Ricky Gervais is making a return to the world of adult animation with a new series titled Alley Cats, premiering on Netflix in 2026.
The creator of the original British version of The Office, Gervais, is taking a step away from his previous work in live-action sitcoms. Instead, he will dive into a six-episode comedy that portrays a group of feral British cats navigating the trials and tribulations of everyday life.
Learn more about the animated show here.
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About Alley Cats
Gervais is not only directing the series but starring as Gus, a “fat, lazy, rude, opinionated creature with fangs.” He describes the character as “not as smart or brave as he thinks he is.”
The adult animated sitcom will run over six 15-minute episodes, featuring a distinctive 2D animation style developed by the UK-based Blink Industries.
The company is known for its work on productions like Don’t Huge Me I’m Scared and Dead End: Paranormal Park. Gervais will be co-directing alongside Elliot Dear.
Voice Cast
The voice cast will reunite several of Gervais’s frequent collaborators. This includes David Earl (Derek, After Life), Tom Basden, Andrew Brooke, Kerry Godliman, Jo Hartley, Diane Morgan, Natalie Cassidy, and Tony Way.
Each voice actor portrays a unique feline character, from Gus to Ponce (Basden), Puke (Earl), Fang (Brooke), and Olive (Morgan). The cast will resemble a tight-knit group of misfits.
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A Blend of Gervais’ Trademark Style
Alley Cats will feature a blend of Gervais’ trademark styles of absurdist comedy and emotional depth. The animal-focused narrative explores themes of companionship and the existential musings of these disgruntled cats as they idle away their nine lives “with zero f***s.”
The series embraces a bold, edgy humor in each of its episodes.
Investment in Adult Animation
The series’ arrival reinstates Netflix’s investment in adult animation. The genre has become immensely popular on the streaming platform in the last decade. Netflix has expanded its reach with shows like BoJack Horseman, Long Story Short, and Haunted Hotel.
There are also various animal-themed productions like Genndy Tartakovsky’s R-rated dog-centric film Fixed and Mating Season, a series about forest animals from the team behind Big Mouth.
The dive into adult animation is also significant for Gervais. This is his first animated project since The Ricky Gervais Show. It just reinforces his versatility and relevance in the world of comedic storytelling.
Industry critics and fans alike will be eagerly awaiting the show’s premiere to see how Gervais’ blend of humor and heart is translated into this new format.
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A Fresh Addition
As the series prepares to hit streaming services, Alley Cats promises to be a fresh addition to the expanding adult animation landscape. It’s a reflection on both Gervais’ unique humor and the evolving market for mature, animated content.
Netflix’s support and Gervais’ talent set the stage for a show that could resonate with viewers, combining absurdity, relatability, and British humor in one.