Watch After Life

After Life is a British black comedy-drama streaming television series on Netflix. The show is created, written and directed by Ricky Gervais, who also stars in the lead role. The show was released on 8th March 2019, and the latest season of After Life was released on 29th April 2022.

The show revolves around Tony Johnson (Ricky Gervais) who is a recently widowed journalist working for a local newspaper. Tony is depressed and suicidal after his wife Lisa (Kerry Godliman) dies from breast cancer. He becomes bitter towards the world and has no regard for social etiquette. He sees no point in living and often contemplates suicide but keeps on living only for his dog Brandy, who is his only reason for living.

Tony's behaviour towards his colleagues as well as his environment is cruel and hedonistic. He finds comfort in alcohol and drugs to numb the pain of the loss of his wife. After a failed suicide attempt, Tony decides that he will no longer censor himself and will say and do whatever he wants, leading him to lash out at anyone and everyone around him.

As the show progresses, Tony reaches out to others for help and forms connections which slowly help him to confront his issues. Through his interactions with his colleagues and acquaintances, Tony learns to cherish life and to deal with the grief that he carries.

In Season Two of After Life, Tony turns his newspaper column into a platform to honour his wife and engages with his readers on a more personal level. He tries to make a difference in the lives of his readers by sharing happy stories and anecdotes.

The show also follows Tony's interactions with his friends and acquaintances, including Kath (Diane Morgan), his flippant colleague, and Lenny (Tony Way), his drug-addled friend who lives in a caravan. Although Tony initially views these people with disdain, they eventually become his support system.

Another prominent character in the show is Matt (Tom Basden), Tony's brother-in-law who is also one of his oldest friends. Matt, who is now a widow like Tony, provides a contrast to Tony's bitterness and has found solace in religion. Matt also constantly tries to help Tony heal and find a new way of life.

Throughout the show, Tony grapples with his wife's death and his own suicidal tendencies. Though he often keeps everyone at arm's length, he slowly learns to build meaningful relationships with people and tries to make a positive impact on their lives.

The show also explores themes of mental health, death, and grief in a nuanced way. It raises important questions about the human experience and how we cope with loss and trauma. At its heart, After Life is a thoughtful and poignant portrayal of the struggles of grief, as well as an exploration of what it means to be kind and compassionate in a world that is often cruel and unfair.

In summary, After Life is a brilliant, heart-wrenching comedy, and a testament to the power of humour as a coping mechanism, and the important role that kindness, connection, and empathy play in healing. The show's excellent writing, acting, and direction make it a must-watch for anyone who has experienced loss or struggles with mental health issues.

After Life is a series that is currently running and has 3 seasons (18 episodes). The series first aired on March 8, 2019.