Inside No. 9 fans say star-studded 'masterpiece' finale is a fitting end

What did you miss?

Inside No. 9 has aired its last ever episode that fans are calling a "masterpiece".

The hit horror comedy anthology came to an end by wrapping up nine series with an episode so packed full of guest stars that many of them did not even have any lines.

Fans have congratulated creators and stars Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton on the perfect ending to the "best British show of all time".

What, how and why?

Inside No. 9 is known for its unexpected twists and turns, so no episode details were released ahead of the finale on Wednesday night.

There were rumours that as the cast hadn't been listed, it would star only Shearsmith and Pemberton – so fans were surprised to see that the episode, titled Plodding On, featured nearly every guest star from nine series.

With an early dig at how "self-referential" the show had become, it was set at an Inside No. 9 wrap party and took place mostly in the toilets, with plenty of references to earlier episodes including quoted lines and chat about filming.

The first scene saw Katherine Parkinson, Tim Key and Anne Reid cramming into a toilet cubicle with smuggled in drugs that gave a nod to the episode Sardines, filmed with the cast squashed inside a wardrobe.

Fans were delighted to see the huge guest cast with Amanda Abbington, Rosie Cavaliero, Nick Mohammed, Robin Askwith and Mark Gatiss featuring, while further stars who got just a few seconds on screen included Maxine Peake, Alison Steadman, David Morrissey and Adrian Dunbar.

One fan commented on X: "Iconic. Masterpiece. Legendary."

Someone else wrote: "Absolutely perfect. I can't possibly imagine a more fittingly brilliant end to the best British show of all time."

One viewer added: "I cannot put into words how perfect that was." "Outstanding. What a way to go," another agreed.

Someone else commented: "Tears of mirth, nostalgia and now a bit bereft. That’s how you do a finale @SP1nightonly @ReeceShearsmith Thank you."

Another fan wrote: "That episode was the perfect send off. It wasn’t what i was expecting and thats the beauty of #insideNo9 it never is what you expected."

Did it wrap things up neatly?

The episode saw Pemberton offered a huge deal in the US on an Amazon show that would take him out of the country for seven years – leaving Shearsmith without a writing partner.

As Shearsmith had been planning a detective drama called Plodding On, he was furious to learn about Pemberton's plans and the pair had a huge row in the toilets of their own party.

However, Pemberton's stateside success was short-lived when he learned that his role was likely to be given to Tim Key instead.

In a tongue-in-cheek ending, the pair decided to go for "a third option" which was an On The Buses-style sitcom pitched to them earlier in the episode by Robin Askwith.

While fans might be devastated at the end of their favourite series, there is still one final outing to look forward to as the West End live show Stage/Fright will open next year.

Keen viewers might also have noted Shearsmith telling Askwith at one point that the BBC had offered them the chance of some specials - so watch out for the Christmas 2024 schedules.

Inside No. 9 is streaming every series on BBC iPlayer.

Read more: Inside No. 9

• Farewell, Inside No 9: Why the BBC show’s finale must be watched live (The Independent, 4 min read)

• Inside No9 creators ready for a new TV show (BANG Showbiz, 2 min read)

• The 100% rated dark comedy series you need to binge on BBC iPlayer (Yahoo, 4 min read)