British comedy icon Ricky Gervais has hinted that his next major television project may be his last, as he plans to dedicate his future to stand-up comedy. The 64-year-old creator of The Office, Extras, and After Life is set to release an animated series titled Alley Cats on Netflix in 2026.
A Pivot to the Stage
Speaking on the JaackMaate's Happy Hour podcast, Gervais explained that the monumental success of his recent Mortality stand-up tour has reshaped his career priorities. The tour, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination and will be released globally on Netflix on December 30, has reignited his passion for live performance.
"I feel that stand-up is my job," Gervais told host Jack Dean. "I feel that I've always got to be doing stand-up... I feel now that I'm a touring Netflix stand-up, and I wonder what I'll do in the daytime." He revealed that after Alley Cats—which will arrive roughly three to four years after the conclusion of After Life—he is unlikely to commit to another lengthy TV production.
The Motivation Behind the Shift
Gervais admitted that the physical demands of touring are increasing with age, but the creative drive remains. "It gets harder even stand-up. If I do three gigs in a row now at my age, I wake up and I think, 'Was I run over last night?'" he joked. However, he emphasised that only an "amazing" project could lure him away from the stage now.
His motivation isn't financial. Referencing a hypothetical £10,000 prize for owning chickens, he stated, "I don't need to do it. I don't need £10,000 to have a chicken. So something's got to be amazing for me to do it."
Philanthropy and Legacy
Alongside his career announcement, Gervais continues his significant philanthropic work. He has just donated a staggering £2.43 million to animal charities, sourced from the proceeds of his Mortality tour. This surpasses his previous record donation of £1.9 million in 2023.
The funds were split between 22 organisations, with major beneficiaries including The PDSA, International Animal Rescue, and Animals Asia, each receiving £150,000. The comedian announced the gifts on X, writing, "To celebrate my Mortality Tour, my Netflix Special, my Golden Globes nomination & The Spirit of Christmas, I am donating £2.43 Million to Animals."
While the global success of After Life—the most-watched British comedy in the world—cemented his status as a master of TV narrative, Gervais's future appears firmly rooted in the raw, direct connection of stand-up comedy, punctuated by his profound commitment to charitable causes.
