Nine Lives, Zero F*cks: Netflix Drops Trailer for Ricky Gervais’ Foul-Mouthed Animated Sitcom ‘Alley Cats’

Ricky Gervais is bringing his signature brand of misanthropic, melancholy, and deeply profane humor to a brand-new medium. Netflix has officially released the first trailer for Alley Cats, an upcoming adult animated comedy series created, written, directed, and starring the award-winning comedian.

The six-episode series is scheduled to premiere globally on the streaming platform on August 7, 2026. The trailer drop perfectly coincides with a major preview and an exclusive masterclass hosted by The Office creator at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

Slacker Sitcom Meets Existential Felines

Produced by the acclaimed U.K. studio Blink Industries, Alley Cats is a 15-minute “slacker sitcom” that follows a pack of feral British street cats from completely different walks of life. Rather than chasing mice or looking cute for internet videos, this motley crew spends its time navigating deep loneliness, bickering over the frustrations of daily existence, and loudly philosophizing in the trash heaps.

The humor in the premiere trailer is decidedly adult, firmly moving the concept away from classic cartoon cats. Instead, the footage treats viewers to a series of absurd, crude conversations, including a debate among the strays regarding exactly how they would choose to pass away, and a chaotic plot to collectively jump a human child.

Gervais himself leads the voice booth, portraying a character he describes as a “fat, lazy, rude, opinionated creature with fangs.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited about a trailer,” Gervais stated in an official release. “I can’t wait for everyone to get to know these cats.”

The ‘Avengers’ of British Comedy

To bring the series to life, Gervais has reunited a massive roster of his favorite longtime creative collaborators. The star-studded voice cast features:

• Diane Morgan (Cunk on Earth, After Life)

• Kerry Godliman (After Life)

• David Earl (Brian and Charles)

• Tony Way (After Life)

• Tom Basden (Plebs)

• Jo Hartley

• Andrew Brooke

• Natalie Cassidy

The dense concentration of top-tier British comedic talent in the voice booths led Netflix’s Head of Animated Series to famously label the production as “the Avengers of British comedy.”

Behind the Animation Style

While the writing delivers Gervais’ classic social commentary, the visual environment is spearheaded by the creative team at Blink Industries. Co-directed by Gervais alongside Elliot Dear, the series utilizes a gritty, highly expressive 2D look.

The production team boasts impressive pedigree. Tang Heng (Kung Fu Panda 1 & 2) serves as the project’s production designer, while Blink Industries’ Hugo Donkin produces. The studio’s unique aesthetic footprint ensures that Alley Cats balances its raw, street-level expletives with a beautifully detailed, tactile atmosphere.