Following on from the pilot of Life's Too Short, BBC Two Controller, Janice Hadlow, and Cheryl Taylor, Controller, BBC Comedy Commissioning, have today announced a six-part series to be filmed next year.

Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, creators of award-winning series The Office and Extras, have already begun writing six 30-minute single-camera episodes for BBC in-house Comedy. Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant will also make an appearance as themselves.

As with the pilot, the series centres on Warwick Davis – whose credits include Star Wars and the Harry Potter series – and who is one of Britain's pre-eminent dwarf actors. It is an observational comedy following Warwick's day-to-day frustrations, but still managing to find the optimism and warmth in a small world where big things happen.

Ricky Gervais said: "Third in our trilogy of TV sitcoms, Life's Too Short is another naturalist observational comedy, dealing with everyday problems, human foibles and social faux pas... but with a dwarf."

Warwick Davis said: "I am absolutely thrilled that the BBC has 'green-lit' the first series of Life's Too Short. For me, it is my dream acting job. I will be collaborating with the very best in the business – the BBC, who produce the finest television in the world, and Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, who are without doubt the best comedy writer/directors there are (they've won a couple of awards!)."

Mark Freeland, Head of BBC in-house Comedy, said: "Warwick Davis has done it all – blockbuster movies, books... but never starred in a comedy series on BBC Two, written by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. But that's about to change and it's incredibly exciting."

Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant will direct as well as being the executive producers. BBC's Head of Comedy, Mark Freeland will also be an executive producer. The series will be produced by Charlie Hanson with Michelle Farr.

Further details on the new series, Life's Too Short, will be announced prior to filming in 2011.

PA/JD