Inside No.9 | Series 8 Preview (BBC Two)

Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith bring five more stand-alone episodes of their critically acclaimed and BAFTA Award-winning series, Inside No. 9, to BBC Two this spring.

The stellar line-up includes Amanda Abbington (Sherlock, Mr Selfridge), Anita Dobson (EastEnders), Asim Chaudhry (People Just Do Nothing), Phil Daniels (House of the Dragon, Quadrophenia), Claire Rushbrook (My Mad Fat Diary, Secrets & Lies), Frances Barber (Camille, Uncle Vanya) and Leon Herbert (Salome's Last Dance, Batman).

Plus Mathew Horne (Gavin & Stacey, Bad Education) Menyee Lai (Stay Close, The Tower), Moyo Akandé (Guilt, The Cry), Robin Askwith (Bless This House, The Madame Blanc Mysteries), Samantha Spiro (Sex Education, Game of Thrones), Sheila Reid (Benidorm) and Ayda Kiiza.

The series follows on from last year’s Christmas special, The Bones of St Nicholas, which saw a 7-day audience of 2.3M on All-Screens, making it Inside No. 9’s biggest audience on record. On BARB 28-Days, it’s now up to 2.7M.

In the first episode, 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 plan to find out.

The episodes will stay true to the show’s popular anthology format, each delivering an original story and a cast of new characters that bring a mix of horror, thriller, drama, comedy and surprising twists.

Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton say: “We are thrilled to invite viewers inside a new set of funny and frightening number 9s; take your shoes off, make yourself at home and switch your devices to Do Not Disturb. Well it might work…”

Josh Cole, Head of Comedy, BBC Studios, says: “We’re thrilled to be making a new series of Inside No. 9 with the unassailable Reece and Steve, and look forward to delighting and upsetting viewers in equal measure.”

Gregor Sharp, Commissioning Editor at the BBC, says: “Reece and Steve are masters of their craft and it’s a delight to see such a brilliant line up of guest stars joining them for another series of perfectly formed dark comedy masterpieces.”

Inside No.9 returns Thursday 27th April at 10pm on BBC Two.