Here at BW Towers we are always on the search for good British TV and the advent of streaming has provided a smorgasbord from which to choose.
But leading the pack by a considerable distance this month has been Inside No. 9, a very clever and inventive anthology series created by Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton currently enjoying its ninth season and final season on BBC2 back in the UK.
Over here the show is available on Amazon Prime, allowing those without a VPN and iPlayer to enjoy the format, in which each episode stands alone, presenting a unique tale set inside various No. 9 locations, ranging from houses and flats to mansions and even a sleeper train carriage.
The half hour anthology format is a rarity in television these days – it’s something of a throwback to the golden age of television in the 1950s, but its incarnation here is astoundingly good. The show is a masterclass in storytelling, offering viewers a deliciously dark and inventive experience. Season One got me hooked from the first episode with its collection of intricately woven narratives, showcasing the creators’ talent for seamlessly blending genres such as horror, comedy, and drama. From a seemingly mundane dinner party with sinister secrets to a mysterious costume party where nothing is as it seems, the first season sets the stage for the unpredictable twists and turns that lie ahead. Key to the show’s knack of hooking a viewer is the writers’ ability to load their characters with depth and backstory in a matter of seconds.
As the series progresses, each season delves deeper into the human psyche, exploring themes of obsession, guilt, betrayal, and the macabre. Whether it’s a chilling ghost story set in a gothic mansion, a comedic farce revolving around a disastrous game of sardines, or a heart-wrenching tale of love and loss in a hospital ward, the show rarely fails to surprise and captivate – at least it did with me.
One of the show’s greatest strengths lies in its ability to constantly reinvent itself, offering viewers a diverse array of narratives and characters while maintaining a consistent level of quality. Shearsmith and Pemberton’s writing is sharp and unpredictable, keeping viewers guessing as they navigate through a series of twists and turns. In every episode you sense a hairpin turn is coming, but you can rarely guess in which direction.
Shearsmith and Pemberton themselves often take on multiple roles within a single episode, but the show’s quality also attracts stellar performances from the ensemble cast.
Whether you’re a fan of horror, comedy, or simply enjoy a good old-fashioned twist ending, this anthology series offers something for everyone. Take a look around Inside No. 9…you’ll probably want to linger awhile.
