Inside No. 9 to return for Series 8 and Series 9
- Inside No. 9 has been commissioned for two more series... taking it up to Series 9
- Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith will write and star in 12 more episodes across the two series
- They say: "What horrible surprises are there left to uncover? We remain as delighted and curious as you to find out"
The BBC has confirmed it has ordered two more series of Inside No. 9.
The recommission means that Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith's comedy anthology series will now run until at least Series 9.
The news was announced as Series 7 concluded on BBC Two tonight (1st June).
Each of the two new series will comprise of another six episodes, with - as before - each instalment being distinct from the last aside from featuring The League Of Gentlemen stars on screen, being set in or around something with the number nine, and containing a hidden hare statue.
The BBC says: "Series 8 and 9 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."
Commenting on the news of the recommission, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith say: "In the greatest plot twist ever, the BBC have commissioned another two series from us, taking Inside No. 9 to series 9. Since 2014 it has been the greatest gift to conjure these stories into being and we are thrilled there's still an appetite for more. What horrible surprises are there left to uncover? We remain as delighted and curious as you to find out."
Inside No. 9 has been voted Best TV Comedy Drama in the Comedy.co.uk Awards every year it has been on air, and has picked up the Comedy Of The Year title twice.
Talking about the success of the format, the BBC explains: "Having launched in 2014, Inside No. 9 has received widespread critical acclaim, and has won an array of accolades including Best Scripted Comedy at the 2021 BAFTA TV Awards. Steve Pemberton received the Best Male Performance in a Comedy Programme at the 2019 BAFTA TV Awards plus enviably the series has won two BAFTA TV Craft Awards, two RTS Awards and many more."
Commissioner Seb Barwell comments: "We are doubly thrilled to announce two more series of the endlessly inventive Inside No. 9 and look forward to discovering where the colossal comedy brains of Reece and Steve take us next, in 12 new instalments of a show now firmly established as an all-time great."
Josh Cole, the executive producer for BBC Studios which makes the show, adds: "Reece and Steve are extraordinary talents. Very few comedies reach nine series, and even fewer scale the hare-raising heights of Inside No. 9. We're delighted to be making two more series of a true comedy classic".
The BBC has given no indication yet as to when the new series will be filmed or broadcast, but BBC Two has broadly to date shown one new series each year, suggesting Series 8 would be on air in 2023 and Series 9 in 2024.
All 43 existing episodes of Inside No. 9 can be watched on BBC iPlayer