7.7/101,425 votes#1 - Ben Stiller
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 7/21/2005
Andy and Maggie are both extras in a serious genocide movie being shot by Ben Stiller in England; however, Andy isn't satisfied with his minuscule role, and so goes to the genocide witness Goran to try and get him a bigger part.
Director: Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais
Writer: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
7.5/101,259 votes#2 - Ross Kemp and Vinnie Jones
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 7/28/2005
Again Andy and Maggie are both extras on the same production, this time it's a period drama starring "hard-man" British actor Ross Kemp, who likes to play up to his tough persona. Another tough-guy actor, Vinnie Jones, is filming something nearby. When Andy brags to his rival, Greg, who's an extra on Jones' set, that Kemp could beat up Jones, the rivalry switches hands from the extras to the actors.
Director: Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais
Writer: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
8.7/101,571 votes#3 - Kate Winslet
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 8/4/2005
Andy and Maggie work on a Holocaust film that stars Kate Winslet.
Director: Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais
Writer: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
7.7/101,176 votes#4 - Les Dennis
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 8/11/2005
Andy gets a role in a pantomime, starring opposite British TV presenter Les Dennis. As Dennis begins to approach a breakdown, Maggie gets to know the pantomime director's daughter, who appears to have had her life greatly warped by her parents.
Director: Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais
Writer: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
8.0/101,145 votes#5 - Samuel L. Jackson
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 8/18/2005
Andy and Maggie are this time working on an action movie starring Samuel L Jackson. Andy finds himself cornered into a friendship with an incredibly over-friendly middle-aged Welshman also working on the set. Maggie finds herself attracted to black actor Danny on set, but isn't sure how to talk to him because of his race.
Director: Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais
Writer: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
8.5/101,211 votes#6 - Patrick Stewart
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 8/25/2005
As Andy's useless agent still hasn't managed to get him any work, he takes it upon himself to get his sitcom script read by somebody. He manages to get it to Patrick Stewart, who passes it onto the BBC, who decide to develop it. However, Andy finds himself stuck developing the script with a nearly unbearably camp man, a problem he shares with Maggie, who unwittingly repeats it to Andy's colleague later on, possibly jeopardizing Andy's chances of getting his sitcom made.
Director: Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais
Writer: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Ben Stiller" is the best rated episode of "Extras" season 1. It scored 7.7/10 based on 1425 votes. Directed by Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais and written by Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, it aired on 7/21/2005. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Ross Kemp and Vinnie Jones".