Inside No. 9

Inside No. 9 is an anthology series, with each episode featuring a new story, with a new setting and new characters.{{cite news| url= https://www.popmatters.com/review/180233-inside-no.-9-series-one/|title= 'Inside No. 9' is a bit like a box of chocolates, albeit one full of dark, bitter sweets|work= PopMatters| last= Upton | first= David|date= 26 March 2014|access-date= 21 April 2014}} Episodes run roughly thirty minutes each, with the self-contained story reaching a conclusion.{{cite news|title= TV review: Inside No 9; Line of Duty; The Life of Rock with Brian Pern|url= http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/tv-radio/2014/02/tv-review-inside-9-line-duty-life-rock-brian-pern/|newspaper= The Stage|last= Venning|first= Harry|date= 13 February 2014|access-date= 13 February 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140223153934/http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/tv-radio/2014/02/tv-review-inside-9-line-duty-life-rock-brian-pern/|archive-date= 23 February 2014|url-status= live}}{{cite news|title= Inside No 9, TV review: A top-drawer cast puts these twisted tales in a league of their own|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/inside-no-9-tv-review-a-topdrawer-cast-puts-these-twisted-tales-in-a-league-of-their-own-9110196.html|last= Dean|first= Will|date= 5 February 2014|access-date= 6 February 2014|newspaper= The Independent|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150118212150/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/inside-no-9-tv-review-a-topdrawer-cast-puts-these-twisted-tales-in-a-league-of-their-own-9110196.html|archive-date= 18 January 2015|url-status= live}} The stories are linked primarily by the fact that each has an element of the story linked to the number 9, be that a mansion, a dressing room or even a shoe, size 9. Almost every episode stars Reece Shearsmith or Steve Pemberton, and regularly both.{{cite news|title= Inside No 9: How Shearsmith and Pemberton have revived a lost genre|last= Lawson|first= Mark|author-link= Mark Lawson|url= https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/feb/05/inside-no-9-reece-shearsmith-steve-pemberton|date= 5 February 2014|access-date= 6 February 2014|work= The Guardian|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150118201230/http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/feb/05/inside-no-9-reece-shearsmith-steve-pemberton|archive-date= 18 January 2015|url-status= live}} Each episode is effectively a short play. Some episodes take place in real-time, following half an hour in the lives of the characters. Every episode of Inside No. 9 features an ornamental hare somewhere on-screen.{{Cite news|last=Mellor|first=Louisa|date=14 February 2017|title=Inside No. 9: did you spot this hidden detail in every episode?|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/uk/tv/inside-no-9/47261/inside-no-9-did-you-spot-this-hidden-detail-in-every-episode|publisher=Den of Geek|access-date=29 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505115240/http://www.denofgeek.com/uk/tv/inside-no-9/47261/inside-no-9-did-you-spot-this-hidden-detail-in-every-episode|archive-date=5 May 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Find the Inside No. 9 hare|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/inside_no_9/special/find_the_inside_no_9_hare/|work=British Comedy Guide|access-date=4 January 2018|date=25 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603014010/https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/inside_no_9/special/find_the_inside_no_9_hare/|archive-date=3 June 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web| first= Jeffery| last= Morgan| date= 15 February 2017| title= Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton reveal 9 secrets from Inside No. 9| url= http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/feature/a821260/inside-no-9-series-3-reece-shearsmith-steve-pemberton-interview/| website= Digital Spy| access-date= 29 April 2017| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170511131155/http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/feature/a821260/inside-no-9-series-3-reece-shearsmith-steve-pemberton-interview/| archive-date= 11 May 2017| url-status= live}} According to Pemberton, "Because each episode is so wildly different there was nothing really linking them other than the fact they were all inside a Number Nine, I just thought it would be nice to have an object that you could hide and just have there on every set." There is, however, no particular significance to the hare itself.

As is typical of Shearsmith and Pemberton's work, the scripts address dark topics, with, for instance, the first episode touching upon incest, child sexual abuse and murder. The plotlines make use of twists and surprises of various sorts,{{cite web| title= Inside No 9, BBC Two| url= http://www.theartsdesk.com/tv/inside-no-9-bbc-two| website= The Arts Desk| date= 6 February 2014| last= Lee| first= Veronica| access-date= 19 February 2014| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140223024809/http://www.theartsdesk.com/tv/inside-no-9-bbc-two| archive-date= 23 February 2014| url-status= live}}{{subscription required}}{{cite news|last1= Rutherford|first1= Nick|last2= Watson|first2= Keith|title= Last episode of Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton's Inside No.9 is a bit of a cop out|url= http://metro.co.uk/2014/03/13/last-episode-of-reece-shearsmith-and-steve-pembertons-inside-no-9-is-a-bit-of-a-cop-out-4544894/|newspaper= Metro|date= 13 March 2014|access-date= 18 April 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140417030543/http://metro.co.uk/2014/03/13/last-episode-of-reece-shearsmith-and-steve-pembertons-inside-no-9-is-a-bit-of-a-cop-out-4544894/|archive-date= 17 April 2014|url-status= live}} though in some cases the surprise is the lack of twist. In an interview, Pemberton said that "there is always a desire to wrong-foot the viewer. That's what you strive to do". The tone varies episode-by-episode. For example, while gothic horror was a major component in one case, other times slapstick comedy was used extensively;{{cite news|title= Gentlemen in a league of their own: Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton discuss their new series|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/gentlemen-in-a-league-of-their-own-reece-shearsmith-and-steve-pemberton-discuss-their-new-series-9099014.html|last= Dessau|first= Bruce|author-link= Bruce Dessau|date= 2 February 2014|access-date= 13 February 2014|newspaper= The Independent|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140208015706/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/gentlemen-in-a-league-of-their-own-reece-shearsmith-and-steve-pemberton-discuss-their-new-series-9099014.html|archive-date= 8 February 2014|url-status= live}} the humour, however, is typically dark and British.{{cite news|title= Lost & Found: Cinco series de estreno a recuperar (II)| last= Suaréz | first= Rebeca| date= 15 July 2014|language= es| website= Numerocero.es|access-date= 12 August 2014| url= http://numerocero.es/series/articulo/lost-found-cinco-series-estreno-recuperar-ii/2461| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062048/http://numerocero.es/series/articulo/lost-found-cinco-series-estreno-recuperar-ii/2461| archive-date= 4 March 2016| url-status= dead}} The episodes generally begin with scenes of "utter banality", before the darker elements are revealed.{{cite news|title= TV review: Inside No.9 we find a glass ceiling|author= McDowall, Julie|newspaper= The Herald|url= http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts-ents/tv-radio/tv-review-inside-no9-we-find-a-glass-ceiling.1392849976|date= 19 February 2014|access-date= 20 February 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140312061931/http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts-ents/tv-radio/tv-review-inside-no9-we-find-a-glass-ceiling.1392849976|archive-date= 12 March 2014|url-status= live}} Despite the various episodes featuring unrelated plots and characters, one reviewer said that they are all linked "by a mercurial synthesis of morbid comedy, wicked social commentary and a genuine creepiness".

Inside No. 9 is somewhat more grounded and realistic than the writers' previous work, such as Psychoville and The League of Gentlemen.{{cite news| title= TV review: Inside No 9| last= Billen| first= Andrew| url= https://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/tv-radio/reviews/article3996666.ece| newspaper= The Times| date= 6 February 2014| access-date= 6 February 2014| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140303023627/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/tv-radio/reviews/article3996666.ece| archive-date= 3 March 2014| url-status= live |url-access=subscription}} Pemberton said that he and Shearsmith decided not to mix the worlds of Inside No. 9 and their previous projects, but nonetheless include the occasional reference; for example, a character called "Ollie" is mentioned in one Inside No. 9 episode, and the writers imagined that this was Ollie Plimsoles of Legz Akimbo, a character from The League of Gentlemen.{{cite news|title= Reopening the doors Inside No. 9|last= Pemberton|first= Steve|publisher= BBC|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/writersroom/entries/61e0081d-6a37-4630-9893-8b5880749e1a|date= 20 March 2015|access-date= 13 June 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150428130612/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/writersroom/entries/61e0081d-6a37-4630-9893-8b5880749e1a|archive-date= 28 April 2015|url-status= live}} Similarly, Inside No. 9 was referenced in the 2017 reunion specials of The League of Gentlemen. Tubbs and Edward are seen living in flat number 9, and the Inside No. 9 hare is visible on their shop counter. In the 2018 Halloween special, in which Pemberton and Shearsmith play versions of themselves, both the League of Gentlemen and its third writer, Mark Gatiss, are directly referred to in the dialogue. The 2020 episode "Death Be Not Proud" directly referenced Psychoville by featuring various characters from the series in that particular episode.{{cite web| url= https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/inside_no_9/episodes/5/2/| title= Inside No. 9: Series 5, Episode 2 – Death Be Not Proud| work= British Comedy Guide| access-date= 11 February 2020| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200313051222/https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/inside_no_9/episodes/5/2/| archive-date= 13 March 2020| url-status= live}}

In 2012, after finishing their previous show, Psychoville, writers Pemberton and Shearsmith were commissioned to produce two series for the BBC by controllers Janice Hadlow and Cheryl Taylor, partially in response to Sky beginning to produce comedy. At the time, it was unclear whether this would be two series of Inside No. 9, then known by the working title Happy Endings, or a series of Inside No. 9 and a series of some other programme.{{cite news|title= Psychoville duo create Happy Endings for BBC2|url= http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/commissioning/psychoville-duo-create-happy-endings-for-bbc2/5046093.article#|author= Kanter, Jake|newspaper= Broadcast|date= 6 September 2012|access-date= 22 April 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140424193346/http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/commissioning/psychoville-duo-create-happy-endings-for-bbc2/5046093.article|archive-date= 24 April 2014|url-status= live}}{{subscription required}} Inside No. 9 was to be produced by a BBC team, which was later revealed to be David Kerr (director), Jon Plowman (executive producer) and Adam Tandy (producer).

Pemberton and Shearsmith took inspiration for Inside No. 9 from "David and Maureen", episode 4 of the first series of Psychoville, which was in turn inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's Rope. This episode took place entirely in a single room, and was filmed in only two shots. The writers were keen to explore other stories in this bottle episode or TV play format, and Inside No. 9 allowed them to do this.Pemberton, Steve; Shearsmith, Reece (17 March 2014). "Inside Inside No. 9". Inside No. 9 Series 1 DVD. BBC. At the same time, the concept of Inside No. 9 was a "reaction" to Psychoville, with Shearsmith saying that the two of them had "been so involved with labyrinthine over-arcing, we thought it would be nice to do six different stories with a complete new house of people each week. That's appealing, because as a viewer you might not like this story, but you've got a different one next week."{{cite news|title= Inside No. 9, BBC2|url= http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/in-depth/inside-no-9-bbc2/5059391.article|newspaper= Broadcast|date= 22 August 2013|access-date= 6 February 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140222172711/http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/in-depth/inside-no-9-bbc2/5059391.article|archive-date= 22 February 2014|url-status= live}}{{subscription required}} Elsewhere, Shearsmith explained that the pair returned to writing macabre stories as they "always feel slightly unfulfilled if [they] write something that's purely comedic, [as] it just feels too frivolous and light".{{cite news|title= Inside No.9 on BBC2: Hull-born master of the macabre Reece Shearsmith and partner Steve Pemberton back with tales of the unexpected|url= http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Inside-9-BBC2-Hull-born-master-macabre-Reece/story-20538757-detail/story.html|date= 4 February 2014|newspaper= Hull Daily Mail|access-date= 6 February 2014|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140222223038/http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Inside-9-BBC2-Hull-born-master-macabre-Reece/story-20538757-detail/story.html|archive-date= 22 February 2014|df= dmy-all}} The first story that the pair wrote specifically for Inside No. 9 was about a birthday party. BBC producers felt that this story would work as the opening episode of a sitcom, but, given the script's events, Pemberton and Shearsmith were not happy to develop the idea into its own programme. The script was consequently shelved and revisited during the planning process for the second series, becoming "Nana's Party", the fifth episode of the series and eleventh overall.{{cite AV media|people= Pemberton, Steve; Shearsmith, Reece|year= 2015|title= Nana's Party|medium= episode commentary|url= https://soundcloud.com/steve-reece-in9/inside-no-9-commentary-nanas-party|access-date= 3 April 2016|publisher= Steve & Reece IN9 (via SoundCloud)|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160403205248/https://soundcloud.com/steve-reece-in9/inside-no-9-commentary-nanas-party|archive-date= 3 April 2016|url-status= live}} During the filming of Inside No. 9, Shearsmith professed excitement to be working on the programme, saying that "[b]eing in the middle of filming a third series of Psychoville would be utterly depressing". Pemberton and Shearsmith aimed for a simpler experience with Inside No. 9 than they had experienced with Psychoville, describing "Sardines", Inside No. 9's first episode, by saying that it was "just about some good actors in a wardrobe with a good story."

At the time of Inside No. 9{{'s}} production, the anthology series was a rare genre for British television programmes. Previous horror anthologies include Tales of the Unexpected, The Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock Presents; while these would sometimes use comedic elements, they are more prominent in Inside No. 9. Murder Most Horrid followed a similar format, but was far more comedic than horrific. Other anthology-like series on British television include Seven of One and Comedy Playhouse, though these programmes lacked horror elements, and, unlike Inside No. 9, served as pilots for potential series. However, the British anthology show Black Mirror, which also features elements of comedy and horror, was very popular around the time of Inside No. 9.{{cite web|title= Inside No 9, Series 3: guest stars, settings, and three other things to know as the BBC2 comedy drama returns|url= https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/inside-no-9-series-3-guest-stars-settings-and-three-other-things-to-know-as-the-bbc2-comedy-drama-a3472581.html|work= London Evening Standard|date= 21 February 2017|access-date= 26 February 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170227062311/http://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/inside-no-9-series-3-guest-stars-settings-and-three-other-things-to-know-as-the-bbc2-comedy-drama-a3472581.html|archive-date= 27 February 2017|url-status= live}} For Pemberton, the 1970s and 1980s were "full of" anthology shows; other examples included Play for Today, Beasts and Armchair Thriller.{{cite web|title= Reece Shearsmith speaks to Mark Radcliffe|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01rpc25|work= Radcliffe & Maconie|publisher= BBC Radio 6 Music|date= 4 February 2014|access-date= 5 July 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190125123538/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01rpc25|archive-date= 25 January 2019|url-status= live}} More recently, anthologies have become less popular with television executives, but the writers hope that they may be able to contribute to a "renaissance" for the genre. According to journalist and broadcaster Mark Lawson, this is because anthologies can fail to motivate viewers to stay with a series, and, further, new sets and casts are required for each episode, meaning that a six-part anthology series will generally be more expensive than a six-part series in a more standard format. For Lawson, Inside No. 9 was able to overcome these problems through the "pleasing coherence" offered by the fact each episode was set in a number 9, and "the wit and inventiveness" of the opening episodes, which could sufficiently engage viewers. Pemberton and Shearsmith had originally considered alternative ways to link the stories, such as all the settings having a shared post man, but then decided that such a strong relationship between stories was not needed.

The first series was broadcast in 2014, alongside a special online-only cinemagraph-based webisode. The BBC ordered a second series of Inside No. 9 before the first episode had aired.{{cite news|title= Inside No.9 will be another hit for black comedy masters Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton|url= https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-previews/what-time-inside-no-9-3111536|newspaper= Daily Mirror|author= Simon, Jane|date= 5 February 2014|access-date= 6 February 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140205092945/http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-previews/what-time-inside-no-9-3111536|archive-date= 5 February 2014|url-status= live}} Inspiration and production varied from instalment to instalment, and each was filmed separately, taking less than a week per episode. After Shearsmith and Pemberton had decided that each episode would be about confinement, and having written some of the later episodes, they were inspired by a wardrobe in their working space for "Sardines". The writers were keen to see how confined they could make the characters,{{cite web|title= Inside the wardrobe|publisher= BBC|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01rty04|date= 6 February 2014|access-date= 25 April 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140311051823/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01rty04|archive-date= 11 March 2014|url-status= live}} aiming to induce feelings of claustrophobia in viewers. The anthology format allowed Pemberton and Shearsmith to revisit prior ideas, which is what they did with "A Quiet Night In" and "Tom & Gerri". The former was inspired by the writers' efforts to include a long segment without dialogue in an episode of Psychoville. Both episodes followed break-ins.{{cite web|title= Why did you do a silent episode?|publisher= BBC|date= 12 February 2014|access-date= 13 February 2014|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01s4vxy|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140308173750/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01s4vxy|archive-date= 8 March 2014|url-status= live}} The Pinteresque "Tom & Gerri" was based upon a play written by Pemberton and Shearsmith while the pair were living together and job seeking. The setting was based upon their own flat, while the character Tom's development evoked the experience of job-hunting.{{cite news|title= What was the inspiration for Tom & Gerri?|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01sk9mp|publisher= BBC|date= 19 February 2014|access-date= 20 February 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140320021519/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01sk9mp|archive-date= 20 March 2014|url-status= live}} "Last Gasp" was inspired by a person Pemberton had seen on Multi-Coloured Swap Shop who collected jars of air, as well as the death of Michael Jackson and the death of Amy Winehouse.{{cite web|title= A My Family episode gone wrong|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01sxf7t|date= 26 February 2014|access-date= 1 February 2014|publisher= BBC|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170322053148/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01sxf7t|archive-date= 22 March 2017|url-status= live}} "The Understudy", the plot of which is partially based upon and concerns Macbeth, took longer to write than any other episode; the writers rewrote the script several times, as they were unsure of whether the characters should be amateur or professional actors.{{cite web|title= A backstage Macbeth|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01tbhw4|publisher= BBC|date= 5 March 2014|access-date= 10 March 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140320131945/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01tbhw4|archive-date= 20 March 2014|url-status= live}} "The Harrowing" was the writers' attempt to produce a gothic horror episode. They made use of more horror tropes than previous episodes, but the setting allowed them to include modern elements.{{cite web|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01trjt7|title= A full on gothic horror|publisher= BBC|date= 12 March 2014|access-date= 18 April 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140323125240/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01trjt7|archive-date= 23 March 2014|url-status= live}}

The second series was written in 2014, and then filmed from the end of 2014 into early 2015.{{cite web|url= http://explore.bfi.org.uk/54297cf247d4b|title= Steve Pemberton on The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover|publisher= British Film Institute|date= 6 October 2014|access-date= 11 December 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150118173806/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/54297cf247d4b|archive-date= 18 January 2015|url-status= dead}}{{cite news|title=Five minutes with Steve Pemberton |newspaper=Herts & Essex Observer |date=12 January 2015 |url=http://www.hertsandessexobserver.co.uk/minutes-Steve-Pemberton/story-25842408-detail/story.html |access-date=18 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709165800/http://www.hertsandessexobserver.co.uk/minutes-Steve-Pemberton/story-25842408-detail/story.html |archive-date=9 July 2015 }} The writers were permitted two sets for the second series, and so a fake train compartment and a fake flat (for "La Couchette" and "The 12 Days of Christine" respectively) were built at Twickenham Studios.{{Cite AV media | title= Behind the Scenes: "La Couchette"|publisher= Inside No. 9 Series 2 DVD. BBC|date= 4 May 2015|author1= Pemberton, Steve |author2= Shearsmith, Reece}}{{Cite AV media | title= Behind the Scenes: "The 12 Days of Christine"|publisher= Inside No. 9 Series 2 DVD. BBC|date= 4 May 2015|author1= Pemberton, Steve |author2= Shearsmith, Reece}} The other episodes were filmed on location; for example, "The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge" was filmed in a barn at the Chiltern Open Air Museum.{{Cite AV media | title= Behind the Scenes: "The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge"|publisher= Inside No. 9 Series 2 DVD. BBC|date= 4 May 2015|author= Pemberton, Steve}} David Kerr was unable to stay on as director for the second series. Guillem Morales and Dan Zeff each took on directorial duties for two episodes, and Pemberton and Shearsmith, in addition to continuing to write and star in the episodes, jointly directed the other two. The writers had hoped to direct for some time, and this represented a good opportunity to make their directorial debut.{{cite web|title= Filming underway on new series of Inside No. 9|format= press release|publisher= BBC|date= 16 January 2015|access-date= 18 January 2015|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/inside-no-9-casting|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150120080308/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/inside-no-9-casting|archive-date= 20 January 2015|url-status= live}}{{cite news|title= Reece Shearsmith on crafting Inside No. 9 – and hopes for a third series|url= http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/interviews/a645420/reece-shearsmith-on-crafting-inside-no-9-and-hopes-for-a-third-series.html|work= Digital Spy|author= Jeffrey, Morgan|date= 4 May 2015|access-date= 13 June 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150607070345/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/interviews/a645420/reece-shearsmith-on-crafting-inside-no-9-and-hopes-for-a-third-series.html|archive-date= 7 June 2015|url-status= live}} While writing for the series, the pair did not know which episodes they would be directing; in an interview, Shearsmith said that the pair had considered directing episodes in which they did not appear much, but scheduling concerns left them with "Cold Comfort" and "Nana's Party"; the episodes feature the writers quite heavily.

The six episodes of the second series derived inspiration from a variety of sources. "La Couchette" aimed to explore the intimacy of sleeper carriages; specifically, the unusual problems associated with sleeping in close proximity to strangers.{{cite news|title= Interview with writers and cast of BBC Two's Inside No 9|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/inside-number-9|publisher= BBC|format= press release|date= 10 March 2015|access-date= 15 March 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150925073441/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/inside-number-9|archive-date= 25 September 2015|url-status= live}}{{cite news|title= Jack Whitehall: Filming Inside No 9 made me vomit|newspaper= Radio Times|author= Dowell, Ben|url= http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-03-10/jack-whitehall-filming-inside-no-9-made-me-vomit|date= 10 March 2015|access-date= 15 March 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150313190134/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-03-10/jack-whitehall-filming-inside-no-9-made-me-vomit|archive-date= 13 March 2015|url-status= live}} "The 12 Days of Christine" follows a woman over the course of 12 years, with scenes displaying key moments in her life.{{cite news|author= Boyd, Phoebe-Jane|title= Inside No. 9 series 2 episode 2 review: The 12 Days Of Christine|url= https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/inside-no-9/34804/inside-no-9-series-2-episode-2-review-the-12-days-of-christine|publisher= Den of Geek|date= 23 April 2015|access-date= 3 April 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150405032411/http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/inside-no-9/34804/inside-no-9-series-2-episode-2-review-the-12-days-of-christine|archive-date= 5 April 2015|url-status= live}} "The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge" was inspired by genuine witch trials, some transcripts of which Pemberton and Shearsmith had read as part of the writing process.{{Cite AV media | title= Behind the Scenes: "The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge"|publisher= Inside No. 9 Series 2 DVD. BBC|date= 4 May 2015|author= Shearsmith, Reece}}{{cite news|title= The Beautiful Horror Continues|author=Brandel, Christine|url= https://www.popmatters.com/column/193450-inside-no-9-the-beautiful-horror-continues/|work= PopMatters|date= 27 May 2015|access-date= 7 June 2015}} "Cold Comfort" began with the idea of a call centre, and was filmed in the style of a CCTV feed.{{cite news|title= Inside No 9; Series 2 – 4. Cold Comfort|newspaper= Radio Times|url= http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/djsmt8/inside-no-9--series-2---4-cold-comfort|access-date=16 April 2015|author=Mulkern, Patrick}} With "Nana's Party", the writers aimed for a feeling of suburban darkness, reminiscent of the work of Alan Ayckbourn.{{Cite AV media | title= Behind the Scenes: "Nana's Party"|publisher= Inside No. 9 Series 2 DVD. BBC|date= 4 May 2015|author= Pemberton, Steve|author2=Shearsmith, Reece}} "Séance Time" began with the idea of a séance, an idea the writers had wanted to explore for some time.{{Cite AV media | title= Behind the Scenes: "Séance Time"|publisher= Inside No. 9 Series Two DVD. BBC|date= 4 May 2015|author= Shearsmith, Reece}}

Series three began with a Christmas special in December 2016, followed by five more episodes starting February 2017. with a Christmas special, "The Devil of Christmas", airing on 27 December 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a812907/inside-no-9-series-3-christmas-special-steve-pemberton-interview/|title=Pemberton teases Inside No. 9 series 3 'horror'|date=2 November 2016|work=Digital Spy|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515053110/http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a812907/inside-no-9-series-3-christmas-special-steve-pemberton-interview/|archive-date=15 May 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-12-16/what-time-is-inside-no-9-the-devil-of-christmas-on-tv|title=What time is Inside No 9: The Devil of Christmas on TV?|work=Radio Times|access-date=13 April 2017}} Settings for the third series include an art gallery, a restaurant and an alpine cabin, while guest stars include Keeley Hawes, Jessica Raine, Felicity Kendal, Tamzin Outhwaite, Fiona Shaw, Jason Watkins, Mathew Baynton, Rula Lenska, Philip Glenister, Sarah Hadland, Javone Prince, Montserrat Lombard, Morgana Robinson, and Alexandra Roach.{{cite news|author=Thrower, Emma|date=24 May 2016|title=Exclusive: Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton talk Inside No. 9 Series 3|newspaper=Empire|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/exclusive-reece-shearsmith-steve-pemberton-talk-inside-9-series-3/|access-date=13 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829082929/http://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/exclusive-reece-shearsmith-steve-pemberton-talk-inside-9-series-3/|archive-date=29 August 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Inside No 9 set to return this autumn|work=Radio Times|date=24 May 2016|author=Doran, Sarah|access-date=13 September 2016|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-05-24/inside-no-9-set-to-return-this-autumn}}{{cite news|title=Keeley Hawes and Jessica Raine to star in the new series of Inside No. 9|author=Dowell, Ben|date=20 January 2016|access-date=13 September 2016|work=Radio Times|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-01-20/keeley-hawes-and-jessica-raine-to-star-in-the-new-series-of-inside-no-9|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224200742/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-01-20/keeley-hawes-and-jessica-raine-to-star-in-the-new-series-of-inside-no-9|archive-date=24 February 2017|url-status=live}}

A fourth series was confirmed after the airing of "The Devil of Christmas", and began broadcast in 2018.Dowell, Ben (19 January 2017). "[http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2017-01-19/inside-no-9-gets-a-fourth-series Inside No 9 gets a fourth series] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170120095906/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2017-01-19/inside-no-9-gets-a-fourth-series |date=20 January 2017 }}". Radio Times. Retrieved 22 January 2017. Pemberton has said that he would be interested in an online spin-off, perhaps called No. 9A, with less experienced comedy writers. In an interview, he said "The format has so many opportunities and can incorporate so many styles, as long as you stick to the small cast, single location constraint. I think it's really important to bring through fresh voices."

The show's fifth series was commissioned in February 2018, and aired in 2020.{{cite news|title=Inside No. 9 renewed for series 5|work=Den of Geek|date=6 February 2018|author=Mellor, Louisa|access-date=17 March 2018|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/uk/tv/inside-no-9/55073/inside-no-9-renewed-for-series-5|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318060032/http://www.denofgeek.com/uk/tv/inside-no-9/55073/inside-no-9-renewed-for-series-5|archive-date=18 March 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Inside No. 9 Series 5 commissioned|publisher=British Comedy Guide|date=6 February 2018|access-date=17 March 2018|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/2941/inside_no_9_series_5/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318060011/https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/2941/inside_no_9_series_5/|archive-date=18 March 2018|url-status=live}}

{{multiple image

| width = 180

| image1 = Steve Pemberton BAFTA Awards (cropped).jpg

| alt1 = Yellow cartouche

| image2 = Reece Shearsmith BAFTA Awards (cropped).jpg

| alt2 = Red cartouche

| footer = Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, with their BAFTA TV Awards for Inside No. 9

}}

A live special in October 2018 received particular praise for its unusual and creative format. The episode, described as "astonishingly bold and ambitious" by reviewer Sean O'Grady,{{cite news |last1=O'Grady |first1=Sean |title=Inside No 9, live Halloween episode, review: Astonishingly bold and ambitious dramatic enterprise |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/inside-no-9-live-episode-review-halloween-special-steve-pemberton-reece-shearsmith-coronation-street-a8605996.html |newspaper=The Independent |access-date=31 October 2018 |date=29 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029143839/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/inside-no-9-live-episode-review-halloween-special-steve-pemberton-reece-shearsmith-coronation-street-a8605996.html |archive-date=29 October 2018 |url-status=live }} appeared to suffer technical difficulties within its first 9 minutes of broadcast.{{cite news |last1=Harrison |first1=Phil |title=How did Inside No 9 spring the biggest live TV surprise of the year? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/oct/30/how-did-inside-no-9-spring-the-biggest-live-tv-surprise-of-the-year |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=31 October 2018 |date=30 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030232718/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/oct/30/how-did-inside-no-9-spring-the-biggest-live-tv-surprise-of-the-year |archive-date=30 October 2018 |url-status=live }} The difficulties, including the continuity announcer's voiceover, were in-fact part of the programme's plot, which centred on the premise that the studios in which the episode were being filmed were haunted. Around 20% of the audience reportedly switched off before the deception became apparent. The plot included a number of features playing with the live format, including Shearsmith and Pemberton watching the live broadcast, and Shearsmith sending a Tweet during the show.{{cite web |last1=Shearsmith |first1=Reece |title=Tweet Sent 10:20 PM – 28 Oct 2018 |url=https://twitter.com/ReeceShearsmith/status/1056672009449627650 |publisher=Twitter |access-date=31 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029055118/https://twitter.com/ReeceShearsmith/status/1056672009449627650 |archive-date=29 October 2018 |url-status=live }}

The sixth series aired in 2021, followed by a seventh series in 2022.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/apr/20/tv-tonight-diane-morgan-crashes-the-league-of-gentlemen-cast-reunion|title=TV tonight: Diane Morgan crashes The League of Gentlemen cast reunion|newspaper=The Guardian|date=20 April 2022|access-date=20 April 2022}} After the finale, the BBC announced that they had commissioned two further series of the show, bringing it to nine series.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2022/inside-no-9-series-8-and-9|title=Inside. No 9 to return for two more series - Media Centre|website=BBC.com|date=1 June 2022|access-date=12 June 2022}} Series 8 premiered on 22 December 2022 with a Christmas special, with the remaining five episodes airing from April 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/inside-no-9-season-8-release-date/|title=Inside No. 9 season 8 release date, cast and latest news|website=Radio Times|last=Craig|first=David|date=27 April 2023|access-date=30 April 2023}}

In December 2022, it was revealed that Inside No. 9 would stop after its ninth series.{{cite web |url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2022/12/16/52281/inside_no_9_to_end_after_series_9 |title=Inside No 9 'to end' after series 9 |date=2022-12-16 |website=chortle.co.uk}} Pemberton said: "We feel it is a good time to pause Inside No. 9 after we finish filming season 9 next year [...] We're not saying it's over for good [...] but we won't be looking to make any more episodes for the time being."{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/inside-no-9-cancelled-newsupdate/|title=Inside No. 9 'to end after 9 seasons'|website=Radio Times|last=Craig|first=David|date=16 December 2022|access-date=19 December 2022}} The ninth and final series began airing in May 2024.{{Cite web |title=Filming underway on Inside No. 9 series nine |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/bbcstudios/2023/filming-underway-on-inside-no-9-series-9/ |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en}}

A one-hour documentary, Inside No. 9: The Party's Over, aired on BBC One on 22 December 2024. The documentary gave a behind-the-scenes look at filming the last ever series, plus interviews with cast and crew from the nine series.{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/inside-no-9-documentary-how-to-watch/|title=How to watch Inside No. 9: The Party's Over documentary|website=Radio Times|last=Pearce|first=Tilly|date=22 December 2024|access-date=22 December 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/dec/22/inside-no-9-the-partys-over-review-the-fascinating-behind-the-scenes-tale-of-a-modern-classic|title=Inside No 9: The Party’s Over review – the fascinating behind-the-scenes tale of a modern classic|website=The Guardian|last=Nicholson|first=Rebecca|date=22 December 2024|access-date=23 December 2024}}

{{Series overview

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| end2 = {{End date|2015|4|29|df=y}}

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| link3 = #Series 3 (2016–17)

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| end3 = {{End date|2017|3|21|df=y}}

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| end4 = {{End date|2018|2|6|df=y}}

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| linkT4S = Special

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| start4S = {{Start date|2018|10|28|df=y}}

| color5 = #000000

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| start5 = {{Start date|2020|2|3|df=y}}

| end5 = {{End date|2020|3|9|df=y}}

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|end6={{End date|2021|6|14|df=y}}

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| end7 = {{End date|2022|06|1|df=y}}

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{{Episode table|background=#FF69B4|overall=5|series=5|title=22|aux1=22|aux1T=Location|director=18|airdate=16|viewers=12|country=UK|episodes={{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 1

| EpisodeNumber2= 1

| Title= {{va|Sardines|Sardines}}

| Aux1= Country estate bedroom

| DirectedBy= David Kerr

| Viewers= 1.06

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2014|2|5|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Rebecca (Katherine Parkinson) and Jeremy (Ben Willbond) hold an engagement party at Rebecca's family's mansion. The guests play the parlour game sardines, in which one person hides and the other players have to join them in their hiding place once they are found. As Rebecca's friends and family are packed into a wardrobe, secrets are gradually revealed.

|LineColor = FF69B4

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 2

| EpisodeNumber2= 2

| Title= {{va|A Quiet Night In|A Quiet Night In}}

| Aux1= Modernist house

| DirectedBy= David Kerr

| Viewers= 0.94

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2014|2|12|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Hapless cat burglars Eddie (Pemberton) and Ray (Shearsmith) break into a luxury house to try to steal a painting while Gerald (Denis Lawson) and Sabrina (Oona Chaplin), the couple who live in the house, argue. The episode progresses almost entirely without dialogue.

|LineColor = FF69B4

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 3

| EpisodeNumber2= 3

| Title= {{va|Tom & Gerri|Tom & Gerri|Tom and Gerri}}

| Aux1= Flat

| DirectedBy= David Kerr

| Viewers= 1.00

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2014|2|19|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Tom (Shearsmith) is a frustrated primary school teacher and aspiring author. One night, a homeless man named Migg (Pemberton) returns Tom's lost wallet, and Migg ends up living with Tom, to the frustration of Tom's girlfriend Gerri (Gemma Arterton). Tom's life changes dramatically as a result.

|LineColor = FF69B4

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 4

| EpisodeNumber2= 4

| Title= {{va|Last Gasp|Last Gasp}}

| Aux1= Suburban house

| DirectedBy= David Kerr

| Viewers=0.87

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2014|2|26|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Pop star Frankie J Parsons (David Bedella), accompanied by assistant Si (Adam Deacon) and WishmakerUK representative Sally (Tamsin Greig), visits the sick Tamsin (Lucy Hutchinson) on her ninth birthday, but suddenly collapses – and appears to have died – while blowing up a balloon. Graham (Pemberton), Tamsin's father, realises that Frankie's last breath could be highly valuable, and he, Sally and Si argue over ownership of the balloon.

|LineColor = FF69B4

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 5

| EpisodeNumber2= 5

| Title= {{va|The Understudy|The Understudy}}

| Aux1= Dressing room

| DirectedBy= David Kerr

| Viewers=0.72

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2014|3|5|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Successful West End actor Tony (Pemberton) is starring in a production of Shakespeare's Macbeth. His understudy Jim (Shearsmith) has always wanted a starring role, and Jim's fiancée Laura (Lyndsey Marshal) encourages him to push for Tony's job. The episode is written in five acts, and is loosely based upon the plot of Macbeth.

|LineColor = FF69B4

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 6

| EpisodeNumber2= 6

| Title= {{va|The Harrowing|The Harrowing}}

| Aux1= Gothic mansion

| DirectedBy= David Kerr

| Viewers=0.83

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2014|3|12|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Katy (Aimee-Ffion Edwards) is hired to housesit the Gothic mansion where Hector (Shearsmith) and Tabitha (Helen McCrory) live, while the pair attend an important event. The house is filled with paintings depicting Hell, and kept below freezing for Hector and Tabitha's severely disabled brother, Andras (Sean Buckley), who is staying in his bedroom upstairs. Andras is not to be disturbed.

|LineColor = FF69B4

}}}}

{{Episode table|background=#C0C0C0|title=32 |director=32 |airdate=16 |released=y|episodes=

{{Episode list

| Title= {{va|The Inventors}}

| DirectedBy=Martin Stirling{{cite web|title=Interview with a Filmmaker – Martin Stirling |url=http://colchesterfilmfestival.com/martin-stirling/ |publisher=Colchester Film Festival |access-date=24 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425002918/http://colchesterfilmfestival.com/martin-stirling/ |archive-date=25 April 2014 }}

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2014|2|12|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= This webisode stars Tom Verall and Dan Renton Skinner as brothers whose mother died in the Great Storm of 1987. The story is told through a series of cinemagraphs with dialogue. The episode is interactive, advancing only with input from the viewer.

"The Inventors" was written by Ed Hime, developed by media agency Kanoti, and produced by Jon Aird, who had previously produced BAFTA-winning online content for Psychoville,{{cite news|title= Jon Aird|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/production/comedy/televisionteam/jon-aird.html|publisher= BBC|access-date= 18 May 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150225115534/http://www.bbc.co.uk/production/comedy/televisionteam/jon-aird.html|archive-date= 25 February 2015|url-status= live}} with executive producer Will Saunders.{{cite news|title= BBC launches digital episode of Inside No. 9|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/digitalinsideno9.html|publisher= BBC|date= 18 March 2014|access-date= 24 April 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150126220013/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/digitalinsideno9.html|archive-date= 26 January 2015|url-status= live}}

|LineColor = C0C0C0

}}

}}

{{Episode table|background=#FFE135|overall=5|series=5|title=22|aux1=22|aux1T=Location|director=18|airdate=16|viewers=12|country=UK|episodes={{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 7

| EpisodeNumber2= 1

| Title= {{va|La Couchette|La Couchette}}

| Aux1= Sleeper train carriage

| DirectedBy= Guillem Morales

| Viewers=1.69

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2015|3|26|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= English doctor Maxwell (Shearsmith) attempts to settle in a French sleeper carriage. He is disturbed first by drunk, flatulent German Jorg (Pemberton), then by English couple Kath (Julie Hesmondhalgh) and Les (Mark Benton). When Australian backpacker Shona (Jessica Gunning) brings the posh Hugo (Jack Whitehall) back to the carriage, they make a discovery.

|LineColor = FFE135

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 8

| EpisodeNumber2= 2

| Title= {{va|The 12 Days of Christine|The 12 Days of Christine}}

| Aux1= Flat

| DirectedBy= Guillem Morales

| Viewers=1.69

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2015|4|2|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Christine (Sheridan Smith) meets Adam (Tom Riley) at a New Year party. Her life begins to unravel around her as events seem to take place out of sequence and she is haunted by visions of an unknown man. The episode takes place over twelve holidays and important occasions in Christine's lifetime, at intervals of 13 months.

|LineColor = FFE135

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 9

| EpisodeNumber2= 3

| Title= {{va|The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge|The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge}}

| Aux1= Barn

| DirectedBy= Dan Zeff

| Viewers=1.41

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2015|4|9|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= In the 17th century, villager Elizabeth Gadge (Ruth Sheen) stands accused of witchcraft; she will be burnt at the stake if found guilty. Magistrate Sir Andrew Pike (David Warner) summons renowned witch-finders Mr Warren (Shearsmith) and Mr Clarke (Pemberton) to investigate, planning to use the trial to increase interest in the village.

|LineColor = FFE135

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 10

| EpisodeNumber2= 4

| Title= {{va|Cold Comfort|Cold Comfort}}

| Aux1= Call centre

| DirectedBy= Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith

| Viewers=1.46

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2015|4|16|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Andy (Pemberton) starts work at the Comfort Support Line, a crisis support line with manager George (Shearsmith), the gossipy Liz (Jane Horrocks) and the officious Joanne (Nikki Amuka-Bird). A difficult call from a suicidal teenage girl leads to a series of problems. The episode is filmed in the style of a CCTV feed.

|LineColor = FFE135

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 11

| EpisodeNumber2= 5

| Title= {{va|Nana's Party|Nana's Party|Nana's Party}}

| Aux1= Suburban house

| DirectedBy= Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith

| Viewers=1.53

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2015|4|23|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Angela (Claire Skinner) hosts a birthday party for her 79-year-old mother, Maggie (Elsie Kelly), while Angela's husband Jim (Pemberton) plans to play a practical joke on Pat (Shearsmith), the husband of Angela's alcoholic sister Carol (Lorraine Ashbourne). The episode opens with the arrival of a paramedic, before flashing back to before the beginning of the party.

|LineColor = FFE135

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 12

| EpisodeNumber2= 6

| Title= {{va|Séance Time|Séance Time|Seance Time}}

| Aux1= Victorian villa

| DirectedBy= Dan Zeff

| Viewers=1.14

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2015|4|29|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Young woman Tina (Sophie McShera) visits a medium for a séance. After being shown in to a room in a Victorian villa by "Hives" (Shearsmith), she is introduced to "Madam Talbot" (Alison Steadman), an elderly woman shrouded in black.

|LineColor = FFE135

}}}}

{{Episode table|background=#006600|overall=5|series=5|title=22|aux1=22|aux1T=Location|director=18|airdate=16|viewers=12|country=UK|episodes={{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 13

| EpisodeNumber2= 1

| Title= {{va|The Devil of Christmas|The Devil of Christmas}}

| Aux1= Alpine chalet

| DirectedBy= Graeme Harper

| Viewers= 1.03

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2016|12|27|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= In a film within the episode, an English family (Pemberton, Rula Lenska, Jessica Raine and George Bedford) travel to an Austrian chalet in December 1977. They are told the story of the Krampus by their guide (Shearsmith). Meanwhile, the film's director (Derek Jacobi) provides audio commentary.

|LineColor = 006600

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 14

| EpisodeNumber2= 2

| Title= {{va|The Bill|The Bill}}

| Aux1= Restaurant table

| DirectedBy= Guillem Morales

| Viewers= 1.47

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2017|2|21|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Three northerners – Archie (Shearsmith), Malcolm (Pemberton) and Kevin (Jason Watkins) – take a southerner Craig (Philip Glenister) for a tapas meal, but an argument breaks out over who should pay. To the consternation of the waitress (Ellie White), each of the four men attempts to pay the total bill.

|LineColor = 006600

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 15

| EpisodeNumber2= 3

| Title= {{va|The Riddle of the Sphinx|The Riddle of the Sphinx}}

| Aux1= Study

| DirectedBy= Guillem Morales

| Viewers= 1.37

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2017|2|28|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Nina (Alexandra Roach) breaks into the office of Cambridge Professor Nigel Squires (Pemberton), who publishes cryptic crosswords in the student newspaper Varsity as "The Sphinx". Squires proceeds to teach Nina how to solve cryptic crosswords using the next day's puzzle.

|LineColor = 006600

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 16

| EpisodeNumber2= 4

| Title= {{va|Empty Orchestra|Empty Orchestra}}

| Aux1= Karaoke booth

| DirectedBy= Guillem Morales

| Viewers= 1.26

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2017|3|7|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Greg (Shearsmith), Fran (Sarah Hadland), Connie (Tamzin Outhwaite), Janet (Emily Howlett) and Duane (Javone Prince) enter a karaoke booth in fancy dress to celebrate the promotion of their manager Roger (Pemberton). The character's relationships are revealed both through their explicit interactions and their karaoke performances.

|LineColor = 006600

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 17

| EpisodeNumber2= 5

| Title= {{va|Diddle Diddle Dumpling|Diddle Diddle Dumpling}}

| Aux1= Suburban house

| DirectedBy= Guillem Morales

| Viewers= 1.50

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2017|3|14|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= David (Shearsmith), a stay-at-home dad, finds a man's shoe while out jogging. He becomes fixated on finding the shoe's owner, straining his relationship with his wife Louise (Keeley Hawes).

|LineColor = 006600

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 18

| EpisodeNumber2= 6

| Title= {{va|Private View|Private View}}

| Aux1= Gallery space

| DirectedBy= Guillem Morales

| Viewers= 1.16

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2017|3|21|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Carrie (Morgana Robinson), Patricia (Felicity Kendal), Maurice (Shearsmith), Kenneth (Pemberton) and Jean (Fiona Shaw) attend a private retrospective art exhibition. They are met by the waitress Bea (Montserrat Lombard), but none knows why they have been invited.

|LineColor = 006600

}}}}

{{Episode table|background=#00BFFF|overall=5|series=5|title=22|aux1=22|aux1T=Location|director=18|airdate=16|viewers=12|country=UK|episodes={{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 19

| EpisodeNumber2= 1

| Title= {{va|Zanzibar|Zanzibar}}

| Aux1= Hotel floor

| DirectedBy= David Kerr

| Viewers= 2.19

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2018|1|2|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Told through the style of iambic pentameter, various guests arrive at Hotel Zanzibar where they find themselves interacting with one another in a variety of ways, from murder to a proposal.

|LineColor = 00BFFF

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 20

| EpisodeNumber2= 2

| Title= {{va|Bernie Clifton's Dressing Room|[Bernie Clifton's Dressing Room|[Bernie Clifton's Dressing Room}}

| Aux1= Church hall

| DirectedBy= Graeme Harper

| Viewers= 1.93

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2018|1|9|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Double-act Cheese (Shearsmith) and Crackers (Pemberton) have reunited after 30 years to perform in front of an audience, but an incident that caused them to fall out comes back into the limelight.

|LineColor = 00BFFF

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 21

| EpisodeNumber2= 3

| Title= {{va|Once Removed}}

| Aux1= Country farmhouse

| DirectedBy= Jim O'Hanlon

| Viewers= 2.15

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2018|1|16|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Removal man Spike (Nick Moran) arrives to help Natasha (Emilia Fox) move house, leading him into bizarre circumstances which unfold through reverse chronology.

|LineColor = 00BFFF

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 22

| EpisodeNumber2= 4

| Title= {{va|To Have and to Hold}}

| Aux1= Suburban terrace house

| DirectedBy= David Kerr

| Viewers= 1.92

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2018|1|23|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= When wedding photographer Adrian (Pemberton) seems bored by his marriage to Harriet (Nicola Walker), instead focusing on jigsaws and Pot Noodles, his wife desires to renew their wedding vows. Instead, she discovers a dark secret.

|LineColor = 00BFFF

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 23

| EpisodeNumber2= 5

| Title= {{va|And the Winner Is...|And the Winner Is…}}

| Aux1= Meeting room

| DirectedBy= Graeme Harper

| Viewers= 1.91

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2018|1|30|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= We join the jury (Pemberton, Shearsmith, Zoë Wanamaker, Noel Clarke, Phoebe Sparrow, Fenella Woolgar, and Kenneth Cranham) of the Royal Academy of Motion Picture Arts as they decide who is going to win the Best Actress award. But only one of the eight actresses can be chosen.

|LineColor = 00BFFF

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 24

| EpisodeNumber2= 6

| Title= {{va|Tempting Fate}}

| Aux1= Flat

| DirectedBy= Jim O'Hanlon

| Viewers= 1.82

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2018|2|6|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Council contractors Keith (Pemberton), Nick (Shearsmith) and Maz (Weruche Opia) clear out the flat of a dead hoarder. When they unveil the content of the man's safe, their lives will never be the same again.

|LineColor = 00BFFF

}}}}

This episode was a live broadcast, rather than a pre-recorded episode. The music, by Christian Henson, was also performed live.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-y6n30XQGo|title=Scoring A Live TV Show In REALTIME + Hallowe'en Treats|date=31 October 2018 |access-date=26 April 2022|via=YouTube}}

{{Episode table|background=#FF7619 |overall=10 |forceoverall=y|title=22 |aux1=22 |aux1T=Location |director=18 |airdate=16 |viewers=12 |country=UK |episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 25

| Title={{va|Dead Line}}

| Aux1= Television studio

| DirectedBy= Barbara Wiltshire

| Viewers= {{Unreported UK viewers|1.40}}

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2018|10|28|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Prior to broadcast, an episode synopsis was released to the press: "When Arthur Flitwick finds an old mobile phone in his local graveyard, he makes the mistake of trying to contact the owner, but some mysteries are best left unsolved and as Halloween draws near Arthur is plunged into a nightmare of his own making." Pemberton and Shearsmith also conducted interviews about the planned episode.

However, a few minutes into transmission, a series of apparent 'technical errors' began to occur, and eventually the show was 'abandoned'. In fact, it soon became clear that the actual storyline centred on the live broadcast descending into deadly chaos as supernatural forces assailed the cast, crew, props and even the continuity announcer.

|LineColor = FF7619

}}

}}

{{Episode table|background=#000000|overall=5|series=5|title=22|aux1=22|aux1T=Location|director=18|airdate=16|viewers=12|country=UK|episodes={{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 26

| EpisodeNumber2 = 1

| Title= {{va|The Referee's a W***er|The Referee's a W***er|The Referee's a Wanker|The Referee's a Wanker}}

| Aux1= Football changing room

| DirectedBy= Matt Lipsey

| Viewers= 1.66

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2020|02|03|df=y}}

| ShortSummary=Tensions are high in the referees' changing room before, during and after the ref's (David Morrissey) last game before retirement.

|LineColor = 000000

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 27

| EpisodeNumber2= 2

| Title= {{va|Death Be Not Proud}}

| Aux1= Flat

| DirectedBy= Matt Lipsey

| Viewers= 1.44

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2020|2|10|df=y}}

| ShortSummary=When young couple Beattie (Jenna Coleman) and Sam (Kadiff Kirwan) move into a new flat at a knockdown price, strange things occur... which are made only stranger when the previous owner, David Sowerbutts (Pemberton), returns. This episode references Psychoville.

|LineColor = 000000

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 28

| EpisodeNumber2= 3

| Title= {{va|Love's Great Adventure|Love's Great Adventure}}

| Aux1= Council house

| DirectedBy= Guillem Morales

| Viewers= 1.35

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2020|2|17|df=y}}

| ShortSummary=Trevor (Pemberton) and Julia (Debbie Rush) always try to make Christmas special for their family but with money running low it is going to be more difficult than usual this year. This episode was semi-improvised.

|LineColor = 000000

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 29

| EpisodeNumber2= 4

| Title= {{va|Misdirection}}

| Aux1= Storage unit

| DirectedBy= Guillem Morales

| Viewers= {{Unreported UK viewers|1.39}}

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2020|2|24|df=y}}

| ShortSummary=A magician (Shearsmith) kills another magician to steal a trick. Years later, he is interviewed by a student journalist (Fionn Whitehead), leading to a battle of wits between the two.

|LineColor = 000000

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 30

| EpisodeNumber2= 5

| Title= {{va|Thinking Out Loud}}

| Aux1= House (other locations also seen)

| DirectedBy= Steve Pemberton

| Viewers= {{Unreported UK viewers|1.42}}

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2020|3|2|df=y}}

| ShortSummary=Disparate characters - a widower looking for a partner (Phil Davis), a woman in therapy (Maxine Peake), an American serial killer (Pemberton), a young internet celebrity (Ioanna Kimbook), a terminally ill man (Shearsmith) and a blind woman (Sandra Gayer) - talk to the camera, not knowing their lives are about to collide.

|LineColor = 000000

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 31

| EpisodeNumber2= 6

| Title= {{va|The Stakeout}}

| Aux1= Police car

| DirectedBy= Guillem Morales

| Viewers= {{Unreported UK viewers|1.46}}

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2020|3|9|df=y}}

| ShortSummary=PC Thompson (Pemberton)'s partner was stabbed to death a month ago. The murder weapon has gone missing and his new partner SPC Varney (Shearsmith) is asking him questions.

|LineColor = 000000

}}}}

{{Episode table|background=#FFFFFF |overall=5 |series=5 |title=22 |aux1=22 |aux1T=Location |director=18 |airdate=16 |viewers=12 |country=UK |episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 32

| EpisodeNumber2 = 1

| Title= {{va|Wuthering Heist}}

| Aux1= Abandoned sound stage

| DirectedBy= Guillem Morales

| Viewers= 1.88

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2021|05|10|df=y}}

| ShortSummary=Pantalone (Paterson Joseph) has hired a gang to carry out a diamond robbery, unaware that half the gang is planning to double-cross the others. This episode is performed in the style of Commedia dell'arte and also alludes to Reservoir Dogs.

|LineColor = FFFFFF

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 33

| EpisodeNumber2 = 2

| Title= {{va|Simon Says}}

| Aux1= Flat

| DirectedBy= Guillem Morales

| Viewers= {{Unreported UK viewers|1.40}}

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2021|05|17|df=y}}

| ShortSummary=TV fantasy drama The Ninth Circle has ended with a disappointing finale, so devoted fan Simon Smethurst (Shearsmith) visits its showrunner Spencer Maguire (Pemberton) to encourage him to write a further series of it.

|LineColor = FFFFFF

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 34

| EpisodeNumber2 = 3

| Title= {{va|Lip Service}}

| Aux1= Hotel room

| DirectedBy= Guillem Morales

| Viewers= 1.42

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2021|05|24|df=y}}

| ShortSummary=Felix Hughes (Pemberton) hires lip reader Iris (Sian Clifford) to watch his wife Brenda Doyle in a Central London hotel room using binoculars. He suspects Brenda is cheating on him with anti-government campaigner Dmitri Novak, whose press secretary she is.

|LineColor = FFFFFF

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 35

| EpisodeNumber2 = 4

| Title= {{va|Hurry Up and Wait}}

| Aux1= Caravan

| DirectedBy= Matt Lipsey

| Viewers= {{Unreported UK viewers|1.33}}

| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|05|31|df=y}}

| ShortSummary=Actor James (Shearsmith) waits in a static caravan owned by an odd family (Donna Preston, Pauline McLynn, Pemberton). He is playing a policeman in a crime drama starring Adrian Dunbar, based on the real-life disappearance of a baby boy, Ryan, from the area.

|LineColor = FFFFFF

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 36

| EpisodeNumber2 = 5

| Title={{va|How Do You Plead?}}

| Aux1= Old apartment

| DirectedBy= Guillem Morales

| Viewers= 1.23

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2021|06|07|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Celebrated barrister D. Webster (Derek Jacobi) is dying and has a guilty conscience, so he calls for his carer Bedford (Shearsmith) to get something off his chest.

|LineColor = FFFFFF

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 37

| EpisodeNumber2 = 6

| Title={{va|Last Night of the Proms}}

| Aux1= Manor house

| DirectedBy= Matt Lipsey

| Viewers= 1.20

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2021|06|14|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Dawn (Sarah Parish) and Mick (Pemberton) are hosting their annual Last Night of the Proms party, determined to enjoy the pomp and ceremony, but it seems not everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet.

|LineColor = FFFFFF

}}

}}{{Episode table}}

{{Episode table|background=#8300DA|overall=6|series=6|title=22|aux1=22|aux1T=Location|director=18|airdate=16|viewers=12|country=UK|viewersT=UK viewers (millions)
7 day|viewersR={{refn|group=lower-alpha|name=NPD|No platform data.}}{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Ratings_UK|title=Ratings UK|website=Twitter|access-date=28 January 2023}}|episodes={{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 38

| EpisodeNumber2 = 1

| Title={{va|Merrily, Merrily}}

| Aux1= Pedalo

| DirectedBy= Al Campbell{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0016mq3|title=BBC Two - Inside No. 9, Series 7, Merrily, Merrily|website=Bbc.co.uk|access-date=26 April 2022}}

| Viewers= N/A{{refn|group=lower-alpha|590,000 overnight.}}

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2022|04|20|df=y}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/tv/inside-no-9-watch-the-intense-new-trailer-for-season-seven-3200459|title='Inside No. 9': watch the intense new trailer for season seven|website=Nme.com|date=7 April 2022|access-date=26 April 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bt.com/tv/comedy/inside-no-9-season-7-cast-trailer-episodes|title=Inside No.9: Season 7 guest stars, launch date and trailer revealed|website=BT.com|access-date=26 April 2022}}

| ShortSummary= Three friends (Shearsmith, Pemberton, Mark Gatiss) reunite for a boat ride, with at least one unexpected guest (Diane Morgan).

|LineColor = 8300DA

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 39

| EpisodeNumber2 = 2

| Title={{va|Mr King}}

| Aux1= Primary school classroom

| DirectedBy= Louise Hooper{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0016tzt|title=BBC Two - Inside No. 9, Series 7, Mr King|website=Bbc.co.uk|access-date=26 April 2022}}

| Viewers =

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2022|04|27|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= A teacher (Shearsmith) starts his new job in a rural Welsh primary school, where he is overshadowed by the memory of previous teacher Mr King.

|LineColor = 8300DA

}}

{{ Episode List

| EpisodeNumber = 40

| EpisodeNumber2 = 3

| Title = {{va|Nine Lives Kat}}

| Aux1= House

| DirectedBy = Kieron J. Walsh{{Cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001778l | title=BBC Two - Inside No. 9, Series 7, Nine Lives Kat }}

| Viewers = 1.22

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date |2022|05|11| df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Alcoholic DI Kat (Sophie Okonedo) is determined to solve the case of a missing boy.

|LineColor = 8300DA

}}

{{ Episode List

| EpisodeNumber = 41

| EpisodeNumber2 = 4

| Title = {{va|Kid/Nap}}

| Aux1= Abandoned property

| DirectedBy = Al Campbell{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0017h5m | title=BBC Two - Inside No. 9, Series 7, Kid/Nap }}

| Viewers = 1.11

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date |2022|05|18| df=y}}

| ShortSummary= The kidnapping of Lara (Daisy Haggard) by two strange men (Daniel Mays, Jason Isaacs) doesn't go quite according to plan. This episode is presented mostly in split-screen.

|LineColor = 8300DA

}}

{{ Episode List

| EpisodeNumber = 42

| EpisodeNumber2 = 5

| Title = {{va|A Random Act of Kindness}}

| Aux1= Suburban house

| DirectedBy = Kieron J. Walsh {{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2022/21/inside-no-9 | title=Inside No.9 }}

| Viewers =

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date |2022|05|25| df=y}}

| ShortSummary= The relationship between a single mother (Jessica Hynes) and her teenage son (Noah Valentine) is steered into the right direction by a stranger (Pemberton).

|LineColor = 8300DA

}}

{{ Episode List

| EpisodeNumber = 43

| EpisodeNumber2 = 6

| Title = {{va|Wise Owl}}

| Aux1= House/Animation

| DirectedBy = Louise Hooper {{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2022/22/inside-no-9 | title=Inside No.9 }}

| Viewers =

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date |2022|06|01| df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Ronnie (Shearsmith) has spent his whole life trying to do the right thing, guided by memories of the animated 1970s public information film character Wise Owl (Ron Cook).

|LineColor = 8300DA

}}}}{{Episode table}}

{{Episode table |background=#8A4500 |overall=8 |series=8 |title=22 |aux1=22 |aux1T=Location |director=18 |airdate=16 |country=UK |viewers=7 |viewersT=UK viewers (millions)
7 day |viewersR= |aux4=7 |aux4T=UK viewers (millions)
28 day |aux4R= |episodes={{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 44

| EpisodeNumber2 = 1

| Title={{va|The Bones of St Nicholas|The Bones of St. Nicholas}}

| Aux1= Church

| DirectedBy= George Kane{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001gdv9|title=BBC Two - Inside No. 9, Series 8, The Bones of St Nicholas|website=Bbc.co.uk|access-date=15 December 2022}}

| Viewers= 2.3{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2023/inside-no-9-series-8-cast|title=Star-studded cast joins Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton for Inside No. 9 series eight and first look image is released| website=BBC Media Centre |date=27 January 2023}}

| Aux4= 2.7

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2022|12|22|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Dr Parkway (Pemberton) has booked an overnight stay on Christmas Eve in a church that is supposedly haunted. He soon finds out he's not the only one there (Shearsmith, Shobna Gulati, Simon Callow), but why is he so keen to keep himself to himself?

|LineColor = 8A4500

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber= 45

|EpisodeNumber2 = 2

|Title={{va|Mother's Ruin|Mother's Ruin}}{{Cite web|url= https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=insideno92023&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id= | title=Buy cinema tickets for TV Preview: Inside No. 9 + Q&A with Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith and Adam Tandy | BFI Southbank }}

|Aux1= Bungalow

|DirectedBy= George Kane {{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001lf98|title=Mother's Ruin|website=BBC|access-date=17 April 2023}}

|Viewers= N/A

|Aux4= N/A

|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2023|04|27|df=y}}

|ShortSummary= East End villains Harry and Annie Blackwood were rotten to the core and did some truly horrible things when they were alive. What secrets did they take to their grave? Their sons (Pemberton, Shearsmith) plan to find out, without disturbing the new owners of their parents' house (Phil Daniels, Anita Dobson).

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}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber= 46

|EpisodeNumber2 = 3

|Title={{va|Paraskevidekatriaphobia}}

|Aux1= Suburban house

|DirectedBy= George Kane

|Viewers= N/A

|Aux4= N/A

|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2023|05|4|df=y}}

|ShortSummary= Gareth (Shearsmith) is definitely going to be working from home today. Just to be on the safe side. In case anything unlucky happens. Because today just happens to be Friday the thirteenth.

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}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber= 47

|EpisodeNumber2 = 4

|Title={{va|Love Is a Stranger}}

|Aux1= Flat

|DirectedBy= Jesse Quinones

|Viewers= N/A

|Aux4= N/A

|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2023|05|11|df=y}}

|ShortSummary= Will Vicky (Claire Rushbrook) finally find love online or will she be talking to the Lonely Hearts Killer?

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}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber= 48

|EpisodeNumber2 = 5

|Title={{va|3 by 3}}

|Aux1= Television studio

|DirectedBy= Barbara Wiltshire

|Viewers= N/A

|Aux4= N/A

|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2023|05|18|df=y}}

|ShortSummary= Lee Mack hosts a new general knowledge quiz show where three teams of three compete to win a cash prize. However, all is not as it seems with competitors the Oakwood family (Saskia Wakefield, Gemma Page, James Tucker)...

Initially advertised as decoy episode "Hold on Tight!", the episode does not feature Shearsmith or Pemberton and is not branded as Inside No. 9 until the closing credits. Filmed at dock10 studios in a virtual studio, the episode was shortlisted for two Broadcast Tech Awards: Best Innovation Project and Best Use Of Virtual Production/Studios.

|LineColor = 8A4500

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber= 49

|EpisodeNumber2 = 6

|Title={{va|The Last Weekend}}

|Aux1= Lakeside cabin

|DirectedBy= Ian Bevitt

|Viewers= N/A

|Aux4= N/A

|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2023|05|25|df=y}}

|ShortSummary= Joe (Pemberton) and Chas (Shearsmith) have been truly in love with each other for nine years. It's a long time, but how long do they need to say goodbye?

|LineColor = 8A4500

}}

}}

{{Episode table|background=#B50000|overall=5|series=5|title=22|aux1=22|aux1T=Location|director=18|airdate=16|viewers=12|country=UK|episodes={{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber= 50

| EpisodeNumber2= 1

| Title= {{va|Boo to a Goose|Boo to a Goose}}

| Aux1= Train carriage

| DirectedBy= George Kane

| Viewers= WIP

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2024|5|8|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Late-night passengers get stuck in a tunnel when their train breaks down. Patiently, they wait for the replacement service until a nurse (Philippa Dunne) gets her purse stolen and a teacher (Mark Bonnar) takes charge.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001z2dk#credits|title=Inside No 9, Series 9, Boo to a Goose|website=BBC|date=8 May 2024|access-date=10 May 2024}}

|LineColor = B50000

}}

{{Episode List

| EpisodeNumber= 51

| EpisodeNumber2= 2

| Title= {{va|The Trolley Problem|The Trolley Problem}}

| Aux1= Farmhouse

| DirectedBy= Al Campbell

| Viewers= WIP

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2024|5|15|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Therapist Blake (Pemberton) saves a man (Shearsmith) from leaping to his death from a bridge. The poor guy probably just needs someone to talk to. But is it a good idea to bring him back home? The episode is named after a thought experiment in ethics.

|LineColor= B50000

}}

{{Episode List

| EpisodeNumber= 52

| EpisodeNumber2= 3

| Title= {{va|Mulberry Close|Mulberry Close}}

| Aux1= Suburban neighbourhood

| DirectedBy= Al Campbell

| Viewers= WIP

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2024|5|22|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= There’s a new couple at No 9. The residents of Mulberry Close are keen to welcome their new neighbours, but there’s something about Damon (Shearsmith) and Val (Vinette Robinson) that doesn’t seem quite right. This episode is filmed using a fixed doorbell camera.

|LineColor= B50000

}}

{{Episode List

| EpisodeNumber= 53

| EpisodeNumber2= 4

| Title= {{va|CTRL, ALT, ESC|CTRL, ALT, ESC}}

| Aux1= Escape room

| DirectedBy= George Kane

| Viewers= WIP

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2024|5|29|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= Jason (Pemberton), Lynne (Katherine Kelly) and their two teenage daughters try out their local escape room, The Killer’s Lair. It’s not really the girls’ idea of fun, but they love their dad, and he loves following the clues and solving the puzzles. Will they get out before they run out of time?

|LineColor= B50000

}}

{{Episode List

| EpisodeNumber= 54

| EpisodeNumber2= 5

| Title= {{va|The Curse of the Ninth|The Curse of the Ninth}}

| Aux1= Edwardian country house

| DirectedBy= Guillem Morales

| Viewers= WIP

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2024|6|05|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= An Edwardian chiller, in which Jonah (Shearsmith), a talented piano-tuner, is forced to confront the power of a curse when he meets Lillian (Natalie Dormer), the owner of a large country house, and her housekeeper Devonshire (Hayley Squires).

|LineColor= B50000

}}

{{Episode List

| EpisodeNumber= 55

| EpisodeNumber2= 6

| Title= {{va|Plodding On|Plodding On}}

| Aux1= Wrap party

| DirectedBy= George Kane

| Viewers= WIP

| OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2024|6|12|df=y}}

| ShortSummary= At a party to celebrate the end of Inside No. 9, the friendship between Reece (Shearsmith) and Steve (Pemberton) is in danger, with Reece planning to continue their work together with a police comedy drama called Plodding On, while Steve is offered an acting job in America.

|LineColor= B50000

}}}}

As each episode of Inside No. 9 features new characters, the writers were able to attract actors who may have been unwilling or unable to commit to an entire series. The writers' reputation also helped attract actors, with journalist David Chater saying that they "have developed such a track record over the years that many of the finest actors in the country jump at the chance to appear in their dark imaginings".{{cite news|title=Viewing guide|author=Chater, David|newspaper= T2, The Times|pages=12–3|date= 5 March 2014}} The fact that Pemberton and Shearsmith only played a single character in each story was a change for them; in The League of Gentlemen, the pair have played some 30 characters each, while, in Psychoville, they had played around five each. Though Pemberton and Shearsmith generally starred in each episode, they did not necessarily take on the main roles. Shearsmith explained this by saying that they "didn't write this for us to be in. We wrote the stories first then thought, could we be in them?" Pemberton and Shearsmith appear in all episodes, other than "3 by 3" in which neither appear, "The Harrowing" in which only Shearsmith appears, and "Last Gasp", featuring only Pemberton. More than 55{{cite web |title=The End Is Ni9h: Saying goodbye to Inside No. 9 |url=https://rts.org.uk/article/end-ni9h-saying-goodbye-inside-no-9 |website=RTS.org |access-date=22 October 2024}} actors who previously appeared in former episodes returned for the Season 9 finale "Plodding On", portraying fictionalised versions of themselves. Following the airing of the final episode, Steve Pemberton auctioned his personal copy of the "Plodding On" script which had been signed by a majority of the key cast members across the 9 series.{{cite web |title=Inside No. 9 script being auctioned for charity|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/fyi/545/inside-no-9-script-auction/ |website=comedy.co.uk |access-date=29 December 2024}} The only other actor to make multiple appearances across episodes as separate characters is Derek Jacobi who had a voice role in “The Devil of Christmas” before later returning in “How Do You Plead?”

The first series of Inside No. 9 was shown in the UK on BBC Two (and BBC Two HD) between 5 February and 12 March 2014.{{cite news|title= Inside No. 9 debuts with 1.1m|author= Parker, Robin|newspaper= Broadcast|date= 6 February 2014|url= http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/ratings/inside-no-9-debuts-with-11m/5066284.article?blocktitle=Ratings&contentID=39826|access-date= 6 February 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140304195557/http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/ratings/inside-no-9-debuts-with-11m/5066284.article?blocktitle=Ratings&contentID=39826|archive-date= 4 March 2014|url-status= live}}{{subscription required}}{{cite news|title= C4 space season blasts off with 1.6m|newspaper= Broadcast|author= Farber, Alex|date= 13 March 2014|access-date= 18 April 2014|url= http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/ratings/c4-space-season-blasts-off-with-16m/5068601.article|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140419015214/http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/ratings/c4-space-season-blasts-off-with-16m/5068601.article|archive-date= 19 April 2014|url-status= live}}{{subscription required}} It was aired in Australia on BBC First, premiering on 5 January 2015.{{cite news|title= Monday|newspaper= The Canberra Times|date=5 January 2015|page= C008}} The second series aired in the UK from 26 March to 29 April 2015,{{citation needed|date=July 2015}} and aired in Australia from 27 July 2015.{{cite news|title= Pay TV highlights; Pay to view|author=Enker, Debi|newspaper= Green Guide, The Age|date= 23 July 2015|page=16}}

The first series was released on DVD on 17 March 2014. In addition to the six episodes, the DVD featured the making of feature "Inside Inside No. 9", including unseen interviews with Pemberton, Shearsmith and Kerr, and a photo gallery with previously unreleased photos.{{cite news|title= BBC Two's dark comedy Inside No.9 comes out on DVD|publisher= BBC|date= 18 March 2014|access-date= 23 April 2014|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/worldwide/050314no9.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140330142140/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/worldwide/050314no9.html|archive-date= 30 March 2014|url-status= live}} Published by 2 Entertain,{{cite news|title= Inside No. 9; DVD 2Entertain|author=Walsh, Ben|newspaper= Features, The Independent|date= 16 March 2014|page=10}} the DVD was rated 18 by the British Board of Film Classification. To publicise the DVD, the writers appeared at the Oxford Street, London, branch of HMV for a signing event on 20 March.{{cite news|title= Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith – Inside No. 9 DVD signing|newspaper= Time Out London|author= Williams, Ben|year= 2014|access-date= 18 May 2014|url= https://www.timeout.com/london/comedy/steve-pemberton-and-reece-shearsmith-inside-no-9-dvd-signing|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140518205243/http://www.timeout.com/london/comedy/steve-pemberton-and-reece-shearsmith-inside-no-9-dvd-signing|archive-date= 18 May 2014|url-status= live}} The DVD was reviewed by David Upton for webzine PopMatters, who gave the main feature an 8/10 rating, and the extras a 5/10 rating, and Ben Walsh for The Independent, who gave the DVD overall 4/5. Phelim O'Neill, reviewing the release for The Guardian, described the boxset as "very lendable", suggesting that it would help Inside No. 9 reach a wider audience.{{cite news|title= Inside No 9: a gutsy dark comedy of misery and mayhem – box set review|url= https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/jul/31/inside-no-9-box-set-review-reece-shearsmith-steve-pemberton-league-of-gentlemen|newspaper= The Guardian|date= 31 July 2014|access-date= 3 August 2014|author= O'Neill, Phelim|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150320080407/http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/jul/31/inside-no-9-box-set-review-reece-shearsmith-steve-pemberton-league-of-gentlemen|archive-date= 20 March 2015|url-status= live}} South African newspapers The Sunday Times and The Star both published positive reviews of the DVD, with The Star{{'}}s anonymous review saying the DVD "makes a great prezzie for cynics, so if you know any lawyers or journalists...".{{cite news|title= Humour so dark it'll leave you astonished|date= 23 August 2014|newspaper= The Star}}{{cite news|title= Inside No 9|author= de Groot, Sue|newspaper= The Sunday Times|date= 17 August 2014}} The second series was released on DVD on 4 May 2015. A review in the Leicester Mercury awarded it four out of five stars.{{cite news|title= DVD reviews: Birdman, Unbroken and Inside No. 9|url= http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/DVD-reviews-Birdman-Unbroken-Inside-9/story-26400090-detail/story.html|date= 3 May 2015|access-date= 27 July 2015|newspaper= Leicester Mercury|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150507001126/http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/DVD-reviews-Birdman-Unbroken-Inside-9/story-26400090-detail/story.html|archive-date= 7 May 2015|df= dmy-all}} The advent of Series 3 saw Series 1 & 2 released on Blu-ray on 13 February 2017. Series 3 was issued on 27 March 2017 on DVD and Blu-ray. The complete series 4 was released on DVD and Blu-ray on 12 February 2018, while series 5 was released only on DVD 23 March 2020, there is no Blu-ray release as of now for series 5.

The scripts of the first three series were released by Hodder & Stoughton in 2020, with scripts of the following three series released in 2022. A book detailing the production history of Series 1 to 5, The Insider's Guide To Inside No. 9 by Mark Salisbury, was released in 2021.

Many critics responded very positively to Inside No. 9. The overall series has a 100% score at Rotten Tomatoes.{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |id=inside_no_9 |type=tv |title=Inside No. 9 |access-date=August 9, 2023}} Commentators have described it as "never less-than-captivating" and "consistently compelling", offering particularly strong praise for "The 12 Days of Christine", "The Riddle of the Sphinx" and "Dead Line".{{cite news |last1=Aroseti |first1=Rachel |title=Inside No 9: the 10 best episodes so far |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/oct/24/inside-no-9-halloween-special-10-best-episodes-so-far |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=31 October 2018 |date=24 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030220302/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/oct/24/inside-no-9-halloween-special-10-best-episodes-so-far |archive-date=30 October 2018 |url-status=live }} Inside No. 9 won the Sketch and Comedy prize at the 35th annual Banff World Media Festival Rockie Awards, and won the comedy prize at the 2016 Rose d'Or ceremony. It was nominated for the Best TV Sitcom prize at the 2014 Freesat Awards, the Broadcast Award for Best Original Programme, and at the 2014 British Comedy Awards for both the Best New Comedy Programme and the Best Comedy Drama. In the Comedy.co.uk Awards it was voted "Best TV Comedy Drama" in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, and was named "Comedy of the Year" in 2017 and 2018. The series has received three nominations at the British Academy Television Awards. In 2019, Pemberton won Best Male Comedy Performance.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bafta.org/television/awards/male-performance-in-a-comedy-programme-1|title=MALE PERFORMANCE IN A COMEDY PROGRAMME - STEVE PEMBERTON Inside No. 9|date=28 March 2019|website=Bafta.org|access-date=26 April 2022}} In 2021, Shearsmith was nominated for the same award and the show won Best Scripted Comedy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bafta.org/television/awards/tv-2021|title = BAFTA TV 2021: The Winners and Nominations for the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards and British Academy Television Craft Awards|date = 28 April 2021}}

After the final episode of the first series, the comedic critic Bruce Dessau said on his website that it had "really set an early benchmark to beat for comedy of the year. It has been consistently compelling as each week we entered an entirely different world." On the same day, David Chater, writing in The Times, said of the series as a whole that "[i]t's hard to know which to admire more – the rich and perverse imaginations of Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith or the extraordinary range of acting talent that has brought this strange and memorable series to life."{{cite news|title= Viewing guide|author= Chater, David|newspaper= T2, The Times|date= 12 March 2014|pages=12–3}} Chater had previously described "A Quiet Night In", the second episode of Inside No. 9, as "the funniest, cleverest, most imaginative and original television I have seen for as long as I can remember – one of those fabulous programmes where time stands still and the world around you disappears".{{cite news|author=Chater, David|title= Viewing guide|newspaper= T2, The Times|date= 12 February 2014|pages=12–3}} Mark Jones (The Guardian) considered the whole series, saying that the Inside No. 9 was "never less-than-captivating",{{cite news|title= Television: Wednesday 12|author1=Arnold, Ben |author2=Robinson, John |author3=Stubbs, David |author4=Catterall, Ali |author5=Jones, Mark |author6=Verdier, Hannah |author7=Davies, Hannah J. |author8=Bakare, Lanre |newspaper= The Guide, The Guardian|page= 64|date= 8 March 2014}} while a review in the Liverpool Echo described every episode as "intriguing and lovingly-crafted", though it was felt that the first three episodes were stronger than the latter three.{{cite news|title= Every episode was intriguing and ... |newspaper= Liverpool Echo|date=15 March 2014|page=20}} In December 2014, Metro television critic Keith Watson named Inside No. 9 the twentieth best television programme of 2014,{{cite news|title= Watson the box|author= Watson, Keith|date= 22 December 2014|newspaper= Metro|page=37}} and in January 2015, Daily Star Sunday columnist Garry Bushell named Inside No. 9 the best comedy TV programme of 2014.{{cite news|title= Picking my top TV was mighty wench|newspaper= Daily Star Sunday|date= 4 January 2015|author= Bushell, Garry|author-link= Garry Bushell|page= 21}}

Writing before Inside No. 9 was televised, broadcaster and journalist Mark Lawson suggested that, among anthology series, the programme possessed "the potential to be remembered as a singular achievement". Commending both the acting and writing of Inside No. 9, New Statesman television critic Rachel Cooke offered a positive verdict of the programme after seeing the first half of the series. Cooke expressed particular admiration of Pemberton and Shearsmith's ability to squeeze "perfectly formed narratives – characters with proper backstories, scenarios that are complicated and unwind relatively slowly – into just 30 minutes".{{cite journal|title= Precision made|author=Cooke, Rachel|author-link=Rachel Cooke|journal=New Statesman|date=21 February 2014|volume=143|issue=7|page=55}} Also writing mid-series, journalist Gareth Lightfoot called Inside No. 9 "hands down the best, freshest thing on [television] at the moment" in the Evening Gazette, though he doubted whether it could truly be considered comedy.{{cite news|title= Don't make me laugh|newspaper= Evening Gazette|date= 22 February 2014|author= Lightfoot, Gareth|page=21}}

Donal Lynch, of Irish newspaper the Sunday Independent, suggested that, like the previous work of Pemberton and Shearsmith, Inside No. 9 may be something of "a cult hit/acquired taste".{{cite news|title= TV of the week; Appointment to View with Donal Lynch|author= Lynch, Donal|author-link= Donal Lynch|newspaper= Living, Sunday Independent|date= 9 March 2014|page=36}} Barry Didcock, of The Herald, expressed a similar sentiment, calling Inside No. 9 "probably the most Marmitey programme on television".{{cite news|title= Police line far from straight|author= Didcock, Barry|newspaper= The Herald|date= 5 March 2014|page= 21}} The Times published a response to a complaint received from a viewer, who was unhappy with Chater's positive reviews of Inside No. 9, suggesting that "A Quiet Night In" was more traumatic than humorous.{{cite news|url= https://www.thetimes.com/article/why-it-has-been-all-quiet-on-the-royal-front-7jjz0wqpgf5|title= Why it has been all quiet on the royal front|author= Wild, Rose|date= 15 February 2014|access-date= 21 February 2014|newspaper= The Times|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140304010344/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/feedback/article4005992.ece|archive-date= 4 March 2014|url-status= live}}{{subscription required}} Sam Wollaston, television critic for The Guardian, noted that humour is extremely personal, and though he could appreciate much about Inside No. 9, he had never liked Pemberton and Shearsmith's work: "I'm sure I'll be crucified – probably quite rightly – but I don't love Inside No 9."{{cite news|title= Inside No 9 review – the couchette is crammed with comic characters, but I'm just not laughing|newspaper= The Guardian|author= Wollaston, Sam|date= 27 March 2015|access-date= 29 March 2015|url= https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/mar/27/inside-no-9-couchette-shearsmith-pemberton-review|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150329080803/http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/mar/27/inside-no-9-couchette-shearsmith-pemberton-review|archive-date= 29 March 2015|url-status= live}} Some tabloid columnists also expressed dissatisfaction with the programme. Virginia Blackburn, of the Daily Express, wrote a highly critical review of "Last Gasp". Blackburn considered Inside No. 9 an example of the weakness of contemporary television comedy, saying that the episode is "not funny, it's not clever and is so utterly, irredeemably, naffly silly that it ends up being incredibly irritating and nothing else".{{cite news|author= Blackburn, Virginia|title= It's 'humour' for juveniles|newspaper= Daily Express|date= 27 February 2014|page= 49}} Another journalist unimpressed was the Daily Mirror columnist Kevin O'Sullivan, who dismissed the programme by saying simply "BBC2's alleged comedy Inside No. 9: didn't even smile".{{Cite news|title= TV dross ... |newspaper=Daily Mirror|date= 9 February 2014|author=O'Sullivan, Kevin|page= 35}}

Cooke observed the difficulty in reviewing Inside No. 9 as a whole due to the fact that each episode is different from the last. "Sardines" was commended for its cast and acting,{{cite news|author=Kendall, Paul|title=Inside No9, BBC Two, review|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=5 February 2014|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/tv-and-radio-reviews/10620378/Inside-No9-BBC-Two-review.html|access-date=6 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140206083743/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/tv-and-radio-reviews/10620378/Inside-No9-BBC-Two-review.html|archive-date=6 February 2014|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}{{cite news|title=Inside No 9: Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton unnerve viewers |url=http://tv.uk.msn.com/what-to-watch/inside-no-9-reece-shearsmith-and-steve-pemberton-unnerve-viewers |publisher=MSN |author=Owen, Dan |date=29 January 2014 |access-date=7 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222224612/http://tv.uk.msn.com/what-to-watch/inside-no-9-reece-shearsmith-and-steve-pemberton-unnerve-viewers |archive-date=22 February 2014 }}{{cite news|title= Pick of the Day; Wednesday 5; Inside No 9 BBC Two, 10pm|newspaper= Saturday Review. The Times|date= 1 February 2014|page=40}} as well as the scripting, but critics had a mixed response to the twist ending. "A Quiet Night In" was a change in approach, relying on physical comedy,{{cite news|author= Dessau, Bruce|author-link= Bruce Dessau|title= Review: Inside No. 9: A Quiet Night In, BBC2|url= http://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/review-inside-no-9-quiet-night-bbc2|date= February 2014|publisher= Beyondthejoke.com|access-date= 19 February 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150119000837/http://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/review-inside-no-9-quiet-night-bbc2|archive-date= 19 January 2015|url-status= live}} but it was well received as funny,{{cite news|title= Television; the best of what's on|date= 12 February 2014|newspaper= Metro|pages= 42–3}} and inventive.{{cite news|title= Inside No 9; Series 1 – 2. A Quiet Night In|url= http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/cssgnh/inside-no-9--series-1---2-a-quiet-night-in|newspaper= Radio Times|date= 3 February 2014|author= Seale, Jack|access-date= 13 February 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150106113048/http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/cssgnh/inside-no-9--series-1---2-a-quiet-night-in|archive-date= 6 January 2015|url-status= live}} "Tom & Gerri" was less comedic but darker than previous episodes;{{cite news|title= Inside Number 9, TV review: Not in the slightest bit funny, but that's no complaint|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/inside-number-9-tv-review-not-in-the-slightest-bit-funny-but-thats-no-complaint-9139516.html|author= Dean, Will|date= 19 February 2014|access-date= 20 February 2014|newspaper= The Independent|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140228092419/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/inside-number-9-tv-review-not-in-the-slightest-bit-funny-but-thats-no-complaint-9139516.html|archive-date= 28 February 2014|url-status= live}}{{cite news|title= Review: Inside No. 9: Tom & Gerri, BBC2|url= http://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/review-inside-no-9-tom-gerri-bbc2|author= Dessau, Bruce|author-link= Bruce Dessau|publisher= Beyondthejoke.co.uk|date= February 2014|access-date= 20 February 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140419110654/http://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/review-inside-no-9-tom-gerri-bbc2|archive-date= 19 April 2014|url-status= live}}{{cite news|title= Brit Awards, Inside No.9 and The Truth About Webcam Girls: TV picks|newspaper= Metro|date= 19 February 2014|access-date= 20 February 2014|url= http://metro.co.uk/2014/02/19/brit-awards-inside-no-9-and-the-truth-about-webcam-girls-tv-picks-4308755/|author1= Carter, Carol|author2= Ivan-Zadeh, Larushka|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140219223008/http://metro.co.uk/2014/02/19/brit-awards-inside-no-9-and-the-truth-about-webcam-girls-tv-picks-4308755/|archive-date= 19 February 2014|url-status= live}} critics commended the plot,{{Cite news|title= Last night's TV: First Dates|url= https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/last-nights-tv-first-dates-wbn3w5c7gvs|author= Billen, Andrew|date= 20 February 2014|access-date= 21 February 2014|newspaper= The Times|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140304062413/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/tv-radio/reviews/article4010302.ece|archive-date= 4 March 2014|url-status= live}}{{subscription required}}{{cite news|author=Seale, Jack|url= http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/csx7mr/inside-no-9--series-1---3-tom--gerri|title= Inside No 9 – Series 1 – 3. Tom & Gerri|newspaper= Radio Times|access-date= 20 February 2014|year=2014}} but disagreed about the portrayal of mental illness in the episode. Less horrific than other episodes in the series, "Last Gasp" dealt with themes of celebrity culture and fandom,{{cite news|author=Chater, David|title= Viewing guide|newspaper= T2, The Times|pages= 12–3|date= 26 February 2014}}{{cite news|title= Now the league of thieves|author=McQuillan, Rebecca|newspaper= The Herald|date= 26 February 2014|page= 19 (TVP)}} and was considered a weaker instalment.{{cite web|title= Review: Inside No 9: The Last Gasp, BBC2|url= http://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/review-inside-no-9-last-gasp-bbc2|author= Dessau, Bruce|author-link= Bruce Dessau|publisher= BeyondTheJoke.co.uk|date= February 2014|access-date= 1 March 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150418153336/http://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/review-inside-no-9-last-gasp-bbc2|archive-date= 18 April 2015|url-status= live}}{{cite news|title= Critic's choice|newspaper= The Independent|author= Gilbert, Gerard|date= 26 February 2014|page=26}}{{cite news|title= Series 1 – 4. Last Gasp|url= http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/cs5xcw/inside-no-9--series-1---4-last-gasp|author= Seale, Jack|date= 16 February 2014|access-date= 1 March 2014|newspaper= Radio Times|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140302081657/http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/cs5xcw/inside-no-9--series-1---4-last-gasp|archive-date= 2 March 2014|url-status= live}} Critics called "The Understudy" a "return to form".{{cite news|author= Dessau, Bruce|author-link= Bruce Dessau|title= Preview: Inside No 9: The Understudy, BBC2|date= 5 March 2014|access-date= 10 March 2014|publisher= Beyondthejoke.co.uk|url= http://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/preview-inside-no-9-understudy-bbc2|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140313170829/http://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/preview-inside-no-9-understudy-bbc2|archive-date= 13 March 2014|url-status= live}}{{cite news|title= Critic's choice|author=Gilbert, Gerard|date= 5 March 2014|newspaper= The Independent|page= 28}}{{cite news|title= This week's TV and radio|author=Gilbert, Gerard|date= 2 March 2014|newspaper= The Independent|page= 12}} While it was based upon Macbeth, a knowledge of the play was not necessary for enjoyment,{{cite news|author= Seale, Jack|title= Series 1 – 5. The Understudy|url= http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/ctbpb5/inside-no-9--series-1---5-the-understudy|newspaper= Radio Times|year= 2014|access-date= 10 March 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140308035427/http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/ctbpb5/inside-no-9--series-1---5-the-understudy|archive-date= 8 March 2014|url-status= live}} and the plot's divergence from the play was praised.{{cite news|title=Viewing guide; Wednesday 5|author=Chater, David|newspaper= Saturday Review, The Times|page=40|date=1 March 2013}}{{cite news|title= Inside No 9|newspaper= Sunday Herald|date= 2 March 2014|page= 9 (HS – Features)}}{{cite news|title= Viewing guide|author= Chater, David|newspaper= T2, The Times|date= 5 March 2014|pages= 12–3}} "The Harrowing" was the most horrific episode of the series,{{cite news|title= Viewing guide|author=Chater, David|newspaper=T2, The Times|pages=12–3|date=12 March 2014}}{{cite web|author= Seale, Jack|title= Inside No 9; Series 1 – 6. The Harrowing|newspaper= Radio Times|url= http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/cthfw7/inside-no-9--series-1---6-the-harrowing|access-date=18 April 2014|year=2014}} and was considered genuinely scary by critics.{{cite web|author= Dessau, Bruce|author-link= Bruce Dessau|title= Preview: Inside No 9: The Harrowing, BBC2|url= http://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/690/preview-inside-no-9-harrowing-bbc2|publisher= Beyondthejoke.co.uk|date= 12 March 2014|access-date= 18 April 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140419015128/http://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/690/preview-inside-no-9-harrowing-bbc2|archive-date= 19 April 2014|url-status= live}}{{cite news|author= Hoskins, Alex|title= Inside No 9 review, series 1 episode 6|url= http://www.cheddarvalleygazette.co.uk/INSIDE-9-review-series-1-episode-6/story-20800544-detail/story.html|newspaper= Cheddar Valley Gazette|date= 12 March 2014|access-date= 18 April 2014|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140418233742/http://www.cheddarvalleygazette.co.uk/INSIDE-9-review-series-1-episode-6/story-20800544-detail/story.html|archive-date= 18 April 2014|df= dmy-all}}{{cite news|title= Choice; Wednesday 12 March|author1=James, Martin |author2=Kinnes, Sally |author3=Clarke, Mel |date= 9 March 2014|newspaper= Culture, The Sunday Times|pages=56–7}}

"La Couchette" was characterised by critics as strong and funny, with praise directed at the cast and script.{{cite news|title= Inside No 9, series 2, episode 1, review: 'deliciously wicked'|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/tv-and-radio-reviews/11497937/Inside-Number-9-series-2-episode-1-review.html|author= Tate, Gabriel|date= 26 March 2015|access-date= 28 March 2015|newspaper= The Daily Telegraph|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150328044846/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/tv-and-radio-reviews/11497937/Inside-Number-9-series-2-episode-1-review.html|archive-date= 28 March 2015|url-status= live}}{{subscription required}}{{cite news|title= Viewing guide|newspaper= T2, The Times|date= 26 March 2015|author= Chater, David|pages= 12–3}}{{cite news|title= Inside No 9, TV review: Toilet humour with a twist – Pemberton and Shearsmith are in a different league|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/inside-no-9-tv-review-toilet-humour-with-a-twist--pemberton-and-shearsmith-are-in-a-different-league-10137194.html|newspaper= The Independent|author= Jones, Ellen E.|date= 27 March 2015|access-date= 29 March 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150330003056/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/inside-no-9-tv-review-toilet-humour-with-a-twist--pemberton-and-shearsmith-are-in-a-different-league-10137194.html|archive-date= 30 March 2015|url-status= live}}{{cite news|title= The week in TV: Coalition; Outlander; Inside No 9; Teens; The Royals|url= https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/mar/29/coalition-drama-review-outlander-caitriona-balfe-inside-no-9-reece-shearsmith-royals-hurley|date= 29 March 2015|access-date= 29 March 2015|newspaper= The Guardian|author= Ferguson, Euan|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150413115905/http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/mar/29/coalition-drama-review-outlander-caitriona-balfe-inside-no-9-reece-shearsmith-royals-hurley|archive-date= 13 April 2015|url-status= live}} "The 12 Days of Christine" was hailed as "masterpiece" and "a quiet elegy, terse and polished, in many ways perfect".{{cite news|author= Billen, Andrew|author-link= Andrew Billen|title= TV review: Inside No 9|newspaper= The Times|date= 2 April 2015|access-date= 2 April 2015|url= https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/tv-review-inside-no-9-8rq2vtbxw0x|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150403121412/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/tv-radio/reviews/article4400600.ece|archive-date= 3 April 2015|url-status= live}}{{subscription required}}{{cite news|author= Wilson, Benji|title= Inside No. 9, BBC Two, review: 'sadly beautiful'|newspaper= The Daily Telegraph|date= 2 April 2015|access-date= 2 April 2014|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/tv-and-radio-reviews/11511996/Inside-No.-9-BBC-Two-review.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150404182656/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/tv-and-radio-reviews/11511996/Inside-No.-9-BBC-Two-review.html|archive-date= 4 April 2015|url-status= live}}{{subscription required}} The emotional script, poignancy of the ending and performance of the cast, especially Smith, was highly praised.{{cite news|author= Bennion, Chris|title= Inside No.9, The 12 Days of Christine, TV review: Sheridan Smith stars in one of the best pieces of television for years|newspaper= The Independent|access-date= 3 April 2015|date= 2 April 2015|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/inside-no9-the-12-days-of-christine-tv-review-sheridan-smith-stars-in-one-of-the-best-pieces-of-television-for-years-10152295.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150403050026/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/inside-no9-the-12-days-of-christine-tv-review-sheridan-smith-stars-in-one-of-the-best-pieces-of-television-for-years-10152295.html|archive-date= 3 April 2015|url-status= live}} "The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge" was compared unfavourably with the previous two episodes by some critics,{{cite news|title= Inside No 9, series 2, episode 3, BBC Two, review: 'occasionally funny'|newspaper= The Daily Telegraph|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/tv-and-radio-reviews/11525838/Inside-No-9-series-2-episode-3-BBC-Two-review-occasionally-funny.html|author= Hawksley, Rupert|date= 9 April 2015|access-date= 12 April 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150413012718/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/tv-and-radio-reviews/11525838/Inside-No-9-series-2-episode-3-BBC-Two-review-occasionally-funny.html|archive-date= 13 April 2015|url-status= live}}{{subscription required}}{{cite news|title=Inside No. 9, 2.3 – 'The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge'|date=10 April 2015|author=Owen, Dan|publisher=Dan's Media Digest|url=http://danowen.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/inside-no-9-2x3-trial-of-elizabeth-gadge.html|access-date=7 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418221503/http://danowen.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/inside-no-9-2x3-trial-of-elizabeth-gadge.html|archive-date=18 April 2015|url-status=live}} though the writers were characterised as having displayed their versatility and ability with the atypical setting and language.{{cite news|title= Choice; Thursday 9 April|author1=Dugdale, John |author2=Raeside, Julia |date=5 April 2015|newspaper= Culture, The Sunday Times|pages=60–1}} Critics had a mixed response to the episode's humour,{{Cite news|title= Intrigue, unease and emotional intensity: have you been watching Inside No 9?|author= Raeside, Julia|work= The Guardian|url= https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2015/apr/29/intrigue-unease-and-emotional-intensity-have-you-been-watching-inside-no-9|date= 29 April 2015|access-date= 7 June 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150601021950/http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2015/apr/29/intrigue-unease-and-emotional-intensity-have-you-been-watching-inside-no-9|archive-date= 1 June 2015|url-status= live}}{{cite news|title=Inside No 9, The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge, TV review: Quintessentially barmy British comedy|newspaper=The Independent|author=Debnath, Neela|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/inside-no-9-the-trial-of-elizabeth-gadge-tv-review-quintessentially-barmy-british-comedy-10165039.html|date=9 April 2015|access-date=12 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414023343/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/inside-no-9-the-trial-of-elizabeth-gadge-tv-review-quintessentially-barmy-british-comedy-10165039.html|archive-date=14 April 2015|url-status=live}} but praised the performance of the cast.{{cite news|title= Thursday's best TV; Inside No. 9|author= Wright, Jonathan|url= https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/apr/09/thursdays-best-tv-inside-no-9-torville-dean-mad-men|work= The Guardian|date= 9 April 2015|access-date= 7 June 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150607000716/http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/apr/09/thursdays-best-tv-inside-no-9-torville-dean-mad-men|archive-date= 7 June 2015|url-status= live}} "Cold Comfort" was generally praised, though also characterised as weaker than other episodes in the series.{{cite news|title= Thursdays best TV; Inside No 9|url= https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/apr/16/thursdays-best-tv-election-debate-banished|author= Robinson, John|date= 16 April 2015|access-date= 17 April 2015|work= The Guardian|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150417085031/http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/apr/16/thursdays-best-tv-election-debate-banished|archive-date= 17 April 2015|url-status= live}}{{cite news|author= Billen, Andrew|author-link= Andrew Billen|title= TV review: The Secret Life of the Pub; Inside No 9|newspaper= The Times|date= 17 April 2015|access-date= 17 April 2015|url= https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/tv-review-the-secret-life-of-the-pub-inside-no-9-wvqqtxgvsv7|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150417002838/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/tv-radio/reviews/article4413528.ece|archive-date= 17 April 2015|url-status= live}}{{subscription required}}{{cite news|title= Viewing guide|author=Chater, David|newspaper= T2, The Times|date= 16 April 2015|pages=12–3}} The unusual filming style was commended,{{cite web|title= Inside No. 9 series 2 episode 4: Cold Comfort review|url= https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/inside-no-9/35013/inside-no-9-series-2-episode-4-cold-comfort-review|publisher= Den of Geek|author= Boyd, Phoebe-Jane|date= 17 April 2015|access-date= 17 April 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150417235356/http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/inside-no-9/35013/inside-no-9-series-2-episode-4-cold-comfort-review|archive-date= 17 April 2015|url-status= live}}{{cite web|title= TV Preview: Inside No. 9 – Cold Comfort, BBC2|url= http://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/1601/tv-preview-inside-no-9-%E2%80%93-cold-comfort-bbc2|author= Dessau, Bruce|author-link= Bruce Dessau|date= 15 April 2015|access-date= 16 April 2015|publisher= Beyondthejoke.co.uk|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150416084217/http://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/1601/tv-preview-inside-no-9-%E2%80%93-cold-comfort-bbc2|archive-date= 16 April 2015|url-status= live}} but there was a mixed response to the episode's ending.{{Cite news|title=Inside No. 9, Nana's Party, TV review: League of Gentleman's Reece Shearsmith steals the show in this very clever drama|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/inside-no-9-nanas-party-tv-review-league-of-gentlemans-reece-shearsmith-steals-the-show-in-this-very-clever-drama-10198393.html|newspaper=The Independent|date=23 April 2015|access-date=18 July 2015|author=Bennion, Chris|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712221156/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/inside-no-9-nanas-party-tv-review-league-of-gentlemans-reece-shearsmith-steals-the-show-in-this-very-clever-drama-10198393.html|archive-date=12 July 2015|url-status=live}} "Nana's Party" received high praise for its script and characters, and for the cast's performances.{{cite news|author=Mulkern, Patrick|title= Inside No 9; Series 2 – 5. Nana's Party|work=Radio Times|access-date= 28 June 2015|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/dj8rbs/inside-no-9--series-2---5-nanas-party}}{{Cite news|author=Chater, David|title= Viewing guide; Thursday 23|newspaper= Saturday Review, The Times|date=18 April 2015|page=44}}{{cite news|author1=Dugdale, John |author2=Raeside, Julia |title= Choice; Thursday 23 April|date=19 April 2015|newspaper= Culture, The Sunday Times|pages=60–1}} "Séance Time" was praised as well written and genuinely frightening, while Alison Steadman's performance being picked out for commendation by many critics.{{cite news|author=Mulkern, Patrick|newspaper=Radio Times|title= Inside No 9; Series 2 – 6. Seance Time|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/dkfgtf/inside-no-9--series-2---6-seance-time|access-date=22 July 2015}}{{cite news|author=Bennion, Chris|title=Inside No.9, S2Ep6, Séance Time, TV review: Hide behind your sofas this is horror with a capital AHHH!|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/inside-no9-sance-time-tv-review-hide-behind-your-sofas-this-is-horror-with-a-capital-ahhh-10212784.html|newspaper=The Independent|date=29 April 2015|access-date=22 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723125000/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/inside-no9-sance-time-tv-review-hide-behind-your-sofas-this-is-horror-with-a-capital-ahhh-10212784.html|archive-date=23 July 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite news|author=Baylis, Matt|author-link=Matt Baylis|title= Sadly, it's a bit of a plod|newspaper= Scottish Express|page=39|date=30 April 2015}}{{cite news|author1=Segal, Victoria|author2= Raeside, Julia|title= Choice; Wednesday 29 April|newspaper= Culture, The Sunday Times|pages=56–7|date=26 April 2015}}

In a 2018 article for Salon, American writer Mary Elizabeth Williams described the series as "the best show you're not watching" and "brilliant, black-humored, taut format horror for people who enjoy the occasional potty-joke".{{cite web|url=https://www.salon.com/2018/04/07/the-best-show-youre-not-watching-is-the-uk-import-inside-no-9/|title=The best show you're not watching is the UK import "Inside No. 9"|last=Williams|first=Mary Elizabeth|author-link=Mary Elizabeth Williams|date=7 April 2018|website=Salon|access-date=8 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407215401/https://www.salon.com/2018/04/07/the-best-show-youre-not-watching-is-the-uk-import-inside-no-9/|archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=live}} In 2019, Inside No. 9 was ranked 66th on The Guardian's list of the 100 best TV shows of the 21st century.{{cite web |title=The 100 best TV shows of the 21st century |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/sep/16/100-best-tv-shows-of-the-21st-century |website=The Guardian |date=16 September 2019 |access-date=23 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101054025/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/sep/16/100-best-tv-shows-of-the-21st-century |archive-date=1 November 2019 |url-status=live }}

Reviewing the first episode of the 2024 final series for The Guardian, Rachel Aroesti said, "Unlike other episodes, which are often littered with handbrake turns, this time we end up sitting tight for the big reveal. And it’s completely unguessable – that violent shift in perspective executed with aplomb."{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/article/2024/may/08/inside-no-9-review-nothing-short-of-miraculous|title=Inside No 9 review – nothing short of miraculous|first=Rachel|last=Aroesti|date=8 May 2024|newspaper=The Guardian}}

The broadcast of the last ever episode, on 12 June 2024, was anticipated in several media reports.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/inside-no-9-bbc-final-episode-b2560505.html|title=Why the Inside No 9 finale must be watched live|date=12 June 2024|website=The Independent}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/article/2024/jun/12/tv-tonight-its-the-last-ever-episode-of-inside-no-9|title=TV tonight: it's the last ever episode of Inside No 9|first1=Hollie|last1=Richardson|first2=Graeme|last2=Virtue|first3=Hannah|last3=Verdier|first4=Ali|last4=Catterall|first5=Simon|last5=Wardell|date=12 June 2024|newspaper=The Guardian}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2024/06/09/55782/inside_no_9s_final_twist|title=Inside No 9's final twist : News 2024 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide|first=Steve|last=Bennett|website=www.chortle.co.uk}}

{{update|date=May 2019}}

Despite the generally positive reception among critics and viewers,{{cite news|title= Inside No 9 star Steve Pemberton offers own breath for sale on eBay|newspaper= Metro|date= 1 March 2014|url= http://metro.co.uk/2014/03/01/inside-no-9-star-steve-pemberton-offers-own-breath-for-sale-on-ebay-4359756/|access-date= 10 March 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140309092854/http://metro.co.uk/2014/03/01/inside-no-9-star-steve-pemberton-offers-own-breath-for-sale-on-ebay-4359756/|archive-date= 9 March 2014|url-status= live}} the viewing figures for the first series were poor. The average viewing figures for the series were 904,000 people, or 4.9% of the audience, lower than the slot average of 970,000 (5.1% of the audience). The series had a strong start, with 1.1 million viewers, which was 5.6% of the audience, watching "Sardines". The series low was the fifth episode, "The Understudy", which attracted 720,000 viewers (4.1% of the audience).{{cite news|title= Inside No 9, First Dates and Suspects dip to lows|author= Farber, Alex|url= http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/ratings/inside-no-9-first-dates-and-suspects-dip-to-lows/5068131.article?blocktitle=Ratings&contentID=39826|newspaper= Broadcast|date= 27 February 2014|access-date= 1 March 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140420043255/http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/ratings/inside-no-9-first-dates-and-suspects-dip-to-lows/5068131.article?blocktitle=Ratings&contentID=39826|archive-date= 20 April 2014|url-status= live}}{{subscription required}}{{cite news|title= Family Guy on top for BBC3|url= http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/ratings/family-guy-on-top-for-bbc3/5068375.article|date= 6 March 2014|author= Farber, Alex|access-date= 10 March 2014|newspaper= Broadcast|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140422232708/http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/ratings/family-guy-on-top-for-bbc3/5068375.article|archive-date= 22 April 2014|url-status= live}}{{subscription required}} The highest ratings were achieved by The Bones of St. Nicholas with 2.7 million viewers watching within 28 days of broadcast.

Inside No. 9 won the Sketch and Comedy prize at the 35th annual Banff World Media Festival Rockie Awards.{{cite news|title=Winners of Rockie Awards announced |author=Wong, Henry |publisher=Banff World Media Festival |date=9 June 2014 |url=http://banffmediafestival.com/rockie-award-category-winners-announced/ |access-date=11 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626103548/http://banffmediafestival.com/rockie-award-category-winners-announced/ |archive-date=26 June 2014 }} The other nominees were Do I Have to Take Care of Everything?, It's a Date, Tiny Plastic Men, Gangsta Granny and The Revolution Will Be Televised.{{cite news|title= Nominees for the Banff World Media Festival Rockie Awards announced|url= https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/nominees-for-the-35th-annual-banff-world-media-festival-rockie-awards-announced-1201172285/|newspaper= Variety|date= 6 May 2014|author= Saval, Malina|access-date= 6 June 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140607005637/http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/nominees-for-the-35th-annual-banff-world-media-festival-rockie-awards-announced-1201172285/|archive-date= 7 June 2014|url-status= live}} In response to the nomination, Shearsmith tweeted that he was "[t]hrilled", joking that the programme was "in 'Comedy'. I knew it was one".{{cite web|title= Thrilled 'Inside No 9' is...|format= tweet|author= Shearsmith, Reece|date= 9 May 2014|url= https://twitter.com/reeceshearsmith/status/464814508708749312|access-date= 29 April 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160415173218/https://twitter.com/reeceshearsmith/status/464814508708749312|archive-date= 15 April 2016|url-status= live}} Inside No. 9 was also nominated for Best TV Sitcom at the 2014 Freesat Awards,{{cite web|url=http://www.freesat.co.uk/awards/categories/tv-sitcom|title=TV sitcom nominees|publisher=Freesat|access-date=19 June 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419050429/http://www.freesat.co.uk/awards/categories/tv-sitcom|archive-date=19 April 2014}} which celebrate the best of free British television. The programme lost to BBC2's The Wrong Mans, as determined by a panel made up of television experts and commentators.{{cite news|title= BBC2's Line of Duty beats Sherlock to Best Drama at Freesat 2014 awards|publisher= MSN|url= http://tv.uk.msn.com/features/bbc2s-line-of-duty-beats-sherlock-to-best-drama-at-freesat-2014-awards|date= 18 June 2014|access-date= 19 June 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140621042553/http://tv.uk.msn.com/features/bbc2s-line-of-duty-beats-sherlock-to-best-drama-at-freesat-2014-awards|archive-date= 21 June 2014|url-status= dead}}{{Cite news|title= Doctor Who wins best TV series at the Freesat Awards|url= http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-06-18/doctor-who-wins-best-tv-series-at-the-freesat-awards|newspaper= Radio Times|date= 18 June 2014|access-date= 19 June 2014|author= Walker-Arnott, Ellie}} In November 2014, it was announced that Inside No. 9 had been shortlisted for the 2015 Broadcast Award for Best Original Programme.{{cite news|title=Broadcast Awards 2015 Shortlist |newspaper=Broadcast |url=http://www.broadcastawards.co.uk/1275620 |access-date=30 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205133443/http://www.broadcastawards.co.uk/1275620 |archive-date=5 December 2014 }} At the award ceremony in London on 4 February 2015, Glasgow Girls was granted the award, but Inside No. 9 was highly commended.{{cite web|title=Winners 2015 |newspaper=Broadcast |date=4 February 2015 |access-date=19 February 2015 |url=http://www.broadcastawards.co.uk/1280981 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219123016/http://www.broadcastawards.co.uk/1280981 |archive-date=19 February 2015 }} Inside No. 9 won the TV award at the 2015 Chortle Awards.{{cite web|title= Chortle awards 2015: Watch the highlights|publisher= Chortle.co.uk|date= 18 March 2015|access-date= 29 March 2015|url= http://www.chortle.co.uk/features/2015/03/18/22058/chortle_awards_2015%3A_watch_the_highlights|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150402152939/http://www.chortle.co.uk/features/2015/03/18/22058/chortle_awards_2015%3A_watch_the_highlights|archive-date= 2 April 2015|url-status= live}} The programme was longlisted for the Best Comedy prize in the 2015 TV Choice Awards.{{cite news|title=TV Choice Awards 2015 nominations: Poldark and Broadchurch head up longlist|newspaper=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/tv-choice-awards-2015-nominations-poldark-and-broadchurch-head-up-longlist-10260238.html|author=Denham, Jess|date=19 May 2015|access-date=26 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305100732/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/tv-choice-awards-2015-nominations-poldark-and-broadchurch-head-up-longlist-10260238.html|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=live}} The programme won the 2016 comedy Rose d'Or, beating the Finnish Pyjama Party and the German Crime Scene Cleaner (Der Tatortreiniger).{{cite news|title=Rose d'Or Awards: Cancelled comedy Raised By Wolves wins best sitcom|publisher=BBC|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-37359489|date=14 September 2016|access-date=14 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915015146/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-37359489|archive-date=15 September 2016|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Medienpreis Rose d'Or: 'Tatortreiniger', ESC und Adele nominiert|work=Der Spiegel|language=de|date=11 July 2016|url=https://www.spiegel.de/kultur/tv/medienpreis-rose-d-or-tatortreiniger-esc-und-adele-nominiert-a-1102472.html|access-date=29 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110123740/http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/tv/medienpreis-rose-d-or-tatortreiniger-esc-und-adele-nominiert-a-1102472.html|archive-date=10 November 2016|url-status=live}}

At the 2014 British Comedy Awards, Inside No. 9 was nominated in the Best New Comedy Programme and the Best Comedy Drama categories. In the former category, it lost to Toast of London, in the latter category, it lost to Rev.{{cite web|title= Winners 2014|url= http://www.britishcomedyawards.com/nominees-2014.aspx|publisher= British Comedy Awards|access-date= 18 December 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141111022026/http://www.britishcomedyawards.com/nominees-2014.aspx|archive-date= 11 November 2014|url-status= live}} For Chater (The Times), the comedy drama category was the strongest of the awards,{{cite news|author=Chater, David|date=17 December 2014|title= Viewing guide|newspaper= T2, The Times|pages= 12–3}} but for Ben Williams (Time Out), Inside No. 9 should have won.{{cite news|title= Comedy – The gong show|date= 16 December 2014|newspaper= Time Out|author= Williams, Ben|page=82}} Writing in The Independent, journalist Alice Jones said she was "sorry to see the relentlessly innovative Inside No 9 go unrewarded".{{cite news|title= Not even Jonathan Ross and Jack Whitehall can make the British Comedy Awards 2014 funny|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/why-arent-the-british-comedy-awards-funny-9931725.html|author= Jones, Alice|newspaper= The Independent|date= 17 December 2014|access-date= 18 December 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141223042031/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/why-arent-the-british-comedy-awards-funny-9931725.html|archive-date= 23 December 2014|url-status= live}}

{{main|Inside No. 9 Stage/Fright}}

On 3 May 2024, it was announced that Pemberton and Shearsmith would write and star in a stage adaptation of the series, called Inside No. 9 Stage/Fright, which opened at the Wyndham's Theatre in London's West End from 18 January 2025 for a limited run until 5 April, directed by Simon Evans. Tickets for the 85 shows were released on 8 May 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/whats-on/inside-no-9-stage-fright|title=Inside No 9 / Stage Fright|website=Delfont Mackintosh|access-date=18 May 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/going-out/tickets/inside-no-9-stage-fright-tickets/|title=How to get Inside No.9 Stage/Fright tickets for Pemberton and Shearsmith's West End show|website=Radio Times|last=Garrett|first=Olivia|date=10 May 2024|access-date=18 May 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/article/2024/may/03/steve-pemberton-and-reece-shearsmith-announce-stage-version-of-inside-no-9|title=Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith announce stage version of Inside No 9|website=The Guardian|last=Wiegand|first=Chris|date= May 2024|access-date=18 May 2024}} The show will also tour the UK in autumn 2025.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-01 |title=Inside No 9 stage show with Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith to tour the UK |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/inside-no-9-stage-show-with-steve-pemberton-and-reece-shearsmith-to-tour-the-uk_1671808/ |access-date=2025-04-01 |language=en-US}}

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{{Inside No. 9}}

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Category:2014 British television series debuts

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Category:2020s British mystery television series

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