Netflix's After Life season 3 will be released in January!

Sound the klaxon, please: There has been a major After Life season 3 update after Netflix confirmed the show will be returning. Earlier this year, Gervais ~who plays main character Tony~ insisted that the third series really is "the last one".

Making a third series means After Life is the first show ever in his career history that he's strayed from his two seasons and a special tradition (The Office, Extras and Derek all released only the two, and one special). Here's everything we know about After Life season 3, from when it'll be airing, to what to expect and more.

When will After Life season 3 air?

January 2022! on Friday 14th to be precise. Announcing the news, Ricky Gervais wrote, "Official Artwork for #AfterLife3 On Netflix around the world Friday 14th January."

Remind me, what happened in After Life seasons 1 and 2?

The much-loved first season follows main character Tony struggling to deal with the loss of wife Lisa (played by Kerry Godliman). You see the journalist, who previously had a passion for life, abandoning his moral compass, living life without much regard for those around him. That is, until his nearest and dearest stage an intervention.

Season two saw him lose his Dad, and was left on a cliffhanger with a question mark hanging over the potential relationship between Tony and Emma (Ashley Jensen), the care home nurse who cared for his elderly father in season one.

When was After Life season 3 confirmed?

Gervais first confirmed the next season on Twitter in May 2020, writing: "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," mirroring the exact Tweet he posted to confirm After Life season 2.

On September 28th, the actor revealed that he had finished the second draft of a script for the upcoming series. Exciting!

Is there an After Life season 3 trailer yet?

Sadly not. However, Netflix did make a (heartbreaking) montage of all of the saddest bits of seasons one and two to tide us over, in the meantime. Lucky us.

They also revealed on 21 April that filming on the third season had started:

What about potential After Life season 3 plot lines?

Will Tony and Emma finally get together? Will Tony lose his job at the newspaper as The Tambury Gazette faces imminent shutdown? Will Tony get over the loss of his wife and Dad, and stop pushing those closest to him away? We know as well as you do - but we're keeping everything crossed for a happy ending for the journo.

Who will star in After Life season 3?

Netflix unveiled new photos from the set on 13th May 2021, confirming which cast members will definitely be back for the third season.

In a series of behind-the-scenes photos, Ricky Gervais (Tony) meets up with Penelope Wilton (Anne) on their bench in the graveyard, hangs out with Joe Wilkinson (Pat the postman) and David Earl (Brian), and reunites with Tony Way (Lenny) and Jo Hartley (June). Oh, and of course his beloved German Shepherd Brandy is back. Excellent news!

When did After Life season 2 hit screens?

After Life season two hit screens on 24th April 2020. The second season of the show started trending on Netflix the day it was released, prompting Gervais to thank fans on Twitter.

What happened in After Life season 2?

Tony struggled with his mental health throughout the season, wrestling with the meaning of moving on and the sympathy his colleagues and friends continue to show him.

He also mourns the loss of his Dad and continually asks those around him to leave him alone. Potential new love Emma appeared on his doorstop as the season wrapped, while it appeared that Tony was considering taking his own life - his saving grace?

You Might Also Like

• A ranking of the very best hair straighteners - according to our Beauty Editors

• Best party dresses to shop in the UK right now

• 11 products you'd be mad to miss from the Net A Porter beauty sale