Extras

Extras is a British sitcom that follows the lives of two aspiring actors, Andy Millman (Ricky Gervais) and Maggie Jacobs (Ashley Jensen), as they navigate the world of film and television extras. The show is set in London and features a host of celebrity cameos, including Robert de Niro, Kate Winslet, and Samuel L. Jackson. Andy is a struggling actor who can't seem to catch a break, and is constantly trying to kiss up to celebrities and producers in the hopes of getting his big break. Despite his efforts, he consistently fails to impress and is often dismissed from sets. Maggie, on the other hand, is content with her life as an extra and has no aspirations to be anything more. The show's first season focuses on Andy's attempts to make it big, while season two sees him landing a starring role in a sitcom, When the Whistle Blows, which becomes a commercial success but is critically panned. Andy's frustration with the show's quality and his lack of creative control leads him to quit the series and try his hand at other projects, but he consistently fails to impress and his career stagnates. In the series finale, Andy has a breakdown and realizes that he needs to reevaluate his priorities and be grateful for what he has achieved. He voluntarily leaves Celebrity Big Brother, where he has been staying as a contestant after crashing his agent's lunch meeting,and is reunited with Maggie outside the studio where they drive off together, seemingly turning their backs on show business forever.

You can stream Extras on: BritBox Peacock

Some TV shows that have similar genres and were produced around the same time as Extras include Mid-Century Modern, Survival of the Thickest, Modern Love, The Middle, Parks and Recreation, Shrinking.