Featuring many of the stars of After Life

Ricky Gervais is making a new animated series featuring many of the After Life cast.

The comic has posted an image of several actors recording dialogue for the show, captioning it: ‘Look at this lot.’

They include After Life’s  Kerry Godliman, Diane Morgan, David Earl, Tom Basden and Tony Way – as well as EastEnders favourite Natalie Cassidy, who once called Gervais ‘God’.’

When a fan asked  if the stars were gathering for a second series of After Life, he replied: ‘No, an animation.’

Details of the project have not been announced, but Gervais has said he wanted to make an animated series because ‘filming is a hard slog’  – only to find animation no less demanding.

The 62-year-old comedian told fans in an online question and answer session, reported by Bang! Showbiz: ‘We started it, and it’s gonna take a long time ‘cos it’s animation. It won’t be finished until next year. I don’t think there’s anything like it.

‘I did animation ‘cos I thought, "I’m getting old now" and filming is a hard slog. I thought, "Animation, that’s easy." It’s not. I’ve been a fool.’

Look at this lot. pic.twitter.com/Ny8bwseXEf

— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) July 11, 2024

Cassidy,  who has played Sonia Fowler in the soap since 1993, called Gervais ‘her God’ in an interview in which she said: ‘I love everything he does. I think he's amazing’ – and in another she said: ‘If I could have a drink with anyone, I'd pick Ricky Gervais. I've loved all his shows since Extras.’

The Office co-creator previously found success animating the podcast he, Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington made together. He has lent his voice to other animated series including 2022’s Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank and 2020’s The Willoughbys.

Fifteen years ago it was reported that his children’s book Flanimals was  adapted int a 3D-animated movie by The Simpsons writer and producer Matt Selman, but nothing ever materialised.

Published: 13 Jul 2024