I don’t often write TV reviews because I don’t often watch TV. Usually, it’s books or rewatching the same three series on American sitcoms. TV, for me, is a break from all the thoughts that I usually have running through my mind. However, I sometimes come across a series that I love and actually pay attention to while I’m watching. First, it was Brooklyn Nine-Nine, then The Good Place. Now, it’s Ghosts.
The BBC series, created by and starring most of the original cast of Horrible Histories (2009), is a comedy drama that tells the story of Allison and Mike, a broke young couple looking to buy in notioriously expensive London. When a very distant relative that Allison has never met or even heard of, dies, they inherit Button Hall, a vast country estate in the English countryside – haunted by many of its former inhabitants. Among the ghosts are Fanny, the house’s Edwardian-era owner obssessed with propriety and decrying Allison’s jeans and tattoo; Thomas, Romantic poet with a major crush on Allison; Julian, a disgraced MP who died in a 90s sex scandal; The Captain, World War 1 captain who fancies himself their leader; Pat, a scout master dispatched by a former Scout and a bow and arrow mishap; Mary, burned at the stake for being a witch; Robin, caveman who used to live on the land; and Kitty, naive Georgian noblewoman who is desperate to be Allison’s best friend.
A near-death experience causes Allison to see the ghosts. Initially frightened, she soon finds out that they are not very competent when it comes to haunting – they generally just want to be left alone. Soon, they come to enjoy her company and begin to make life very difficult for her and Mike.
I haven’t seen something like this in a long time, whose characters are so well defined by their own goals and likes, especially when they are already dead. It’s only 6 episodes (although it has already been renewed for another 2 series). The humour of Horrible Histories is definitely an inspiration for the cast and and is ever-present in the writing and tongue-in cheek acting that the original show is so famous for.
I have watched this 3 times in the past 2 months. It is just fantastic, although if second-hand embarrassment isn’t your thing in terms of comedy, it might not be for you. The comedy is actually second to the warmth of the characters and the genuine relationships that they build with Allison, despite the rocky start. In particular, Fanny’s warming to Allison and her acceptance of her as ‘one of the family’ is a lovely moment in both of their characters’ arcs. Every one of the ghosts finds something that they need and it is genuinely beautiful to watch, emotional, entertaining and relatable.
I can really think of nothing to criticise about this show – aside from the cringeworthy second-hand embarrassment, which, if you know me personally, is a rarity. It is not a common thing for me to find a show that is so genuine, so funny and yet constantly delivering what it promises and has a little something extra for older fans and for Horrible Histories fans.
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