More details have emerged following Ricky Gervais’ confirmation that he is currently writing a second season of his acclaimed Netflix show After Life – with the streaming service confirming the show’s return.
The comedy-drama premiered on the streaming service on March 8, with Gervais starring as Tony Johnson, a man who is struggling to cope with widowed life following the death of his wife.
- READ MORE: “Some people will love it, some people will hate it” — Ricky Gervais on his new show After Life
After the first season was met with critical and fan acclaim, Gervais told his Twitter followers last week that a second instalment has been green-lit – and that he’s currently writing the new episodes.
Now, Netflix have have confirmed that they have ordered six episodes for the second series, and that the season will launch in 2020.
Thanks again for all the love for #AfterLife. I have never had a reaction like this. The reviews have been great but the response from viewers has been fucking amazing. And that means so much more to me. You are the best fans in the world. Oh, and I've started writing series 2. pic.twitter.com/3tv4jxWqu8
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) March 27, 2019
“Thanks again for all the love for #AfterLife. I have never had a reaction like this,” he wrote. “The reviews have been great but the response from viewers has been fucking amazing. And that means so much more to me. You are the best fans in the world. Oh, and I’ve started writing series two.”
In a new statement, Gervais continued: “I have never had a reaction like this before. It’s been insane. And heartwarming. But now I have to make sure the second season is even better so I’ll probably have to work much harder than usual. Annoying really.”
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Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos added: “After Life has moved audiences from laughter to tears around the world and we are thrilled to announce that Ricky Gervais will be back with a second season on Netflix. We are so proud to play host to Ricky’s brilliant stand up comedy, specials, original films and series and join in the joy of the fans with his latest hit.”
Speaking to NME recently, Gervais said that After Life was “the most dramatic, the darkest [and] the most uncompromising” that he’d ever gone creatively.
“It’s the comedy cast of the century even if you don’t like every single person in it. It’s amazing,” he said. “Some people will love it, some people will hate it, most people won’t know it exists, so I’m all for that.”
Last month, Gervais looked back on his previous attempted career in the music industry, claiming that he feels more like a rockstar now than ever before.