Séance Time
A séance prank show turns deadly.
The final episode of the second series of *Inside No. 9*, "Séance Time", is a dark comedy that aired on BBC Two on 29 April 2015. Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith wrote it, with Dan Zeff directing. The cast includes Pemberton, Shearsmith, Alison Steadman, Alice Lowe, Sophie McShera, Dan Starkey, Cariad Lloyd, and Caden-Ellis Wall. The story opens with Tina (McShera) arriving at a Victorian villa for a séance. Hives (Shearsmith) guides her to a table, then brings in the mysterious, veiled Madam Talbot (Steadman).
Like the first series' finale "The Harrowing", this episode leans more into horror than the show typically does, though it still contains humour. Pemberton and Shearsmith started with the concept of a séance and built the plot from there. They had long wanted to tackle this theme but sought a fresh approach. The writers intended to open "Séance Time" with very little comedy, presenting it as straightforward horror, before revealing the first twist.
The episode examines horror film conventions as well as the unpleasant side of actors and the television industry. Critics gave "Séance Time" positive reviews, praising its horror—many found it genuinely scary—its humour, and its writing. Steadman’s performance received particular acclaim, with reviewers highlighting her character as a standout.
**Plot**
Tina arrives at a Victorian villa for a séance. Hives settles her before fetching Talbot, who appears draped in black and holding a doll. Talbot, an elderly woman with severe cataracts, speaks in a high-pitched voice that unsettles Tina. As the séance begins, objects fly around the room, Talbot’s voice turns demonic, and ectoplasm oozes from her mouth. Hives urges Tina not to break the circle, but she does when a blue-faced demon (Starkey) appears behind her. Terrified, she learns that Hives is actually Terry, the host of a hidden-camera show called *Scaredy Cam*.
The production crew arrives, including director Gemma (Lloyd) and make-up artist Amanda (Lowe), to set up the next prank. "Talbot" is played by the demanding stage actress Anne, but the crew cannot remember the name of the extra (whom they mistakenly think is a dwarf) playing "Blue Demon Dwarf". They largely ignore him, despite his eagerness to discuss his acting experience and his requests for a drink.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Inside No. 9
- Series No
- 2
- Episode
- 6
- Writer
- Steve Pemberton / Reece Shearsmith
- Director
- Dan Zeff
- Editor
- Joe Randall-Cutler
- Airdate
- 2015-04-29
- Guests
- Sophie McShera as Tina / Alison Steadman as "Madam Talbot"/Anne / Dan Starkey as "Blue Demon Dwarf"/Clive / Cariad Lloyd as Gemma / Alice Lowe as Amanda / Caden-Ellis Wall as William
- Prev
- Nana's Party
- Next
- The Devil of Christmas
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The episode begins with Tina arriving at a Victorian villa for a séance. Hives sits her at a table and then escorts the ominous, shrouded Madam Talbot into the room. The séance involves flying objects, a demonic voice, and ectoplasm, but is revealed to be a hidden camera prank show called Scaredy Cam. The production crew, including director Gemma and make-up artist Amanda, prepare for the next prank. The extra playing the "Blue Demon Dwarf" is mostly ignored by the crew, despite his eagerness to talk about his acting experiences. The prank on a new mark, Pete, goes wrong when he punches the extra, who later dies. Terry, the host, believes he is on Scaredy Cam again, but no one is watching. A corpse-like child rises from a cot, and Terry has wet himself, insisting he is on the show.
Reader's Guide
"Séance Time" is somewhat more horrific than is typical for Inside No. 9, though humour remains. The writers began with the idea of a séance and developed the plot from there, aiming to present it as straight horror before introducing the first twist. The episode explores both the norms of horror films and the unpleasantness of actors and the television industry. Critics responded positively, praising the horror—several considered the episode genuinely frightening—the humour, and the writing. Alison Steadman's performance was singled out as strong, with critics commending her character as a highlight. The episode's title was taken from a line performed by David Warner in the 1974 film From Beyond the Grave. Shearsmith had previously taken part in a séance with The League of Gentlemen in a putatively-haunted house, where he believed he had experienced something supernatural until Mark Gatiss confessed he was responsible.
Did You Know?
- The writers considered 15 to 20 different endings before settling on the one they used.
- Alison Steadman was ill upon arrival for filming, which led to her character's croaking voice being mostly her own.
More in Inside No. 9 episodes 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced