Inside No. 9
- TV comedy drama
- BBC Two
- 2014 - 2023
- 49 episodes (8 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.
- The final series is coming in May
Streaming rank this week: 303
Episode menu
Series 5, Episode 1 - The Referee's A W***er
Broadcast details
- Date
- Monday 3rd February 2020
- Time
- 10pm
- Channel
- BBC Two
- Length
- 30 minutes
Repeats
Show past repeats
Cast & crew
| David Morrissey | Martin |
| Ralf Little | Phil |
| Steve Pemberton | Oggy |
| Reece Shearsmith | Brendan |
| Steve Speirs | Mitch (Mascot) |
| Dipo Ola | Calvin Cooke |
| Mark Chapman | BBC Radio 5 Live Commentator (Voice) |
| Alistair Bruce-Ball | BBC Radio 5 Live Commentator (Voice) |
| Reece Shearsmith | Writer |
| Steve Pemberton | Writer |
| Matt Lipsey | Director |
| Adam Tandy | Producer |
| Jon Plowman | Executive Producer |
| Steve Pemberton | Associate Producer |
| Reece Shearsmith | Associate Producer |
| Emily Shapland | Line Producer |
| Devan Vimal | Post-Production Producer |
| Joe Randall-Cutler | Editor |
| Amy Maguire | Production Designer |
| Tracey Gillham | Casting Director |
| Yves Barre | Costume Designer |
| John Sorapure | Director of Photography |
| Nicola Coleman | Make-up Designer |
| Christian Henson | Composer |
| Matthew Gallagher | 1st Assistant Director |
| Gregor Sharp | Commissioning Editor |
Press
The Referee's a W***er review
That wonderfully distinctive ability to constantly and consistently raise their creative game shows no signs of flagging five series in.
Dodo's Words, 2nd March 2020TV review: Inside No. 9
The quality of Inside No. 9 varies. Some of the episodes unfurl like exquisite, spooky jewel boxes; others feel too much like "theatre". The first episode of the new series fell into the latter category: a neat little three-act drama about four referees at a football match.
Camilla Long, The Sunday Times, 9th February 2020TV review: Inside No. 9, series 5, episode 1
I could have forgiven the questionably dodgy plot if it had been a funny episode, but the majority of the jokes were just laborious and banal and there's absolutely no excuse for that.
Alex Finch, Comedy To Watch, 4th February 2020From a slapstick burglary to a parody of 70s horror and a very cryptic crossword, each episode of Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith's anthology series toes the line between deliciously arch and horrifyingly comic. As it returns, David Morrissey and Ralf Little star in a football-themed tale.
Hannah J Davies, The Guardian, 3rd February 2020Inside No 9: The Referee's A W*nker review
If conjuring up a fresh set of characters, circumstances and even cinematic style for every new half-hour episode of Inside No 9 takes its toll on Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton's creativity, you wouldn't know it from tonight's taut opening episode of the fifth series.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 3rd February 2020How Inside No. 9 makes the mundane unmissable
Now on its fifth series, the magic of Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton's comedy anthology remains its ability to turn even the most banal of scenarios into disturbingly thrilling TV.
Rachel Aroesti, The Guardian, 3rd February 2020Inside No. 9 series 5 episode 1 review
Inside No. 9 returns with a packed, clever and funny football-themed instalment that's the perfect series opener...
Louisa Mellor, Den Of Geek, 3rd February 2020Inside No 9, review: The Referee's a W***er
The hit black comedy anthology series by Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith returns for a fifth series.
Sean O'Grady, The Independent, 3rd February 2020Inside No 9: The Referee's a W----r review
Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith continue to be in a league of their own.
Michael Hogan, The Telegraph, 3rd February 2020Inside No. 9: the change David Morrissey insisted upon
Before agreeing to appear in Inside No. 9's "The Referee's A W***er", David Morrissey had one condition. Major episode spoilers ahead.
Louisa Mellor, Den Of Geek, 3rd February 2020Review: Inside No. 9 goes inside the locker room
Although there are plenty of witty lines and the performances are great, "The Referee's a W***er" didn't resonate with me as much as other Inside No. 9 episodes have.
Luke, The Custard TV, 3rd February 2020Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith: interview
In a rare interview - as Inside No. 9 returns - Jacob Stolworthy speaks to the writing duo about secrets from the new series, their one concern with continuing the show and the past controversy surrounding certain League Of Gentlemen characters.
Jacob Stolworthy, The Independent, 2nd February 2020TV preview: Inside No. 9: The Referee's A W***er
Prepare to be suitably blown away. Let's just say they haven't dropped the ball.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 2nd February 2020