Plus what we know about the episodes so far

The fifth season of Inside No 9 kicks off next Monday. Here are the first look images from each of each episode, with what of we know of the cast and the plots so far.

Episode 1: The Referee's a W***er

This picture was previously released, with Reece Shearsmith, Ralf Little, David Morrissey, Steve Pemberton

Blurb: The beautiful game. The crunch-clash between United and Rovers in the last match of the season, all safely in the care of the four match officials. David Morrissey, Ralf Little, Dipo Ola and Steve Speirs join Shearsmith and Pemberton for a tale of promotion, relegation, corruption, and so, so much more.

Episode 2: Death Be Not Proud

Blurb: Beattie and Sam are a young couple finally on the property ladder. But the only flat they can afford has a dark and sinister past, a past that demands to be heard.

With Jenna Coleman. Also starring Kadiff Kirwan

Episode 3: Love's Great Adventure

With Pemberton, Gaby French, Bobby Schofield, Debbie Rush, Olly Hudson-Croker and Shearsmith

No information has yet been released about this episode.

Episode 4: Misdirection

With Pemberton as Willy Wando, Shearsmith as Neville Griffin.

No details have officially been released, but there were a lot of clues in a South Bank Show about the couple which aired last summer and was shot during filming. In that show, Pemberton explains: 'It's about a magician played by Reece who's shown a trick by my character, a down-at-heel club magician called Willy Wando, and then all kind of mayhem ensues.’ Footage shows Pemberton staggering though a warehouse set with a sheet over his head, having apparently received a hefty blow to the skull, while being strangled by Reece from behind. It’s ’a bit of blood, bit of fighting. Usual Inside No 9 fare, really,’ Pemberton said, And Shearsmith added that the episode was such a joy because ‘I'm a massive magic fan, Ive always been obsessed by magic since I was four years old.’

Episode 5: Thinking Out Loud

With Phil Davis, Ioanna Kimbook, Pemberton, Maxine Peake, Sandra Gayer, Shearsmith

No information has yet been released about this episode. However, at a preview screening of episodes 1 and 6 earlier this month, Pemberton explained that one episode – which he also directed – comprised a series of monologues, including one from a YouTuber. He said: 'That came across reading a news story about the girl who tried to blag a free hotel and just said, "You know me, I'm a YouTuber, give me everything for free." So that sparked an interest and we've done a whole little YouTube section.'

Episode 6: The Stakeout

Shearsmith as PCSO Varney, Pemberton as PC Thompson

Blurb:   Two police officers have time to get to know each other on the night shift. But PC Thompson’s previous partner died in a brutal attack less than a month ago, the forensics have gone missing and PC Varney is beginning to ask a lot of awkward questions.

• Inside No 9 returns to BBC Two at 10pm on Monday February 3

Published: 29 Jan 2020