After Life is a British black comedy-drama streaming television series created, written, produced, and directed by Ricky Gervais, who plays lead character Tony Johnson. It premiered on 8 March 2019 on Netflix. The second series premiered on 24 April 2020. The third and final series premiered on 14 January 2022.
Premise
Set in the fictional town of Tambury, After Life follows newspaper writer Tony Johnson, whose life is turned upside down after his wife dies from breast cancer. He contemplates suicide, but instead decides to spend his life punishing the world for his wife's death by saying and doing whatever he wants regardless of how it makes other people feel. Although he thinks of this as his "superpower", his plan is undermined as he realises he does care about a select few people. Over the course of the series, he stops trying to be awful and, despite never really moving on from his wife's death and remaining suicidal, decides true meaning in life comes from helping and being there for others.
Cast and characters
Main
Ricky Gervais as Tony Johnson, head of feature stories at the local newspaper, the Tambury Gazette. Following the death of his wife, he is depressed and suicidal Tom Basden as Matt Braden, Tony's brother-in-law and boss of the Tambury Gazette Tony Way as Lenny, the Tambury Gazette's photographer Diane Morgan as Kath, the Gazette's advert manager Mandeep Dhillon as Sandy, a newly hired features journalist (series 1–2) Kerry Godliman as Lisa Johnson, Tony's deceased wife, seen in flashbacks and Tony's home videos Ashley Jensen as Emma, a nurse at the nursing home where Tony's dad is a resident Paul Kaye as Psychiatrist, Tony's and Matt's unconventional and incompetent psychiatrist (series 1–2) Penelope Wilton as Anne, a widow Tony meets at the local graveyard who dispenses sage advice for Tony's troubles Joe Wilkinson as Pat ('Postman Pat'), Tony's postman Roisin Conaty as Daphne/"Roxy", a sex worker who befriends Tony; a "tart with a heart". (series 1–2) David Bradley as Ray Johnson, Tony's dad, who has dementia (series 1–2; guest series 3) Tim Plester as Julian Kane, a drug addict hired by Matt to deliver the Tambury Gazette (series 1) David Earl as Brian Gittins, a hoarder and self-professed puppeteer and stand-up comedian; above all, he wants to appear in the local newspaper (series 2–3; recurring series 1) Jo Hartley as June, Lenny's girlfriend and mother to James (series 2–3; recurring series 1) Ethan Lawrence as James, June's son, who does work experience at the Tambury Gazette (series 2–3; recurring series 1) Colin Hoult as Ken Otley, head of the local amateur dramatics company and wannabe showbiz superstar (series 3; recurring series 2) Kath Hughes as Coleen, a new hire at the Gazette to replace Sandy (series 3; guest series 1)
Recurring
Anti as Brandy the Dog, Tony's and Lisa's dog; Tony's best friend and reason to keep living Michelle Greenidge as Valerie, the Tambury Gazette's receptionist Tommy Finnegan as George Braden, son of Matt and Jill, Tony's nephew and godchild Thomas Bastable as Robbie, a classmate and reformed bully of George's Laura Patch as Jill Braden, Matt's wife (series 2–3; guest series 1) Tracy Ann Oberman as Rebecca, a woman with whom Tony goes on a date and who later reappears at an amateur dramatics workshop (series 2; guest series 1, 3) Peter Egan as Paul, the semi-retired owner of the Tambury Gazette (series 2–3) Robert Woodhall as Colin, a self-made millionaire scrap metal merchant whom Kath allows to drive her around in his Rolls-Royce (series 2–3) Bill Ward as Simon, Emma's new love interest, whom Tony dislikes (series 2) Steve Brody as Jeff, the crematorium official (series 1) and swinger husband of Vera (series 3)
Guest
Annette Crosbie as Rosemary, a 100-year-old woman whom Tony interviews after she receives a telegram from the Queen (series 2) Holli Dempsey as Plastic Surgery Woman, a woman addicted to plastic surgery (series 2) Jo Enright as Vera, a woman who goes swinging with her husband (series 3) Kate Robbins as Penny (series 3) Cole Anderson-James as Yoga Instructor (series 3)