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Ricky Gervais is teaming up with Netflix once again, this time stepping into the world of adult animation. The Emmy and BAFTA-winning creator behind After Life, Extras, and The Office will launch Alley Cats, a new six-part animated comedy series set to premiere in 2026. Netflix has already released a first-look image, giving fans an early glimpse at the sharp-tongued feline ensemble.
Described as a “slacker sitcom,” Alley Cats follows a group of feral British cats from different backgrounds as they navigate life on the streets. While survival may be part of their existence, the show leans into humor, companionship, and self-reflection, exploring how these misfit characters bond over their daily struggles and absurd musings.
The first look reveals the quirky line-up: Ricky Gervais voices Gus, joined by Tom Basden as Ponce, David Earl as Puke, Andrew Brooke as Fang, and Diane Morgan as Olive. The cast also features familiar names from Gervais’ long career, including Kerry Godliman, Jo Hartley, Natalie Cassidy, and Tony Way. The series essentially reunites many of Gervais’ frequent collaborators, ensuring the humor stays true to his signature style.
In true Gervais fashion, he poked fun at his new role:
- “I play a fat, lazy, rude, opinionated creature with fangs, who’s not as smart or brave as he thinks he is. So quite a stretch,” he joked.
Alley Cats is co-directed by Gervais and Elliot Dear, with animation handled by the award-winning U.K. studio Blink Industries, best known for Dead End: Paranormal Park and Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared. The production boasts an impressive creative team, including Tang Heng (Kung Fu Panda 1 & 2) as production designer. Executive producers are Gervais for Derek Productions and Steven Hamilton Shaw (Gnomeo & Juliet) of Shush Creative.
This project marks Gervais’ return to television as a creator for the first time since After Life, which ran for three critically acclaimed seasons on Netflix from 2019 to 2022. More recently, he lent his voice to the animated adaptation of Dog Man, portraying Flippy the Fish, a cyborg butterfly fish with telekinetic powers.
With its blend of sharp British wit, a unique animated style, and a cast of eccentric characters, Alley Cats looks poised to deliver Gervais’ trademark humor in a fresh medium. Fans won’t have long to wait—Netflix plans to roll out the series in 2026, promising a bold and irreverent addition to the streamer’s growing slate of adult animation.
