Ricky Gervais' new Netflix series, Alley Cats, has just landed on the platform, and it could become a new favourite for viewers. The animated cat cartoon sees Gervais voice the feline Gus, alongside a cast including Diane Morgan, Tom Basden, David Earl, Kerry Godliman, and former EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy. All episodes stream from Friday, August 7.
Alley Cats: A New Direction
While Alley Cats might seem like a departure for the comedian, he has dabbled in animation before. The humour in the series is similar to that of The Ricky Gervais Show, which visualised his podcast with Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington. The show follows a gang of foul-mouthed feral cats who cause havoc while musing on the meaning of life and fighting for survival in a brutal human world.
With short episodes, Alley Cats could be Gervais' most binge-worthy series on Netflix, offering themes of life and death that fans of his recent live-action work will appreciate.
Derek: A Heartwarming Gem
Derek has an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, higher than The Office. It's a bittersweet comedy-drama about outsiders on society's margins. Gervais plays Derek Noakes, a tender, innocent man who works in a retirement home, caring deeply for the elderly. The show is more optimistic than his other efforts, with one fan saying: "This is a charming show peppered with strange characters and a big dose of kindness." Another added: "Beautiful, smart, poignant, and hard-hitting. A show speaking about those things we forget matter the most."
After Life: Dark and Uncomfortable
After Life sees Gervais as Tony, a man changed by his wife's death, who decides to punish the world by saying and doing whatever he likes. It's Gervais at his most cynical, tackling grief with brutal comedy. One fan called it "a wonderful mix of brutal comedy and heartbreaking drama," while another described it as "uncomfortable, dark but strangely compelling."
Extras: The Masterwork
While not on Netflix, Extras is arguably Gervais' best work. Available on BBC iPlayer, it has a 94% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the highest of his shows. Running for two seasons plus a Christmas special, it features iconic moments like Ian McKellen denying he's Gandalf and David Bowie's sing-along. Fans call it "Ricky Gervais' best work," with one saying: "Extras is a truly terrific comedy television series. The show is full of laughs in every single episode."
