Gervais plays an angry and grieving character in this latest series

This is the latest series from Ricky Gervais, who has written and directed it.  He also plays the lead role of Tony, a bereft middle-aged man who is struggling with life since the death of his wife.

It's a six-part series on Netflix, you'll find out more here.

Tony is a very angry individual

In the first episode, when we're introduced to Tony, he's constantly thinking about suicide, and he really, really hates the world. We watch him as he insults pretty much everyone who crosses his path. In fact, his dog is the only reason why he keeps going. As the show progresses Tony does soften and he learns some life lessons.

The cast

As well as Gervais, you'll see many well-known faces in After Life; including Tom Basden as his brother-in-law Matt, Ashley Jenson as the nurse who takes care of Tony's Dad, and Penelope Wilton as Anne, a woman he meets regularly at the graveyard.

We also see some other characters play central roles such as Kath (Diane Morgan,) a sex worker, and a drug dealer called Julian (Tim Plester.)

Tony's wife Lisa (Kerry Godliman) appears on screen in flashbacks and through videos she recorded for him while she was in hospital.

Workmates

Tony works at a local free newspaper The Tambery Gazette, where they are prone to covering stories about babies who look like famous people, cats getting stuck in trees, and so on. Here we see Tony (Gervais) at his most cutting and sarcastic, as he relentlessly slates his colleagues.

What did Jenny think?

Jenny tells us that she was a huge fan of Gervais' earlier work and 'devoured' The Office several times over. She really enjoyed Extras but she feels that in recent times his work has taken on a "same-old-same-old" quality. However she does feel After Life is worth a watch.

If you like Jenny's reviews on The Big Breakfast Blaa, have a listen here to what she thought of Three Identical Strangers.

And below is her review of After Life

https://soundcloud.com/wlrfmwaterford/jenny-oconnor-reviews-the-latest-ricky-gervais-show-after-life