Ricky Gervais' Netflix animated series 'Alley Cats' draws mixed reviews

Netflix released the adult animated comedy "Alley Cats" on August 7, 2026. The six‑episode series, created, written and directed by Ricky Gervais, follows a gang of foul‑mouthed feral cats led by Gus, voiced by Gervais himself. The voice cast also includes Diane Morgan, Tom Basden, Kerry Godliman, David Earl, Natalie Cassidy and Jo Hartley.

Critical response has been sharply divided. The Telegraph, Metro and other outlets called the show "abysmal" and "the worst thing to happen to cats since the 2019 film Cats," while The Guardian noted occasional glimmers of potential but overall described it as lazy and crude. The Wall Street Journal offered a more positive take, calling it "ferally funny," and Variety described it as bittersweet. Gervais promoted the series on BBC's The One Show, saying he wanted viewers to love the cats and describing the series as an existential, fast‑paced sitcom.

Industry commentary points to the series as part of a broader trend toward adult animation on streaming platforms, giving creators like Gervais creative freedom without the constraints of live‑action production.