If Series 1 and 2 of Reece Shearsmith and [Steve Pemberton](Steve Pemberton)’s Inside No. 9 didn’t dabble in the dark enough as far as you’re concerned, rejoice! “We’ve done quite a dark series this time around,” says Pemberton. “There’s two or three episodes where we’ve pushed the horror element.” Considering their previous use of creepy dolls and demons, what on Earth could the duo have up their sleeves to make us recoil even further behind our sofas?
As soon as people stop being surprised, we’ll know we’ve plateaued.
For those unfamiliar with the subject material, Inside No. 9 is an anthology show that brings together the best of British (Helen McCrory, Jack Whitehall, Jane Horrocks and Sheridan Smith for starters) for unrelated episodes that all have a connection to, yes, that's right, the number nine. Pemberton and Shearsmith also star.
So what of their upcoming batch of six creepy stories? One involves a cryptic crossword, another is set exclusively in a karaoke booth, and another features a bunch of strangers stuck in a definitely-not-ordinary art gallery.
But the one they are most excited about is The Devil At Christmas. Set in an Alpine cabin (“It looks shit, but it’s brilliant”, says Shearsmith of the episode's unconventional filming style), it features the Krampus: the half-goat, half-demon creature straight out of Austrian folklore. Just what you’d expect from the brains behind The League Of Gentlemen, then. “As soon as people stop being surprised, we’ll know we’ve plateaued”, says Pemberton.
Inside No. 9 will return to BBC Two this autumn.