British Comedy Guide
Inside No. 9. Image shows from L to R: Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith
Inside No. 9

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.

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Episode menu

Series 6, Episode 2 - Simon Says

Inside No. 9. Image shows from L to R: Simon Smethurst (Reece Shearsmith), Loretta Lamb (Lindsay Duncan), Spencer Maguire (Steve Pemberton)
Everyone says the season seven finale of fantasy epic The Ninth Circle was pretty disappointing - even show-runner Spencer Maguire is keen to move on to new projects. But not everyone thinks that it has to be the end of the matter. In fact, Ninth Circle obsessive Simon Smethurst decides to visit his hero to help put things right. Because that's what the fans would want...

Further details

Inside No. 9. Image shows from L to R: Simon Smethurst (Reece Shearsmith), Spencer Maguire (Steve Pemberton)
Inside No. 9. Simon Smethurst (Reece Shearsmith)
Inside No. 9. Spencer Maguire (Steve Pemberton)
Inside No. 9. Loretta Lamb (Lindsay Duncan)
Inside No. 9. Image shows from L to R: Spencer Maguire (Steve Pemberton), Simon Smethurst (Reece Shearsmith)

Broadcast details

Date
Monday 17th May 2021
Time
9:30pm
Channel
BBC Two
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Guest cast
Reece Shearsmith Simon Smethurst
Steve Pemberton Spencer Maguire
Lindsay Duncan Loretta Lamb
Nick Mohammed Gavin
Writing team
Reece Shearsmith Writer
Steve Pemberton Writer
Production team
Guillem Morales Director
Adam Tandy Producer
Jon Plowman Executive Producer
Steve Pemberton Associate Producer
Reece Shearsmith Associate Producer
Frances Mable Line Producer
Cat Gregory Editor
Amy Maguire Production Designer
Tracey Gillham Casting Director
Yves Barre Costume Designer
Kieran McGuigan Director of Photography
Jo Houtmeyers Make-up Designer
Christian Henson Composer
Matthew Gallagher 1st Assistant Director
Gregor Sharp Commissioning Editor

Press

The 'Simon Says' scene that almost went too far

Reece Shearsmith jokes that filming one scene in Inside No. 9 series six episode 'Simon Says' left him fighting for his life...

Louisa Mellor, Den Of Geek, 18th May 2021

TV preview: Inside No 9 - Simon Says, BBC Two

My time in various lockdowns over the past year has certainly not been completely frittered away. I may not have baked any banana bread or mastered a foreign language, but I did something much more fruitful. I watch every episode of Inside No 9 anthology forerunner Tales Of The Unexpected, the old ITV series - now available on Sky Arts - that took its cue from the twisted imagination of Roald Dahl.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 17th May 2021

Inside No 9: Simon Says review

If last week's Inside No 9, mixing heist movie with commedia dell'arte, flaunted Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton's inventive creative ambitions, the second episode in this sixth series is a more straightforward example of what they do best.

Steve Bennett, Chortle, 17th May 2021

Inside No 9, series 6 episode 2, review

Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton's black comedy turns its satirical gaze on obsessive TV-show fans *warning: spoilers*.

Ed Power, The Telegraph, 17th May 2021

Inside No. 9 series 6 episode 2 review: Simon Says

Inside No. 9 explores the dark side of the creator-fan relationship in a malevolent story of entitlement, arrogance and obsession. Spoilers.

Louisa Mellor, Den Of Geek, 17th May 2021

Review: Inside No 9 takes a look at the power of fans

Rather like Misdirection from last series, Simon Says has an initial twist that regular Inside No. 9 viewers will possibly expect. However, Shearsmith and Pemberton still know how to surprise us, so the story goes on to deliver further twists and turns that will keep even the most seasoned viewers on their toes. The result is a thrilling episode that ranks up there with the show's very best.

Sophie Davies, The Custard TV, 17th May 2021

Inside No. 9 review: Simon Says

Simon Says is another strong episode, and if the intention is to kick off a discussion on Creators Vs Fandoms then it succeeds as the episode never conclusively comes down on either side.

Nick Bartlett, Critical Popcorn, 17th May 2021

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