inside no 9

Inside No 9: meet the cast of season five

Are you watching the BBC Two show?

TV & Film Editor
February 17, 2020

Inside No. 9 is one of the BBC's best, most underrated shows – and it is back for season five. Fans have been delighted with the new series so far, with many complimenting the writing and acting skills of Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, who have co-written every episode in the anthology series.

Since each episode is entirely different to the last, with the only thing they have in common being that they are all, somehow, connected to the number nine, the series has had a huge amount of guest stars, with Sheridan Smith, Jenna Coleman and Keeley Hawes among those to have previously appeared in the series. However, Steve and Reece have appeared in almost every episode so far, with Steve only not appearing in The Harrowing, while Reece didn't make an appearance in Last Gasp. Find out more about the duo, and the other actors who will be starring in season five, here…

WATCH: Inside No. 9 season five trailer

Steve Pemberton

Steve is brilliant at both comedy and dramatic acting, having starred in The League of Gentlemen as well as co-writing and appearing in Psychoville. He is also well known for playing Kevin Weatherill – an accountant who organises a ransom after feeling unappreciated - in the hit BBC series Happy Valley. The star also recently had a guest role in Death in Paradise, where he played the father of the murdered victim. At the time, he said: "Death in Paradise is such a well-loved and established show and it was a pleasure to be part of series nine. The cast and crew were brilliant and with the bonus of filming in Guadeloupe with my old pal Ralf, it was an opportunity that I couldn't miss."

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Reece Shearsmith

Reece wrote and starred in The League of Gentlemen and Psychoville with his long-time collaborator, Steve. He has played plenty of different characters in Inside No 9, including a cat burglar, a Shakespearian actor and a witch finder. The father-of-two's daughter, Holly, appeared in an episode of Pyschoville who gets a makeover by Mr Jelly the clown, which he played. He has previously starred in Doctor Who, Spaced and The World's End.

Debbie Rush

Debbie stars in episode three as Julia, who wants to give her family a special Christmas, despite having very little budget. Debbie is best known for portraying Anna Windass in Coronation Street before leaving in 2018. She has also starred in Shameless and Brassic.

Gaby French

Gaby plays Mia, who stars as one of the family members in the new show. Gaby is also due to feature in Military Wives, and previously starred in Hangmen alongside Downton Abbey star Dan Stevens. Speaking about Inside No. 9 on Twitter, Gabi wrote: "Loved every minute filming this."

Bobby Schofield

Bobby plays Patrick. The Liverpool-born actor has previously appeared in The Catcher Was a Spy, How to Build a Girl and Knightfall.

Jill Halfpenny

In episode four, Jill plays Jennie – though not much is known about her role just yet! Jill has had an impressive television career, and is best known for In the Club and Humans. She also won the second series of Strictly Come Dancing back in 2004.

Fionn Whitehead

Fionn plays Gabriel, a student journalist who is fascinated by magician Neville Griffin, and wants to interview him, despite his intense privacy. Fionn is best known for his roles in The Children Act, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch and Dunkirk.

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