Inside No. 9 (TV Series) The Understudy (2014) User Reviews

Cracking episode.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 12 October 2018]

Misdirection is the key to the success of this episode, as you watch it you're convinced you know what's going to happen, and exactly just who's behind the chain of unfortunate events, but as always with this show, the writing is so incredibly good that the person responsible is the one you've taken your eye off.

The story is brilliant, the production values and direction are great, but it's the performances that stand out most of all. Pemberton and Shearsmith are brilliant, as are Lyndsay, Rosie and Julia, all the characters are terrific.

I really enjoyed this one. 8/10

More is thy due than more than all can pay.

[southdavid · 8/10 · 1 July 2021]

Very clever almost "meta" episode for the fifth of the first season.

Jim (Reece Shearsmith) is the understudy for Tony (Steve Pemberton) in his performance of Macbeth in the West End. Jim's fiancé, Laura (Lyndsey Marshal) is also part of the company and tries to encourage Jim to push for the main role, especially when Tony undertakes a performance whilst very drunk - unusual as her has been sober for five years. Standing in his way are his own confidence issues, and the dismissive stage manager Felicity (Julia Davis).

I really enjoyed this episode with its conceit of the off-stage action mirroring the on-stage play, Jim seeing visions of blood and his ambitious girlfriend pushing him to success. The episode works by pointing towards an obvious revelation throughout, before twisting it at the last minute in another direction. The performances are strong, Rosie Cavaliero is great as Tony's put-upon dresser and Julia Davis, employing an Australian accent (of sorts), as the predatory lesbian Felicity is one of the highlights and probably the broadest and funniest character of the episode.

One of the better episodes of the show so far.

The Understudy

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 15 December 2019]

All the world's a stage. It certainly is for ace actor Tony Warner. On the wagon and his Macbeth is a success.

Tony might be arrogant, he has no time for his understudies or even his neighbours who have come to see the show. However the show must go on even if it means one evening he gets blind drunk and has an accident on stage which leaves him hospitalised.

The accident turns out to be Jim's big break. Jim was Tony's understudy for Macbeth. He is engaged to another understudy Laura who wants him to be more assertive take any sudden opportunities that come his way.

The episode hints at an obvious twist but that is misdirection. An element of Misery as Jim finds out that he has a number one fan.

Awesome inside room thriller

[jijogeorgealex-61308 · 7/10 · 2 December 2017]

this episode deals with the life of an understudy who have high hopes of being a good artist but something is preventing him from achieving that position positives 1: great acting 2. great story 3. great atmosphere 4. nice ending negatives: 1: this episode seems to be similar to another episode in this series 2:it is hard to understand the ending clearly overall its a good addition to this amazing series. not great but good one though

You were the wind beneath my wings...well almost

[eppingdrwho · 29 January 2020]

This is one of my favourite episodes of the first season. The division of the story into acts and the setting primarily behind scenes at a theatre work well as does the key casting of several good characters. Highly enjoyable!

Good episode but ...

[colc-66264 · 7/10 · 23 April 2021]

Almost completely ruined by an atrocious attempt at an Australian accent. Everybody responsible for letting that abomination go to air needs an urgent hearing test. If the creators were dead set on making the character Australian then hire an Australian actor, it's not like there's any shortage of them in England.

Sets the tone

[safenoe · 8/10 · 26 November 2020]

This is definitely one of the darker episodes from season 1 of Inside No. 9, and definitely worth watching. The ending was a twist to remember. Also all credit to Julia Davis for her role as Felicity. Not sure if Julia was trying to sport an Australian or New Zealand accent.

The play's the thing

[spycygrl-07487 · 8/10 · 26 February 2023]

Maybe it's my past as a theatre major, but I really enjoyed this one. I appreciate that the episode was in 5 Acts (just like the play) and that the episode's plot loosely mirrored the plot of the play within each of the Acts. This particular Shakespeare work has always been said to be cursed (in particular if one actually says the name of the play - thus often referred to instead as "The Scottish Play), so the tragedy that befalls Tony on stage feels apt.

The misdirection elements are keen. Pay attention. You think you know, but do you?

FUN FACT: the idea of a parallel play plot and life plot is also the basis for the film, See How They Run - which Reece Shearsmith (Inside No. 9 creator and Tony's understudy in this episode) stars in!

If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me

[norxilla · 8/10 · 7 March 2024]

I was a big fan of this episode when I first watched it, I am biased though as I am a theatre kid. The boys are obviously familiar with Shakespeare and have had a good deal of experience in theatre, so they understand how to get an accurate but a slight caricature of people in the actual industry. The way they use Shakespeare to highlight significant moments was well done and added to that sense of unease. Very creepy episode, but it's a shame it was made tacky with quite terrible special effects and editing. That dripping blood did make me cringe.

Worth noting how they write to suggest one character as the villain, only for it to be a very unassuming one. Feeding the audience with an obvious villain while subduing the real villain is done with ease. What makes it more convincing is not trying to completely subdue Kirstie's character. There are moments of symbolism and foreshadowing that suggest all is not actually as it seems. Overall brilliant episode, let down by the editing and effects which took me out of it a bit.

Special mention: Steve's performance as Tony in a wheelchair had me in stitches. His Dr Strangelove-esque performance was hilarious.