Ricky Gervais Joins Cast of ABC's GALAVANT

According to EW, Ricky Gervais has joined the cast of ABC's fairytale musical GALAVANT.

On the series, Gervais will take on the role of "a medieval wizard named Xanax, who is well-known for having the best potions in all the land and excels at guiding his clients through alchemy-induced trips down memory lane."

Screenwriter/executive producer Dan Fogelman ("Crazy, Stupid, Love," "Tangled," "Cars") teams up with Broadway and Hollywood award-winning musical team-composer Alan Menken ("The Little Mermaid," "Aladdin," "Beauty and the Beast") and lyricist Glenn Slater ("Tangled") - for a musical comedy fairytale of epic proportions. Once upon a time, the dashing hero, Galavant (Joshua Sasse), lost the love of his life, Madalena (Mallory Jansen), to the evil King Richard (Timothy Omundson). Now, our fallen hero is ready to take Revenge and restore his "happily ever after." But it won't be without a few twists and turns along the way.

"Galavant" stars Joshua Sasse as Galavant, Timothy Omundson as King Richard, Vinnie Jones as Gareth, Mallory Jansen as Madalena, Karen David as Isabella and Luke Youngblood as Sid.

"Galavant" was written by Dan Fogelman who also serves as executive producer. Executive producers are Alan Menken, Glenn Slater and Chris Koch. "Galavant" was directed by Chris Koch. Abbey C Studios Ltd. produces "Galavant" for ABC Studios.

Creator and star of 'The Office' and 'Extras', Ricky Gervais has won three Golden Globes, two Primetime Emmys, and seven BAFTAS. 'The Office' is the most successful British comedy of all time, shown in more than 90 countries with seven remakes.

The NBC version is the most successful US remake of a British show in more than 30 years. Considered the most influential British comedian since Charlie Chaplin, Gervais is an award-winning stand-up, and his tour 'Fame' became the fastest selling UK stand up show in history.

Gervais is also featured in The Guinness Book of World Records for having the most downloaded internet show of all time. He has written, directed, produced and starred in 'Cemetery Junction', 'The Invention of Lying' and starred in 'Ghost Town'. In 2010, Gervais was asked to be the first host of the 'Golden Globes' since 1995, for a broadcast seen by an estimated audience of 250 million. He was named in 'Time' magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World and awarded the 'Sir Peter Ustinov Comedy Award' from the Banff World Television Festival.

Ricky has since hosted the 'Golden Globes' in 2011 and was invited back for a third time in January 2012. HisHBO show 'Life's Too Short' premiered on February 19 th, 2012 while the third season of his show 'An idiot Abroad' premiered on January 19th, 2013 on The Science Channel. Most recently, Gervais has been cast as the lead in 'The Muppets' sequel.

Photo by Walter McBride