{"id":51976,"date":"2024-05-23T13:02:42","date_gmt":"2024-05-23T11:02:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=2045105"},"modified":"2024-05-23T14:29:39","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T12:29:39","slug":"stephen-merchant-regrets-early-endings-for-the-office-and-extras","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/stephen-merchant-regrets-early-endings-for-the-office-and-extras\/","title":{"rendered":"Stephen Merchant regrets \u201cearly\u201d endings for The Office and Extras"},"content":{"rendered":"

The prolific writer said it was “exciting” to bring The Outlaws back for season 3. <\/p>

By David Craig\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 23 May 2024 at 11:02 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Stephen Merchant has said that he would \u201cnever\u201d have ended his early television hits so early if he\u2019d known the \u201cthrill\u201d that returning for multiple seasons can bring.<\/p>\n

The actor, comedian and screenwriter achieved his initial success in collaboration with Ricky Gervais, co-creating workplace comedy The Office<\/a>, showbiz satire Extras<\/a> and mockumentary Life\u2019s Too Short.<\/p>\n

Their first two television projects both ended after two seasons and a special, which was an intentional move on behalf of the creators to ensure that the acclaimed shows went out on a high note.<\/p>\n

However, as Merchant\u2019s latest series The Outlaws<\/a> returns for season 3, the star said at a launch event that he\u2019d had a change of heart on the subject of multi-season projects \u2013 and would perhaps have done things differently in hindsight.<\/p>

\u201cPreviously, I think we\u2019d ended shows thinking \u2018you don\u2019t want to outstay your welcome\u2019,\u201d he explained. \u201cBut actually, coming back is a thrill. And when I look back now, I would never have cancelled those other shows so early. I would have kept them going.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Outlaws is an ensemble comedy-drama following a group of people, each from different backgrounds and holding opposing views, who are forced together while they complete community service.<\/p>\n

Merchant said that his initial idea for the show was to bring in an all-new cast of characters every two seasons, echoing his earlier approach, but ultimately decided against that concept on the strength of his current, ever-evolving cohort.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d had this fanciful idea that you\u2019d do two series and then maybe you\u2019d move and there\u2019ll be a new set of outlaws in another town,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"The