# In Praise of 'Ghosts' (British TV Series That Inspired The American One) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted\ **Created:** [December 31, 2022, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428 "2022-12-31T21:09:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2025, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428/283 "2025-11-01T21:44:34Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I wasn’t really expecting to see any Aboriginal ghosts Here’s an article about the show that addresses this directly. > **["How are we going to deal with the whole dead black people thing?" | TV Tonight](https://tvtonight.com.au/2025/10/how-are-we-going-to-deal-with-the-whole-dead-black-people-thing.html)** > > For First Nations actor Tamala, making light of spirits, representation and colonial characters could have gone very wrong. Instead Ghosts Australia mined it for story. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2025, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428/284 "2025-11-01T21:54:34Z")
Apparently from that article they are going to use the term “sucked off” from the American version. (I don’t think it was ever used in the UK version.) The Australian version is more permissive with language, anyway. At one point as an exclamation of surprise someone says “fuck a duck”. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2025, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428/285 "2025-11-01T23:13:42Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Apparently from that article they are going to use the term “sucked off” from the American version. (I don’t think it was ever used in the UK version.) The UK version actually actually used it first. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2025, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428/286 "2025-11-02T18:29:21Z")
Now I’ve finished all eight episodes of _Ghosts_ Australia season one. After the standard pilot episode it had mostly original stories for the remaining episodes except for one with a property dispute with rich neighbors (like in both _Ghosts_ US and UK). The series is okay, but none of the ghosts stand out as particularly likeable. And the living couple (especially the boyfriend) are pretty bland. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428/287 "2026-02-28T13:48:41Z")
# Ghosts UK movie coming … > **[Ghosts TV sitcom brought back to life as a feature film](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62d05wr5ylo)** > > Ghosts: The Possession of Button House will see the return of the show's writers, creators and stars. > **[Ghosts feature film officially confirmed as cast and crew unveiled in huge...](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/ghosts-film-announced-filming-newsupdate/)** > > Button House is reopening its doors as the BBC comedy favourite Ghosts returns in a big-screen adventure featuring the original cast. > Original stars, writers and creators Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond have penned the family film, with Lolly Adefope, Charlotte Ritchie and Kiell Smith-Bynoe also returning to star. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428/288 "2026-02-28T13:54:57Z")
Yay!!! That is exciting!! ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2026, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428/289 "2026-04-22T02:43:56Z")
Reminded of the existence of a French version of _Ghosts_, I watched all six episodes over the last couple of days. It has the standard core set of ghosts Snooty wealthy matriarch. Soldier. Scout leader with arrow. Yokel woman. Poet. Caveman. Rich/influential guy with no pants. And creepy young girl (who has a very slightly less minor rule than usual). Plus a few Gauls in the basement. Not one of the characters is likeable. All of them (ghost and living) are the kind of character like you would find on an old British sitcom like _Are You Being Served_: even the supposedly “nice” characters aren’t anyone you would enjoy spending time with. The living couple is considerably older than those an any of the other _Ghost_ versions. (The actress is 48, I can’t find an age for the man but he has some white in his hair.) The stories are almost entirely made up of slightly shuffled elements of the UK version. No time is spent on ghost backstories other than showing Arrow Guy becoming Arrow Guy. The only interesting change in the basics is that there is one additional ghost who was a collaborator with the Nazis who is permanently tied (with ghost ropes) to an old tree in the front yard of the mansion. All in all, I rate it the worst of the five versions I have watched. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2026, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428/290 "2026-06-24T07:10:24Z")
Movie Trailer is here! [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/enE6YJoy-n0/hqdefault.jpg "Ghosts: The Possession of Button House - Official Trailer") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enE6YJoy-n0) ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2026, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428/291 "2026-06-24T09:33:22Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Not one of the characters is likeable. All of them (ghost and living) are the kind of character like you would find on an old British sitcom like _Are You Being Served_: even the supposedly “nice” characters aren’t anyone you would enjoy spending time with. The living couple is considerably older than those an any of the other _Ghost_ versions. (The actress is 48, I can’t find an age for the man but he has some white in his hair.) It suggests the urgent need for an 'Allo 'Allo French version to add to the collection. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2026, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428/292 "2026-06-24T17:34:50Z")
Love the whole A24 trailer vibe. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2026, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428/293 "2026-06-24T17:36:12Z")
So it’s to take place in the time frame between when Mike and Alison moved out and when the developer turned it into a tourist attraction? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428/294 "2026-06-25T01:09:44Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Love the whole A24 trailer vibe. Terrific. Showed it to my wife, she had no idea what it was. I thought they wrapped up everything in their final episode, but I will happily watch this movie. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428/295 "2026-06-25T15:44:11Z")
It says it will be in theaters on October 23. I’m wondering when it will be available on streaming in the US? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428/296 "2026-06-25T15:51:14Z")
Included on a service, probably 4-6 months later. Pay to view, 45-90 days is typical unless it is a big and successful blockbuster. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428/297 "2026-06-25T16:50:14Z")
I believe the October 23 release date is only for the UK. I haven’t heard if or when it will get a US theatrical release. And I wonder if it will get the Downton Abbey treatment; _three_ theatrical movies. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428/298 "2026-06-25T18:36:59Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I haven’t heard if or when it will get a US theatrical release. I estimate around a 0.000001 percent chance of that happening. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428/299 "2026-06-25T19:31:53Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I estimate around a 0.000001 percent chance of that happening. Not with _that_ attitude. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428/300 "2026-06-25T21:44:35Z")
CBS might actually have a contract that specifically forbids a film based on the UK version being released in the US. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428/301 "2026-06-25T22:15:49Z")
Perhaps. I have no idea but if anything, maybe Paramount (parent of CBS) releases the movie? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428/302 "2026-06-25T22:54:33Z")
At _very best_ it might get a couple of weeks in a couple of big cities. But there is no friggin way it would get anything approaching a wide release in the US. A US release of a movie continuation of a UK TV series would have a box office take comparable to _The Hottie and the Nottie_ and the studios know it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-ghosts-british-tv-series-that-inspired-the-american-one/977428.md?page=16)