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Ricky Gervais's new Netflix comedy series confirmed – and he reunites with After Life favourites

The series is coming to our screens in 2026.

Ricky Gervais blowing an airhorn

Netflix / Ray Burmiston

Published: Thursday, 11 September 2025 at 2:10 pm

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Netflix has announced a new animated comedy series from After Life creator Ricky Gervais, titled Alley Cats.

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The new six-part series will star Gervais alongside many other After Life cast members including Kerry Godliman, David Earl, Tom Basden, Diane Morgan, Tony Way, Andrew Brooke and Jo Hartley.

Co-directed by Gervais and Elliot Dear, Alley Cats will follow "the trials and tribulations of a group of feral British cats who seek companionship while ruminating about the struggles of everyday life," according to the official synopsis.

Gervais said: “I play a fat, lazy, rude, opinionated creature with fangs, who’s not as smart or brave as he thinks he is. So quite a stretch.”

Animated image featuring five cats with distinct expressions and fur patterns, sitting and lying on a worn-out blue sofa in a cluttered room.

Ricky Gervias as Gus, Tom Basden as Ponce, David Earl as Puke, Andrew Brooke as Fang, Diane Morgan as Olive, in Alley Cats. Netflix

The comedian and actor previously opened up about making the animated series back 2023, telling fans in an online question and answer session that he chose the medium because “filming is a hard slog”.

“We started it, and it’s gonna take a long time ‘cos it’s animation. It won’t be finished until next year,” he said.

He added: “I did animation 'cos I thought, ‘I’m getting old now’ and filming is a hard slog. I thought, ‘Animation, that’s easy.’ It’s not. I’ve been a fool.”

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Alley Cats will debut on Netflix in 2026. Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.

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Authors

RadioTimes.com senior trends writer Molly Moss. She is sitting outside wearing a black top, holding a white teacup with a smily face on it to her mouth

Molly MossTrends Writer

Molly Moss is a Trends Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest trends across TV, film and more. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism and has previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Sun Online.

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