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Ricky Gervais's Alley Cats tops Netflix charts despite critical mauling
The comedian is declaring victory as viewers overrule a wave of scathing reviews.
Netflix
- David Craig
Published: Monday, 10 August 2026 at 11:36 am
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Ricky Gervais has celebrated Alley Cats topping the Netflix chart in the UK, brushing aside a wave of negative reviews with the message that the "best fans in the world" have had the final word.
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The adult animated comedy, in which a group of stray cats trade barbs and share their views on the world, sees Gervais reunite with several of his repeat collaborators.
However, the title has suffered among the harshest reviews of his career to date. Radio Times awarded the series a single star, a verdict in line with the broader critical mauling reflected across aggregator sites.
On Rotten Tomatoes the show holds a 17 percent critic approval against a warmer 58 percent audience score, while Metacritic lists an average rating of 39 (out of 100), which it defines as a "generally unfavourable" response.
The disparity between review scores and viewership has been a point of pride for Gervais.
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He told followers on X that he's "never been so happy," and thanked his "best fans" after the series climbed to the top spot.
Gervais voices feral stray cat Gus, leading a cast that includes After Life alumni Diane Morgan, Tom Basden, Kerry Godliman and David Earl.
Reviews invariably described the series as crass and juvenile, though a handful noted flashes of sweetness beneath the shock humour.
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Audience reaction has been more divided than dismissive, and it is that viewer enthusiasm, rather than the reviews, that has driven the show to the summit of the UK chart.
British comedy veteran and fellow anti-cancel culture crusader John Cleese has come to the defence of Alley Cats, describing it as "wonderful" and "really funny" in posts to X. Gervais has thanked "the creator of the greatest British sitcom of all time" for his support.
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Gervais has regularly split critics and fans since After Life, which recently topped a Radio Times reader poll of the greatest modern British sitcoms, despite a lukewarm reception from some media figures.
Alley Cats is available to watch on Netflix. You can sign up to Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky TV and Virgin Media.
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Authors
David CraigSenior Drama Writer
David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.
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