Office creator Ricky Gervais is to play God. The comic star is working with Dexter producer Clyde Phillips on new TV show Afterlife, in which he will play the Almighty, however, his interpretation of the all-powerful being will not be the usual benevolent creator of the human race.

"Anyway, I play God. (My version will be) an arrogant, wisecracking son of a bitch, who thinks he's the best thing since sliced bread. Actually he thinks he's the best thing ever because, well, he is. He also loves welcoming atheists to heaven with a smug grin on his face," Gervais said of his character.

Gervais also insists the show is not an "atheist comedy," and has warned potential viewers not to expect a "twisted bloodlusty anti-religious fest" just because of Phillips' work on Dexter, which follows the double-life of serial killer Dexter Morgan.

"We've come up with this show because we think it will be fun, different and entertaining. Not to undermine the moral fabric of America," he explained.