Ricky Gervais has again bravely chartered new territory in his latest dark sitcom, Afterlife.

This time the subjects are suicide and humanity; Ricky has gone to admirable lengths to help start a conversation about self-harm, depression and suicide.

The series tells the story of a husband who’s just lost his wife to cancer.
Tony’s wife, Lisa has left him a video, made during her treatment, in which she reminds him of how useless he is around the house.

He is such a scatterbrain that she leaves him an itinerary on the daily management of their dog and home.
Each episode starts with Tony watching another part, broken-hearted and surrounded by drink and clutter.

He decides that his life is no longer worth living, and that he may as well be as outspoken and uncaring as he likes. His rudeness offends everyone in the office but they are worried sick about his frequent threats to take his own life. His brother- in- law / boss runs the local newspaper and deplores Tony to reconnect to himself. He reminds Tony that he is a good guy and has a great sense of humour, but the way he is dealing with his grieving is pushing people away.

Throughout the early episodes, his beloved dog is the only thing preventing him from ending his life, and this happens several times, until a chance conversation with a stranger.

Suddenly, Tony finally realises that everyone he meets has got sadness too. It’s only then that he finds out his brother- in- law is dealing with marital problems. Tony’s reminded about what he can give to help others, and that he deserves to live…

Some of the subtext and storylines will shock viewers, and potentially cause complaints, due to Gervais’ frank treatment of such stigmatised themes. But, sadly, these events occur daily in our society, and this is why I commend Ricky Gervais. He is urging us to talk more honestly to one another. He acknowledges that we all go through hard times during our lives, but above all, and like me, he urges us all to connect and to be kind to one another.

And if you are sitting alone on a bench, admiring the glorious rainbow of spring flowers… be that person who starts a conversation. Look out for the crestfallen, offer a friendly smile… because you never know – that person could be without friends or family to speak to.