Thescreescore – Fans of the critically acclaimed supernatural comedy Ghosts are in for a spectral treat as the BBC officially confirms the beloved British series will make an unprecedented leap to the silver screen. After concluding its highly successful five-season run, the original UK iteration is set to resurrect its charmingly chaotic spirits for a brand-new cinematic escapade.
Since its 2019 debut, Ghosts UK captivated audiences with its unique premise: young couple Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike Cooper (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) unexpectedly inherit Button House, a sprawling, dilapidated country estate. Their dreams of transforming it into a boutique hotel are complicated by its permanent, spectral residents – a diverse ensemble of historical ghosts, each with their own eccentricities and unresolved earthly attachments.
The series, which aired for five critically lauded seasons on BBC One, has proven its universal appeal by spawning six international adaptations, including popular versions in Greece, France, Australia, and Germany, alongside CBS’s hit Ghosts US. The format has even recently expanded to Czechia. Now, the original ensemble is poised for a grand theatrical return with the feature film, Ghosts: The Possession of Button House.
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Crucially for fans, the entire creative collective behind Ghosts – its acclaimed team of writers, creators, and beloved stars – has reunited not only to pen the screenplay but also to reprise their iconic roles as Button House’s spectral inhabitants. This includes Mathew Baynton as the romantic poet Thomas Thorne, Simon Farnaby as the disgraced MP Julian Fawcett, Martha Howe-Douglas as the prim Lady Fanny Button, Jim Howick (known also for Sex Education) as the scout leader Pat Butcher, Laurence Rickard as the prehistoric Robin, and Ben Willbond as the formidable Captain. They will be joined by the living residents, Charlotte Ritchie as Alison and Kiell Smith-Bynoe as Mike, alongside BAFTA nominee Lolly Adefope returning as the effervescent 18th-century noblewoman, Kitty Higham. Simon Hynd, who previously helmed episodes of Ghosts and Motherland, is set to direct, with production slated to commence in March.
In an official statement shared with the BBC, the creators expressed their initial reluctance to revisit Button House: "We thought we had said goodbye to Button House at the end of the final series. We never planned to come back. But when we had the idea for this story, we all got so excited that we couldn’t resist returning to our haunted home for one more adventure. We can’t wait to be together and to welcome some brilliant new faces, to tell this soul-stirring tale of life and death." This sentiment underscores the organic nature of the film’s genesis, driven by a compelling narrative rather than mere commercial demand.
Despite its comparatively concise run of 30 episodes – a stark contrast to Ghosts US‘s ongoing 86-plus – this transition to a feature film, rather than a direct-to-streaming special, is a profound testament to the original series’ enduring appeal and cultural impact. The show solidified its status as the UK’s most-watched sitcom in 2023 and continues to boast stellar critical and audience reception, holding impressive Rotten Tomatoes scores of 96% and 91% respectively. This move signals a significant vote of confidence in the property’s theatrical viability.
Lionsgate is slated to handle the distribution of Ghosts: The Possession of Button House across the UK, with BBC Studios overseeing its worldwide release, ensuring its global reach. For those eager to revisit the original series or introduce themselves to its charm, all five seasons of Ghosts UK are currently available for streaming in the US on Paramount+.
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