Dracula viewers spot spooky Inside No. 9 Easter egg
Note: This article contains spoilers for Dracula's second episode.
Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat's new Dracula adaptation has already proven to be a treasure trove of Easter eggs, most notably linking the show to Doctor Who and Sherlock.
First, in the miniseries' premiere, a major hint was dropped that The Doctor's former companion Clara Oswald (Jenna Louise Coleman) exists in the same universe as Dracula.
And then, Whovians were surprised to see the new incarnation of The Master – or at least the actor who plays him – make an appearance in the bloodsucker series just a day after his Doctor Who debut.
But there was yet another treat for eagle-eyed viewers to sink their teeth into during Thursday's episode (January 2), as a nod was made to another popular BBC One show – Inside No. 9.
Titled 'Blood Vessel', the second instalment of the three-part series saw Dracula and a host of new characters sail a ship to England, with the Count struggling to keep his fangs in his mouth.
Throughout the episode, the ship's captain and his crew kept alluding to an ill passenger who was resting in room 9.
With Gatiss formerly starring in The League of Gentlemen alongside Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton – the writers of Inside No. 9 – fans took the inclusion of room 9 as a clear nod to the show.
One viewer tweeted: "Mark Gatiss, one of the Dracula tv show creators, worked with Steve Pemberton & Reece Shearsmith on The League of Gentlemen. Pemberton & Shearsmith make the show Inside Number 9. Looked like a wink towards the show to me."
While another wrote: "It isn't me, is it. Cabin number 9 is 1000% a nod to Inside Number 9, the show by his fellow Gentlemen??"
Is that a cheeky little Inside Number 9 nod I see? 😉 @Markgatiss @ReeceShearsmith #Dracula pic.twitter.com/lREdRbpD1U
— Sean McLachlan (@Sean__McLachlan) January 2, 2020
Watching the brilliant drama #Dracula by the equally brilliant @Markgatiss & I noticed one of the ships doors is No9.... is this a nod to your pals @ReeceShearsmith @SP1nightonly ...what’s inside number 9? Whatever floats your boat ....to Whitby 🧛🩸
— Jane K ✨🌻✨ (@janekleimunt) January 2, 2020
This is probably the best inside number 9 yet! #Dracula
— Alex Lipinski (@imAlexLipinski) January 2, 2020
it isn't me, is it. Cabin number 9 is 1000% a nod to Inside Number 9, the show by his fellow Gentlemen?? @Markgatiss @ReeceShearsmith @SP1nightonly #Dracula #draculabbc
— bexxiepie (@bexxiepie) January 2, 2020
The new BBC's 'Dracula', episode 2. Very well written! Love the nod to 'Inside number 9'! ;) #draculabbc #Dracula #BBCDracula #InsideNo9 pic.twitter.com/ImgSTdLmSp
— Melody Pugh (@Melody1980) January 2, 2020
Mark Gatiss, one of the Dracula tv show creators, worked with Steve Pemberton & Reece Shearsmith on The League of Gentlemen. Pemberton & Shearsmith make the show Inside Number 9. Looked like a wink towards the show to me, when Agatha was inside cabin number 9. 😉
— Ms Grace 🕷️ (@badgraciebabes) January 2, 2020
@ReeceShearsmith @Markgatiss I genuinely hope cabin number 9 was a little nod to inside number 9. Or a big nod, I dont care. I loved it anyway!
— James Turnbull (@jamestbl) January 2, 2020
In a major twist, it was eventually revealed that the ill passenger inside room 9 was Agatha Van Helsing, Dracula's main adversary who he previously captured and drained.
The episode then ended with an even bigger twist as Dracula got off the ship to suddenly find himself in a modern world, with Agatha's police force descendant waiting there to greet him.
Dracula concludes tonight (January 3) at 9pm on BBC One.
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