British Comedy Guide

Cast revealed for Ricky Gervais sitcom After Life

Thursday 5th July 2018, 12:52pm

Ricky Gervais. Copyright: Richard Grassie

The cast list for After Life, the new sitcom from Ricky Gervais, has been revealed.

It's been confirmed Ashley Jensen, who starred with Gervais in Extras, will appear in his new show too.

David Earl and Kerry Godliman, who played Kev and Hannah in Derek, will also re-join the star in his new project.

The six episode sitcom, which is being made for Netflix, focuses on a man who starts to say whatever he wants.

Mandeep Dhillon, Jo Hartley, Roisin Conaty and Diane Morgan, all of whom appeared in the film David Brent: Life On The Road, are also signed up to the new project.

Downton Abbey and Doctor Who star Penelope Wilton, Harry Potter and Game Of Thrones actor David Bradley, Plebs co-creator Tom Basden and Tony Way (Mongrels) are also on board.

Netflix describes the plot of After Life[/z] as follows: "Tony had a perfect life. But after his wife Lisa suddenly dies, Tony changes. After contemplating taking his own life, he decides instead to live long enough to punish the world by saying and doing whatever he likes from now on. He thinks it's like a Super Power - not caring about himself or anyone else - but it turns out to be tricky when everyone is trying to save the nice guy they used to know."

The show has been written, and is directed and executive produced by Gervais, who will also star in the lead role. Gervais is working with his long-time producer Charlie Hanson to bring the new project to the screen.

This series order further strengthens the link between Netflix and Gervais. The on-demand TV company funded the comedian's 2016 film Special Correspondents, and more recently premiered his stand-up show Humanity. It has also bought the rights to his next live show too, SuperNature.

Gervais says of the line-up for his new show: "This cast combines the best of the new breed of great British comedy talent with some of the wonderful alumni of my previous shows."

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