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Inside No. 9
- TV comedy drama
- BBC Two
- 2014 - 2024
- 55 episodes (9 series)
Dark comedy anthology series from Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton. Each episode focuses on the goings-on around something to do with the number 9.
- Series 7, Episode 1 repeated Monday at 12:25am on U&Gold
Streaming rank this week: 186
Episode menu
Series 1, Episode 5 - The Understudy

Further details
Successful West End actor Tony Warner's tour-de-force performance as Macbeth is the toast of The Duke Of Cambridge Theatre, but his overbearing personality makes life hell for those he works with.
It would be very bad luck indeed if he was suddenly indisposed in some way - although not for Jim, his ever-hopeful understudy, of course...



Broadcast details
- Date
- Wednesday 5th March 2014
- Time
- 10pm
- Channel
- BBC Two
- Length
- 30 minutes
Cast & crew
Reece Shearsmith | Jim |
Steve Pemberton | Tony |
Lyndsey Marshal | Laura (Jim's Girlfriend) |
Julia Davis | Felicity (Company Manager) |
Rosie Cavaliero | Kirstie (Dresser) |
Roger Sloman | Bill (Tony's Neighbour) |
Di Botcher | Jean (Tony's Neighbour) |
Richard Cordery | Nick (Company Manager) |
Bruce Mackinnon | 'Malcolm' (Voice) |
Jo Stone-Fewings | 'Macduff' (Voice) |
Reece Shearsmith | Writer |
Steve Pemberton | Writer |
David Kerr | Director |
Adam Tandy | Producer |
Jon Plowman | Executive Producer |
Steve Pemberton | Associate Producer |
Reece Shearsmith | Associate Producer |
Joe Randall-Cutler | Editor |
Brian Sykes | Production Designer |
Christian Henson | Composer |
Videos
This is theatre
Tony Warner's understudy visits him backstage after a performance.
Featuring: Reece Shearsmith (Jim), Steve Pemberton (Tony), Rosie Cavaliero (Kirstie), Roger Sloman (Bill) & Di Botcher (Jean).
A sackable offence
Felicity catches Jim and Laura in Tony's dressing room.
Featuring: Reece Shearsmith (Jim), Lyndsey Marshal (Laura) & Julia Davis (Felicity).
Interview: A backstage Macbeth
Steve and Reece explain why they decided to set The Understudy in a professional theatre.
Featuring: Reece Shearsmith & Steve Pemberton.