Comedian Ricky Gervais finds himself in a familiar yet ironic spotlight, nominated for a Golden Globe award six years after famously roasting the ceremony's A-list audience as its host. The 64-year-old star is in the running for Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy for his Netflix special Mortality, with the winners announced on January 11, 2026.
New Projects and a Taste for 'Self-Parody'
Now at the peak of his career, Gervais has disclosed he is developing a brand new television series that edges close to self-parody. "There is something that's close to parodying myself," he revealed. "I've got the title, I've got the idea, but I can't even discuss it now. We are maybe shooting in the next 12 months."
Fans also have another major Netflix project to anticipate: the adult animation series Alley Cats. Describing it as a six-part show following a group of feral British felines, Gervais said, "It's like two years and it still isn't quite finished. It won't be out till the end of next year." He explained the premise: "We're a group of sort of feral cats living in a disused basement and we watch TV and go out and cause havoc. A lot of it is improv as well. They're the sort of, you know, the meanest, sweariest cats in the world."
Philanthropy, Partnership, and 'Taking a Churchill'
The show aligns with Gervais's well-known passion for animal welfare. Reportedly donating £2.43 million to animal charities this Christmas alone, the comedian explained his lifelong empathy stems from his childhood in Reading. "Pets were like a member of the family," he said, adding that his veganism was a logical extension of his beliefs: "I can't really be saving dogs and eating sheep."
With an estimated net worth of £130 million, Gervais enjoys a luxurious touring lifestyle, often travelling by private jet and turning gigs into mini-breaks with his partner of 43 years, author Jane Fallon. "She comes to all the good places," he said, describing a typical trip. "I'll play Prague Arena and we'll go the night before, we'll have dinner, we'll walk around all day, and then I'll pop to the arena and do a gig." He also credits Fallon as a sounding board for his material, often testing jokes on her first.
Embracing a slower pace, Gervais is a self-proclaimed fan of napping—or "taking a Churchill", a nod to Winston Churchill's famous habit. "I'm a big napper," he admitted, referencing a film role he turned down. Despite turning 65 in June and feeling he tires more easily, his workload remains formidable, with another two-year tour in the works.
Reflections on Legacy and British Comedy
While he no longer feels the need to chase another mega-hit like The Office, Gervais looks back on the groundbreaking BBC series with affection, recalling his use of improvisation to keep scenes fresh. He believes the essence of great British comedy is its "low status" perspective. "British stand-ups, we are jesters," he stated. "We're down in the mud with the other peasants laughing at the King."
He maintains this connection by openly sharing his flaws and misfortunes with audiences. "I talk about being fat and old and going to die and going bald and my balls distending," he quipped. "That's what I want to do. I want it to be us against the world."
As for the Golden Globes ceremony that once served as his stage for controversy, Gervais offered a characteristically blunt assessment: "I love that they put a bunch of booze on the table. They try to get everybody hammered so when they go up there, they do something interesting. That's the good and bad thing about the Golden Globes." His latest Netflix series, Ricky Gervais: Mortality, is available to stream now.
