After ending After Life season, 2 with quite a few open storylines and unanswered questions, creator Ricky Gervais and Netflix had thankfully greenlit After Life Season 3.
After Life is a Netflix Original comedy series that features Ricky who plays the role of Tony. Tony had suffered an enormous loss with the death of his wife and is left behind trying to pick up the pieces and find a new purpose in life.
Production Process
As of July 23rd 2020, After Life Season 3 was set to begin production in April 2021. As soon as the show was announced, Gervais started writing the script.
On July 23rd, 2020, we got a first look at the draft for episode one of season three on a live stream by Gervais.
What to expect from season 3?
The second season of the dark comedy ended on an ambiguous note. The character Tony continued the struggle of coping with his grief even after some hope had transpired in his Life. With the first draft of the series done, fans who are invested in the fictional town and its characters, are expecting to be indulged some more.
Someone that would be important to the rest of the story is Lisa (Kerry Godliman), and fans should expect her to be back in After Life Season 3– even though she’s dead.
Gervais, in an interview, confirmed that Kerry Godliman would be back on the cast. “I don’t think even Kerry realised how important her character was when we first started, and it grew and grew.”
“In season one, of course, it explained why he was the way he was, and it got him some sympathy. In season two, we realised what he lost. It was the perfect relationship. The more fun it was then, the sadder it is now.”
“It’s such a rich vein, the wife he’s lost, and all the guilt, and moving on, and her versus someone else. She’s dead. She can’t screw up! Do you know what I mean?”
“It’s like, who can ever compare with this perfect wife? She’s never going to make mistakes. So all those things – there’s a rich vein for someone going through grief and depression, and mixed with drama and comedy…”
According to a few people who are a part of the show, the character arc of Sandy could be dealt with in-depth and a baby could be in the picture for Pat and Roxy.
The major plot for After Life Season 3 would be the continuation and salvation of their local newspaper. Tony promised Sandy that the paper would continue, and he seemed to enjoy having a new purpose in Life.
We might also see how Tony copes with this loss of his Dad and how his relationship with Emma.
Who Is In The After Life Season 3 Cast? Who could return?
Almost the entire cast for the first two seasons can be expected to return, including…
- Ricky Gervais (Tony)
- Penelope Wilton (Anne)
- Ashley Jensen (Emma)
- Tom Basden (Matt)
- Tony Way (Lenny)
- David Earl (Brian)
- Joe Wilkinson (“Postman” Pat)
- Mandeep Dhillon (Sandy)
- Jo Hartley (June)
- Roisin Conaty (Roxy)
- Diane Morgan (Kath)
- Ethan Lawrence (James)
Supporting characters, the no-nonsense Rebecca (Tracy Ann Oberman), the deranged psychiatrist (Paul Kaye) and the showbiz superstar Ken (Colin Hoult) could also be expected to return.
Peter Egan as Paul, owner of the Tambury Gazette and a potential love interest for Anne, who featured in season two may return in After Life Season 3 as well.
Potential Release Date
Since the first draft has already been written, things have been rolling for the show well even amidst the pandemic restrictions.
If the previous pattern of the show is to be followed (season two released on Netflix roughly 13 months after the show’s first season) After Life Season 3 should be out by spring of 2021.
Stay tuned to The Hollywood Tribune for updates on After Life Season 3 and more news from Hollywood and Beyond!