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.

  • JustWatch Streaming rank this week: 116

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Find the Inside No. 9 hare

Inside No. 9

You may have seen every episode of Inside No. 9, but what you might not be aware of is that there is actually a game you can play whilst re-watching the show. Creators Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton have placed a common prop in all the episodes. They say: "It's a nice little game we play. It's just fun."

A statue has been added to every episode of the show, because - aside from the number 9 and the two actors - there is nothing else connecting the wildly different stories. Pemberton explains: "We just thought it would be nice to have an object that you could hide... Just have it there on every set."

This silver hare ornament was selected to be that common object. If you've seen Tempting Fate (Series 4, Episode 6) you'll have definitely seen this object!

Some readers may remember the famous 1970s treasure finding puzzle book Masquerade which gave clues to the location of a golden hare. However, producer Adam Tandy says that Pemberton & Shearsmith picking the same animal for their show is just a coincidence. "We had a cardboard box of about a dozen things and [Pemberton] just picked up that."

If you want to play along, you'll have to pay very close attention, as in some of the episodes the hare is very hard to spot. In a couple of instances, where it wouldn't make sense for a statue to be in the room in question (for example, the karaoke booth), it's hidden in an even more devious way!

So why not have a go at spotting the hare?

If you've got stuck or want to 'cheat', we've put the answers below.

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Scroll for answers

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Series 1, Episode 1: Sardines

A hard one to start! It's on the bedside table near the wardrobe.

Inside No. 9. Copyright: BBC

Series 1, Episode 2: A Quiet Night In

On the cabinet in the bedroom. About 21 minutes in, when Ray is about to hide under the bed.

Inside No. 9. Ray (Reece Shearsmith). Copyright: BBC

Series 1, Episode 3: Tom & Gerri

On the mantelpiece opposite the sofa.

Inside No. 9. Copyright: BBC

Series 1, Episode 4: Last Gasp

On the bookshelves.

Inside No. 9. Image shows from L to R: Graham (Steve Pemberton), Si (Adam Deacon). Copyright: BBC

Series 1, Episode 5: The Understudy

On the dressing room table.

Inside No. 9. Tony (Steve Pemberton). Copyright: BBC

Series 1, Episode 6: The Harrowing

Next to the lamp in the bedroom, about 17 minutes into the episode.

Inside No. 9. Copyright: BBC

Series 2, Episode 1: La Couchette

A tricky one! It's hidden in the family picture that is found in the dead man's wallet (15 minutes into the episode).

Inside No. 9. Copyright: BBC

Series 2, Episode 2: The 12 Days Of Christine

Under the mirror.

Inside No. 9. Christine (Sheridan Smith). Copyright: BBC

Series 2, Episode 3: The Trial Of Elizabeth Gadge

The hare is on the middle table, but due to the position of the camera can only be momentarily glimpsed.

Inside No. 9. Image shows from L to R: Mr Clarke (Steve Pemberton), Mr Warren (Reece Shearsmith). Copyright: BBC

Series 2, Episode 4: Cold Comfort

On the desk in the CCTV picture in the top right of the screen.

Inside No. 9. Andy (Steve Pemberton). Copyright: BBC

Series 2, Episode 5: Nana's Party

On the bookshelf.

Inside No. 9. Maggie (Elsie Kelly). Copyright: BBC

Series 2, Episode 6: Séance Time

The hare is located near the mirror that conceals the TV camera.

Inside No. 9. Tina (Sophie McShera). Copyright: BBC

Series 3, Episode 1: The Devil Of Christmas

The hare is on the table in the opening scene, as the camera pans.

Inside No. 9. Copyright: BBC

Series 3, Episode 2: The Bill

Again, it can be spotted very early in this episode. This time it's in the display in the pillar.

Inside No. 9. Anya (Ellie White). Copyright: BBC

Series 3, Episode 3: The Riddle Of The Sphinx

The hare can be briefly glimpsed on the table in the fireplace...

Inside No. 9. Professor Squires (Steve Pemberton). Copyright: BBC

There is actually a second hare in this episode too. Shearsmith gave a hint on Twitter that hare hunters should look very closely at the crossword. It's not fully filled in by the characters during the episode, but the version in The Guardian allows the grid to be completed. We can't take credit for spotting this, but when you fill it all in you can see in one of the columns the nina (hidden word pattern) "ONE LEPUS" ... Lepus being Hare in Latin. Genius!

Inside No. 9. Copyright: BBC

Series 3, Episode 4: Empty Orchestra

The hare hides in a picture again... this time it's in the photo Roger pulls out of his wallet.

Inside No. 9. Copyright: BBC

Series 3, Episode 5: Diddle Diddle Dumpling

The statue is quite easy to locate in this episode - it's sitting with the photos. Shearsmith points out: "In Diddle there are actually two hares - either side of the sideboard - in keeping with the 'pairs' motif of the episode."

Inside No. 9. Copyright: BBC

Series 3, Episode 6: Private View

Did you spot it in this episode? It was hiding behind a mannequin.

Inside No. 9. Image shows from L to R: Jean (Fiona Shaw), Maurice (Reece Shearsmith). Copyright: BBC

The League Of Gentlemen specials

In a lovely crossover with their other show, Reece and Steve managed to get the hare into the 2017 reunion specials of The League Of Gentlemen. Tubbs and Edward were squatting in Flat 9, and the hare could be spotted as one of the items for sale on their 'shop' counter...

The League Of Gentlemen. Copyright: BBC

Series 4, Episode 1: Zanzibar

In the opener for Series 4, the hare could be spotted in Mr Green's room, 915.

Inside No. 9. Mr Green (Bill Paterson). Copyright: BBC

Series 4, Episode 2: Bernie Clifton's Dressing Room

The hare can be seen at various points during the episode on the table of props, next to the umbrella.

Inside No. 9. Tommy Drake (Reece Shearsmith). Copyright: BBC

Series 4, Episode 3: Once Removed

What a cleverly plotted episode this was. The hare was quite simple though. It could be spotted in one of the boxes:

Inside No. 9. Spike (Nick Moran). Copyright: BBC

Series 4, Episode 4: To Have And To Hold

There it is on the cupboard.

Inside No. 9. Harriet (Nicola Walker). Copyright: BBC

Series 4, Episode 5: And The Winner Is...

The statue can be spotted in a display cabinet behind Paula.

Inside No. 9. Paula (Zoë Wanamaker). Copyright: BBC

Series 4, Episode 6: Tempting Fate

Everyone will have seen the hare in this episode... now we know a bit more about its history!

Inside No. 9. Maz (Weruche Opia). Copyright: BBC

Hallowe'en Special: Dead Line

See it on the table in the entrance hall.

Inside No. 9. Copyright: BBC

Series 5, Episode 1: The Referee's A W***er

In this series opener, the hare was perched atop the officials' microwave.

Inside No. 9. Image shows from L to R: Martin (David Morrissey), Brendan (Reece Shearsmith). Copyright: BBC Studios

Series 5, Episode 2: Death Be Not Proud

The hare can be seen on the white dividing shelf unit in Beattie and Sam's flat.

Inside No. 9. Image shows from L to R: Maureen (Reece Shearsmith), David (Steve Pemberton). Copyright: BBC Studios

Series 5, Episode 3: Love's Great Adventure

It was in the dresser's glass-fronted cabinet.

Inside No. 9. Image shows from L to R: Julia (Debbie Rush), Alex (Reece Shearsmith)

Series 5, Episode 4: Misdirection

The hare is on the table where the alcohol is, next to the radio.

Inside No. 9. Willy Wando (Steve Pemberton)

Series 5, Episode 5: Thinking Out Loud

The hare is hidden in multiple places in this episode. It's hiding behind a plant in Nadia's living room:

Inside No. 9. Nadia (Maxine Peake)

On the shelf in Angel's bedroom...

Inside No. 9. Angel (Ioanna Kimbook). Copyright: BBC Studios

And over Aidan's shoulder.

Inside No. 9. Aidan (Reece Shearsmith)

Series 5, Episode 6: The Stakeout

An illustrated version of the hare appears in a newspaper cutting, 17 minutes into the episode:

Inside No. 9

Series 6, Episode 1: Wuthering Heist

A big hat tip to fan Logan French for being the first to spot the hare in the first episode of the sixth series - as most hare hunters (including us) missed spotting it at first. It flies past the screen 13 minutes into the episode, as the explosion occurs.

Inside No. 9

Series 6, Episode 2: Simon Says

There's the hare... on the bookshelf in the bedroom. It appears to be wearing some kind of a mask?

Inside No. 9

Series 6, Episode 3: Lip Service

Is that the statue's ears in the window, in the opening seconds of the episode when Felix is looking through the binoculars?

Inside No. 9

Maybe, maybe not. Emily Davidson spotted the hare definitely though... look at the label on the toiletries in the bathroom.

Inside No. 9. Image shows from L to R: Felix Hughes (Steve Pemberton), Eric (Reece Shearsmith)

Series 6, Episode 4: Hurry Up And Wait

Take a look at the shelves in the bedroom.

Inside No. 9

Series 6, Episode 5: How Do You Plead?

The hare is seen in silhouette in the wardrobe, as Urban is getting out the barrister's robes and wig.

Inside No. 9

Series 6, Episode 6: Last Night of the Proms

In the room where the food is, the statue is on the mantlepiece near the window through which Penny first spots Yusuf.

Inside No. 9. Penny (Debra Gillett)

Series 7, Episode 1: Merrily, Merrily

The statue is next to the shrine that Lawrence built for Bonnie.

Inside No. 9

Series 7, Episode 2: Mr King

It's in the office!

Inside No. 9. Alan Curtis (Reece Shearsmith)

Series 7, Episode 3: Nine Lives Kat

This is a hard one. The hare is briefly visible by the laptop in the episode's final scene.

Inside No. 9

There's a 'bonus hare' on the back cover of the book in this scene too. The logo for Pemberton & Shearsmith Editorial Ltd appears to be a hare or rabbit.

Inside No. 9

Series 7, Episode 4: Kid/Nap

An obvious one... it's by the door in the kidnap house.

Inside No. 9. Shane (Daniel Mays)

Series 7, Episode 5: A Random Act of Kindness

On their podcast, Reece and Steve said this was an easy one to locate... but we found it quite hard. It's in Zack's room.

Inside No. 9. Image shows from L to R: Bob Bliss (Steve Pemberton), Zack (Noah Valentine)

Series 7, Episode 6: Wise Owl

The statue can be spotted on a shelf in the scene where Ronnie meets his dad.

Inside No. 9. Ronnie (Reece Shearsmith)

Series 8, Episode 1: The Bones of St. Nicholas

It's in the room where the phone is.

Inside No. 9. Image shows left to right: Posy (Shobna Gulati), Pierce (Reece Shearsmith)

Series 8, Episode 2: Mother's Ruin

It's in the low-down alcove. You get a good look at it two minutes into the programme when Edward rolls up the carpet.

Inside No. 9

Series 8, Episode 3: Paraskevidekatriaphobia

The cat decides to spend time with the hare under the bed.

Inside No. 9

Series 8, Episode 4: Love Is A Stranger

This was quite a hard one we thought... it was behind Norman.

Inside No. 9. Norman (Reece Shearsmith)

Series 8, Episode 5: 3 by 3

For a split second, the hare appears on the big screen at the very end of the episode.

Inside No. 9

Series 8, Episode 6: The Last Weekend

About 14 minutes into the episode (as Joe walks towards Chas talking about Blue Jeans Baby), the illusive animal pops up as a doorstop.

Inside No. 9. Joe (Steve Pemberton)

Series 9, Episode 1: Boo to a Goose

A previous passenger scribbled a hare on to one of the poles on the train.

Inside No. 9. Mossy (Charlie Cooper)

Series 9, Episode 2: The Trolley Problem

This one took us ages to spot, as it only appears in the background. It's near the sink. Although it appears a couple of times early in the episode, the clearest view of it is probably when the gun is drawn.

Inside No. 9
Inside No. 9

Series 9, Episode 3: Mulberry Close

The statue can be seen at the end of the episode, as the police officer's body cam observes the crime scene.

Inside No. 9

Series 9, Episode 4: CTRL, ALT, ESC

The object we're looking for can be seen via one of the CCTV cameras.

Inside No. 9

Series 9, Episode 5: Curse of the Ninth

26 minutes into the episode, it can be spotted behind the vase as Lillian walks towards her fate.

Inside No. 9

Series 9, Episode 6: Plodding On

It's not the 'official' sized statue (maybe that was hidden somewhere else and we've not spotted it yet - do email in if you did see another one), but there was a big tribute statue to the hare either side of the screen showing the guests the highlights.

Inside No. 9

There was also a bonus hare in the credits. "Europa Lepus" is a Latin nod towards the European breed of hare.

Inside No. 9

Here's a YouTube video highlighting all the locations:

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Published: Saturday 25th March 2017
Updated: Thursday 13th June 2024