Inside

Inside is a groundbreaking documentary series produced by the Sidemen and released on Netflix on February 18, 2024. The eight-episode series provides unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to one of the world's most successful YouTube groups, exploring the reality of content creation, the pressure of maintaining relevance, and the personal lives of seven creators who transformed from bedroom gamers into entertainment moguls.

Inside marks a significant milestone for YouTube creator content on mainstream streaming platforms. Unlike typical celebrity documentaries, the series offers raw, unfiltered perspectives on digital content creation as a career—addressing mental health, creative burnout, friendship dynamics, business pressures, and the unique challenges of growing up in the public eye.

The series features all seven Sidemen members: KSI (JJ Olatunji), Miniminter (Simon Minter), Zerkaa (Josh Bradley), Behzinga (Ethan Payne), W2S (Harry Lewis), TBJZL (Tobi Brown), and Vikkstar123 (Vikram Barn).

The concept for Inside originated in early 2022 when the Sidemen began discussions with Netflix about creating a documentary series that would authentically represent YouTube culture and creator life. Unlike traditional reality shows, the Sidemen insisted on maintaining creative control and editorial approval to ensure the series reflected their genuine experiences rather than manufactured drama for entertainment value.

Production spanned 18 months (mid-2022 to late 2023), with camera crews documenting the Sidemen during major events, business meetings, content creation sessions, personal moments, and candid conversations. The production team filmed over 400 hours of footage, ultimately edited down to approximately 8 hours for the eight-episode series.

Netflix invested significantly in production value, employing cinematography techniques typically reserved for high-budget documentaries. The series features drone footage, cinematic B-roll of London, professional interviews, and archival footage tracing the Sidemen's journey from 2013 to present.

The Sidemen's involvement extended beyond being subjects—they served as executive producers, participated in editorial decisions, and provided input on episode structure and narrative arcs. This collaboration ensured the series maintained authenticity while meeting Netflix's quality standards.

Episode 1: Beginnings

The premiere episode traces each member's individual journey to YouTube, their early struggles gaining traction, and the organic formation of the Sidemen in October 2013. Archival footage shows early videos, bedroom setups, and youthful energy that contrasts with their current success.

Episode 2: Going Viral

This episode covers the Sidemen's explosive growth from 2014–2016, documenting their first viral videos, moving into the Sidemen House, and navigating sudden fame as teenagers and young adults.

Episode 3: Breaking Point

Perhaps the series' most emotionally raw episode, “Breaking Point” addresses the 2017 internal dispute when interpersonal tensions nearly dissolved the group. Members speak candidly about ego conflicts, creative differences, and personal issues that escalated to crisis point.

Episode 4: Business Empire

Focusing on the Sidemen's evolution from content creators to business operators, this episode explores Sidemen Clothing's development, the Sides restaurant chain launch, XIX Vodka, and other ventures.

Episode 5: Individual Journeys

This episode spotlights individual member stories: KSI's boxing career, Behzinga's fitness transformation, Vikkstar's business investments, and others' personal developments.

Episode 6: The Charity Match

Documenting preparation for the 2023 Sidemen Charity Football Match, this episode shows the extensive planning, training, venue coordination, and pressure of organizing an event for 60,000 attendees.

Episode 7: Mental Health

The most critically acclaimed episode, featuring candid conversations about anxiety, depression, therapy, and the psychological toll of public life. Members discuss their lowest points, coping mechanisms, and importance of professional mental health support.

Episode 8: What's Next

The season finale looks forward, with members discussing long-term goals, legacy aspirations, and advice for aspiring creators. It concludes with reflections on gratitude, friendship, and the surreal journey from bedroom gamers to entertainment entrepreneurs.

Authenticity vs. Performance

The series examines tension between authentic self-expression and performing for audiences. Members discuss the exhaustion of always being “on,” maintaining personas versus showing vulnerability, and finding balance between privacy and transparency.

Friendship Under Pressure

A central theme explores how business partnerships affect genuine friendships. The series shows both beautiful moments of camaraderie and difficult conflicts when creative differences create tension, ultimately demonstrating that authentic relationships can endure when members prioritize communication.

Mental Health in Public Life

Perhaps the most important theme, the series normalizes mental health struggles among public figures. Members speak openly about anxiety, depression, imposter syndrome, and the pressures of online criticism. By showing successful people discussing therapy, the series combats stigma and encourages help-seeking behavior.

Evolution of Career

The documentary traces career evolution from simple content creation to complex business operations. It explores questions about when to diversify beyond core content, balancing creative passion with business pragmatism, and building sustainable careers beyond platform dependency.

Legacy and Impact

Members grapple with questions about lasting impact and legacy beyond entertainment. Discussions cover charitable work, representation for aspiring creators, and responsibility that comes with influence over millions of young viewers.

Inside received widespread critical acclaim upon release, achieving a 92% average on Rotten Tomatoes and strong 8.4/10 user rating on IMDb. Critics praised the series' authenticity, emotional depth, and willingness to address uncomfortable topics.

The series performed exceptionally well commercially, reaching Netflix's Top 10 in 47 countries including UK, US, Australia, Canada, and throughout Europe. It remained in the UK Top 10 for 6 consecutive weeks.

Multiple mental health organisations reported increased engagement with resources following Episode 7's release, particularly from young men. Educational institutions incorporated the series into media studies curricula as a case study in digital content creation and modern celebrity.

The Sidemen's partnership with Netflix represents a significant evolution in how major streaming platforms approach YouTube creator content. Inside marked a strategic shift, with Netflix recognising that YouTube creators command massive, engaged audiences that traditional entertainment struggles to reach.

Negotiations reportedly began in early 2022. The Sidemen's pitch emphasised universal themes—friendship, mental health, career evolution, ambition—that transcended their specific platform. By framing their story as exploration of modern celebrity and digital entrepreneurship, they convinced Netflix executives of broad appeal.

Following Inside, Netflix announced several creator-focused projects, signaling recognition that YouTube creators represent legitimate entertainment figures worthy of prestige documentary treatment.

Netflix officially renewed Inside for Season 2 in July 2024, just five months after Season 1's release. Production began in January 2026 with expanded scope and increased budget.

Season 2 will feature 10 episodes with planned focus areas including:

• The Sides restaurant expansion to multiple UK locations
• Individual deep dives: KSI's music evolution, Vikkstar's business portfolio, Behzinga's continued transformation
• The 2025 Charity Football Match preparation and execution
• International expansion of the Sidemen brand beyond the UK market
• Legacy planning and long-term career trajectories

Inside represents a watershed moment for YouTube creator legitimacy in mainstream entertainment. By securing Netflix distribution and prestige documentary treatment, the Sidemen validated digital content creation as a career path deserving the same respect as traditional entertainment.

For aspiring creators, Inside provided a realistic portrait of career possibilities and challenges. Rather than selling a fantasy of easy success, the series showed the work, sacrifice, and business acumen required for sustainable careers.

Within the entertainment industry, Inside influenced how networks and platforms approach creator talent, opening doors for other creators to develop prestige content and elevating the entire creator economy's status.

For viewers new to the Sidemen or YouTube culture generally, Inside works as a comprehensive introduction requiring no prior knowledge. It is accessible to parents, educators, or anyone curious about digital content creation.

Content warnings: The series addresses mental health struggles including depression and anxiety (Episode 7 is particularly intense), contains moderate language consistent with Sidemen's typical content, and discusses interpersonal conflicts that some viewers may find emotionally challenging.

Recommended viewing approach: While episodes can be watched individually, the series benefits from sequential viewing as later episodes reference earlier events. The 8-episode format makes binge-watching feasible in a weekend.