Season 8 will fulfil a fan demand.
Inside No. 9 fans were left jaw-dropped when the series revealed it would be pursuing an idea it had always dismissed – an episode set on a bus.
Overnight, the BBC announced the Inside No. 9 season 8 cast, which includes Gavin & Stacey star Mathew Horne, Sherlock alum Amanda Abbington and People Just Do Nothing’s Asim Chaudhry.
The first image from the new episodes saw co-creators Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith as bus conductors, standing alongside Robin Askwith as a mysterious suited individual.
Long-time followers of Inside No. 9 quickly recognised this as the punchline of a long-running joke, as the writers have fielded suggestions to do an episode set on a bus for several years now.
Shearsmith said at an earlier live Q&A that he has often been asked: “‘Why don’t you do a number 9 bus?’”
To which he responds: “Alright… what happens?”
It seems the writing duo were concerned they wouldn’t be able to dream up an exciting enough episode to be set entirely on a bus, but they seem to have cracked it – and fans are highly intrigued to see the results.
“There. We did it. No 9 bus. New series coming along soon,” tweeted Shearsmith.
There. We did it. No 9 bus. New series coming along soon. https://t.co/Y25AqgNPOu
— Reece Shearsmith (@ReeceShearsmith) January 27, 2023
One fan responded that the show was “finally giving in to the inevitable”, while several made jokes about waiting ages for one episode of Inside No. 9 and then six come along at once – referencing a popular turn of phrase about buses.
Another enthusiast replied: “Love that this has [been] fulfilled after [so] many people calling for it. A lovely thing to do. Can’t wait.”
“I hope you don’t think this will put an end to the suggestions that you do one on a bus,” a fellow Twitter user added. “You know what some people are like, it’ll take them years to realise you’ve already done it.”
I hope you don’t think this will put an end to the suggestions that you do one on a bus. You know what some people are like, it’ll take them years to realise you’ve already done it…
— Jake Graham (@AlbionJake) January 27, 2023
Last year, co-creator Steve Pemberton reportedly told press that Inside No. 9 season 9 – which has already been commissioned – would appropriately be the final instalment for now.
Inside No. 9 is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. 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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