Ricky Gervais wants to keep making one TV show ‘until he dies’

Ricky Gervais has threatened to keep making Alley Cats forever (Picture: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock) Ricky Gervais knows that all good things must come to an end. That’s why he ended The Office and Extras after just two seasons and a Christmas special, while After Life ran for three. Still, turns out that the 65-year-old comedian wants one of his shows to go on ‘forever’. Specifically, Stephen Merchant’s former co-writer would be quite happy if his new Netflix animated series Alley Cats never ended. ‘It’s the first thing I’ve ever created that I’d like to go on forever. I can see myself just making this show till I die,’ he told The Mirror. Get personalised updates on all things Netflix Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. ‘The cats won’t age, and it doesn’t matter how fat and old and bald I get. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video ‘Someone can just put me in a chair with a microphone, surrounded by the rest of the cast, and off we go. It won’t really matter when senility kicks in, as I’m usually talking b* anyway. It’s the dream job.’ Alley Cats, which is released on August 7, might be Ricky’s most original Netflix series to date. Unlike After Life, which followed a curmudgeonly human who liked to swear but secretly had a heart of gold, this new series follows a curmudgeonly cat who likes to swear and secretly has a heart of gold. Different sitcoms for different needs. The cats, the swearing, Gervais. Brilliant. (Picture: Courtesy of Netflix) Great show. Very, very funny. (Picture: Netflix/Planet Photos) Anyway, Ricky clearly understands that bold new ideas can frighten people and he’s already pre-empted a backlash. ‘It would take a very special kind of person to complain about what a fictional cartoon cat thought of something, but it will happen,’ he said. ‘Please don’t be offended by anything these characters say or do. They can’t help it. They’re cats. So sometimes, they’re s****.’ This isn’t the first time Ricky’s defended the show from would-be critics. If you liked the jokes about ‘fat ginger kids’ in After Life then we’ve got the show for you… (Picture: Courtesy of Netflix) Of course, Ricky’s critics might argue that they’re not offended by a cat dropping a C-bomb; it’s more that the series looks lazy, as would be clear to anyone who watched the trailer. Not me though… I like it. We’ve done this… (Picture: Courtesy of Netflix) And to those saying Ricky’s phoning it in, given up, or getting money for old rope, well he’s clearly putting the work in to the show and you’ve got to do the work. After all, he’s assembled the ‘Avengers of British comedy’ to star in Alley Cats. We’re talking Tom Basden (After Life), David Earl (Derek and After Life), Kerry Godliman (Derek and After Life), Jo Hartley (After Life) and Diane Morgan (After Life). ‘I cast my usual gang of comedy chums, because I know exactly what they’re capable of,’ Ricky said about his incredible cast. ‘They can stay in character, drive the plot, stick to the screenplay, and go completely off-piste whenever the moment demands it.’ Deals of the Day Wuka launches the UK’s first period-proof swimwear for heavy flows Bridgerton fans are rushing to buy these new Netflix-inspired perfumes now £12 off The affordable summer wardrobe update you'll wear from rooftop drinks to beach holidays The £7.99 lip balm beauty fans love for glossy, hydrated lips just dropped four new shades This Keskine hydrogel mask could fix your summer skin Alley Cats will be available on Netflix from August 7. Arrow MORE: Could you beat Luke Littler at darts? You now have a real chance to try Arrow MORE: ‘Gripping’ Ruth Wilson BBC thriller about corpse hidden in house soars up Netflix top 10 Arrow MORE: Influencer Sara Gilson shot dead after accusing husband of being a paedophile in TikTok trend TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.