After Life

Tony used to have a life that looked complete, until his wife Lisa dies and everything changes. Struggling with grief and thoughts of ending his life, he makes a different, darker decision: he’ll stick around long enough to say whatever he wants, no filters, no politeness. That blunt vow turns into a coping method that alienates some people and slowly forces him to reckon with his own pain. He lives in a small town, works at a local paper, and keeps crossing paths with coworkers, friends, and neighbors whose kindness and flaws push him toward small, unpredictable shifts in how he sees himself and others, without resolving every wound.

Premiered on Netflix in 2019, the series was created by Ricky Gervais, who also plays Tony. The show features Tom Basden, Kerry Godliman, David Bradley, and Joe Wilkinson in key roles, and it was produced in the UK for an international streaming audience.

The series picked up attention during awards season with nominations from various television and critics groups, drawing notice especially for Gervais' writing and lead performance. It didn’t sweep major international prize lists, but it did register among awards panels that recognize TV writing and acting.

Gervais' blunt comic voice and refusal to sugarcoat painful moments sparked strong reactions, from praise to debate. Fans quoted scenes and shared clips widely online, while some critics and viewers argued about the show’s tone. It became a talking point for how comedy can mix with serious topics without aiming for easy answers.

Critics and audiences gave generally positive marks, reflected in a vote average of 7.888/10 from 994 votes. Reviews often highlighted the show's mix of dark humor and moments of tenderness, applauding its focus on grief, kindness, mortality, and the small acts that can restore a sense of purpose, even as some found the balance uneven at times.