Get ready for a fresh dose of workplace comedy with a uniquely British twist as Netflix announces "Living the Dream," an eight-part adult animated series from BAFTA-nominated creator George Gendi.
TL;DR: Key Details on "Living the Dream"
- Netflix is rolling out an eight-part adult animated workplace sitcom called Living the Dream.
- Created by George Gendi (Apple & Onion), the series follows two London friends stuck in a social media job at an "Ecofood" company.
- It features a fantastic voice cast including Ambika Mod, Julia Davis, Javone Prince, and Ellie White.
Ever felt like you're "Living The Dream," but it's more like a perpetually awkward, slightly underpaid nightmare in an office trying to save the planet? If that resonates, then Netflix's latest announcement is probably right up your alley. The streaming giant is diving deeper into adult animation with Living the Dream, a new series set to tackle modern workplace woes with a healthy dose of British humor.
Announced recently at the Manchester Animation Festival, this eight-part animated sitcom promises to capture the relatable struggles of two London buddies navigating adulthood, unfulfilled ambitions, and the daily grind. It's a comedic exploration of what happens when you expect to "make it big" but instead find yourself just... making do.
Meet the Creative Minds Bringing This Adult Animated Comedy to LifeAt the heart of Living the Dream is BAFTA-nominated creator George Gendi. You might recognize his name from Cartoon Network's beloved Apple & Onion or for his work on The Amazing World of Gumball. Gendi isn't just creating and writing the series; he's also one of its executive producers and will lend his voice to a character, truly embedding his vision into every aspect of the show.
The production is a transatlantic affair, with Warner Bros. Animation’s Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe taking the lead. Ireland’s Boulder Media, known for its work on shows like The Amazing World of Gumball and Captain Fall, is handling the animation. This collaboration of seasoned animation studios suggests a commitment to high-quality visuals and storytelling, building on a strong legacy of engaging animated content.
- Creator, Writer & Executive Producer: George Gendi
- Executive Producers: Sam Register (Looney Tunes Cartoons, Teen Titans Go!), Sarah Fell (The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball), Daniel Lennard (The Amazing World of Gumball)
- Writers: George Gendi, Phoebe Walsh, Ellie White, Joe Parnham, Joe Markham
- Production Studio: Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe
- Animation Studio: Boulder Media (Ireland)
An All-Star British Voice Cast Ready to Deliver the Laughs
A great animated series needs voices that can bring its characters to life, and Living the Dream has assembled an impressive roster. Leading the charge alongside Gendi himself is Javone Prince (PhoneShop, 3 Little Birds), ensuring a strong comedic foundation. Fans will also be thrilled to hear familiar voices from some of Britain's most acclaimed recent productions.
The cast includes Ambika Mod, fresh off her breakout role in One Day and critically acclaimed performance in This is Going to Hurt. She's joined by the iconic Julia Davis, known for her unique brand of dark humor in Sally4ever and her role in Gavin & Stacey. Ellie White (The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin) and Tom Stourton (Stath Lets Flats) further round out this talented ensemble, promising a diverse and hilarious vocal performance.
- George Gendi
- Javone Prince
- Ambika Mod (One Day, This is Going to Hurt)
- Julia Davis (Gavin & Stacey, Sally4ever)
- Ellie White (The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin, Ellie & Natasia)
- Tom Stourton (Stath Lets Flats, Daddy Issues)
- Chris Diamantopoulos (Dark Matter, Criminal)
- Stavros Halkias (Bugonia, Tires)
The depth of this cast hints at a show rich in character and comedic timing. Their collective experience across various British comedies and dramas suggests a nuanced understanding of humor that will perfectly suit the series' premise.
Navigating Awkward Workplace Romances and HR Blunders at Ecofood
The plot centers on best friends Des and Ray, a pair of Londoners who, despite their self-proclaimed "cool guy" status, haven't quite reached the heights of success they envisioned. Instead, they find themselves stuck at a company called Ecofood, working in the vague but crucial field of "social media" for what's described as "hardly any money."
Their daily reality involves much more than just posting catchy environmental slogans. The synopsis promises a gauntlet of classic workplace comedy tropes: awkward office romances, cringe-worthy HR blunders, and directives filtering down from a distant L.A. office. To top it all off, Ray has to contend with his dad's ever-present disapproval. This setup perfectly captures the modern millennial and Gen Z experience of career disillusionment and the often-absurd nature of corporate life.
For example, imagine Des and Ray tasked with creating an "engaging" social media campaign for Ecofood's new, vaguely defined superfood product. They spend hours brainstorming, trying to make kombucha sound revolutionary, only for a last-minute directive from the L.A. office to demand a TikTok dance challenge featuring the company's slightly-too-serious CEO. The ensuing chaos and their desperate attempts to make it work, all while dodging an HR complaint about Ray's questionable office snacks, perfectly encapsulates the show's likely tone.
"If living the dream is being asked for a quote for a press release to announce my new show and then at Netflix’s request, trying to make it more cheeky/funny and then doing that countless times because none of them are good enough, then I’ve made it."
— George Gendi, Creator of Living the Dream (Source: Deadline, "Netflix Orders Adult Animated Workplace Sitcom 'Living The Dream' Starring Ambika Mod & Julia Davis," November 12, 2025)Netflix's Growing Commitment to Diverse Adult Animated Stories
The greenlight for Living the Dream isn't an isolated event; it's part of a broader trend for Netflix. The streaming service has been actively "doubling down on adult animation of late," as noted by Deadline. This strategy reflects a growing appetite from audiences for mature, nuanced, and often hilarious animated content that moves beyond traditional children's programming.
Just in the past few months, Netflix has announced Ricky Gervais' new adult animated series Alley Cats and renewed Long Story Short from BoJack Horseman creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg for a second season (Source: CBR.com, "Netflix Recently Ordered 2 More Animated Shows," November 12, 2025). This expansion shows Netflix's intent to become a major player in the adult animation space, offering a diverse range of styles and comedic voices.
However, this increasing focus also presents a challenge: the market for adult animation is becoming incredibly crowded. Shows like BoJack Horseman, Rick and Morty, Big Mouth, and Arcane have set high bars for storytelling, humor, and visual innovation. Living the Dream will need to carve out its own unique niche to truly stand out amidst such strong competition, a task made easier by its distinct British perspective and relatable premise.
What This Means for Viewers and the Future of Animation on Streaming
For audiences, this means more choices and higher quality content in the adult animation genre. Netflix's investment in shows like Living the Dream not only provides a platform for unique creative voices like George Gendi but also pushes the boundaries of what animated storytelling can achieve. The series’ London setting and distinctly British comedic sensibility could offer a refreshing change of pace from many U.S.-centric animated comedies.
While some might argue that the "workplace sitcom" genre is well-trodden, Gendi's previous success with quirky, character-driven animation suggests Living the Dream will bring a fresh perspective. The struggles of Des and Ray—balancing ambition with reality, dealing with corporate absurdity, and navigating personal relationships within that context—are universally relatable, making it appealing beyond just a British audience.
The move also solidifies Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe's position as a key player in contemporary animation. Their involvement, along with Boulder Media, signals a commitment to quality and a continuation of the legacy of innovative animated content that resonates with modern viewers. This type of collaborative international production helps to diversify the global streaming landscape, bringing more localized stories to a worldwide audience.
Frequently Asked Questions About "Living the Dream"
Q: When will Living the Dream be released on Netflix? A: A specific release date has not yet been announced. Stay tuned for updates from Netflix!
Q: How many episodes will be in the first season? A: The first season of Living the Dream will consist of eight episodes.
Q: What is the premise of the show? A: It's an adult animated workplace sitcom about two best friends, Des and Ray, in London who are stuck in a social media job at an "Ecofood" company, navigating office romance, HR issues, and family disapproval.
Q: Is this show suitable for children? A: No, Living the Dream is an "adult animated" series, indicating it's intended for mature audiences and may contain themes or language unsuitable for children.
Practical Takeaways for Animation Fans
- Keep an eye on Netflix's announcements for the official release date of Living the Dream.
- If you enjoy quirky, character-driven humor and relatable workplace struggles, this show is likely for you.
- Explore George Gendi's previous work like Apple & Onion to get a feel for his comedic style.
- Note the rising trend of diverse adult animation on Netflix, signaling more unique content to come.
Sources:
- Goldbart, Max. "Netflix Orders Adult Animated Workplace Sitcom 'Living The Dream' Starring Ambika Mod & Julia Davis." Deadline, November 12, 2025.
- Ford, Lily. "'Living the Dream': London-Set Adult Animated Comedy Coming to Netflix (Exclusive)." The Hollywood Reporter, November 12, 2025.
- Kaminska, Karolina. "Netflix is Living the Dream with adult animated workplace sitcom." C21 Media, November 12, 2025.
- "Netflix Recently Ordered 2 More Animated Shows." CBR.com, November 12, 2025.