The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge
A witch trial episode reflecting real historical absurdity.
"The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge" is the fourth episode of the second series of the British dark comedy anthology *Inside No. 9*, written by Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton and directed by Dan Zeff. It was broadcast on BBC Two on 8 April 2015. The plot centres on a 17th-century witch trial in the village of Little Happens, where Elizabeth Gadge (Ruth Sheen) is accused of witchcraft by locals including characters played by Sinead Matthews, Jim Howick, Paul Kaye and Trevor Cooper. The magistrate Sir Andrew Pike (David Warner) has summoned the celebrated witch-finders Mr Warren and Mr Clarke (Shearsmith and Pemberton) to judge her, but his primary interest lies in attracting visitors to the village rather than uncovering the truth.
The episode was never meant to spoof period dramas; instead, it aimed to mirror the inherent absurdity of historical witch trials. Because the characters treat the proceedings with complete seriousness, much of the comedy emerges from that earnestness. Shearsmith and Pemberton drew inspiration from *Witchfinder General*, *The Crucible*, Monty Python and Hammer Horror films, and named the witch-finders after actor Warren Clarke. Critics generally praised the humour—especially the archaic language—the writing and the performances, though some felt the episode was weaker than the two that preceded it.
**Production**
The second series of *Inside No. 9* was written in 2014, with filming taking place from late 2014 into early 2015. The idea for "The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge" began with Shearsmith suggesting a witch trial, after which the pair fleshed out the setting. The episode was shot mostly in story order at a barn in the Chiltern Open Air Museum, a location previously used for *Doctor Who* and *Horrible Histories*. During the same period, a *Drunk History* sketch featuring Luke Pasqualino—a former *Inside No. 9* guest star—was filmed nearby. "The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge" was the first episode of the second series to be shot, in December. The barn was bitterly cold; Pemberton joked that, unlike on *Titanic*, they would not be adding digital breath in post-production.
To achieve authenticity, Pemberton and Shearsmith read transcripts of genuine witch trials. The characters' fixation on "teats" and "suckling", for example, came from real trial records.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Inside No. 9
- Series No
- 2
- Episode
- 3
- Writer
- Steve Pemberton / Reece Shearsmith
- Director
- Dan Zeff
- Airdate
- 2015-04-09
- Guests
- David Warner as Sir Andrew Pike / Ruth Sheen as Elizabeth Gadge / Sinead Matthews as Sarah Nutter / Jim Howick as Thomas Nutter / Paul Kaye as Richard Two-Shoes / Trevor Cooper as George Waterhouse
- Prev
- The 12 Days of Christine
- Next
- Cold Comfort
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The episode was filmed in December 2014 on location in a barn at the Chiltern Open Air Museum, the first episode of the second series to be filmed. The barn was extremely cold during filming. The writing process began with Shearsmith's suggestion of a witch trial, and the writers read genuine witch trial transcripts to mimic authentic proceedings. The fixation of characters on "teats" and "suckling" came from authentic trials. The episode was the only period piece in the first two series of Inside No. 9.
The episode starred Pemberton and Shearsmith as witch-finders Mr Warren and Mr Clarke, respectively, alongside David Warner as Sir Andrew Pike and Ruth Sheen as Elizabeth Gadge. Sinead Matthews, Jim Howick, Paul Kaye, and Trevor Cooper played other villagers. The characters Thomas and Sarah Nutter were originally named 'Gadge' in early drafts, but were renamed 'Nutter' as a reference to Alice Nutter of the Pendle witch trials.
Reader's Guide
"The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge" is significant as a period piece within the anthology series Inside No. 9, demonstrating the show's range beyond contemporary settings. The episode's approach—taking the absurdity of real witch trials seriously rather than parodying them—was praised by critics for its humour, particularly the use of archaic language, writing, and performances. Some critics considered it of lower quality than the previous two episodes of the series. The episode reflects the writers' interest in historical authenticity, as they read genuine trial transcripts and aimed to avoid spoof. Its legacy includes showcasing how the series could explore different genres and time periods, with the writers expressing willingness to do another period piece. The episode also highlights the show's ability to attract actors like David Warner and Ruth Sheen, who might not commit to a full series, and the creative solutions to budget constraints, such as using a single day of extras.
Did You Know?
- The names of the witch-finders, Warren and Clarke, were a tribute to actor Warren Clarke.
- A Drunk History sketch starring Luke Pasqualino, a previous Inside No. 9 guest star, was filmed nearby concurrently.
- The characters Thomas and Sarah Nutter were originally mistakenly named 'Gadge', but were renamed as a reference to Alice Nutter of the Pendle witch trials.
More in Inside No. 9 episodes 1-24
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