Alley Cats: Ricky Gervais 'over the moon' as new animated series hits Number 1
It's divided fans!
Last updated 10th Aug 2026
It only dropped on Netflix on Friday 7th August, but Ricky Gervais' new animated series, Alley Cats, has already bagged the Number 1 spot in the Netflix series chart.
The show which follows the lives of a group of street cats — and is DEFINITELY not for children — has been dividing audiences, with some critics saying it's 'reliant on shock humour'. But others have said they 'laughed so much they cried', insisting those that don't appreciate its comedy have 'had a sense of humour bypass'.
Well now Ricky Gervais has taken to social media to declare his delight at the show's success, telling his followers he has 'Best fans in the f----- world 🌎' and later writing 'I’m still over the moon about the viewing figures'.
The comedian, best known for hit shows like The Office and After Life, responded to earlier negative comments on Instagram, telling followers: 'If you watch Alley Cats and you get offended at any point, just remember that 1, It’s just a cartoon about cats, and 2, you’re an adult, and can take it 😂'.
Made up of six 16-17 minute episodes, Alley Cats follows a group of feral cats as they cause chaos on the streets, and is voiced by stars like Diane Morgan (Motherland/Ann Droid), Kerry Godliman (After Life/Trigger Point), Tom Basden (After Life/Mandy) and Ricky himself.
Taking about some of the show's central themes, Ricky told his followers: 'GUS, is a fat, angry, uneducated, street-wise curmudgeon. PONCE, is a professorial, overprivileged, middle class pet. They wind each other up all the time. Like brothers 😂.'
The show's divisive nature comes as no surprise considering the five-time Golden Globes host is known for his unfiltered British sarcasm, which has sometimes been labelled 'abrasive'.
Given an age 18 rating, the series is packed with strong language, and is likely to be popular with fans of After Life.
NOW READ: Diane Morgan's new sitcom Ann Droid becomes huge hit for BBC
When was it released?
Alley Cats dropped on Netflix on Friday 7th August, and is available to watch now.
What age is it for?
Despite being an animated series, Alley Cats is definitely aimed at adults — and has an age 18 rating.
Now check out all the shows we can't wait to return to our screens:
Time
Filming for the third series of hit BBC prison drama Time took place earlier this year. The third instalment will see David Tennant join the show alongside returning cast member Siobhan Finneran. The BBC has now announced the show will return on 11th October.
This City Is Ours
Following the first series which aired in 2025, This City Is Ours has been renewed for a second series, with filming now complete! Julie Graham, James Nelson-Joyce and Jack McMullen will all return. There's no start date just yet, but bosses have said it will return this autumn.
Nobody Wants This
After two successful series of cosy romcom Nobody Wants This, a much-anticipated third season will land on 22nd October 2026. It follows the blossoming romance of podcast host Joanne and her unlikely lover, Rabbi Noah Roklov.
Last One Laughing
Hosted by Jimmy Carr, the first two series of Prime Video show Last One Laughing have been a huge success! Before series two had even concluded in early April 2026, bosses confirmed a third series was in the works, as well as a Halloween special, which will drop on 23rd October 2026.
Rivals
The second half of Rivals series two will land on Disney+ on 11th November! Season two, part one dropped back in May, with fans patiently waiting more eps!
I'm A Celeb
It wouldn't be the run up to Christmas without I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! With rumours about which celebs are entering the jungle rife, fans are counting down the days until the launch show, which is reportedly set for Monday 16th November.
Celebrity Race Across The World
With celebs like Sam Ryder, Ella Eyre, Jeff Stelling and Princess and Junior set to take part, the fourth series of Celebrity Race Across The World is due to return sometime in November.
Emily In Paris
After season five dropped in December 2025, and was met with huge viewing figures, Netflix were quick to renew Emily In Paris for a sixth season. We now know it will land on Christmas Eve!
Bullseye
Freddie Flintoff will return for a second rebooted series of classic gameshow Bullseye later this year! Applications closed in September 2026, with the show set to air later this year.
Gladiators and Celebrity Gladiators
As well as another celebrity edition to look forward to at Christmas time, series four of Gladiators will return in early 2027, with three new Gladiators!
The Traitors
As well as the second celebrity edition dropping in October, series five of The Traitors with host Claudia Winkleman is also set to begin in early 2027!
Doctor Foster
Nine years after the second series aired on BBC, bosses delighted fans in February 2026, by revealing Doctor Foster will be returning with Suranne Jones. Suranne will reprise her role as Dr Gemma Foster, opposite Bertie Carvel as Simon and Tom Taylor as Tom. Filming took place in Spring 2026, and Suranne has hinted it could land in 'early 2027'.
The Day of the Jackal
Series one of thriller The Day of the Jackal broke viewing records for Sky Atlantic, so there's no surprise that bosses were quick to renew the show for a second series, before the first was even over! Although there's no air date just yet, filming started in 2025, so we could see the show return sometime in the back end of 2026
Line of Duty
Now that the BBC have confirmed there's going to be a seventh series of award-winning crime drama Line of Duty, fans are counting down the months! Filming is now complete and bosses have now confirmed it will air in 2027.
Unforgotten
After series six aired in early 2025, ITV/STV bosses were quick to recommission crime drama Unforgotten for a seventh series, with Sanjeev Bhaskar and Sinéad Keenan set to return. There's no official start date just yet, but filming did begin at the start of 2026.
Gangs of London
Following the third series in 2025, which ended on a major cliffhanger, Sky have now confirmed Gangs of London has been commissioned for a fourth series. In April 2026, the plot and casting details were announced, as filming officially got underway!
Peaky Blinders
Much to the shock of everybody, Steven Knight revealed in October 2025 that Peaky Blinders will be returning for two more series! The series will be all about a new generation of the Shelby family. The as-yet-untitled show will star Billy Elliot and Fantastic Four actor Jamie Bell in the main role as Duke Shelby.
The Night Agent
Following the release of series three in early 2026, Netflix has now confirmed a fourth series of hit drama The Night Agent is now in production! There's no start date just yet, but we imagine it will return in 2027.
All's Fair
After becoming the biggest Hulu Original scripted series premiere in three years, Ryan Murphy's All's Fair was renewed for a second series in November 2025! Starring Kim Kardashian, Sarah Paulson, Glenn Close, Naomi Watts and Niecy Nash, production started in spring 2026 and the new series will arrive on 5th November 2026.
The Night Manager
Following the return of BBC thriller The Night Manager in early 2026, bosses have now confirmed the show will return for a third series! Although there's no return date just yet, fans are on edge following the huge twist in the series two finale.
The Morning Show
Popular Apple TV series The Morning Show is set to return to our screens for a fifth instalment with Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston and Billy Crudup. Reese confirmed in March 2026 that filming had started!
One Born Every Minute
After seven years off our screens, E4 announced in April 2026 that popular documentary series One Born Every Minute will be making a return! Although there's no start date just yet, bosses have confirmed filming will begin in 2026, so a 2027 release date could be on the cards.
Red Eye
Following the third series which hit our screens on New Year's Day in 2026, rumours are rife that high-octane ITV/STV drama Red Eye will return for a third! Nothing has been officially announced just yet, but it sounds like viewing figures were very high for the first two series.
Stacey & Joe
The BBC have renewed fly-on-the-wall reality series Stacey & Joe for a third series, with filming taking place over the summer! There's currently no start for series three.
Amandaland
Award-winning BBC comedy Amandaland is returning to BBC One and BBC iPlayer for a six-part third series after two successful runs and a record-breaking 2025 Christmas special. Starring Lucy Punch, Joanna Lumley and Philippa Dunne, the show follows self-styled SoHa queen Amanda as she juggles influencer ambitions, family tensions and a Harlesden budget.
Kin
Irish crime drama Kin is officially returning for a third series! After years of rumours, Irish broadcaster RTÉ confirmed the exciting news in July 2026, confirming production is now underway. Although there's no start date just yet, it's expected to land in 2027!
Ann Droid
Following the huge success of series one, the BBC confirmed in August 2026 that Diane Morgan's hit sitcom Ann Droid will be returning for a second series! It's understood the second series could arrive sometime in 2027.
Married At First Sight Australia
Reality series Married At First Sight Australia will return for a new series in 2027, as relationship expert Marryam Chehelnabi joins Alessandra Rampolla and John Aiken. There's no UK date just yet.