Alley Cats Review
Ricky Gervais' New Netflix Series 'Alley Cats' Criticized for Lacking Depth
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Ricky Gervais returns to Netflix with Alley Cats, a new animated series about a gang of stray cats roaming the streets. The show has landed to a mixed-to-negative reception, with critics calling it "half-crass, half-sappy, and mostly unmemorable," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The series runs just six episodes, each under 20 minutes. Gervais voices Gus, an overweight orange tabby who leads the group of strays. Despite its short runtime, critics say the show struggles to fill even that modest space with anything compelling.
What the Show Is Actually About
Gus and his crew of alley cats spend their days roaming, bickering, and avoiding danger. The supporting cast includes Andrew Brooke, Diane Morgan, and Tom Basden. There is also a pet cat named Ponce, whose main role in the story is to breed. The Hollywood Reporter described the show as focused on "mindless chatter" rather than a real narrative.
Variety noted a surprisingly bittersweet tone running through the series. The show tries to mix crude humor with softer, more emotional moments. But critics say those two sides never quite blend into something that works.
Critics Are Not Impressed — At All
Metro was the harshest, calling Alley Cats "the worst thing I've watched on television this year." The review said reviewers knew it would be bad going in — and it still managed to disappoint. That is a striking verdict for a show with only six short episodes.
The Daily Mail noted the series leans heavily on swearing and familiar voices. The humor is crude but not sharp. The charm of the cast does not save the material. Critics agree the writing simply does not give the actors enough to work with.
Gervais' Track Record Working Against Him
Gervais has had major hits with The Office and Extras. But his recent Netflix output has drawn more debate than praise. Alley Cats appears to follow that pattern. The Hollywood Reporter suggested the show lacks the creative depth fans expect from him.
Variety offered a slightly gentler take, calling the show "bittersweet" rather than outright bad. But even that review stopped short of recommending it strongly. The consensus is that Alley Cats is a swing that does not connect.
Is There Anything Worth Watching?
Variety pointed to moments of genuine heart buried in the six episodes. The show is not without warmth. But those moments are spread thin across a story that never builds much momentum. At under two hours total, it asks little of viewers — and gives little back.
The short episode count means Alley Cats could have been a tight, punchy mini-series. Instead, critics say it meanders. Metro and The Hollywood Reporter both agreed: the show is not offensive enough to be outrageous or sweet enough to be touching. It lands somewhere forgettable in between.
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