Inside Man is now available for streaming on Netflix, following its conclusion on BBC One in October 2022. This four-episode drama, created by Steven Moffat, features a compelling cast that includes David Tennant, Stanley Tucci, Dolly Wells, and Lydia West from It’s a Sin.
The storyline weaves together two seemingly unrelated narratives—one centered on a vicar living in a quiet English town and the other focusing on a prisoner on death row in the United States. A shocking turn of events brings their paths together when a teacher is kidnapped.
The series’ dramatic conclusion, which leaves multiple plot points unresolved, has fueled speculation about a potential follow-up or spin-off.
A shocking post-credits scene fuels sequel speculation (Photo: Inside Man/Universal Pictures)For now, while waiting for any news about a second installment, here’s a breakdown of the ending of Inside Man, including a look at the unexpected post-credits scene.
Why Did Grieff Kill His Wife?
Despite all the intrigue surrounding Jefferson Grieff (Stanley Tucci), the mystery behind his wife’s murder remains unsolved. He offered his former father-in-law crucial information—the location of his daughter’s head—but only on the condition that he intervene to prevent his execution.
Infuriated, the man lashed out at Grieff in his prison cell while Casey stood by, allowing it to happen. Within moments, Grieff provided the supposed location.
Casey then issued a warning to the grieving father, stating that if he failed to assist in saving Grieff’s life—assuming the information was accurate—the footage of his assault would be handed over to the FBI.
However, it was later revealed that Grieff had given false details. When asked again why he had killed his wife, he cryptically responded, “That’s a story for another day.” With so much left unanswered, the possibility of revisiting Grieff’s story in a sequel or spin-off has not been ruled out by Moffat.
“The story wraps up in four episodes, but could something spin off from it? Could a sequel happen? I don’t know at this moment,” Moffat told RadioTimes.com. “It’s not really my decision, nor the broadcasters’—it all depends on the audience. If there’s demand, then the question becomes: Is there actually another story to tell?”
He also expressed his reluctance to extend a show unnecessarily, saying, “There are plenty of series that had just one season but still attempted to continue. I would never want to force another season just because the opportunity presents itself.”
How Did Beth Find Janice in Inside Man?
Early in the episode, Grieff hinted to Beth that he had an idea of where Janice might be, though he withheld specifics. Similarly, Morag remained vague about their destination, only mentioning they were headed for “base camp.”
Beth was eventually taken to an apartment and left there under the pretense that Morag had to go shopping. When speaking with Grieff over the phone later, she suddenly put the pieces together—she was in Janice’s apartment.
What Happened to Mary in Inside Man?
Mary realized that the email sent from Janice’s account, which canceled her Skype call, was incriminating. Her own phone was damaged, and her laptop was at Harry’s house, making it impossible for her to have sent the email from home as stated.
Determined to cover her tracks, Mary retrieved her laptop from Harry’s house along with Janice’s keys and attempted to place them back at Janice’s home. But upon her arrival, she was confronted by Beth.
The situation escalated as Mary attacked Beth with a bread knife. In the midst of the altercation, she received a call from Ben, who revealed what was truly stored on the memory stick.
As the tension mounted, Ben disclosed that he was trapped in the cellar—right before his phone died. Realizing her son’s life was in danger, Mary rushed out, desperate to reach Harry, but he missed her call.
Beth followed closely behind as Mary, in a state of panic, backed into the street while yelling to be left alone. A vehicle then struck her, killing her instantly.
What Happened with Ben and Janice in the Basement?
Inside the cellar, Ben had pieced together much of the truth and assumed that Janice believed either he or his father was a pedophile. Frustrated and disoriented from the carbon monoxide poisoning, Ben approached Janice with a hammer. She recognized the threat and urged him to shut off the heater, but he ignored her.
Moments later, he struck Janice on the head with the hammer, seemingly leaving her for dead—just as Harry rushed down to witness the horrifying scene.
What Happened to Harry in Inside Man?
After finding his son in distress, Harry rescued Ben from the basement and assured him that he would take responsibility for Janice’s apparent murder. Ben fled outside, vomiting on the street, where Morag happened to find him.
Back in the cellar, Harry called the police to confess. As he did, he discovered that Janice was still alive. Faced with the realization that she could expose Ben, he contemplated finishing the job himself. As he raised the hammer, poised to strike her hand, Beth entered the room, having gained access through the door Ben had left open.
A vicar, a prisoner, and a kidnapping collide in Inside Man (Photo: Inside Man/Universal Pictures)An enraged Harry turned on Beth, proclaiming that he was a devoted husband and father while accusing her of insulting him by acting fearful. The confrontation escalated to the point where it seemed he might kill not just Janice but Beth as well. Just then, three men carrying spades and an axe entered the basement.
Later, in a recorded interview with Grieff from a UK prison, Harry was informed that these men had been sent by Grieff’s father-in-law. Instead of receiving the correct location of his daughter’s remains, he had been led to Janice instead. By doing this, Grieff had forfeited his chance to save his own life in order to protect hers.
Grieff then explained that, since there was no missing persons report for Janice, she must have been last seen where she was scheduled to be—at the vicarage for Ben’s tutoring session.
Now intrigued by Harry’s actions, Grieff expressed his interest in speaking with him further, pointing out that if things had gone differently, Mary might still be alive. As he delivered one final monologue about humanity’s dark impulses, the season reached its dramatic end. But is the story truly over?
What Happens at the End of Inside Man? Post-Credits Scene Explained
During a mid-credits sequence, Grieff received an unexpected visitor—Janice. She approached him with a request regarding a murder case. However, this case wasn’t about uncovering a past crime—it was about planning one.
Janice informed Grieff that she wanted his assistance in orchestrating the murder of her husband. When he pointed out that her husband was still alive, she coldly responded, “No, but he deserves to be [dead].” She then asked if he could help her, to which he replied, “How can I help?”
This revelation introduces a host of new questions. Janice is married? She wants her husband dead? The scene also establishes that it takes place two weeks after the main events, as Grieff’s execution date has been reduced from three weeks to just one.
Does this hint at another season focused on an entirely new storyline? Only time will tell.
