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.

  • Returns on Sunday 22nd December on BBC2 at 9pm with Documentary
  • Series 1, Episode 1 repeated Sunday 22nd December at 10pm on BBC2
  • JustWatch Streaming rank this week: 190

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Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 5 - The Understudy

Inside No. 9. Image shows from L to R: Kirstie (Rosie Cavaliero), Felicity (Julia Davis), Tony (Steve Pemberton), Jim (Reece Shearsmith), Laura (Lyndsey Marshal). Copyright: BBC
An episode set behind-the-scenes at a performance of Macbeth.

Preview clips

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...

Inside No. 9. Image shows from L to R: Kirstie (Rosie Cavaliero), Felicity (Julia Davis), Tony (Steve Pemberton), Jim (Reece Shearsmith), Laura (Lyndsey Marshal). Copyright: BBC
Inside No. 9. Image shows from L to R: Felicity (Julia Davis), Tony (Steve Pemberton). Copyright: BBC
Inside No. 9. Image shows from L to R: Jim (Reece Shearsmith), Laura (Lyndsey Marshal). Copyright: BBC

Broadcast details

Date
Wednesday 5th March 2014
Time
10pm
Channel
BBC Two
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Guest cast
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)
Writing team
Reece Shearsmith Writer
Steve Pemberton Writer
Production team
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.

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