The recent release of After Life's third season has yet again proved Ricky Gervais's extraordinary skill as an actor and writer. After Life is just the latest in Gervais' acclaimed, long-running career to have captured the hearts of critics and audiences alike.
From mockumentaries such as The Office to comedy films like The Invention Of Lying, his scripts have included distinct plotlines, which require intriguing and bold characters. While Gervais didn't play every character, he did have a hand in creating and developing them. These characters, whether love them or hate them, have certainly left a distinct and unique impression on viewers.
David Brent
As one of the first series and characters Ricky Gervais was known for, David Brent from The Office UK is a cringe-worthy yet hilarious, inept but harmless boss, who just couldn't get it together. The relentlessness of Brent's unfunny, desperate humor is almost fascinating, making audience's shout "please stop!" in-between their side-splitting laughter.
The reason his embarrassing moments are just the right side of watchable, is the fact that he's not a bad person. He's written and acted as a pitiful man, who audiences wish would find a way of settling down.
Brian
After Life has been a huge Netflix hit, with the third series having been recently released. The cast is an eclectic mix of characters, with Brian being one of the most unique, providing some of the best quotes in After Life. Played by David Earl, he is comparable to Kev (also played by Earl) in Derek, due to the fact they are both vulgar and have little to no social skills.
What makes Brian a stand out character is the glimmer of a man who really wants to be more than he is, but somewhere along the line lost his way. His dialogue is uproariously funny, with Earl's impeccable delivery, only making viewers realize we shouldn't just take Brian at face value.
Maggie
Extras is a sit-com that includes extremely funny celebrity guest appearances, taking a look at the work of background artists for film and TV. The show highlights the divide between stardom and 'regular' people, but it's Maggie's regularity that makes her a memorable character. Alongside Andy, the two are a subtle double act. Maggie says whatever she thinks without a filter, whilst Andy is a little more down to earth and can see the errors in what she says.
Her naivety gets her into trouble, something that almost everyone will experience at some point in their lives, allowing audiences to share in her awkward moments. She may not mean to make people laugh, but her innocence is so endearing that audiences can't help but chuckle.
Derek
It's fair to say there's no such thing as perfect, but when a comionate, selfless and considerate person is portrayed (even fictionally,) faith is restored in humanity. Derek is notable as one of Gervais' best works (played by the creator himself,) because the titular character gives us a fresh look at the world.
His innocence could easily get disregarded as foolish. However, any viewer that takes a moment to absorb the character, will benefit from his humble profundity. Deeper meanings don't always have to come from a great philosopher. Instead, watching the appreciation that Derek finds in everything (including a china frog) is truly heartwarming, subtly teaching viewers all a lesson.
Tim
From The Office UK, Tim is a link between the audience and the rest of the cast. Because the film is set in a mockumentary style, he's able to directly look at the camera to give a facial expression in response to Wernham Hogg's daily absurdity, which always aligns with exactly what the audience are thinking.
He's down to earth with a natural quick wit that people are drawn to, namely his colleague Dawn. Their not-so-secret romance highlights Tim's relatability as a grounded young person, just trying to muddle through life. It's that sort of quality that allows audiences to latch onto the character.
Anne
After Life provided a plethora of meaningful quotes amongst a therapeutic plot, not least lead by Anne, the friend that came about when Tony needed guidance the most. Her wisdom knew no bounds, as she validated his emotions, in turn helping some viewers come to with any similar situation they may have been facing. Whilst Tony's foul language was constantly in tow, there was nothing that made Anne judge him negatively.
She wasn't patronizing when he spoke of his depression, nor did she require anything from him other than his friendship. The genius of her character, is the subtle way in which her words would indirectly speak to the audience as if to say 'whatever you're feeling, it's ok,' because there is no perfect way to grieve.
Dougie
Karl Pilkington is widely known as being continually deadpan and dour, especially from his days in An Idiot Abroad. He may not strike many as the type to be a good actor, but his stint on Derek proved otherwise.
ittedly, Dougie is indeed a deadpan and dour character, but he is ive and a credit to the storyline. As a British sit-com, there's always space for sarcasm, which Dougie fills in abundance, only adding to the comedy of an already brilliant show.
Darren
Darren Lamb is everything you don't want in an agent, but everything you do want in a successful sit-com. His incompetency in Extras is hilariously shocking, as he attempts to make a living with just two clients on his books, neither of whom he can get big work for.
Darren's idiocy obscures his understanding of how to be a good agent, but his redeeming feature is that he means well. There always seems to be a place in people's hearts for the unintentional fool and with his incredibly funny mistakes, he easily takes that place.
Hannah
Ricky Gervais' characters are usually rooted in comedy, but whilst Hannah does have a good sense of humor, her strongest asset is her steadfast loyalty to the people she cares for. She rarely takes time for herself, even returning to work in the middle of a date night, to be with a patient who wasn't feeling well.
The mockumentary shows the battle between council officials who don't understand what it takes to run a home and the unwavering heroism in a working-class woman who knows first hand the tireless work, dedication and ion that is required to dutifully care for those who need us the most.
Tony
One of Ricky Gervais' best skills is telling brutally honest truths in his work. After Life confronts pain and anguish, following Tony's path of grief, which doesn't shy away from uncomfortable topics. Although Tony's feelings often come out in anger, sometimes towards the wrong people, his journey is something that a lot of people are able to identify with.
The hints of who he was before his wife ed away, give a clearer picture of his persona, proving that he's a good man at heart but struggling to come to with his loss. It's a rare triumph to allow people to connect with a character through their pain and even their laughter, but it's the raw reality of Gervais' character Tony, that succeeds in such a way.