Inside No.9’s Steve Pemberton teases ‘brutal’ new role – ahead of hit BBC series’ final ever episode
INSIDE No.9 star Steve Pemberton has teased a ‘brutal’ new role – ahead of the BBC comedy’s final ever episode.
The actor and comedian, 55, co-created Inside No.9 with long-time collaborator Reece Shearsmith.
Ahead of the show’s final episode, Steve opened up about his upcoming role in Netflix‘s Missing You.
Cast as upscale dog breeder Titus Monroe, he hinted what viewers can expect from the character.
Speaking to Netflix, Steve said of Titus: “He cares very much more about the dogs than he does about the people.
“However, the dog-breeding farm that he owns has an underlying more sinister purpose and it’s very dark and brutal what he is doing.”
Missing You is based on Harlan Coben’s best-selling novel of the same name.
The premise reads: “When Detective Kat Donovan matches on a dating app with the fiancé who disappeared years before, she learns that some secrets are best left in the past.”
Fellow cast members in the show include Rosalind Eleazar and Richard Armitage.
Also signed up are Ashley Walters, James Nesbitt, Lenny Henry and Jessica Plummer.
It comes as Inside No.9 returns to screens one last time this Christmas.
The beloved comedy aired its final series back in June, leaving its fans heartbroken.
One fan wrote at the time: “I’m all over the place.
“Emotional damage!!! Whatever is next I cannot wait.”
While another added: “Wow. I don’t normally tweet anything but as a huge fan of Inside No.9 I wish to express my gratitude and astonishment at how beautiful the final episode was. Thank you guys.”
On the way now is a behind-the-scenes special titled “Inside No.9: The Party’s Over”.
The episode features interviews with Steve, Reece and other cast members.
Best BBC comedies
We look back at some of the best to ever grace the screen.
Fawlty Towers (1975-1979) – Only two series were made of the beloved institution. However, the cultural impact of the series starring John Cleese and Connie Booth spans decades. It follows rude and intolerant Basil Fawlty (Cleese) as he attempts to improve the reputation of his hotel.
Only Fools and Horses (1981-2003) – The show was crowned by some as the best British sitcom of all time by a TV poll in 2004. Seven series were broadcast on BBC until 1991 with additional sporadic Christmas specials airing until 2003. Sir David Jason starred as ambitious market trader Derek “Del Boy” Trotter whilst Nicholas Lyndhurst played his younger half-brother Rodney. Set in working-class Peckham in south-east London, it follows the highs and lows of the lives of the Trotters’, in particular their brazen attempts to get rich.
Blackadder (1983 – 1989) – Four series were made of the iconic show, created by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson. Each series spans a different historical period as anti-hero Edmund Blackadder (Atkinson) tries to better himself in each society. Accompanied by his dogsbody Baldrick (Tony Robinson), trouble always ensues. A TV poll in 2004 found that Blackadder was voted the second-best British sitcom of all time
Absolutely Fabulous (1992 – 2012) – Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley star as failing PR guru Edina ‘Eddie’ Monsoon and alcoholic fashionista Patsy Stone. The pair embark on heavy-drinking sessions and abuse drugs in a desperate attempt to stay ‘hip’. Eddie constantly chases bizarre fads and fails to lose weight whilst her disappointed and neglected daughter Saffy (Julia Sawalha) looks on.
Little Britain (2003 – 2006) – The premise is simple. A sketch show which features different British people from all walks of life that are engaged in all sorts of comical scenarios. Starring Matt Lucas and David Walliams, the pair created iconic pop culture characters. Viewers loved obnoxious council estate teenager Vicky Pollard, morbidly obese scrounger Bubbles Devere, slimming coach Marjorie Dawes, despondent office worker Carol Beer, disgraced politician Sir Norman Fry, of course the iconic Lou and Andy!
The Catherine Tate Show (2004-2015) – A sketch show starring the likes of Catherine Tate. She made iconic characters such as rowdy schoolgirl Lauren Cooper with her line ‘Am I bovvered?’. Other characters featured Bernie the nurse, the aga saga woman, complaining couple Janice and Ray, and of course her infamous ‘Nan’, Joannie Taylor. The last character herself spawned multiple specials and even a movie.
Gavin and Stacey (2007 – Present) The series tells the story of Gavin (Matthew Horne) and Stacey (Joanna Page). The pair embarked on an online and telephone romance for six months. But when they finally decide to be together properly, their friends and family get in the way. Ruth Jones and James Corden created the beloved show, which has been going for over a decade. The 2019 Christmas special was the most-watched comedy in 17 years and the most-viewed non-sporting event in a decade.
Cameras filmed behind-the-scenes during the last series as a “final farewell”.
Best known as a comedian, Steve already has experience playing more dramatic roles.
He notably starred as Kevin Weatherill in the first series of Happy Valley.
Missing You will stream on Netflix from January 1, 2025.