Ricky Gervais finally updates fans on Netflix’s After Life season 3 – and they couldn’t be happier

RICKY Gervais has updated fans on Netflix's new season of After Life with a behind the scenes snap.

It comes after it was confirmed that the black comedy-drama will be back on our screens for a third series over the weekend.

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The actor, 59 - who has written and starred in the show as the main character Tony - took to Twitter to share an exciting picture with his 14.5 million followers.

In the post Ricky can be seen wearing his alter-ego's iconic brown jacket and black sunglasses combination, whilst holding a director's clapboard.

He simply captioned the post: "Action!"

Fans of the much-loved show, which first hit our screens back in 2019, flocked to the reply section to show how happy they are about the news.

One wrote: "To say I’m excited is an understatement!!!!!! #AfterLife."

Another said: "This makes me incredibly happy."

A third chimed in: "Looks like Monday is off to a cracking start."

A fourth added: "If only I could tap a million to like this post!! One of the very, very best shows Netflix ever spent money on. #Cannotwait."

A fifth tweeted: "I can’t wait to watch this. I’ve been obsessing about the third season since the end of season 2!!!!!!!!"

It comes after the star teased that they were starting filming for the show over the weekend.

To drop the hint, Ricky took to social media again and shared a selfie of himself holding a script for the third season with today's date printed on teh front.

He told his fans: "I’d better learn my lines."

Afterlife premiered back in March 2019 and with the second season following shortly after in April 2020.

The hit show follows the life of a journalist called Tony, who works for his local paper in a made-up town called Tambury.

It follows the difficulties he goes through after becoming a widower when his wife Lisa sadly dies of cancer.

Tony hits rock bottom and contemplates suicide a number of times, but his beloved dog Brandy.

Although Tony has a very negative and sarcastic look on life, he realises that his colleagues and friends have been a huge support system in his time of need.

The end of the last series teased that the journalist was ready to move on from the death of his wife with his dad's former carer Emma - but will they finally get together?

The likes of Tom Basden, Tony Way, Mandeep Dhillon, Ashley Jensen and Kerry Godliman have starred in the show alongside Ricky over the previous series.

Over the past two seasons, the cast have filmed in various locations such as Hampstead, Hemel Hempstead, Beaconsfield and Camber Sands.

The release date of season three is yet to be confirmed.