A new adult animated comedy from Ricky Gervais is heading to Netflix, with Alley Cats set to debut in 2026, and currently expected to arrive in the autumn.
The series marks Gervais’ latest project under his ongoing deal with Netflix and looks set to deliver his trademark dark humour—this time through the lives of a group of feral British cats.
What Is Alley Cats About?
Alley Cats centres on a group of streetwise cats living on the fringes of British society. The show explores their day-to-day struggles as they search for food, companionship and meaning, all while reflecting on the absurdities of life.
Blending sharp observational comedy with existential themes, the series follows the cats as they navigate survival and relationships in their own chaotic world. Despite the unusual premise, the themes are expected to feel familiar—touching on loneliness, friendship and the small frustrations of everyday life.
Episode Format and Animation Style
The series will consist of six episodes, each running approximately 15 minutes. This shorter format suggests a tightly written, punchy comedy style, likely packed with Gervais’ signature quick-fire dialogue and biting humour.
Visually, Alley Cats will stand out thanks to its bold 2D animation style. The show is being produced by Blink Industries, the team behind Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared, known for its distinctive and unconventional visuals.
Cast: A Strong Line-Up of British Comedy Talent
The voice cast features a mix of frequent Gervais collaborators and well-known British actors, including:
- Ricky Gervais
- Tom Basden
- Andrew Brooke
- David Earl
- Kerry Godliman
- Jo Hartley
- Diane Morgan
The series will also feature appearances from Natalie Cassidy and Tony Way.
Recording “Alley Cats.”
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) April 6, 2026
Tony Way, Jo Hartley, Natalie Cassidy, Diane Morgan, Tom Basden, Kerry Godliman, Ricky Gervais, David Earl, Andrew Brooke. pic.twitter.com/hpyhXhoP6A
What Ricky Gervais Has Said About the Series
Gervais will also voice one of the central characters, and has already offered a humorous insight into the role:
“I play a fat, lazy, rude, opinionated creature with fangs, who’s not as smart or brave as he thinks he is. So quite a stretch.”
He also shared how the idea for the show first came about:
“I came up with the idea for Alley Cats during lockdown. I thought covid couldn’t stop me recording audio and designing characters. That’s how fucking long these things take!”
A Long-Term Netflix Partnership
Alley Cats forms part of Gervais’ multi-year deal with Netflix, which has already produced several successful projects. His previous work for the platform includes After Life, the comedy film Special Correspondents, and the animated feature The Willoughbys.
Speaking previously about the deal, Gervais said:
“I was planning to retire soon and just wander around the house drunk until I die, but I’ve grown a bit tired of doing that during the lockdown, and also Netflix made me an offer I couldn’t refuse,” Gervais said in a statement to The Hollywood reporter.
Watch Ricky’s other recent projects via Netflix.