The Office is the title of several mockumentary sitcoms based on a British series originally created by Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais as The Office in 2001. The original series also starred Gervais as manager and primary character David Brent. The two series were broadcast on BBC Two in 2001 and 2002, totalling 12 episodes, with two special episodes concluding the series in 2003. A follow up movie starring Gervais and featuring his David Brent character was released in 2016.