TV Review: Ghosts Series One (2019)

Ghosts Series One (2019) written, created by, and starring Matthew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard, and Ben Willbond

Young couple Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) are hunting for a cheap apartment when she gets a call. A distant relative, Lady Button, has recently died. Alison is the only relative left on the family tree so Button House (a grand house and estate) goes to her, if she wants it. The couple are excited about the prospect, hoping to convert it into a posh hotel. The only problem is Lady Button did not do much maintenance, so there's a lot to fix up. Also, the house is full of ghosts of people who died on the grounds, dating from caveman Robin (Laurence Rickard) to smarmy politician Julian (Simon Farnaby). Also, the basement has a group of plague victims who were buried in a pit under the house (they at least stay in the basement).

The ghosts balk at having someone new live in the house, especially with the renovation plans. As Alison is leaning out a window to check on the roof, the one ghost who can move physical objects gives her a push and she falls one story. Mike rushes her off to the hospital. The ghosts' rejoicing is short-lived as the couple returns. Thanks to Alison's bump on the head, she can now see and hear the ghosts. At first, she and Mike write it off as post-concussion hallucinations. Eventually, she is convinced they are really there, even though no one else can see or hear them. Comic antics ensue as the couple tries to make some money out of the house while the ghosts vacillate between trying to get rid of Alison and Mike and trying to help them stay.

The premise is very creative and the varied cast gives lots of opportunities for jokes and pathos. The cast is universally excellent, turning stock characters like a Regency-era poet or a 1980s Scout leader into real people. The ghosts have a good family dynamic as they struggle with being together in the house and what to do about the latest visitors.

Highly recommended--I would rewatch this in a heart-beat. Some of the humor is adult, so use your judgment about allowing pre-teens to see it.