Ricky Gervais’ Netflix Series ‘Derek’ Gets September Premiere

While Netflix subscribers continue to chew their own hands off in anticipation of this weekend's 'Arrested Development' season 4 premiere, the streaming service has begun shoring up its plans for the latest original content releases. We previously heard that Jenji Kohan's 'Orange is the New Black' would drop this summer, while Ricky Gervais' controversial dramedy 'Derek' now has a September premiere. Find out about Gervais' TV return inside!

Gervais’ ‘Derek’ may have already aired as a special in the UK, but American audiences now how an official date to catch the series on Netflix. The streaming service announced Tuesday that ‘Derek,’ which sees Gervais portraying a mentally handicapped nursing home worker, will debut all its episodes beginning midnight on September 12. From the show’s official description:

Derek Noakes is a tender, innocent man whose love for his job and the people he cares for shines through. He’s 49, adores animals, Rolf Harris, Jesus, Deal or No Deal, Million Pound Drop, and Britain’s Got Talent – but his main hobby is autograph hunting. Derek works in a retirement home with his mate and landlord, Dougie.

Derek cares deeply for old people because they’re kind and funny and tell him stories about the olden days. Hannah is a care worker at the home and is Derek’s best friend. She’s smart, witty and hard-working, but unlucky in love, and, like Derek, always puts other people first.

Gervais has defended the character on a number of occasions, particularly those claiming Derek makes light of mental handicap, but Gervais previously explained Derek to be of different intelligence, without necessarily likening the character to any one mental illness.

We've included the trailer for 'Derek' below, so what say you? Will you check out Ricky Gervais' new Netflix series when it debuts this September?