainment either, as the comedian also featured in Ben Stiller’s Night at the Museum.

Ghost Town: 85%

Ghost Town is a fairly underappreciated movie from the late 2000s. In this film, Ricky Gervais played a shrewd and coldhearted dentist named Bertrum Pincus who gains the ability to see and communicate with the dead. The movie follows Pincus as his character warms to other people as a result of his newfound ability.

The film was well-received by critics, who praised the film for its sharp script and strong performances from its cast, which included actors such as Greg Kinnear and Téa Leoni.

Alias: 88%

Some may not be aware, but Ricky Gervais was actually featured in the hit ABC action thriller Alias. Starring Jennifer Garner and Bradley Cooper, the TV thriller was very well-received among critics and the show is frequently listed in various top ten lists.

In the episode Facade, Gervais plays an Irish bomber and terrorist whose brother was killed by Jennifer Garner’s Sydney Bristow in the series. This is clearly out of Gervais’s comfort zone, yet he excelled in the role.

Galavant: 89%

Galavant was a musical comedy TV series based around a young knight who was aiming to win back the love of his life from an evil king. The show was praised for its campy, lighthearted, yet entertaining style, as well as for its catchy musical numbers.

In the show, Gervais plays Xanax, a magician who helped King Richard. Gervais first appeared in the episode entitled Dungeons and Dragon Lady and was very popular among fans.

Extras: 89%

Extras is one of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s best projects to date. The conceit of the series was based around an extra, Andy Millman (Gervais), who would bump into a new celebrity on set each week. This allowed Gervais to have a different, hilarious cameo each week with notable stars including Patrick Stewart, David Bowie, and Daniel Radcliffe.

The series was very well received by critics and went on to receive several awards, both domestically and internationally. It was a shame that Gervais ended the series after 2 seasons and a special.

The Little Prince: 93%

An adaption of the classic French children’s story of the same name, The Little Prince was a beautifully animated adventure that captured the magic of the book perfectly. Critics praised the Netflix original for its fantastic visuals and its compelling plot.

Ricky Gervais wasn’t the only famous name in the voice cast, with Jeff Bridges, Paul Rudd, and Marion Cotillard all lending their voices to this magnificent retelling of the French classic.

Louie: 94%

Louis CK’s Louie was kind of like Extras in its conceit. Much like how Extras featured a guest actor who played a fictional version of themselves, Louie centered around a fictionalized version of the comedian’s life. The series was built around the comedian raising his two daughters as a single dad in New York.

Ricky Gervais’ moment in the series was certainly memorable. The British comedian portrayed a doctor who had to give Louis a prostate exam (fans of the show should also check out the hilarious blooper reel of this scene).

The Office: 95%

It couldn’t have been anything else. Gervais’ best role according to Rotten Tomatoes was in the Office, where he played the hilarious David Brent. The series was a mockumentary that followed the employees in a fictional office in Slough, in the UK. The series was a cultural phenomenon in the UK (and internationally through its remakes) with the show consistently ranking highly in ‘best sitcom’ lists.

While it is sometimes overshadowed by its bigger cousin, the American Office, it is an iconic show that is a must-watch for any fans of comedy.