Dead good!
1 Gervais, who found fame in The Office, has described the tear-jerking show as both the best thing he’s ever done and also the hardest thing he’s ever written.
2 It’s the first time he’s ever gone beyond two series of a show but he has confirmed this will be its final outing.
3 That’s despite it being the most-watched British comedy of the decade with a viewership of nearly 100million.
4 It is set in the small fictional town of Tambury but the filming locations are Hampstead in north London – where Gervais lives – Hemel Hempstead, Herts, and Beaconsfield, Bucks.
5 Comedian Kerry Godliman plays Tony’s wife Lisa in videotape scenes. On her gravestone, her middle name is Jane – like Ricky’s real partner Jane Fallon.
6 Gervais hired many people he’s previously worked with for the show, including Ashley Jensen – his nurse love interest Emma. She starred in Extras.
7 Many of the other cast also appeared in The Office spinoff film, David Brent: Life On The Road. They include Tom Basden, (Tony’s editor Matt), Mandeep Dhillon (new journalist Sandy), Diane Morgan (advertising employee Kath) and Roisin Conaty (sex worker Daphne).
8 PAUL Kaye, who plays the deranged psychiatrist; Tony Way, who is photographer Lenny; and David Bradley who was Tony’s dementia-suffering dad, were all in Game Of Thrones, too.
9 Comic and actress Kate Robbins – mum to Emily Atack – makes an appearance in this series, as do comedian Tim Key and former EastEnders star Ricky Grover.
10 The music is all handpicked by Gervais himself from his personal collection. He admits he’s never had a budget large enough to do that before.
11 The sometimes unlikely stories covered by the Tambury Gazette are also based on real local newspaper stories – including one inspired by Brian Marchant from Exeter, who received five identical birthday cards on his 80th birthday in 2013.
12 Tony’s beloved German shepherd dog Brandy is actually called Anti. The name was chosen as it’s close enough to her own that she would respond.
13 The 10-year-old pooch – full name Antilly the Wonder Hound – has an impressive CV of her own, starring in Hollywood film The Edge Of Tomorrow as well as TV shows including Midsomer Murders and Doc Martin.
14 While he’s not letting slip any secrets about the final series, Gervais has revealed one spoiler to reassure fans – the dog won’t die.
15 We might not be seeing any more After Life, but Ricky has signed a multi-year deal with Netflix that includes two further projects – so expect something with his unique brand of humour in the future.
● After Life airs from Friday on Netflix.