Introducing After Life and Ricky Gervais
After Life is a dark comedy-drama series created, written, and starring Ricky Gervais that premiered on Netflix in 2019. Gervais plays Tony, a writer for a local newspaper whose life is turned upside down after his wife dies from breast cancer. The show follows Tony as he contemplates suicide and adopts a brash, carefree attitude where he says and does whatever he wants without fear of consequences.
Ricky Gervais is a British comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director best known as the co-creator and star of the acclaimed mockumentary sitcom The Office. After the success of The Office and his other projects like Extras and An Idiot Abroad, Gervais signed an exclusive deal with Netflix in 2017 to create original scripted series. This deal brought about After Life, which Gervais created, writes, directs, executive produces and stars in as the lead role of Tony (Source).
The Dog Character in After Life
In the hit Netflix comedy-drama series After Life, the dog character Brandy plays an integral role. Brandy is a female German Shepherd dog belonging to the lead character Tony, played by Ricky Gervais. Throughout the show, Brandy provides companionship and emotional support to Tony as he deals with depression and grief after the death of his wife.
Brandy’s actual name is Anti, and she is played by a professionally trained dog actor named Anti. According to her IMDb profile, Anti is a German Shepherd stunt dog and actor who has been working in films since 2012. On After Life, Anti portrays the loyal dog Brandy, who stays by Tony’s side through difficult times and gives him a reason to keep living.
As Tony’s only real friend for much of the show, Brandy’s presence highlights Tony’s isolation and grief. Brandy often seems to understand Tony’s pain and provides unconditional love. Scenes of Tony confiding in Brandy and taking care of her routine needs provide touching emotional moments in the series. Brandy’s role as man’s best friend and lifeline in After Life has resonated with viewers around the world.
Is it Ricky’s Real Dog?
Many fans speculate that the dog Brandy who appears in After Life is Ricky Gervais’ real pet dog. Gervais is known for being an avid dog lover and advocate for animal rights, so it would make sense that he would feature his own dog in the show.
In several scenes in After Life, Brandy behaves very familiarly with Gervais’ character Tony, nuzzling up to him and providing emotional support. Their close bond on screen mirrors the real-life connection between Gervais and his own dogs.
Additionally, Brandy’s relaxed demeanor when filming suggests she is accustomed to being around Gervais. An untrained dog plucked from a shelter would likely appear more skittish on set.
However, Gervais has not officially confirmed whether Brandy is in fact his personal pet. He uses social media to showcase and advocate for dogs frequently, but never specifies if any of those dogs are the famous After Life pup.
Fans eagerly speculate any time Gervais posts photos with a dog, analyzing the breed and markings to see if they match Brandy. But so far, Gervais has allowed the mystery to continue, neither confirming nor denying if Brandy is his own beloved companion.
Ricky’s History with Dogs
In real life, Ricky Gervais is known for his deep love of dogs. He frequently posts about his canine companions on social media and in interviews. Gervais has stated, “I absolutely love dogs. They bring me such joy” (source). The comedian had dogs throughout his childhood and has continued adopting rescue dogs as an adult. Gervais’ passion for dogs extends beyond just his own pets – he also supports animal charities like Battersea Dogs Home.
Gervais has owned several breeds over the years, including Labradors, Lurchers, and Rhodesian Ridgebacks. He often praises their loyalty and unconditional love. In a quote about his dog Bob, Gervais said “He never judges me, he’s just happy when I walk through the door. His needs are simple – food, cuddles and scratching his belly” (source). It’s clear from his advocacy and personal stories that dogs have played an integral role in Gervais’ life.
The Dog Actors in After Life
Although the dog Brandy on After Life seems like Ricky Gervais’ real pet, the main dog actor is actually a professionally trained dog named Anti. According to IMDb, Anti is a German Shepherd stunt dog and actor who has been working in films since 2012. She is trained and handled by the UK based company Stunt Dogs and Animals.
In an interview with the BBC, Anti’s owner and trainer Beth Heale explained how she initially got into training dogs for film and TV roles over 12 years ago. Heale shared that Anti has starred alongside actors like Samuel L. Jackson and that After Life was her biggest role yet. The trainers worked hard to teach Anti mannerisms that fit the character Brandy’s personality.
While Anti portrays Brandy in most scenes, Ricky Gervais’ own dog occasionally makes cameo appearances. However, the main dog character is brought to life thanks to the professional training and acting chops of Anti.
Training the Dogs for Filming
The dogs that played Brandy in After Life went through extensive training to prepare them for their roles. According to source, dogs that work in TV and film often go through specialized training programs focused on getting them comfortable with cameras, crew members, and acting on command. The dogs start training as puppies to get them used to the filming environment from a young age.
For After Life specifically, trainers from the company Birds & Animals UK worked with Ricky Gervais and the production team to provide suitable dogs. They likely used positive reinforcement techniques to teach the dogs how to hit their marks, stay for extended periods, and act on cues. The training process helped the dogs remain calm and focused amidst the bright lights and bustle of a production set.
Using professionally trained dogs allowed the production to get the right shots safely and efficiently. However, Ricky Gervais has said the dogs were still allowed to be dogs in between takes. The combination of structured training and playful downtime created an enjoyable filming experience for the canine stars.
Using Ricky’s Dog vs Trained Actors
There are pros and cons to using a pet dog versus professionally trained acting dogs on a production like After Life. According to PETA, animal actors are often trained using controversial methods that can be stressful or harmful (source). Professionally trained acting dogs, on the other hand, are conditioned through positive reinforcement to perform commands on cue without stress.
The benefit of using Ricky Gervais’ own dog is that their natural connection and bond comes across authentically on camera. The scenes between Gervais and the dog in After Life feel genuine because it’s his real pet. However, untrained dogs can be unpredictable and difficult to work with on set compared to seasoned acting dogs according to pet industry sites (source). Professional animal actors are accustomed to the lights, cameras and noise of production.
Ultimately, After Life opted to use both Ricky’s own dog and trained actor dogs. This allowed them to capture the authentic moments between Ricky and his pet while having experienced dog actors capable of following commands and hitting marks on cue during filming.
Ricky’s Bond with the After Life Dogs
Ricky Gervais formed a close bond with the dogs who played Brandy on the After Life set. According to an interview with Antilly’s owners, Ricky spent time getting to know Antilly and the other Brandy dogs during filming. He wanted the dogs to feel comfortable with him since Brandy is such an important part of Tony’s emotional journey in the show.
Ricky would play with the dogs between takes and bonded with them over treats and affection. He has said that the dogs helped keep the mood light on set even during some of the more emotional scenes about grief and loss. Their happy energy and playfulness made the tough filming days a bit brighter.
The owners of Antilly were impressed by how much Ricky cared about the wellbeing of the dog actors. He wanted to make sure they were happy and not stressed during the long filming days. Ricky’s natural rapport with the dogs comes across in his authentic interactions with Brandy in the final scenes.
The Dog’s Significance in the Show
The dog, named Brandy, plays an important narrative role throughout After Life. As Tony’s loyal companion, Brandy represents unconditional love and emotional support during Tony’s grief over losing his wife. Brandy stays by Tony’s side through his darkest moments and helps ground him when he contemplates suicide. According to one source, “She is the perfect dog which is exactly who we see on After Life” (https://thetab.com/uk/2022/01/26/brandy-after-life-dog-in-real-life-she-is-an-icon-237507).
Brandy also serves as a bridge helping Tony connect with others in the town. Walking Brandy gets Tony outdoors and interacting with neighbors. Brandy’s friendly demeanor helps soften Tony’s hardened exterior. The show uses Brandy to reveal Tony’s hidden caring side. Overall, Brandy represents a lifeline keeping Tony attached to the world and his humanity.
Conclusion
After examining the evidence, it seems clear that the dog featured in After Life is not actually Ricky Gervais’ personal pet. While Ricky does have dogs of his own that he adores, the ones seen on screen are highly trained actors. Ricky likely incorporated aspects of his own dogs’ personalities and behaviors into the show’s dog character, but the filming required obedient, unflappable animals capable of repeatedly performing on cue. So while the After Life dog feels like a genuine representation of Ricky’s affection for canines, he is played by trained professionals rather than Ricky’s own pup.
Ricky does have a close bond with the dog actors used in the show, formed through extensive rehearsals and filming together. But they are not his personal pets that he takes home at the end of each day’s shoot. The use of trained dog actors allowed Ricky and the show’s creators to ensure the perfect performances to bring the heartwarming, loyal, and occasionally silly dog character to life on screen.
So in summary, while clearly realistic and inspired by Ricky’s real dogs, the After Life canine is portrayed by trained acting dogs rather than being Ricky Gervais’ own constant companion. The chosen dog actors brilliantly convey the endearing qualities that reflect Ricky’s genuine love of dogs in a way that gives the character on-screen authenticity and depth.