‘After Life’ Season 3: Officially Renewed by Netflix

Blink and you missed it. Season 2 of After Life is now on Netflix as of April 24th, 2020 and it clearly sets up a third season but has it been renewed, when will it release on Netflix and what can we expect going forward?

After Life, in case you didn’t know, is a Netflix Original comedy series that features Ricky Gervais (and plenty of familiar faces if you follow his previous work) who plays the role of Tony.

Season 2 dropped on Netflix on April 24th, 2020.

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Has After Life been renewed for season 3?

Official Netflix Renewal Status: Renewed (last updated: 05/06/2020)

Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait too long until Netflix pulled the trigger on the third season. On May 6th, 2020 Netflix UK put up a succinctly put Tweet that confirmed the good news:

NEWS: After Life will return for season 3.

— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) May 6, 2020

Ricky Gervais followed up with a Tweet of his own saying:

Because so many of you watched #AfterLife2 so quickly and made it Number 1 again, the nice people at Netflix have suggested that I get off my fat arse and do another season.

This is all your fault.

From the offset, the chances After Life getting renewed in some capacity were high as we made the case for below.

Was the series a hit? Well, we’ve never had exact confirmation of how many people have watched it. However, for season 2, Netflix had released its top 10 feature and early indication says it’s a hit. In the UK, it dethroned Too Hot to Handle and Tiger King.

Most Popular TV series on Netflix UK (April 25th)

1. After Life
2. Too Hot to Handle
3. Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness
4. Peaky Blinders
5. Money Heist
6. Ozark
7. The Innocence Files
8. The Last Dance
9. Outer Banks
10. Brooklyn Nine-Nine

— What’s on Netflix (@whatonnetflix) April 25, 2020

In addition, Ricky Gervais is currently part-way through his multi-year first-look deal with Netflix. The deal was struck back in July 2019.

When the deal was initially announced, Ricky did joke about a third season or, as he opted with some of his previous shows, a one-off special. He said: “I do – unless I can get some of the cast to help me write the third series and just sit back and just turn up,”.

So we’re currently thinking that there’s enough content for a third outing. However, it could wrap up nicely with a one-off special if needed for Ricky to move onto other Netflix projects.

As to when you can expect another season or special. Assuming a prompt renewal, we can probably expect to see the series return in 2021. However, we’re hesitant of saying early 2021 given the fact all filming has ceased during the coronavirus pandemic.

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What to expect from After Life season 3

Let’s quickly run through the final events of season 2. During the town’s talent show where Tony seems to be recovering from his loss day by day, but he faces a further setback by the end of season 2. His father, played by David Bradley, passes away from dementia in the nursing home. We suspect a formal funeral to take place at some point in season 3.

Matts marriage seems to have been patched up throughout the course of season 2 but whether that’ll be long-lasting could be explored going forwards.

The major overarching plot for a third season would be the continuation and hopefully, the salvation of the local newspaper. Tony promised Sandy that the paper would continue and actually seemed to have got a kick out of having a new purpose in life.

We’ll also see how Tony copes with this loss of his Dad plus how the relationship blossoms (or burnout as the case may be) with Emma who finally got her name revealed in season 2.

Of course, when it comes to the cast, much of that is speculation at this time. We’d expect to see continued flashbacks via Tony’s laptop and new characters introduced.

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What to watch after After Life season 2

If you love Ricky Gervais, there are a few titles you can check out starring the comedian. Some of his earlier comedy series whether that be The Office or Extras can still be found on Netflix in some regions.

More recently, Ricky Gervais has featured in The Willoughbys plus Derek serves as a Netflix Original in many regions too.

If you’re looking for heartfelt dramas with elements of comedy, Virgin River, The Kominsky Method, and Grace & Frankie are all good picks.

Netflix themselves also recommends Gentefied, The Ranch, Dead to Me and Atypical.

Now let us know what you think. Do you want to see After Life return for a third season on Netflix? Let us know in the comments down below.