RICKY GERVAIS: NEXT SITCOM COULD BE HIS LAST

Ricky Gervais has hinted that his upcoming Netflix sitcom, Alley Cats, may be the final TV show of his career, as the comedian plans to devote more time to stand-up following the success of his latest tour, Mortality.

The animated series, set for release in 2026, marks Gervais’ first major TV project since the critically acclaimed After Life, which concluded several years ago. However, speaking on the JaackMaate’s Happy Hour podcast, Gervais revealed he is uncertain about returning to television once Alley Cats wraps.

“I don’t know. I’m really loving stand-up at the moment,” he told host Jack Dean. “When I first started, I thought of myself as a writer, director, and actor, in stuff I’d written and directed. You’d do the odd film, funny project, podcast, and then I tried stand-up, and I did stand-up tours between series. The last few years, maybe the last six, seven, eight years, it’s switched around. I feel that stand-up is my job. I feel that I’ve always got to be doing stand-up.”

The announcement comes as Mortality, his recent stand-up tour, continues to receive international acclaim. The show has also earned Gervais a Golden Globe nomination, while the Netflix special will be globally released on December 30, 2025. The overwhelming positive response has motivated him to focus on writing new stand-up material, rather than committing to multiple TV projects.

Gervais explained that his approach to television is now highly selective. “I will only agree to do a project if it sounds amazing,” he said. He anticipates that Alley Cats will take three to four years to complete, a timeline that reflects his commitment to both quality and creative control.

The comedian’s career has often been defined by his ability to balance stand-up, television, and film. From The Office to After Life, Gervais has consistently pushed boundaries with sharp, dark comedy and incisive social commentary. But in recent years, it’s become clear that stand-up provides him with both creative freedom and immediate connection with audience, something he has described as “my job” and “my calling.”

Industry observers note that Gervais’ decision mirrors a wider trend among established comedians who choose live performance over scripted TV work later in their careers. The intimacy of stand-up allows them to explore material in real time, respond to audience reactions, and retain complete control over the content, elements often restricted in television production.

While fans may be disappointed at the thought of no further TV shows, Gervais’ focus on Alley Cats promises a unique animated series, blending his signature humour with fresh storytelling. And for those following his stand-up, Mortality signals a career at its peak, demonstrating that Gervais can still innovate while performing live.

Ricky had huge success in the earlier 2000 with The Office and more recently with After Life on Netflix, which became the most-watched British comedy in the world – Credit: Netflix/Instagram

Whether Alley Cats becomes the final chapter in his television career remains to be seen, but Ricky Gervais’ comments suggest that the future will be dominated by live shows, personal projects, and carefully chosen collaborations, hallmarks of a comedian who has consistently defied expectations throughout his career.

Fans can expect a mix of biting satire and heartfelt comedy in his upcoming projects, but it appears that the stage, not the screen, will be Gervais’ primary home for the foreseeable future