Netflix’s upcoming animated comedy Alley Cats made a memorable impression during its presentation at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, where creator Ricky Gervais introduced the first two episodes and shared new insights into the project. The comedian, best known for creating The Office and After Life, described the series as a sitcom about a family of British feral cats rather than simply another “adult animation.”
The audience welcomed Gervais by singing “Happy Birthday” before the screening, setting the tone for an event filled with laughter. Speaking on stage, Gervais joked about what viewers should expect from the series, saying,
“I hope you like cats. And swearing.”
The presentation highlighted how Alley Cats mixes irreverent comedy with surprisingly emotional storytelling, something Gervais believes is central to all of his work.
Ricky Gervais says animation gave him complete creative freedom
During the Annecy discussion, Gervais explained that animation appealed to him for both practical and creative reasons. He joked that working in animation meant he no longer had to worry about early mornings, makeup, or filming on set, adding that he could happily create animated projects indefinitely.
Beyond those jokes, he emphasized that animation removed many of the creative limitations associated with live-action production.
“You write it and then you just play with it. It’s just fun. There are no restrictions,”
Gervais said.
Despite featuring talking cats, he insisted the project should be viewed first and foremost as a sitcom. Rather than focusing on the label of adult animation, he wanted audiences to see a familiar family comedy built around memorable characters.
The comedian also revealed that the cast recorded together in the same room, unlike the traditional animation process, where actors often work separately. He encouraged everyone to avoid exaggerated performances, telling them not to “be funny” but instead to treat the characters like ordinary people having everyday conversations. That natural approach, he explained, helped make the performances feel authentic even within an animated world.
Although the series contains plenty of profanity, Gervais stressed that comedy is only one part of the experience. He explained that emotional storytelling remains one of his biggest priorities as a writer, saying,
“My favorite bit in the craft is: How can I get emotions across?”
One example involved securing permission to use The Smiths’ classic song “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out.” Gervais said he personally wrote to Morrissey and Johnny Marr, who both approved the request. He described the song as “so existential and uplifting,” explaining that its themes complement the short lives of the feline characters and strengthen the emotional impact of the story.
Death is intentionally present throughout the series as well. Rather than using it purely for drama, Gervais said the goal is to make audiences genuinely care about the characters.
“I want people to want them to survive. I just want them to love the cats,”
he explained.
That emotional connection has always been central to his storytelling philosophy. Gervais argued that audiences remember believable characters far more than technical filmmaking achievements, saying he is less interested in camera techniques than whether viewers truly care about the people—or in this case, cats—on screen.
Why Gervais believes Alley Cats can connect worldwide
Although Alley Cats is rooted in British humor, Gervais believes its themes will resonate with audiences everywhere. He pointed to the worldwide success of The Office, explaining that while specific jokes may be adapted for different countries, the underlying human experiences remain universal.
“I’ve always written about humanity,”
he said during the Annecy session.
“Comedy exaggerates our flaws. It says: ‘We are all idiots.'”
That perspective continues to shape Alley Cats, combining flawed but lovable characters with everyday situations that audiences can recognize regardless of where they live.
Gervais also praised Netflix for supporting the project from the beginning. Joking about how the series was pitched, he said the streaming platform essentially approved it based on the idea that it featured
“cats and they swear a lot.”
He laughed that very little actually happens in the show’s plot, but expressed hope that audiences respond positively enough for Netflix to order a second season.
The enthusiastic reception at Annecy suggests Alley Cats could become another distinctive addition to Netflix’s growing lineup of adult animated comedies. Blending sharp humor, emotional storytelling, and Gervais’ signature observational style, the series aims to deliver more than crude jokes by focusing on relatable characters steering life one chaotic day at a time.
