How Ricky Gervais made his name in Teddington

By The Editor 30th Sep 2020

Teddington Studios has produced some of the most successful TV programmes this country has ever seen.

Before the Broom Road studio closed a few years ago the likes of Parkinson and My Family were all filmed there.

However arguably the most famous show to come out of the studios was actually filmed next door.

The studios had an adjoining office block where Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant would film the sitcom that would put them on the map.

The UK version of The Office may be the most important comedy of this century - and it was filmed right here in Teddington!

Despite the show being set in Slough (and Facebook often saying Teddington is in Slough despite the 20 mile journey) it was actually filmed here on our doorstep.

Gervais wanted to film the show in a real office to give it as authentic a feel as possible which is why despite the ample studio space here in Teddington, the office block was used instead.

The block was actually being used as real offices at the time so while Ricky Gervais and Martin Freeman were doing a scene in one room, admin staff at the studio were working as normal just next door.

The Office is unquestionably one of the greatest sitcoms of all time (and my personal favourite) and is just another example of the rich cultural history we are so lucky to have in Teddington.

You can watch a classic scene from the sitcom above this story.

     

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