The Office star Ricky Gervais vows he will never make another TV sitcom again

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Ricky Gervais may be ending his sitcoms after his next series next year, as he’s planning to dedicate more time to stand-up comedy.

Ricky Gervais, the 64-year-old actor and comedian known for creating popular shows like The Office, Extras, Derek, and After Life, will launch a new animated series, Alley Cats, on Netflix in 2026.

Ricky doesn’t expect to create another TV show following Alley Cats. His recent tour, Mortality, has been incredibly successful – earning him a Golden Globe nomination and a Netflix release on December 30th – and has inspired him to focus on writing new stand-up comedy instead.

Okay, so I was listening to Jack Dean’s podcast, Happy Hour, and honestly, it was everything! He asked him what’s next, and he just said, ‘I don’t know,’ but then – and this is the best part – he said he’s really into stand-up right now! I’m obsessed, obviously, and it’s amazing to hear him say that! I need more stand-up, please!

Initially, I considered myself a multi-hyphenate – a writer, director, and actor – creating my own films and projects. I also did smaller things like podcasts. Then I started doing stand-up comedy, and I toured doing stand-up between seasons of my other work.

Honestly, for the past six, seven, maybe even eight years, everything’s changed for me. Stand-up isn’t just something I do anymore, it’s my actual job now. It’s how I make a living, and it feels amazing to finally say that!

I constantly feel the need to be performing stand-up. As soon as one project wraps up, I immediately start thinking about the next one. For example, my show ‘Alley Cats’ will likely come out three or four years after ‘After Life’ finishes.

I just finished my tour and did some shows in January to test out new material. Once those are available on Netflix, I’ll be starting the whole process over again. I’ve realized I’m basically a stand-up comedian who tours and releases specials on Netflix, and I’m now thinking about what I’ll do with my time when I’m not on the road.

Ricky said he will only agree to do a project if it sounds ‘amazing’.

When the host asked what drove him to continue performing stand-up, Ricky admitted it was becoming increasingly challenging, even for that.

These days, after playing three shows back-to-back, I wake up feeling completely wrecked, like I’ve been hit by a truck. It’s a rough feeling, especially knowing I have another show to do that same night.

It definitely becomes more challenging, and I’m not sure if it’s due to a rush of adrenaline I don’t feel in the moment, or simply because I’m getting older at 64.

Growing up, 64 seemed like an impossibly old age. Now that I’m approaching it, things are different – I’m actually nearing retirement age. While I haven’t really focused on retiring, I realize I just need a little more time to prepare.

Honestly, the whole thing hinges on the chickens, and that £10,000 price tag! I keep thinking, ‘Do I really need to spend that much just to get a chicken?’ It would have to be something truly incredible, something beyond amazing, to justify that kind of money. It just has to be!

Ricky had huge success in the earlier 2000 creating and starring in The Office. 

Ricky Gervais recently achieved worldwide fame with his Netflix series, After Life, which became the most popular British comedy globally. The show was celebrated for its skillful combination of dark humor and honest portrayal of grief.

This follows Ricky’s donation of £2.5 million to animal charities, funded by his successful Mortality world tour.

The comedian shared a large pre-Christmas donation among 22 charities, giving some as much as £150,000. This surpassed his previous donation of £1.9 million, which he split between 11 organizations two years prior.

Ricky Gervais announced he’s donating £2.43 million to animal charities. He shared the news on X, explaining the donation celebrates his recent ‘Mortality Tour,’ his Netflix special, his Golden Globes nomination, and the holiday season.

‘These are the lovely charities I’ve chosen. Merry Xmas Critters.’

He announced the charities that would receive donations, giving £150,000 each to The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), International Animal Rescue, Celia Hammond Animal Trust, and Animals Asia.

Nowzad, which provides animal welfare services in Afghanistan and Ukraine, will be handed £132k. 

The Office star also made donations to a further 17 charities, which will all receive £100k.

Ricky Gervais is a dedicated supporter of animal charities. After his popular Armageddon tour in 2023, he generously donated £1.9 million to several different organizations.

He previously shared the money with eleven groups, but after the success of ‘Mortality,’ he’s now supporting even more organizations.

The creator of ‘The After Life’ shared a memory of his mother, who often said, ‘You can’t take it with you.’ He jokingly lamented that he could have spent his money on extravagant fun – like buying thirty speedboats to race around the Mediterranean with friends, enjoying a luxurious and carefree lifestyle. He then added, with a touch of regret, that it’s too late to do so now.

Ricky Gervais’ comedy tour, filmed at the Hollywood Bowl and in New York City, will be available to stream worldwide on Netflix starting December 30th.

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2025-12-19 04:34