‘Ghosts’ Season 6 won’t happen as show’s ending is confirmed

There was sad news for Ghosts fans yesterday…

The BBC’s hit comedy series will be ending with its upcoming fifth season!

From the creators and stars of Horrible Histories, Ghosts follows a cash-strapped young couple who inherit a rickety country mansion, only to find it teeming with needy ghosts from various different points in history.

The announcement is an unexpected one, as last year’s Season 4 continued the show’s huge success as the UK’s biggest comedy series of 2022 on broadcast TV.

It’s worth pointing out, however, that the decision to end the series appears to have come from the Ghosts creators themselves and not the BBC.

Actor Ben Willbond revealed the surprise news on Twitter: “After five incredible years haunting the halls of Button House, we have decided that the time is right to let our beloved sitcom Ghosts rest in peace.

“We have just wrapped filming on our fifth and final series and we can’t wait to share it with you all later this year.

“We could never have imagined the reception the show has enjoyed, or the fun we have had making it, and we would like to thank our amazing cast and crew as well as everyone at BBC Comedy, BBC1 and Monumental Television for their tireless support.”

The team signed off with a loving thank you to the show’s viewers, saying: “…most of all we’d like to thank everyone who watches. Mathew, Martha, Simon, Jim, Laurence and Ben x.”

Ghosts fans were quick to share how gutted they felt, with one writing on Twitter: “This is a little bit heartbreaking.”

“Laugh out loud funny, poignant, great characterisation and always gently handled,” wrote another viewer, adding: “Sad to see it go but better that it’s when you feel it is best than let the magic fade through over doing it.”

This sentiment was shared by others, with many fans just grateful for the show existing.

“A really tough decision to make, but thank you for so much joy on our screens,” said a fan. “Big love to you all and wishing you exciting new adventures in whatever comes next!”

Ghosts launched back in April 2019 and quickly became a family-friendly favourite on BBC One.

It has since cemented itself in the hearts of viewers with that classic British sitcom tradition, an annual Christmas special, since 2020.

A fifth season was commissioned last December, with filming beginning in England earlier this year.

We now know, however, that these six brand new episodes will be the show’s last run.

Ghosts writers and creators Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond will all be back playing their various characters, alongside Lolly Adefope as Kitty, and Charlotte Ritchie and Kiell Smith-Bynoe as Alison and Mike.

The final season will see Alison and Mike start looking into other means of making ends meet, following the destruction of their B&B (and main income) in the gatehouse fire.

We’re told that the couple will be contemplating a new chapter that could have a huge effect on the Ghosts’ (after) lives.

Season 5 is expected to premiere in the second half of 2023 on BBC One and streaming on BBC iPlayer.

In the meantime, Ghosts star Charlotte Ritchie returns in the eighth season of Grantchester this spring on ITV as Will’s new wife Bonnie.

Ghosts is available on DVD on Amazon.