‘It's a love story'

Ricky Gervais chats to TV Times about the final series of his hit comedy drama…

- VICKI POWER

AFTER LIFE Available: Friday 14 January Season: 3 Episodes: 6 Run time: 25-31 mins NEW COMEDY DRAMA

Ricky Gervais is used to success as the cocreator and star of mega-hit sitcoms The Office and Extras. But the Emmy-winning actor admits that the global acclaim for his latest project, Netflix’s dark but affecting comedy drama After Life, still took him by surprise.

Ricky writes and directs the series as well as playing the central character – local newspaper journalist Tony Johnson, who is struggling to cope after the death of his beloved wife, Lisa (portrayed in flashback sequences by Ricky’s Derek co-star Kerry Godliman).

Now, as the third and final season launches, we find Tony contemplating his relationship with nurse Emma (played by Ricky’s Extras colleague Ashley Jensen), while he continues to find a kindred spirit in widow Anne (Dame Penelope Wilton).

TV Times caught up with Ricky, 60, for an exclusive video interview to find out more…

After Life has become the most-watched British comedy in the world since its launch in 2019 – you must be delighted?

It’s crazy. I got so many letters after the first series. No one writes a letter any more, but people wanted to tell their stories of grief. It’s a conversation nobody starts.