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Season 1 – After Life

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – After Life Mar 2019 Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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74% Tomatometer 47 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Tony had a perfect life -- until his wife Lisa died. After that tragic event, the formerly nice guy changed. After contemplating taking his life, Tony decides he would rather live long enough to punish the world by saying and doing whatever he likes. He thinks of it as a superpower -- not caring about himself or anybody else -- but it ends up being trickier than he envisioned when his friends and family try to save the nice guy that they used to know. Golden Globe winner Ricky Gervais stars in the comedy series, which he also writes and directs.
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After Life — Season 1

After Life — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

After Life's first season teeters tonally between dark comedy and affecting drama, but Ricky Gervais' poignant performance illuminates new sides of the actor's talent.

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Critics Reviews

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Michael Idato Sydney Morning Herald 05/10/2019
After Life is something else again, straddling all of that beautiful discomfort with something profoundly more complex, an exploration of the pivot between life and death. Go to Full Review Hugo Rifkind The Times (UK) 03/19/2019
Maybe this all sounds a bit petty. It's frustrating, though, because Gervais is better than this. Go to Full Review Troy Patterson The New Yorker 03/13/2019
A main problem for After Life is that Tony's surge of misanthropy isn't especially funny or smart. Go to Full Review Isobel Nutbrown Loud and Clear Reviews 01/18/2025
4.5/5
After Life takes cinematic presentation of grief and sets it on fire. Brave in its brutality and devastating in its tenderness, the Netflix series is an expertly crafted illustration of love and loss. Go to Full Review Bill Brioux Brioux.tv 10/18/2022
It’s raw, fearless, and totally impossible to stop watching. Go to Full Review Jason Fraley WTOP (Washington, D.C.) 07/18/2020
4/4
Ricky Gervais is doing next-level stuff, brilliantly balancing black comedy with melancholy for a uniquely life-affirming experience. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Aye E Nov 24 I really loved the world he created here, the various characters and the honest portrayal of pain. See more Jess S Apr 20 If you like Ricky Gervais' comedy, with a bit more tameness to it and some more touching moments, this series is for you. Loved every minute I could get of this series it perfectly blends a heartbreaking few years of a mans life with stark stubborn humour and honesty. See more Arc Pent L 01/20/2025 The show delicately explores themes of grief, disconnection, and the daunting task of moving on. Even viewers who haven’t faced similar circumstances will find themselves empathizing with the emotional weight carried by the main character himself. Beyond simply portraying the struggle to heal, the show offers profound insight into how we all cope, reminding us that beneath anything we show unto the world, everyone faces their own private battles. A definite MUST-SEE! See more ALAN B 12/23/2024 Gervais has the ´´nak´´ of turning everday life into a brilliantly crafted story with deep charaters that make you laugh, cry, think, empathise, in a warm yet dark manner...Unmissable TV show...one that you will watcg again and again...but keep you hankies handy...Genius..! See more Ferenc D 09/05/2024 Not much to be said here. For me this was a perfect show with all seasons. It is categorized as comedy however it is a very emotional story how a man tries to cope with his biggest loss in life. Sad and funny at the same time with deep message at the end. See more Nick S 04/20/2024 It's quite charming and funny in a typical Gervais way. I like it. See more Read all reviews
After Life — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Ricky Gervais

Creator

Ricky Gervais

Tony

Kerry Godliman

Lisa

Tom Basden

Matt

Tony Way

Lenny

David Bradley

Tony's Dad

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Mar 8, 2019 Episode 1 Tony's cantankerous funk -- which he calls a superpower -- is taking a toll on his co-workers; a new writer starts at the Tambury Gazette. Details Episode 2 Aired Mar 8, 2019 Episode 2 Thinking he has nothing to lose, Tony contemplates trying heroin; he baby-sits his nephew and starts to bond -- just a bit -- with Sandy. Details Episode 3 Aired Mar 8, 2019 Episode 3 Tony hires a sex worker -- but it's not what it seems; a trip to the comedy club turns awkward; the nurse gives Tony a piece of her mind. Details Episode 4 Aired Mar 8, 2019 Episode 4 Tony pushes back on Matt's idea to go on a blind date; Tony makes an introduction and issues an uncharacteristic apology. Details Episode 5 Aired Mar 8, 2019 Episode 5 Brian -- finally -- convinces Tony and company to visit his apartment for a story; Matt receives a distressing call from his son's school. Details Episode 6 Aired Mar 8, 2019 Episode 6 Making an earnest attempt to be happy -- or at least not miserable -- Tony gives some long overdue recognition to those who have stood by him. Details

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After Life — Season 1

After Life After Life After Life Photo Credit: Courtesy of Netflix Photo Credit: Courtesy of Netflix Photo Credit: Courtesy of Netflix View more photos

Season Info

Director
Ricky Gervais
Creator
Ricky Gervais
Executive Producer
Ricky Gervais, Duncan Hayes
Screenwriter
Ricky Gervais
Network
Netflix
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Mar 8, 2019
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