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Ricky Gervais Debuts Netflix Animated Sitcom Alley Cats at Annecy

He presented two episodes while stressing live ensemble recordings, licensed use of a Smiths song, deliberate adult themes and a planned August 7, 2026 global release.

Overview

  • Gervais screened the first two episodes at the Annecy International Animation Festival to an enthusiastic, full-capacity audience and took part in a Q&A about the project.
  • Alley Cats is a six-episode short-form 2D series for Netflix created, written and directed by Gervais, who also voices the lead ginger tomcat, Gus.
  • The show follows a motley group of British feral cats in a character-driven sitcom format that uses coarse language and the presence of death to create emotional stakes.
  • Gervais said the cast recorded together in the same room to keep performances realistic, and he secured permission to use The Smiths’ “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out.”
  • Netflix set a global streaming release for August 7, 2026, the series was produced with Blink Industries and Gervais has signaled interest in a second season.