AFTER LIFE is renowned for its scenes showing Ricky Gervais’s leading character, Tony, on a bench at his local churchyard, as he continues to grieve for his wife Lisa, played by Kerry Godliman. The bench serves as a place for Tony to reflect, share, listen and, ultimately, to grow and find hope for the future. Now, to mark the launch of the final series of much-loved series of AFTER LIFE, Netflix has donated 25 benches to local councils around the UK at points of interest to create a space for communities to visit.
The benches have been commissioned alongside suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – who offer help, advice and information to anyone who is struggling or in crisis. Those who visit a bench will be able to access resources from CALM via a unique QR code with the wording “Life can be tough, but there’s always hope. Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is by your side”, and online by visiting www.thecalmzone.net/afterlife/
The benches can be found at Cofton Park and right across the UK in locations including Glasgow, Liverpool, Taunton and Surrey Heath. They are each inscribed with a quote from AFTER LIFE season 3, “Hope is Everything”, and a plaque with “This bench is donated by Netflix to commemorate Ricky Gervais’ ‘After Life’.”
Ricky Gervais said: “We hope the benches will create a lasting legacy for After Life, as well as become a place for people to visit, and we are thrilled to be associated with CALM and the great work they do.”
Simon Gunning, CEO, CALM said: “Park benches provide opportunities to reflect, talk to someone, sit shoulder to shoulder with someone and get things off your chest. That is why we’re delighted to team up with Netflix to put benches in parks across the country – inscribed with that crucial line from the show, “Hope is everything” – to help people have those conversations and to show it’s normal to have those feelings.”
AFTER LIFE season 3 was launched on Netflix globally on 14th January 2022.
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