Ricky Gervais unveils new statue in Hemel Hempstead celebrating 'beloved' Netflix dog
A new statue has been unveiled in Hemel Hempstead celebrating the dog who roamed through the town with a superstar comedian.
A statue and plaque has been created in the town in tribute to a German Shepherd, Vislor Antilly, who is affectionately known as Anti.
Anti played Brandy, a loyal dog who could be seen strolling across Old Town in Hemel Hempstead for the hugely-popular and critically-acclaimed series After Life.
After Life was created by and starred superstar comic, Ricky Gervais, who assisted with the ceremony for Anti. Anti was the pet of Gervais’ curmudgeonly journalist, Tony Johnson, who relied heavily on the German Shepherd to find the good in life again after the passing of his wife.
Netflix picked St Mary’s Close in Hemel Hempstead as the site for the statue. It is also where a bench was constructed by the streaming giants and national mental health charity, CALM, to raise awareness around suicide.
Anti died earlier this year and a ceremony celebrating the dog seen on televisions around the country took place on Friday.
Dacorum Borough Council officials and business partners attended the unveiling. Ricky returned to Hemel Old Town, visiting The Old Town Hall, where he made a short film and spoke movingly about his memories of his favourite co-star and the reasons behind the statue. Ricky said: “It’s an idea that Netflix had to pay tribute to their animal stars, and I think Anti might be the best animal star of all time.” He later added: “So you can all come along and touch her cold nose for luck – she really is beautiful – and come and say hello good girl, still a good girl.”
All three series featured Hemel’s Old Town, including the office of the Tambury Gazette, where Tony worked, at 48 High Street. Several businesses operating in the area were featured on the show.
Dacorum Borough Council leader, Councillor Sally Symington, said: “I am delighted that Netflix has chosen Hemel Old Town as the home for Anti’s statue, which sits beautifully in St Mary’s Close beside the After Life bench. The Old Town featured in many scenes and continues to draw film productions, thanks to its fantastic location, historic buildings and nearby attractions.”