Back to life

Prepare to laugh – and cry – as Ricky Gervais’ poignant comedy returns for a second series

As the co-creator of hit series The Office, Extras and Life’s Too Short, Ricky Gervais has a host of prestigious awards on his mantelpiece – but the achievement he’s most proud of is After Life.

The black comedy was one of the most popular series on Netflix last year, following local newspaper reporter Tony Johnson (Gervais) as he rudely told everyone what he really thought of them after his beloved wife, Lisa, passed away from breast cancer – only to be overwhelmed by the kindness of those around him.

As After Life returns this week for an eagerly anticipated six-part second series, we rejoin Tony as he attempts to find meaning in his life with the help of friends and colleagues on The Tambury Gazette. Yet in the first episode, when his boss Matt (Tom Basden) persuades him to join a yoga group, things don’t quite go to plan…

We caught up with Gervais to find out more…

Where do we find Tony at the start of the second series?

Well, he’s not better, but he’s trying to be. He thinks he’s addicted to grief, but he doesn’t want to let people down. You don’t just get over depression, and he’s certainly not over his wife. The series is just another part of his journey.