Netflix strikes overall deal with Ricky Gervais, extends ‘After Life’

After Life

Netflix has struck a multi-year overall deal with Ricky Gervais at the same time as ordering a third season of his comedy series After Life.

Gervais will develop scripted and stand-up specials for the world’s biggest streamer, expanding his ongoing relationship with the company and adding to the growing list of Netflix talent deals which have seen Ryan Murphy and Shonda Rhimes among numerous others to strike deals.

Aside from After Life, Gervais has also worked on films including The Willoughbys and Special Correspondents with Netflix, as well as stand-up special Ricky Gervais: Humanity.

“I was planning to retire soon and just wander around the house drunk until I die, but I’ve grown a bit tired of doing that during the lockdown, and also Netflix made me an offer I couldn’t refuse,” Gervais told The Hollywood Reporter, which broke the news.

After Life, about a reporter whose wife dies from cancer, is produced by Netflix and Gervais’ Derek Productions. The show’s second run launched last month.