Reaction has been 'insane and heartwarming' says Ricky Gervais

Netflix has confirmed that Ricky Gervais’s After Life will return for a second season.

Six more episodes will be released next year.

The comic said: ‘I have never had a reaction like this before. It’s been insane. And heartwarming. But now I have to make sure the second season is even better so I’ll probably have to work much harder than usual. Annoying really.'

The first series, which dropped last month, revolves around suicidal newspaper reporter struggling in the aftermath of his wife's death, and is subsequently obnoxious and abusive to most people he meets, deciding he can say and do what he likes as he has nothing to lose. But he turns a corner as his friends and family rally around.

At the end of the first series, Gervais’s character Tony is seen by his wife’s graveside, saying: ‘I’m gonna carry on saying and doing what I want and punishing the world – but I'm gonna punish people who deserve it. I'm gonna use my superpower for good.’

Tony also appeared on the verge of a new relationship with his dad’s nurse, Emma, played by Ashley Jensen, following some more pointed exchanges over the series.

Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said: ‘After Life has moved audiences from laughter to tears around the world and we are thrilled to announce that Ricky Gervais will be back with a second season on Netflix. 

‘We are so proud to play host to Ricky’s brilliant stand up comedy, specials, original films and series and join in the joy of the fans with his latest hit.’

The streaming giant has brought the rights to his new stand-up tour SuperNature, which Gervais is still developing in work-in-progress shows around the UK.

After Life also stars Tom Basden, Tony Way, Diane Morgan, Mandeep Dhillon, David Bradley, Kerry Godliman, Paul Kaye, Roisin Conaty and Joe Wilkinson.

Gervais previously dropped heavy hints that he wanted it to come back, telling journalists:‘I really would like to do a second series because I fell in love with the characters. I’ve got an idea of where it can go. And the second series is always better, usually, because you know the actors .’

Published: 4 Apr 2019