After Life (2019)

Ricky Gervais's darkly comic Netflix series about grief, kindness, and the messy business of carrying on.

After Life - Series Information

  • Original Title: After Life
  • First Air Year: 2019
  • Last Air Year: 2022
  • Created by: Ricky Gervais
  • Type: TV Series
  • Genres: Comedy, Drama
  • Content Rating (US): TV-MA
  • Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
  • Number of Seasons: 3
  • Number of Episodes: 18
  • Status: Ended
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • First Air Date: March 8, 2019 (United States - TV-MA), March 8, 2019 (United Kingdom - 15), March 8, 2019 (Germany - 16), March 8, 2019 (Spain - 16), March 8, 2019 (South Korea - 19)
  • Networks: Netflix
  • Alternative Titles: پس از زندگی (IR), La vie après la mort (CA), Жизнь после смерти (RU), Después de la vida (ES)
  • Production Companies: Derek Productions
  • Production Countries: United Kingdom

After Life - Plot

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.

After Life - Trailer

Watch the official trailer and get a first look at Tony's darkly comic journey.

Hell is other people.

Where to Watch After Life

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After Life - Cast & Crew

Creator(s)

  • Ricky Gervais

Main Cast

  • Ricky Gervais
  • Tom Basden
  • Kerry Godliman
  • David Bradley
  • Joe Wilkinson
  • Tony Way
  • Diane Morgan
  • Ashley Jensen
  • Tommy Finnegan
  • Jo Hartley

Writers

  • Ricky Gervais

Executive Producers

  • Ricky Gervais

After Life - FAQs

What is After Life about?

After Life follows Tony, a man whose world collapses after his wife Lisa dies of cancer. Rather than end his own life, he resolves to punish the world by abandoning social niceties. The series blends sharp dark comedy with genuine emotional depth, exploring grief, community, and the will to carry on.

Is After Life based on a true story?

After Life is not based on a specific true story. Creator Ricky Gervais drew on universal themes of grief and loss to craft the series. Gervais has spoken about how the show reflects his own thoughts on mortality and the meaning of kindness, though the characters and plot are entirely fictional.

Who are the main actors in After Life?

After Life stars Ricky Gervais as Tony, Kerry Godliman as his late wife Lisa, Tom Basden as colleague Matt, David Bradley as Tony's father Ray, Joe Wilkinson as postman Pat, Diane Morgan as Kath, Ashley Jensen as Emma, Jo Hartley as June, and Penelope Wilton as Anne.

Is After Life worth watching?

After Life is widely regarded as one of Ricky Gervais's finest works. Critics praise its rare ability to balance caustic humour with sincere emotional resonance. Audiences have responded warmly to its honest portrayal of grief, and the show holds strong viewer scores across multiple platforms, making it a compelling watch.

How many seasons does After Life have?

After Life has 3 seasons, each consisting of 6 episodes, for a total of 18 episodes. Season 1 premiered on March 8, 2019, Season 2 followed in April 2020, and Season 3 concluded the story in January 2022, all exclusively on Netflix.

Is After Life cancelled or renewed?

After Life has ended. Ricky Gervais confirmed that Season 3, released in January 2022, was always intended to be the final chapter of Tony's story. The series concluded on its own terms, with Gervais choosing to wrap the narrative rather than continue beyond its natural endpoint.

Where can you stream After Life?

After Life is available to stream exclusively on Netflix, including on Netflix Standard with Ads. All three seasons are available in full. You can check regional availability and compare viewing options for your location via JustWatch.

Does After Life have a satisfying ending?

After Life's Season 3 finale is widely considered a poignant and emotionally satisfying conclusion. Ricky Gervais crafted a closing episode that offers Tony a sense of peace and acceptance rather than a tidy resolution, leaving viewers with a bittersweet but meaningful farewell to the characters they had grown to love.

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