Inside No. 9 season 8 cast: Meet the guest stars in new episodes
Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton are back with an array of starry acting talent.
We're returning to our regularly scheduled trip Inside No. 9, following last week's devious trick which left fans shocked.
Many had been fooled into thinking that Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith were finally delivering an episode set on a bus, which has been requested by fans for many years.
However, this was later exposed as a hoax, complete with fake publicity stills of the duo in costume as 1970s bus conductors, alongside Robin Askwith in a guest star role destined never to be seen.
In-keeping with the public transport theme, a "replacement service" was shown on BBC Two instead, which took the form of a game show hosted by Lee Mack where one of the quiz teams weren't quite who they appeared to be.
Following that bombshell reveal, fans have high hopes for this week's finale – titled The Last Weekend – which stars Shearsmith and Pemberton as a couple on the verge of celebrating their ninth anniversary.
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Read on for everything you need to know about the Inside No. 9 season 8 cast.
Episode 6: The Last Weekend
Steve Pemberton plays Joe
Who is Joe? Joe is a man celebrating his nine-year anniversary with partner, Chas.
What else has Steve Pemberton been in? Pemberton is well known for his collaborations with Shearsmith on The League of Gentlemen and Psychoville. Outside of comedy, Pemberton has starred in a slate of TV dramas including Happy Valley season 1, Whitechapel, and Lewis. He has also starred in Good Omens, Worzel Gummidge, Death in Paradise, Benidorm and Killing Eve.
Reece Shearsmith plays Chas
Who is Chas? Chas is Joe's partner, who has trouble relaxing even as they approach a major relationship milestone.
What else has Reece Shearsmith been in? The English actor, writer and comedian was a member of The League of Gentlemen with Pemberton, Mark Gatiss and Jeremy Dyson. He has also starred in Spaced, Peter Kay's Car Share, Good Omens and Apple TV+'s Foundation. More recently, he has starred in feature films See How They Run, Venom: Let There Be Carnage and BBC Two sitcom The Witchfinder.
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Sheila Reid plays Mollie
Who is Mollie? Prior to broadcast, details are being kept under wraps about Mollie, but it's possible she could be the mother of either Joe or Chas.
What else has Sheila Reid been in? Reid recently co-starred in Sky sitcom Dreamland and Channel 4's acclaimed Big Boys. She is also well known for her role as Madge Harvey in Benidorm, which co-starred Pemberton as her son-in-law.
Episode 5: 3 by 3
Lee Mack plays Himself
Who is Lee Mack? Lee is the host of game show 3 by 3.
What else has Lee Mack been in? In real life, Mack has recently found success hosting another quiz show titled The 1% Club, which recently earned him a BAFTA nod. He is also known for being a panellist on Would I Lie to You? as well as for starring in BBC sitcom Not Going Out.
Ronay Poole, James Bailey and Tiajna Amayo play Team Bigwins
Who are Team Bigwins? Team Bigwins are three colleagues and close friends. In an awkward twist, Gavin used to date Maisie but is now in a relationship with Bella. Nevertheless, they all seem to be on good terms.
What else has Ronay Poole been in? Poole has previously made brief appearances on BBC sitcom Motherland and ITVX's Tell Me Everything.
What else has James Bailey been in? Bailey makes his screen debut here.
What else has Tiajna Amayo been in? Amayo has previously acted in the National Youth Theatre.
Mary Keegan, Jim Rastall and Kiran L Dadlani play Team Tenors
Who are Team Tenor? Team Tenors is comprised of three friends who know each other through a choir they all attend.
What else has Mary Keegan been in? Keegan has previously appeared in Father Brown, My Hero and EastEnders.
What else has Jim Rastall been in? Rastall makes his screen debut here.
What else has Kiran L Dadlani been in? Viewers may recognise Dadlani from Ackley Bridge, Cold Feet, Coronation Street or Doctor Who, where she played Kezzia in season 10's Smile.
James Tucker, Gemma Page and Saskia Wakefield play Team Oakwoods
Who are Team Oakwoods? The Oakwoods are a family comprised of father Stephen, mother Margaret and their daughter, Catherine.
What else has James Tucker been in? Tucker recently appeared in Harry Styles drama My Policeman.
What else has Gemma Page been in? Page recently appeared in true crime drama The Hunt for Raoul Moat, while she has also featured in Danny Boyle's Pistol and Steven Knight's Peaky Blinders.
What else has Saskia Wakefield been in? Wakefield makes her screen debut here.
Fake episode: Hold on Tight!
In a shocking prank, Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton duped fans into thinking they would finally be doing an episode set on a bus, as many have requested.
This turned out to be a practical joke, with "replacement service" 3 by 3 coming along instead. To add to the realism, the BBC took a number of publicity stills of the creators as bus conductors with their supposed co-star Robin Askwith.
See below.
Robin Askwith plays Mr Cole
Who is Mr Cole? Mr Cole appears to be a customer of the London bus on which Wolfie and Clarke work.
What else has Robin Askwith been in? Askwith's career dates back to the 1960s and includes projects like Beryl's Lot, Bottle Boys, Coronation Street, Strike and, most recently, The Madame Blanc Mysteries. He also appeared in numerous films during the 1970s, including The Canterbury Tales and the Confessions series.
Steve Pemberton plays Wolfie
Who is Wolfie? It seems that Wolfie is a bus conductor working a London route.
Reece Shearsmith plays Clarke
Who is Clarke? Clarke appears to be Wolfie's colleague on the buses.
Episode 4: Love Is a Stranger
Claire Rushbrook plays Vicky
Who is Vicky? Vicky is a woman who starts online dating, but will she finally meet her perfect match?
What else has Claire Rushbrook been in? Rushbrook has appeared in a number of TV roles over the years, including in shows such as Doctor Who, Whitechapel, My Mad Fat Diary, Home Fires, Black Mirror, Temple, Sherwood and Magpie Murders. She has also appeared in films including Ali & Ava, Enola Holmes and Spider-Man: Far From Home.
Steve Pemberton plays Manny
Who is Manny? Manny is one of the men Vicky goes on a virtual date with.
Reece Shearsmith plays Norman
Who is Norman? Norman is one of the men Vicky goes on a virtual date with.
Mathew Horne plays Edgar
Who is Edgar? Edgar is one of the people using an online dating service called Palm Dates.
What else has Mathew Horne been in? Horne is best-known for his roles as Gavin in Gavin & Stacey, as Jamie in Catherine Tate's Nan and The Nan Movie, and as Shaquille Fraser in Bad Education, while he has also had many other TV roles.
Frances Barber plays Lesley
Who is Lesley? Lesley is one of the other users of the online dating service.
What else has Frances Barber been in? Barber has appeared in many series over the years, such as Doctor Who, Bad Education, Father Brown, The Split, Whitstable Pearl and Dreamland.
Asim Chaudhry plays Jai
Who is Jai? Jai also uses the online dating service Palm Dates.
What else has Asim Chaudhry been in? Chaudhry is best-known for his role as Chabuddy G in People Just Do Nothing, while he has also appeared on Taskmaster and in series such as The Cleaner, Black Mirror and The Sandman. He has also had roles in films such as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, Greed, Wonder Woman 1984, and The Electrical Life of Louis Wain.
Episode 3: Paraskevidekatriaphobia
Reece Shearsmith plays Gareth Beckman
Who is Gareth Beckman? Gareth is a nervous man, who suffers from paraskevidekatriaphobia – a fear of Friday the 13th.
Amanda Abbington plays Dana Beckman
Who is Dana Beckman? Dana is Gareth's wife, who is concerned about his mental health.
What else has Amanda Abbington been in? Recently, Abbington appeared in We Are Not Alone, a sci-fi comedy from the creators of Ghosts. Her previous credits include Mary Morstan in Sherlock and Josie Mardle in Mr Selfridge, while she also had a guest role on Psychoville (another series from Shearsmith and Pemberton).
Steve Pemberton plays Barry Styles
Who is Barry Styles? Barry is a tradesman called to Gareth's house on the unluckiest day of the year.
Samantha Spiro plays Sue
Who is Sue? Sue is a postwoman looking to deliver a parcel.
What else has Samantha Spiro been in? Viewers may recognise Spiro for her performance as Maureen Groff in Netflix's comedy-drama Sex Education. Other recent projects include BBC dramas Ridley Road and Call The Midwife, as well as long-running sitcom Not Going Out.
Episode 2: Mother's Ruin
Reece Shearsmith plays Edward
Who is Edward? Edward is one of the sons of Harry and Annie Blackwood. He's been undertaking some research of his own, making appointments at the British Library to access books and Googling things.
Steve Pemberton plays Harry
Who is Harry? Harry is Ed's brother and together, they're trying to figure out the details of their parent's criminal past.
Anita Dobson plays Frances
Who is Frances? Frances is married to Reggie and together the pair are the new owners of Ed and Harry's mother's home.
What else has Anita Dobson been in? Dobson is perhaps best known for her role as Angie Watts in EastEnders from 1985 to 1988 but has also had an illustrious music and stage career, starring in productions like Wicked, Hamlet and Fiddler on the Roof. She took part in the 2011 run of Strictly Come Dancing and has also been cast in the upcoming season of Doctor Who.
Phil Daniels plays Reggie
Who is Reggie? Reggie is one of the new owners of Ed and Harry's mother's home but when Reggie and Frances return home early, will drama ensue?
What else has Phil Daniels been in? Daniels has starred in a long list of TV shows and films but most recently has been seen on our screens in the final season of Endeavour and House of the Dragon. He is well known for playing the role of Kevin Wicks in EastEnders, as well as his roles in Quadrophenia, Scum, New Tricks and Outlaws.
Inside No. 9 season 8 continues on BBC Two and iPlayer at 10pm on Thursday 11th May 2023. Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.
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