First look of Alley Cat, Ricky Gervais’ new animated series revealed

Ricky Gervais is making a comeback with Alley Cats, a brand-new animated comedy series on Netflix set to be released in 2026. Kerry Godliman and Diane Morgan, who starred in After Life, co-star with Gervais in the six-part series.

The narrative follows a group of feral British cats as they look for companionship while overcoming obstacles in their daily lives. Gervais plays Gus, a slacker cat with intense emotions, and co-directs the program.

The show has fans giddy with anticipation. This is particularly because Netflix has unveiled the first look. The first look at Ricky Gervais' Alley Cats showcases a distinct, homemade animation technique with gritty yet charming graphics.

First look at Alley Cat from Ricky Gervais’ new animated series

In 2026, Ricky Gervais will return with Alley Cats, a brand-new adult cartoon series on Netflix. He will voice Gus, a sluggish and irascible wildcat, in the six-part comedy that combines humor, social satire, and heart. This is Gervais' first adult animation project since The Ricky Gervais Show ended almost ten years ago.

The unkempt, urban setting these stray cats call home is brilliantly brought to life by the gritty, unique animation technique of the recently released picture from Alley Cats. From the slender, solemn blue-gray cat at the center to the fat, easygoing orange tabby, each feline figure is intended to represent a distinct personality.

The shabby, disorganized space with peeling wallpaper and damaged furnishings serves as the backdrop, emphasizing the challenging circumstances these folks deal with on a daily basis. The cats' expressive features against the gloomy, dreary background imply a mix of comedy and sorrow, which is exactly in line with Ricky Gervais's signature narrative style.

Alley Cats, which will make its Netflix premiere in 2026, will mark Gervais' return to adult animation after more than a decade with The Ricky Gervais Show. Gervais will play Gus, a chatty and slothful wildcat who combines love with biting social critique in this six-part comedy. Gervais, who is well-known for his innovative work on The Office and his successful comic career, continues to employ wit and humor to examine contemporary themes, this time from the perspective of these tough British alley cats.

The After Life actors who have provided their voices to the project include Diane Morgan, Jo Hartley, Andrew Brooke, David Earl, Kerry Godliman, Tom Basden, and Tony Way. Gervais's admirers anticipate more of the same easy chemistry and catchy one-liners they remember from his past partnerships.

More about the new animated series

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Alley Cats is being described as a “slacker sitcom.” Instead of focusing on a fast-moving plot, the show leans heavily on conversations and character interactions -- much like Gervais’s earlier series. Where The Office explored workplace monotony and After Life looked at grief, this show finds comedy in the simple lives of stray cats.

Gervais is deeply involved in the project, serving as executive producer and co-director alongside Elliot Dear. Steven Hamilton Shaw also joins as executive producer. Production design is led by Tang Heng, and the animation is handled by Blink Industries, the studio behind Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared and Netflix favorites like Love, Death & Robots. It seems like this collaboration will strike a good mix of cutting-edge animation and edgy humor.

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