Here's everything we know about After Life season 4. Debuting on Netflix in 2019, After Life marks the latest sitcom from the dog-happy mind of Ricky Gervais, who does everything here but write the theme tune. As well as writing, directing and producing, Gervais stars in After Life as Tony - a journalist who recently lost his wife to cancer. Tony's grief leads him down a path of anger, depression, and mental health problems, and After Life charts his roller coaster journey through the mourning process, accompanied by his dog, and the eccentric residents of Tambury.
After Life seasons 1 and 2 proved hugely successful for Netflix, prompting Ricky Gervais to buck his famous "two seasons and a special" trend, and charge uncharacteristically ahead with After Life season 3. The new narrative finds Tony in a healthier place than before, but still struggling to move on without Lisa. As usual, interactions with the local townsfolk help Tony learn important lessons. What makes life worth living? What's the best way to insult an annoying hipster in a cafe? How many times will Netflix let you say "c***" in six episodes?
Now After Life season 3 is officially in the books, what does the future hold for Ricky Gervais' latest critically-acclaimed hit series? Is After Life season 4 happening? And what details do we know so far?
Is After Life Season 4 Happening?
In a word, no. Ricky Gervais already shocked fans once by announcing After Life would return for a third season, having previously stuck rigidly to a "quality over quantity" mantra (especially when teasing Steve Carell about The Office). Since season 3 was confirmed in mid-2020, Gervais has constantly shot down the prospect of an After Life season 4, telling RadioTimes during his most recent round of press interviews, "I’m 99% sure this should be it. I don’t think I can top that ending." These comments quite definitively rule out After Life season 4... albeit with the smallest glimmer of hope for fans to cling onto.
What Ricky Gervais Has Said About After Life's Ending
After Life's ending manages to straddle a middle-ground between conclusive and ambiguous. There's little doubt season 3's finale wraps up the whole After Life story, with Tamworth's residents coming together at the town fair for one last "happily ever after." Tony, meanwhile, walks off into the distance with Brandy the dog, only for both to disappear as the seasons change. Though definitely an ending, After Life viewers are less certain about what the final shot actually means. Ricky Gervais himself has elaborated on After Life's closing scene, telling DigitalSpy, "It's just that life goes on, you know? That's what the ending is saying. 'We all die, but not today.'"
Gervais' comments point toward a more hopeful ending than some After Life viewers have assumed (Tony probably doesn't take his own life), but however one interprets the final shot, his explanation confirms the Tambury fair was designed to bring the curtain down on After Life for good.
After Life Season 4's Story: What Could Happen If It Returned?
Given the open-ended ending of After Life season 3, a "10 years later" catch-up special might be the most logical continuation, and could release as a Netflix special, rather than a full season - a format Ricky Gervais has implemented before with The Office, Extras and Derek. Alternatively, After Life could return as a movie in the vein of David Brent's Life on the Road. However it happens, a significant period of time needs to pass in After Life's world, so if/when the story picks up, audiences can witness the effect of time of Tony's grief, see whether the postman delivered true love for Kath, and find out whether the Tambury Gazette continued to survive the exodus of physical media. One angle potentially worth resuming is Tony's relationship with Ashley Jensen's character, Emma. The seeds of love were there, but Tony wasn't ready for another relationship. A 10-year gap before After Life season 4 might allow romance to blossom.
Why After Life Season 4 Would Be A Mistake
Even if After Life season 4 could hit Netflix one day, Ricky Gervais' belief that season 3 represents the right ending point rings true, sadly. Every main character receives a fitting end to their arc, while Tony learns to appreciate life in a way that doesn't follow the stereotypical TV tradition of brushing grief under the carpet. His poetic, poignant ending encapsulates After Life's core message of "life goes on," and to mine more stories from Gervais' latest creation would risk devaluing the abundance of emotion tied to season 3's ending.