• Home
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • LAD Originals

U OK M8?
Free To Be
Extinct
Citizen Reef

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Not now
OK
Advert
Advert
Advert

Ricky Gervais Explains How He Decided To End After Life

Jake Massey

Published 
| Last updated 

Ricky Gervais Explains How He Decided To End After Life

*WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS*

Ricky Gervais has explained how he decided to end After Life. Watch here:

Loading…

The much-anticipated third and final series of the hit Netflix sitcom dropped on Friday (14 January), prompting an emotional outpouring on social media.

Advert

The show follows the 60-year-old as he takes on the role of Tony, a reporter at a free paper struggling to find a purpose in life following the passing of his wife.

Across the course of the first two seasons, viewers have been moved by his battle with grief and attempts to move on from his tragic loss, and fans were eager to see how things would pan out for the protagonist.

The finale left countless viewers overwhelmed, while many others were left wondering what it all meant - something Gervais foresaw.

Gervais knew people would have questions about the ending. Credit: Netflix
Gervais knew people would have questions about the ending. Credit: Netflix
Advert

"I'm sure I'm gonna have to explain it on social media for the next 10 years," he told LADbible, prior to the show's release.

However you interpreted the conclusion, it clearly wasn't a picture perfect happy ending, and some viewers thought the closing scene, in which Tony fades from view, might indicate that he had taken his life.

If you were one of these people, you'll be pleased to learn that Gervais - the show's writer, director and star - assured us that this was not the intended interpretation.

Asked whether he ever had any intention of ending the show with Tony and Emma (Ashley Jensen) getting together, he said: "No, I didn't want that for lots of reasons. I think it would be too obvious. I think it would undermine all the things that we saw him and Lisa go through, in a way.

Advert

"I wanted him to be satisfied with his life, that's what I wanted. I also had no intention of a terrible ending for a few reasons, but I wanted it to be real and satisfying, but not perfect, not chocolate box.

"Even the relationship with Lisa, I didn't want it to be a coffee advert. I wanted it to be goofy and drunk and fun.

"They were friends and soulmates, and they had the best life."

There were numerous reasons why he didn't want Tony and Emma to get together. Credit: Netflix
There were numerous reasons why he didn't want Tony and Emma to get together. Credit: Netflix
Advert

He continued: "It is about finding something from beginning to end. One - it's a love story. But two, it asks the big question - when you lose everything is life still worth living?

"Again, without spoilers, I say yes."

Succinctly summarising the ending, he added: "I think it's pretty perfect because, with no spoilers, the theme is - life goes on. It's just that, it's just - life goes on."

So if the show's ending left you in pieces, that's perfectly understandable; but remember, the overall message is one of positivity and hope.

Advert


UOKM8? is a campaign by LADbible, featuring films and stories that provide advice and inspiration on mental health. Explore more here and don't suffer in silence. Let's talk mental health.

MIND: 0300 123 3393

Samaritans: 116 123

CALM: 0800 58 58 58

Featured Image Credit: Netflix

Topics: TV and Film, Ricky Gervais, Netflix

Jake Massey
More like this
Advert
Advert
Advert

Chosen for YouChosen for You

News

Fake company tricks Matt Hancock into revealing unbelievable amount he charges per hour

2 minutes ago

Most Read StoriesMost Read

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe confirms he’s going to be a dad

3 hours ago