The writers of BBC Two’s Inside No. 9 have given some new hints about what to expect from the upcoming third season.

Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith’s anthology comedy series will return later this year with six new episodes, directed by Guillam Morales (Julia’s Eyes).

Guest stars will include Keeley Hawes (Line Of Duty), Jessica Raine (Call The Midwife), Felicity Kendal (Rosemary And Thyme), Fiona Shaw (True Blood), Jason Watkins (Being Human), Philip Glenister (Life on Mars), Mathew Baynton (The Wrong Mans), Rula Lenska (Coronation Street), Sarah Hadland (Miranda), Tamzin Outhwaite (EastEnders), Javone Prince (The Javone Prince Show), Montserrat Lombard (Ashes To Ashes), Morgana Robinson (House Of Fools) and Alexandra Roach (The Iron Lady).

Pemberton told Empire: “We’ve done quite a dark series this time around. There’s two or three episodes where we’ve pushed the horror element.”

In addition to the previously announced settings of a restaurant after closing time, an art gallery and an alpine chalet in 1978, the new stories will also feature a cryptic crossword, an episode set entirely in a karaoke booth, and “a bunch of strangers stuck in a definitely-not-ordinary art gallery”.

Shearsmith has revealed that the episode the pair are most excited about in Season 3 is called ‘The Devil At Christmas’ and “[the unconventional filming style] looks shit, but it’s brilliant.” The story features the Krampus, the half-goat, half-demon creature straight out of Austrian folklore.

Pemberton added: “As soon as people stop being surprised, we’ll know we’ve plateaued.”

Inside No. 9 launched in February 2014 and the second season concluded on BBC Two last April.

> Buy Season 1 on DVD on Amazon.

> Buy Season 2 on DVD on Amazon.

Season 3 will air on BBC Two this autumn.

Are you looking forward to Season 3? Let us know below…