James R | On 31, Mar 2023

BBC’s Ghosts will officially finish with its fifth season.

From the creators and stars of Yonderland and Bill, and the original stars of Horrible Histories, the spooky comedy follows a young couple, Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe), who unexpectedly inherit a grand country estate only to find it is both falling apart and overrun with ghosts. It stars Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond, as well as Lolly Adefope and Katy Wix.

After Season 4 became one of 2022’s biggest comedy series, the Beeb wasted no time in greenlighting a fifth outing for the nation’s favourite ghoulish flatmans. Season 5 will follow Alison and Mike as they explore other means of making ends meet and contemplate a new chapter that could have a huge effect on the Ghosts’ (after) lives.

Now, as filming has finished on that season, the team behind the show have announced that it’s time to wave goodbye to the inhabitants of Button House and focus on new projects.

They said: “After five incredible years haunting the halls of Button House, we have decided that the time is right to let our beloved sitcom Ghosts rest in peace. We have just wrapped filming on our fifth and final series and we can’t wait to share it with you all later this year.

“We could never have imagined the reception the show has enjoyed, or the fun we have had making it, and we would like to thank our amazing cast and crew as well as everyone at BBC Comedy, BBC One and Monumental Television for their tireless support. But most of all we’d like to thank everyone who watches. Mathew, Martha, Simon, Jim, Laurence and Ben x”

Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy at the BBC says: “We are officially in mourning for the end of this BBC Comedy Classic. We can’t thank the Ghosts team enough for five incredible series (not to mention some perfect Christmas Specials) and we can’t wait for BBC viewers to see the final series. We look forward to working with the team on new projects.”

 

BBC’s Ghosts renewed for Season 5

17th December 2022

Ghosts will officially return to BBC One for a fifth season.

From the creators and stars of Yonderland and Bill, and the original stars of Horrible Histories, the spooky comedy follows a young couple, Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe), who unexpectedly inherit a grand country estate only to find it is both falling apart and overrun with ghosts. It stars Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond, as well as Lolly Adefope and Katy Wix.

Season 4 launched in autumn 2022 and is the biggest comedy series of the year to date in terms of audiences across broadcast TV with 5.7M viewers tuning in for Episode 1 (30 days data). Now, the Beeb has confirmed that a fifth run is on the way, which will follow Alison and Mike as they explore other means of making ends meet and contemplate a new chapter that could have a huge effect on the Ghosts’ (after) lives.

Say the creators: “We are delighted to confirm that Ghosts will be returning to BBC One and BBC iPlayer for a fifth series in 2023. We’ve had much fun in the writers room and are hugely excited by the new stories we have to tell and further secrets we get to reveal. We’ve been getting back into practice walking through walls and can’t wait to start shooting again in the new year.”

Season 5 will begin filming in early 2023. The good news is that you won’t have to wait much longer for your next dose of Ghosts: a Christmas special will be broadcast at 7.25pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day.

 

Trailer: Ghosts returns for Season 4

18th September 2022

Ghosts is returning to our screens this week, and a new trailer gives us first look at Season 4.

From the creators and stars of Yonderland and Bill, and the original stars of Horrible Histories, the spooky comedy follows a young couple, Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe), who unexpectedly inherit a grand country estate only to find it is both falling apart and overrun with ghosts. It stars Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond, as well as Lolly Adefope and Katy Wix.

Season 3 launched last year with 4.3 million viewers watching the first episode – the biggest audience of the regular series to date – and the biggest audience for a comedy among 4 to 15-year-olds in 2021 so far, thus cementing the show as a firm family favourite.

Now, it’s back for Season 4, with Button House open for business, as Mike and Alison welcome the very first guests to their new bijoux B&B, determined to get a glowing review, whatever the cost. While serving the couple breakfast, Alison realises that they are not enjoying their anniversary break and, fearing a bad review, utilises the surprising skills of Lady Button and Julian to ensure the couple make the most of their weekend away.

Season 4 premieres at 8.50pm on BBC One on Friday 23rd September, with all episodes available at once on BBC iPlayer. Here’s the trailer:

BBC’s Ghosts to return for Season 4

11th December 2021

Ghosts will officially return to BBC for a fourth season.

From the creators and stars of Yonderland and Bill, and the original stars of Horrible Histories, the spooky comedy follows a young couple, Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe), who unexpectedly inherit a grand country estate only to find it is both falling apart and overrun with ghosts. It stars Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond, as well as Lolly Adefope and Katy Wix.

Season 2, which premiered last year, saw Alison and Mike trying to find a semi-harmonious routine with the ghostly housemates of Button House. Before it had even aired, though, the BBC had already greenlit a third run, thanks to the success of the first season. Season 3 launched in the summer with 4.3million viewers watching the first episode – the biggest audience of the regular series to date – and the biggest audience for a comedy among 4 to 15-year-olds in 2021 so far, thus cementing the show as a firm family favourite.

“Ghosts continues to deftly balance big laughs and touching moments with its ingenious third season,” we wrote in our review of Season 3.

Now, as the show prepares to return for a Christmas special, the BBC has already renewed the programme once more.

Season 4 will find Button House open for business – well, the gatehouse is. Can Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) make a success of the humble B&B or will the interfering ghosts once again scupper their plans?

The creators say: “We are thrilled to be returning to Button House for a fourth season. We are already working on new stories and can’t wait to share the next chapter.”

Alison Carpenter, Executive Producer at Monumental Television, says: “It’s wonderful to see audiences enjoying Ghosts more with every season. We can’t wait to get back to Button House with our incredibly talented team of writers, cast and crew.”

Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy at the BBC says: “We can’t wait to return to Button House for season 4. Ghosts is a true jewel in BBC Comedy’s crown, and we’re delighted to be working again with the cast and creators, and Monumental, who never fail to deliver a faultless combination of big laughs and loads of heart.”

Filming will begin in the new year. Season 4 will once again be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

 

Ghosts Season 3 set for August debut

24th July 2021

Ghosts will officially be back on our screens for Season 3 – and sooner than you might think.

The comedy series from the team behind Yonderland and Bill stars Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond, as well as Lolly Adefope and Katy Wix. It follows a young couple, Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe), who unexpectedly inherit a grand country estate only to find it is both falling apart and overrun with ghosts.

“This hilarious undead sitcom from the Horrible Histories team is quaintly spooky and irresistibly silly,” we wrote in our review of Season 1.

Season 2, which premiered last year, saw Alison and Mike trying to find a semi-harmonious routine with the ghostly housemates of Button House. Before it had even aired, though, the BBC had already greenlit a third run, thanks to the success of the first season.

Season 3 sees a historical documentary team come to film at Button House, only for Alison and the ghosts to discover that the assassination plot they’re exploring involves one of their own. Meanwhile, Mike – always on the lookout for free publicity – begs Alison to accept the offer of a TV interview about the old house. The only hitch is Alison is terrified of speaking on camera. Luckily, Thomas is there to coach her in the art of speech-giving. What could possibly go wrong?

Season 3 will premiere on BBC One on Monday 9th August at yet to be confirmed time. You can expect, however, that all episodes will again be available at once on BBC iPlayer.

 

Trailer: Ghosts returns to BBC One for Season 2

12th September

Ghosts will officially return to BBC One this month for Season 2.

The comedy series from the team behind Yonderland and Bill stars Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond, as well as Lolly Adefope and Katy Wix. It follows a young couple, Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe), who unexpectedly inherit a grand country estate only to find it is both falling apart and overrun with ghosts.

“This hilarious undead sitcom from the Horrible Histories team is quaintly spooky and irresistibly silly,” we wrote in our review of Season 1.

Season 2 picks up as Alison and Mike are trying to find a semi-harmonious routine with the ghostly housemates of Button House. The ghosts have found a way to make their new situation work for them, while the couple are working towards a new money-making venture to fund their perpetual renovations.

Without the money to continue the extensive building work and the hotel still a distant dream, Alison and Mike decide to try to rent the place out for events. After a paranormal photo of the house goes viral overnight, Alison and Mike worry that it will ruin the house’s reputation. As they scramble to debunk the spooky rumours and convince people that the house is spectre-free, they spot their opportunity to bring money in faster: they’ll use the ghosts’ “talents” to create an authentic haunted house experience. But will Alison and Mike be able to convince the ghosts to be exploited for financial gain?

Season 2 will premiere at 8.30pm on BBC One on Monday 21st September, with all episodes then available on BBC iPlayer.

 

Filming starts on Ghosts Season 2

4th February 2020

Filming has begun on the second season of BBC One comedy Ghosts.

Made by Monumental Television the sitcom features a young couple, Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe), who unexpectedly inherit a grand country estate only to find it is both falling apart and overrun with ghosts. The crumbling country pile of Button House is home to a troupe of restless spirits who have died there over the centuries, each ghost very much a product of their time, resigned to squabbling with each other for eternity over the most inane of daily gripes.

Ghosts was the first BBC One project for creators and stars of Yonderland and the feature film Bill: Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond. The cast also includes Lolly Adefope and Katy Wix.

The first season was a hit, with 5.5 million people watching Episode 1 and 1.7 million requests racking up on BBC iPlayer, prompting the Beeb to order two more seasons immediately.

Season 2 will film over the winter, with transmission details to be confirmed.

The cast say: “We were thrilled with how warmly series one was received and can’t wait to creak open the doors of Button House again and share another clutch of ghost stories.”

Season 1 is available on BBC iPlayer.

 

BBC’s Ghosts renewed for third season

8th October 2019

BBC One’s Ghosts has been renewed for a third season.

The first BBC One project for the team behind Horrible Histories and Yonderland – Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond – Ghosts is house-share comedy about a young couple who inherit a grand country estate, only to find it teeming with the ghosts of former inhabitants.

“This hilarious undead sitcom from the Horrible Histories team is quaintly spooky and irresistibly silly,” we wrote in our review of Season 1.

Within weeks of its debut, BBC One ordered a second run, but now, the Beeb has confirmed that a third has already been picked up too.

BBC Director of Content Charlotte Moore dropped the news last night, as the Beeb outlined its plans to revamp BBC iPlayer.

“Ghosts is a brilliant comedy from the Horrible Histories team. Episode one got 2.5 million overnight – a modest figure for a comedy – but within 28 days it had grown to 5.5 million”, Moore said. “And after six months 1.7 million iPlayer requests. That’s up there with other big comedy hits. We’ve commissioned two more series straight away.”

 

BBC renews Ghosts for second season

28th May 2019

BBC One has ordered a second season of undead sitcom Ghosts.

The first BBC One project for the team behind Horrible Histories and Yonderland – Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond – Ghosts is house-share comedy about a young couple who inherit a grand country estate, only to find it teeming with the ghosts of former inhabitants.

The crumbling country pile of Button House is home to a troupe of restless spirits who have died there over the centuries, each ghost very much a product of their time, resigned to squabbling with each other for eternity over the most inane of daily gripes. Their lives – or, rather, afterlives – are thrown into turmoil when Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) inherit the derelict house and make plans to turn it into a bustling family hotel.

“This hilarious undead sitcom from the Horrible Histories team is quaintly spooky and irresistibly silly,” we wrote in our review of Season 1.

Audiences agreed, with the show going on to become the top comedy series on UK television so far this year, with a consolidated series average of 3.7m viewers. The show is also the second-top BBC comedy series so far this year for 16-34 year olds after This Time With Alan Partridge, which launched in the same slot.

The creators of the show say: “We are DEAD excited to be returning to BBC One for a second series of Ghosts. We could not have asked for a more enthusiastic response to the show, and can’t wait to get haunting Button House once again.

“We’d like to thank Charlotte, Kiell, Lolly, Katy and our fantastic crew for helping us realise such a hugely ambitious project. And thanks also to everyone at Monumental and the BBC for their tireless support of what is clearly a ridiculous idea. We are already hard at work on stories for series two, and can’t wait to share them with you.”

Shane Allen, Controller of Comedy Commissioning, says: “Ghosts gave us all a very pleasant shock in landing so fully formed as an instant mainstream hit. This very special gang of writer-performers have created a rich character world shot through with their trademark wit, warmth and mischief.”

Ghosts is a Monumental Television production in association with Them There for BBC One. The producer is Matthew Mulot, the director is Tom Kingsley, and the creators serve as Executive Producers alongside Monumental’s Alison Carpenter, Debra Hayward and Alison Owen. The series is commissioned by Shane Allen, Controller of Comedy Commissioning and Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content.

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