Inside No. 9 renewed for two more series
- BBC Two has ordered Series 6 and Series 7 of Inside No. 9
- Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton are now making more episodes of their hit show
- They say: "We are delighted and exhausted in equal measure at the prospect of two more series"
BBC Two has confirmed that it has ordered two more series of Inside No. 9, Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton's critically acclaimed anthology format.
The order will take the show up to Series 7.
The BBC says: "The two brand new series will promise more fantastically twisted tales from the brilliant minds of Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith."
Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton joke: "Little did we know when we started Inside No. 9 in 2014 that we would end up with as many episodes of it as Countryfile. We are delighted and exhausted in equal measure at the prospect of two more series-worth of tall tales and fearsome fables. However we will endeavour to showcase the very best of what the BBC can do in every genre with 30 minutes of story-telling and some half-decent wigs. We might even try a Countryfile episode, no one would expect that..."
Shane Allen from BBC Comedy Commissioning says: "With over 30 distinctive and dazzling shows to date, their ability to master and nail every genre of story-telling with brevity, invention and flair is unparalleled. Oscars have been won for less than Reece and Steve manage to conjure up with each original concept for every single show. Quite simply they have the most fertile minds in British comedy and god knows what magic the next series will bring."
Josh Cole, head of comedy at producers BBC Studios, who have signed a first look two year deal with Pemberton and Shearsmith, says: "Reece and Steve continue to make and break all the rules of comedy in ever more spectacular and horrifying fashion, and we are delighted that the BBC have given us the opportunity to make two more series. To paraphrase the show itself, not since the escaped cow has there been such excitement. Long live Inside No. 9!"
The announcement comes ahead of the Series 5 finale - The Stakeout - this evening (Monday 9th March 2020) on BBC Two at 10pm.
The recommission is not a surprise as Shane Allen has previously said he wants to continue supporting the show for as long as creators Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton wish to make it.
Viewing figures for the format have also been growing, thanks in part to all episodes being available on BBC iPlayer as a box set, and the series being available to stream on Netflix. The programme has achieved wide critical acclaim and collected a number of prestigious awards since it launched in 2014. It was voted Comedy Of The Year in both 2017 and 2018 in the Comedy.co.uk Awards.
The BBC says: "Series six and seven will stay true to show's anthology format with each series containing six brand new half hour films, each set in a different location. The style and tone changing each week, combining a different mix of horror, thriller, drama and comedy - always aiming to surprise, delight, unnerve and amuse.
"As ever, a host of talented actors will join Reece and Steve, with series five including actors such as Jenna Coleman, David Morrissey, Ralf Little, Fionn Whitehead, Maxine Peake and Phil Davis. Series five also included a surprise Psychoville cross-over episode, Death Be Not Proud, which saw the unexpected return of fan favourites David and Maureen Sowerbutts and Mr Jelly."
Transmission details for both series will be announced in due course, but they are likely to air in early 2021 and 2022, respectively. It is believed that work is already under way on Series 6.
All episode of Inside No. 9 to date are available to watch now on BBC iPlayer