Ricky Gervais has given fans a major update on when they can expect the third series of his hugely popular Netflix comedy, After Life.
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Appearing backstage at the National Television Awards at London's O2 Arena after bagging the gong for Best Comedy, Ricky told HELLO! and other press that there's not long to wait until season three is released.
Asked when it will arrive on Netflix, he said: "As close to Christmas as we can, either just before or just after. It's nearly finished, it's the best one yet."
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Indicating to his co-stars who had joined him on stage - Tony Way, Ethan Lawrence and Michelle Greenidge - he added: "They're all in it again, and more. I'm very pleased with it. We did it through COVID, so it was a double pleasure that we got it done."
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Fans will no doubt be pleased as season two was released more than a year ago in April 2020. As for whether series three will be the comedy's last, Ricky previously told Lorraine: "That'll be the final instalment. It's the first time I've done a third series of anything but it felt right, and I fell in love with the characters, I think this should be it."
© Photo: NetflixSeason three was filmed earlier this year
The comedy has been widely praised thanks to its incredibly moving subject matter mixed with light moments of humour, something Ricky claims has prompted a huge reaction from fans. "When you deal with a taboo subject, people see themselves.
"I've never had a reaction like this. Even I was worried, this is about a guy who loses his wife to cancer, he's suicidal and he treats the world terribly as a punishment."
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He continued: "But when it went out, people went up to me on the street saying, 'I lost my brother three weeks ago' or 'I lost my mum this year', and you realise that everyone's grieving. And so they like seeing themselves reflected, even if it's bad news or taboo subjects. But no harm can come from discussing taboo subjects, it makes them less scary. And people have found this really helpful."
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