RICKY Gervais' painstakingly funny Afterlife series has been shortlisted for a National Television Award.

The series which has been written and produced by the Reading born actor has been shortlisted in the comedy category.

Afterlife has seen huge success with audience ratings giving the show a 4.9 stars. It has also been named on Netflix’s list of the most popular series of 2019.

Gervais posted on Twitter: “I still can’t quite believe that #AfterLife beat things like #StrangerThings & #You.

“What a year.”

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Earlier this week, Ricky Gervais confirmed that filming is now 'practically complete' after crews were spotted in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire earlier this year.

On April 29, he was seen with a film crew in the grounds of St Mary’s and All Saints Church, shooting a scene while sat on a bench. Then, a few weeks later, he was seen again. Over the road this time standing outside Beaconsfield Old Town Registration Office in Windsor End.

For the National Television Awards this year, more streamed shows have been nominated than ever before, with Netflix period romp Bridgerton and making the Best New Drama list while After Life and Sex Education scored slots on the Comedy list.

The annual awards show will return to London's O2 arena on September 9th, with Joel Dommett set to host for the first time, taking the reins from David Walliams

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The shortlist for the NTAs opened on Tuesday, and the public will be able to vote online until Thursday September 9.

You can vote free online at nationaltvawards.com OR by phone on 0905 647 2021.

All new votes will be added to those already submitted in the first round of voting. The results will be revealed at the NTA ceremony, live on ITV from The O2 London on 9th September 2021 from 7.30pm.