‘Ghosts’ USA Version Reportedly Picked Up By BBC For The UK

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According to reports today, the BBC are apparently in the process of picking up the UK broadcast rights to the USA remake of ‘Ghosts‘.

The basic plotline of the US version is the same as the UK. A couple, in this case, Samantha and Jay, throw caution to the wind when they convert their recently inherited country estate into a bed-and-breakfast. Call it mislaid plans. Not only is the place falling apart, but it’s also inhabited by spirits of previous residents, whom only Samantha can see and hear. ‘Ghosts’ spins the funny?, heartfelt story about a ?newfound dream that reveals connection and self-discovery aren’t just for the living.

According to Broadcast, who broke the news, the BBC is finalising a deal for the US version which ran on CBS last year and is due to return this Autumn for a second season. Whilst I know the idea of a US remake will bother some people, we do want to point out the original creators are exec producers on the remake, and it has been going down extremely well in the USA. Also, much like the US version of ‘The Office’, it has a LOT more episodes than the original, with season one comprising of 18 episodes, and season two will have another 22 episodes. Another reason to reserve judgement and give it a shot is the cast.

The remake stars the wonderful Rose McIver, best known for her lead role in the CW series ‘iZombie’, as Samantha. Her husband, Jay, is played by Utkarsh Ambudkar, known for his film roles in ‘Pitch Perfect’ and ‘Free Guy’, along with tv roles in ‘The Dropout’, ‘Brockmire’, and ‘White Famous’.

Those characters are pretty similar to the UK versions, but there are a few more differences on the ghost side. Richie Moriarty (‘Pinkalicious & Peterrific’, ‘The Truth’) plays Pete Martino, a Pinecone Trooper leader who died in 1985 when one of his scouts accidentally shot him through the neck with an arrow – based on scout leader Pat in the UK version; Brandon Scott Jones (‘Isn’t It Romantic’, ‘The Good Place’) plays Captain Isaac Higgintoot, a closeted gay American Revolutionary officer who died of dysentery – based on the Captain in the original British series; Asher Grodman (‘Succession’, ‘Chicago Med’) play Trevor Lefkowitz, a wealthy, hard-partying business executive and Wall Street tycoon who died in 2000 from a heart attack, caused by an accidental drug overdose, while not wearing pants. He is based on Julian Fawcett MP in the original series; Devan Chandler Long (‘Doom Patrol’, ‘Bosch’) plays Thorfinn, a Viking and the oldest of the ghosts, and is based on the caveman Robin in the original series; And Rebecca Wisocky (‘Star Trek: Picard’, ‘Dopesick’) plays Hetty Woodstone, the lady of the manor, and Sam’s fourth-great-grandmother, based on Lady Fanny Button in the original British series.

Whilst those ghosts are, pretty much, Americanised versions of the UK characters, there are some original spooks too. Sheila Carrasco (‘Jane the Virgin’) plays Susan Montero, aka Flower, a hippie who died while trying to befriend a wild bear; Danielle Pinnock (‘Young Sheldon’) plays Alberta Haynes, a flamboyant Prohibition-era jazz singer who died from drinking poisoned moonshine; And Román Zaragoza (‘Austin & Ally’) plays Sasappis, a cynical Lenape Native American.

The series is exec produced by Joe Port & Joe Wiseman, who developed the US verison, along with, Mathew Baynton, Jim Howick, Simon Farnaby, Laurence Rickard, Ben Willbond and Martha Howe-Douglas, the original series cast and creators. Also exec producing are Alison Carpenter, Debra Hayward, and Alison Owen (Monumental Television); Angie Stephenson (BBC Studios); and Trent O’Donnell. The series is produced by CBS Studios in association with Lionsgate Television and BBC Studios’ Los Angeles production arm.

‘Ghosts USA‘ does not currently have a UK premiere date, but is expected to be picked up for the BBC in due course. However, the original UK version of ‘Ghosts‘ returns this month for Season 4, which premieres Friday, 23rd September 2022 at 8.50pm on BBC One and iPlayer.