What is After Life about?

After Life, created by Ricky Gervais, is a British black comedy-drama that made its debut on Netflix. It revolves around Tony Johnson, played by Gervais, a man dealing with the profound grief of losing his wife to cancer. Overwhelmed with sorrow, Tony initially thinks about ending his life. Choosing to remain alive, he adopts a new approach wherein he permits himself to express any thought and act on any impulse, embracing what he sees as freedom without consequence. This 'superpower', as Tony dubs it, sets him on a collision course with the world around him. As the series unfolds across its three-season arc, viewers witness Tony's journey through the stages of grief. Despite his harsh exterior, cracks in Tony's armor appear as he slowly begins to value the relationships with his friends, colleagues, and his wife's memory. He navigates the complexity of human emotions and the need for connection, which contradicts his initial response to his loss. The series weaves dark humor with moments of poignant reflection, presenting a narrative that delves into themes of pain, redemption, and the search for meaning amid despair. Tony's evolution embodies a realization that while his loss is irreplaceable, the essence of life may be found in the support and care for those around him.

The first episode of After Life aired on March 08, 2019 and the most recent episode to air was on January 14, 2022.