Chegwin as Himself Cameo appearances Liam Neeson (episode 1) Johnny Depp (episode 2) Helena Bonham Carter (episode 3) Right Said Fred (episode 4) Steve Carell (episode 4) Ramin Karimloo (episode 5) Cat Deeley (episode 6) Ewen MacIntosh (episode 6) Sting (episode 7) Sophie Ellis-Bextor (episode 7) Val Kilmer (episode 8) Episodes Series 1 (2011) Special (2013) Development Gervais first mentioned Life's Too Short on his blog in February 2010, when he and Merchant were writing and casting the project. They would go on to select Warwick Davis for the lead role after a number of auditions. The pilot for the comedy was commissioned by the BBC in April 2010. Gervais reported on progress in his blog. In April 2010 he stated, "Some reports are saying that the Life's Too Short pilot we are shooting in the summer will be aired. It wont . It is a non-broadcast pilot. We will shoot the whole series before anything is aired. We're not sure how many eps [episodes] we will record (probably 6) and not sure when the series will air." Gervais wrote on his blog in June 2010 that they had "Found the last location today for Life's Too Short. It feels great doing this project. Just like The Office and Extras. Starting from scratch, just me and Steve in a room crafting a brand new show. It doesn't get better than that for me." He later wrote that filming of the pilot was undertaken in June and July 2010. While talking at the Banff World Media Festival in July 2010, Gervais described Life's Too Short as "the funniest thing we've done". Gervais told The Hollywood Reporter "We're having so much fun working with Warwick. Pound for pound he is one of the funniest men I know." Stephen Merchant said of Davis: "Warwick is very funny, a very physical comedian which we really made use of … He's very charismatic, very charming in it … I was really pleased. He's a real comic star in waiting." Gervais went on to say that they had "Finished the pilot for Life's Too Short too. Just have to write the series now". The series was produced by Charlie Hanson, who previously produced Extras, and Michelle Farr. Gervais and Merchant were executive producers, along with Mark Freeland. On 17 September 2010 the BBC announced, via the BBC Two Controller Janice Hadlow and the Controller of BBC