A not-so-horrible historical hit
Ghosts’ spooky shenanigans return to our screens
It never does to dwell on the past too much, but anyone new to this excellent show from the team behind the TV version of Terry Deary’s ‘Horrible Histories’ books has missed a treat. Now in its third series, Ghosts follows the ups and downs of Alison and Mike Cooper, played by Charlotte Ritchie and Kiell Smith-Bynoe, who find their new home comes with a host of unexpected guests: ghosts from a range of historical periods who are none-too pleased with plans to turn their home into a luxury hotel.
However, their attempts to put a stop to the Coopers’ scheme results in Alison being pushed from a window and, when she emerges from her coma, she can see and hear the spectral residents. Eventually the inhabitants agree to live side-by-side as the renovations continue.
Dubbed “Horrible Histories for adults” but also squarely pitched at older children, it draws on The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Blackadder, Rentaghost and Beetlejuice. And according to Jim Howick, who plays deceased scout leader Pat Butcher, it was the genealogical journey of Eastenders actor Danny Dyer which provided the inspiration for Alison, who embraces her aristocratic roots after inheriting the vast but crumbling Button House from a distant relative.
Co-creator Mathew Baynton, who plays poet Thomas Thorne, revealed the haunted-house concept was one the writing team were eager to explore after Horrible Histories, but couldn’t quite make it work, so they ended up turning their attentions to Sky’s Yonderland instead.
However, when that was done and dusted the – ahem – spectre of Ghosts loomed again, but this time Baynton and the crew contemplated “the boredom of eternity”.
Things clicked into place when they scaled down the story to a house-sharing tale, while the human characters added the “worries about money, life and everything you need for a story”. Thus, Ghosts was born. The first series aired in 2019 to widespread acclaim and was swiftly followed by another and a Christmas special. However, Baynton revealed some characters would be missing from the new run, due to filming constraints but – and here’s the really good news – he did appear to confirm there would be a fourth series. Long may it live on.
Ghosts BBC One, Monday, 8.30pm