After Life (Spoiler Free Series Review)

This review will be short and sweet just like the series itself.
There are so many series and movies I have watched which I want to review that my backlog has a backlog.
After Life is one of those series that I really wanted to review and recommend. It’s ideal to relax and binge it over the weekend or a day.
If you are a fan of Ricky Gervais you will love this series. If you don’t know who Ricky Gervais is then you most definitely know his work. He is an actor, a comedian, a showman if you will, but he is one of the very few actors who is much more than just that, he is an award winning writer, producer and director of great work spanning decades throughout his career. Creating series from The Office (British and American), to Extras, to Life’s Too Short, to An Idiot Abroad, to Derek, to many more, he has somehow managed to capture the cynical and mundane and turn it into a brilliant showcase of life. And he does it again with After Life.

Tony (Ricky Gervais) is grief-stricken and depressed after his wife dies of cancer. He is cynical and overall unhappy with life since he feels he has no purpose without her.

“I’d rather be nowhere with her than somewhere without her.”

Some of the most tender and emotional moments in the show involve the dialogues between Ricky Gervais and Penelope Wilton at the graveyard.

The show continues his journey of grief as we follow him at home, at work and throughout town, interacting with strangers, friends and coworkers. The premise of the show isn’t groundbreaking, but what is groundbreaking is how Gervais can take a depressing subject matter and execute it in such a way that you can’t help but smile and laugh your way through. The dialogue is also groundbreaking as is the comedic timing and most importantly the bond he has with his dog (Brandy) and how they get through the grief together.
Each character in the show is beautifully developed and shines through with purpose and heart. The writing is the true star of the show.
Without giving away more of the plot and the sheer genius of the show, I don’t have much more to say except go and watch this. It’s 6 episodes of 30 min each, I wish there was more but maybe that is it’s charm.

Rating: I’m giving After Life a 9 out of 10.
Watch the trailer.
A bittersweet feel good show that will make you laugh, smile, ponder on life and the grief of losing a loved one. A show that in itself is a fleeting moment that you are glad to experience. It has been renewed for season 2 and I cannot wait for it.