THREE MEN IN A BOAT

Mark Gatiss joins old pals Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith for a long-awaited reunion as Inside No. 9 returns

- SEAN MARLAND

Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton have welcomed a host of big stars into the world of Inside No. 9 over the years, but never managed to find a role for their old pal Mark Gatiss – until now.

The trio, who starred in cult BBC2 comedy The League of Gentlemen together, are reunited on-screen once more in Merrily, Merrily, the first episode of the new season of the BAFTA-winning black comedy.

Also starring Motherland’s Diane Morgan, the tale takes place at a secluded boating lake, where three old friends share a long-awaited reunion. But as they catch up, things take an unexpected turn…

Here, Shearsmith and Pemberton tell us more about a get-together that’s been years in the making…

How did the idea for Merrily, Merrily come about?