There are some performances that never quite get the fanfare they deserve and one of them is Nicola Walker’s incredible turn in Inside No. 9. While the popular anthology drama has spawned a whopping 9 series, there’s one heartbreaking – and highly underrated - episode in particular that, in our opinion, outshines them all and that’s Nicola’s.
Titled ‘To Have and to Hold’, the 30-minute episode takes us into the world of photographer, Adrian (Steve Pemberton), and his wife, Harriet (Nicola), who have a marriage which is, well, struggling. But it’s far from your typical story about a failing relationship as Adrian is sitting on an extremely dark secret, which is about to be exposed… with devastating consequences.
With the episode (and full series!) now available to stream on the BBC, here’s everything you need to know about Inside No. 9 before you tune in, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is Inside No. 9 about?
Created by Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, the long-running anthology drama has spanned 9 series with each episode featuring one self-contained story with new characters and a new setting. What links them all, however, is the fact that each story is related to the number 9 in some way.
The series is a black comedy, with themes covering everything from murder to incest to heists and mistaken identities. What makes the series especially brilliant is the huge array of guest stars it's attracted, which includes the likes of Sheridan Smith, Emilia Fox, Felicity Kendal and, of course, Nicola Walker.
If you want to skip straight to Nicola’s episode, you’ll find it in series 4 (episode 4!). The story introduces us to wedding photographer Adrian (Steve Pemberton) who lives in house number 9 with his wife Harriet (played by Nicola). Having seemingly checked out of his marriage, his focus is jigsaws and Pot Noodles, while his wife’s is renewing their wedding vows.
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But what starts off as a heartbreaking insight into a failing marriage soon turns much darker as Adrian has, in fact, been hiding a sinister secret. Covering themes of abuse, captivity and rape, it’s easily one of the most chilling episodes in the entire Inside No. 9 series - and we don't say that lightly.
Who’s in the cast of Inside No. 9?
Each 30-minute episode has a new cast of characters, but almost all of them star Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith. In Nicola’s episode, the cast includes:
- Nicola Walker (Prisoners’ Wives) as Harriet
- Steve Pemberton (Benidorm) as Adrian
- Reece Shearsmith (The Widower) as Max
- Miranda Hennessy (Four Weddings and a Funeral) as Hannah
- Magdalena Kurek (First Night) as Agnes
- Tom Mulheron (Black Mirror) as Levi
Is Inside No. 9 any good?
Yes - it's spanned 9 series for a reason! If you enjoy a real shock factor, you’ll absolutely find it in Inside No. 9, along with sharp wit, incredible performances and genuine emotion. Fans have called the series “a classic”, “utterly compelling” and “impressively inventive” – and we wholly agree with them.
How can I watch Inside No. 9?
All 9 series of Inside No. 9 are available to watch now on BBC iPlayer. For Nicola’s episode, look for series 4, episode 4, which is titled ‘To Have and To Hold’.
What other Nicola Walker dramas can I watch now?
For a series you’ll be thinking about long after you’ve watched it, we’d recommend Collateral. Set over the course of four days, the drama follows the repercussions of a fatal shooting of delivery man Abdullah Asif (Sam Otto) – and the impact it has on those who were connected to it, including Nicola's Jane Oliver. You can watch Collateral now on Netflix. If you fancy something more relatable, we’d suggest Marriage. The series revolves around the 30-year-marriage of couple Emma and Ian (played by Nicola and Sean Bean) and the ups and downs that come with it. Marriage is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
