'Masterpiece' series hailed 'best British show BBC has ever done' free to stream now

A BBC series has been described as the best "British" show the corporation has ever made. The BBC is known for producing many of the UK's most influential and successful comedies, from Only Fools and Horses, Fawlty Towers, Blackadder and plenty more. But when the question was put out on a Reddit forum about which is the greatest British series created by the BBC, one show was repeatedly mentioned.

The fan wrote: "What's the best 'british' series the BBC have ever done? In my opinion The Mighty Boosh, Inside No. 9, Doctor Who have to be up there." Numerous other Reddit users responded with Inside No.9 - a critically acclaimed comedy anthology series created by Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith.

Each 30-minute episode tells a different story, but each one is set in a location connected by the number nine. It ranges from houses, hotel rooms or even a train carriage, with every episode blending dark comedy, suspense and an unexpected twist.

Aside from the writers, each episode features a new cast, with acclaimed British actors including David Tennant, Helen McCrory, Jenna Coleman, Sheridan Smith and Siobhan Finneran all making appearances throughout the series.

The series aired on BBC Two from 2014 2024, running for nine series and 55 episodes.

Inside No.9 has received glowing reviews online, with one IMDb user declaring: "Every single episode is a mini masterpiece!"

They continued: "The second I knew who was involved, I knew I was in for a treat. This is expertly written, acted, directed, costumed, the works. I love the fact that none of the episodes are connected to each other, not even in genre most of the time, not that it matters upon a rewatch, because there's not a single skippable episode, they're each equally original and brilliant, as they are darkly hilarious and genuinely harrowing, a handful of which will even move you to tears.

"What is a surprise, however, is how they keep up the quality in every aspect after so many episodes. Every single one is a mini masterpiece! Hands down, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best series ever to grace our TVs which is refreshing to see when lately, everything just seems like a copy of a copy of a copy."

Another echoed: "Only the Brits could pull off this masterpiece. I've always admired The Brits ability to mold a great tv series. But Inside No. 9 is off the charts. Great scripting and even greater acting. A classic."

A third agreed: "I've just finished watching season eight and I'm absolutely blown away! I can't think of one other series, that number 1 ever reached this summit of entertainment or possessed this level of razor sharp edge, unbelievably clever storylines or kept me on the edge of my seat.

"Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton are the most absolute writers of ORIGINAL comedy and horror and they keep the content incredibly clever and suspenseful. They think of every detail. I'm thrilled every year to see new content. Every episode is a 10 out of 10. I'll think about them for DAYS!"