US audiences have been delightfully haunted by Ghosts on CBS since 2021, and that is set to continue as Ghosts season 5 is officially on the way.

With its fifth season, the popular sitcom has reached the same number of seasons as the BBC original that it is based on, though it has more than doubled the number of episodes of its predecessor (a key difference between US and UK TV). And with its ensemble of ghosts and human characters, Ghosts has become one of the most popular comedies on TV, with Ghosts season 4 tied (with fellow CBS show Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage) as the fourth most-watched show based on multiplatform viewership.

So, when can fans expect Ghosts season 5 and what lies in store for the cast of characters at Woodstone Mansion? Here’s everything you need to know about Ghosts season 5.

Ghosts season 5 release date

Ghosts season 5 premieres on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 8:30 pm ET/PT on CBS.

As it did last season, Ghosts shares Thursday nights with Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage season 2, Matlock season 2 and Elsbeth season 3.

When new episodes premiere you will need access to your local CBS station to watch Ghosts season 5 live. That is available either through a traditional pay-TV provider, a TV antenna or a live TV streaming service (Fubo, Hulu with Live TV and YouTube TV all carry CBS). Watch Ghosts on-demand, both previous seasons and the latest episodes the day after they air, on Paramount Plus. If you opt for Paramount Plus with Showtime, you can also watch Ghosts episodes live through the streaming service.

Ghosts season 5 cast

Expect the entire main cast of Ghosts to return for season 5. That includes:

• Rose McIver as Samantha
• Utkarsh Ambudkar as Jay
• Brandon Scott Jones as Isaac
• Richie Moriarty as Pete
• Danielle Pinnock as Alberta
• Asher Grodman as Trevor
• Román Zaragoza as Sasappis
• Sheila Carrasco as Flower
• Rebecca Wisocky as Hetty
• Devon Chandler Long as Thorfinn

The show has also had a number of recurring characters and guest stars through its first four seasons that could easily pop back up in Ghosts season 5 (though at this time nothing is confirmed). Among those are Betsy Sodaro as Nancy, John Hartman as Nigel and Matt Walsh as Elias Woodstone. Based on where things ended with Ghosts season 4, Walsh seems like a definite, as we’ll explain below.

Ghosts season 5 plot

(FYI, some SPOILERS ahead if you’re not caught up with Ghosts season 4.)

An official synopsis for Ghosts season 5 is not available at this time, but based on what happened in the Ghosts season 4 finale, and some insight from the show’s executive producers, we can get a sense of what’s to come.

In the Ghosts season 4 finale we saw that Pete and Alberta got together, so that new dynamic is certainly going to be a part of next season. But more importantly, the season ended on a cliffhanger with Jay signing a literal deal with the devil — well, the devil in disguise — as he unknowingly signs his soul over to Elias Woodstone, who was hiding in human form, and has the plans to kill Jay so he can collect his soul sooner.

Ghosts’ showrunners Joe Port and Joe Wiseman gave some hints as to what that could mean for season 5 to TV Line, saying that Sam and the ghosts are going to have to figure out how to get Jay out this mess, while also teasing how they might play with some near-death experiences with Jay.

Ghosts season 5 trailer

There is no trailer for Ghosts season 5 at this time. We’ll add videos for the new season as they become available.

Ghosts season 4 is not airing an episode tonight, March 20, on CBS. There's not a new episode or a rerun, the hit is off the air entirely this week. The reason the Ghosts team is riding the bench is because the CBS schedule is being taken over by the annual March Madness college basketball tournament.

Starting at 12:15 pm ET/9:15 am PT, March Madness games begin airing on CBS. They will continue throughout the day, with a two-hour break for local programming and CBS Evening News during the early evening, before more games fill the network’s primetime lineup. The last game on CBS is expected to end around midnight.

All in all, that means that Ghosts will not air, nor will any of its CBS Thursday night compatriots: Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, Matlock and Elsbeth season 2. As the above schedule would suggest, March Madness is also disrupting CBS’s day-time schedule of soaps (Beyond the Gates, The Bold & the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless).

Unfortunately for fans of Ghosts, this is not just a one-week hiatus, as the comedy will once again be pushed off the schedule because of March Madness on March 27, as the tournament continues with Sweet Sixteen games that will air during primetime. The next new episodes of Ghosts are set to premiere in two weeks, on April 3 at the show’s usual time of 8:30 pm ET/PT on CBS.

If you are a basketball fan and are curious about what March Madness games are airing on CBS in place of Ghosts and other CBS programming today, here’s a look at the CBS March Madness schedule:

• 9-seed Creighton vs 8-seed Louisville, 12:15 pm ET/9:15 am PT
• 16-seed Alabama State vs 1-seed Auburn, 2:50 pm ET/11:50 am PT
• 10-seed Arkansas vs 7-seed Kansas, 7:10 pm ET/4:10 pm PT
• 15-seed Omaha vs 2-seed St. John's, 9:45 pm ET/6:45 pm PT

Additional March Madness games on Thursday, March 20, are airing on TBS, TNT and TruTV.

For those who aren’t basketball fans and need their weekly fix of Ghosts, the best option is to stream previous episodes from the hit comedy on Paramount Plus, where every episode is available (subscription required).

Again, Ghosts season 4 will return with its next new episode on April 3.

You don’t need to worry about missing a new episode of Ghosts season 4 this Thanksgiving, as the CBS comedy is not going to air a new episode on Turkey Day — Thursday, November 28. A rerun of the hit comedy is going to air in the show’s usual 8:30 pm ET/PT time, marking the second straight week fans aren’t getting a new episode of Sam, Jay and the ghosts that reside at Woodstone Mansion.

This should come as little surprise to most, as the Thanksgiving holiday usually doesn’t offer too many new episodes of the primetime shows. That will be the case for the rest of Ghosts’ peers from CBS’s Thursday night lineup, as Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, Matlock and Elsbeth season 2 are forgoing new episodes this week and airing reruns instead. In the case of Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, it's going to be their Thanksgiving episode, which featured many of the stars from Young Sheldon making guest appearances.

As to when new episodes of Ghosts season 4 are going to return, it’s going to be soon. Next week, December 5, will see Ghosts air a new episode. In fact, there will be four new episodes of the sitcom airing in December, including a special two-part Christmas-theme episode on December 19 starting at 8 pm ET/PT. That will be the start of an extended break though, with new episodes of Ghosts returning again on January 30, 2025.

If you’re curious what episode of Ghosts is airing on November 28, it is Ghosts season 3 episode 7, “The Polterguest,” which features Emmy-winner Lamorne Morris in a guest role. Here is the synopsis for the episode:

“Alberta hits it off with a poltergeist who is attached to a newly arrived Woodstone guest; Isaac and Nigel have separate bachelor parties.”

If that episode doesn’t interest you, you can watch any episode of Ghosts, including any already aired episode from season 4, on-demand on Paramount Plus (subscription required).

Looking for something else to watch on Thanksgiving night? ABC is going to air Mary Poppins as the Julie Andrews movie celebrates its 60th anniversary at 8 pm ET/PT. Fox has new episodes of The Masked Singer season 12 and The Floor season 2 airing starting at 8 pm ET/PT. Meanwhile, NBC will take part in the tradition of Thanksgiving football with a special edition of Sunday Night Football featuring the Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers at 8:30 pm ET/5:30 pm PT.

Ghosts has become one of CBS’s most popular shows, with Ghosts season 4 keeping the good times rolling with more fun and funny supernatural antics. But all that is taking a pause on Thursday, November 21, as Ghosts season 4 is not airing a new episode at the show’s usual 8:30 pm ET/PT airtime. This actually marks the beginning of a mini break for the comedy.

CBS is tweaking its usual Thursday night primetime lineup for November 21, moving Ghosts, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage and Matlock from their usual time blocks and instead airing the holiday movie Nugget Is Dead? A Christmas Story from 8-10 pm ET/PT. Following the special holiday movie broadcast, CBS is then going to air reruns of Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage at 10 pm ET/PT and then Ghosts at 10:30 pm ET/PT. The Ghosts episode is the Ghosts season 3 episode, “Man of Your Dreams.” (Matlock and Elsbeth are not airing at all on November 21).

This is the first of two consecutive weeks where Ghosts is not going to be airing a new episode, as November 28 will feature all repeats of the entire CBS Thursday night lineup. The reasoning for that one is because November 28 is Thanksgiving, so it makes sense not to air a new episode on a major holiday. Though the Ghosts rerun will air at the show’s usual 8:30 pm ET/PT timeslot.

At this time CBS has not officially announced when the next Ghosts episode is going to air, though a few sources on the internet expect it to return with a new episode on December 5. What we can confirm is that Ghosts will air a two-part Christmas special on Thursday, December 19, starting at 8 pm ET/PT.

CBS’s Ghosts, which is based on the BBC sitcom of the same name, premiered on the network in 2021, and it quickly became one of the most popular comedies on the network. It stars Rose McIver as Sam, who runs a bed & breakfast with her husband Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar). When she has an accident fixing the place up, she gains the ability to see the ghosts that live in the house (Brandon Scott Jones, Danielle Pinnock, Richie Moriarty, Asher Grodman, Rebecca Wisocky, Devan Chandler Long, Román Zaragoza and Sheila Carrasco).

If you want to use this small break in Ghosts’ run to catch up with the comedy, all episodes of the series are streaming exclusively on Paramount Plus. When the show returns with new episodes, you can watch them live if you have access to your local CBS station. Otherwise, they are available on-demand on Paramount Plus the next day.

Ghosts Australia is a new eight-part family comedy adapted from the hit BBC show Ghosts.

The hugely popular British sitcom has already inspired US Ghosts, which has been a big success for broadcaster CBS, now an Aussie version is coming. Instead of following the ghostly adventures of Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) as we did in the original series, Ghosts Australia will follow young couple Kate and Sean.

Kyle Washington, General Manager and Creative Director, BBC Studios Productions Australia said: "Ghosts is one of those brilliant comedies which lends itself perfectly to localization around the world, and we have our own unique, Australian characters that reflect our very own history and culture. Our eclectic group of ghosts provides endless entertainment in this share-house comedy series that we hope Australian viewers will love."

Ghosts ran on the BBC for five seasons before ending in 2023, so fans will be delighted to know there will be a fresh adaptation to enjoy. Meanwhile, US Ghosts season 4 is on the way to CBS soon. Here's everything we know…

Ghosts Australia release date

Ghosts Australia will be released in 2025. In Australia, it will be shown on Network 10 and Paramount Plus. In the UK the series will likely be shown on the BBC and be made available on its streaming service BBC iPlayer. This is because Ghosts is originally a BBC show and the BBC has screened Ghosts US.  While in the US, Ghosts Australia is expected to be available via Paramount Plus.

Ghosts Australia plot

Happy young couple Kate and Sean are looking to rent in the city and soon discover that the property market is hell. However, all their dreams seem to have come true when Kate inherits a vast country mansion. But what they don't know yet is that Ramshead Manor is haunted by a collection of ghosts who left the living world over the last 200 years. 

Upbeat Kate wants to turn the big house into a boutique hotel but Sean wants a quieter life as he's a country boy at heart. But, just like in the UK and US versions, Kate suffers a near-death experience which means she can suddenly see and speak to the six ghosts! Poor Sean can't see the ghosts and will no doubt be initially worried that Kate is having a breakdown as she claims she can now speak to the dead!

Can their relationship survive this extraordinary turn of events? We don't have any details yet on the ghosts themselves. Just like the other versions, they will reflect the history of the country they're set. We'd be amazed if they didn't have a scoutmaster ghost killed by an arrow like poor Pat in the UK version and Pete in the US version.

Ghosts Australia cast

We have no cast news as yet but the makers have promised it will be a "stellar cast".

Is there a trailer?

No, not yet.

The Great British Sewing Bee host Kiell Smith-Bynoe has revealed that he spoke to his former Ghosts co-star Ben Willbond about taking the presenting gig.

The 35-year-old star, who played Mike in the BBC sitcom, was asked to host last year's Christmas special and is now fronting the current series, stepping in for comedian Sara Pascoe while she's on maternity leave.

Kiell reveals to What to Watch that the positive reaction of Ben Willbond, who played The Captain in Ghosts, helped him decide he should accept the offer of taking his first TV series presenting job.

"I was with Ben Willbond when I was asked about it and he said, 'Oh fantastic!' It was good to see that reaction first-hand and think, 'Maybe I should say, Yes, to this unexpected offer"'.

Talking further about hosting the series, Kiell, who took part in a 2021 celebrity edition of Sewing Bee, says he has no idea why the makers asked him.

"I had no idea! Patrick [Grant] sent me a message, saying, ‘Please do the Sewing Bee job,’ but I thought it was one he’d tried to send two years ago about the Christmas special. Then my agent called, saying they’d like me to host the main gig and I was like, 'What? ME!"'.

He adds: "It's very new to me and very different from what I’ve done before or was planning next. I’d never said, 'Next up, I'll try to present'".

Kiell admits being stunned at how much emotion there is in Sewing Bee. "I was surprised at how often tears happen. But anyone who watches the show knows how invested the sewers are — how they're doing it for many reasons, such as in memory of someone — so it's bound to be emotional. Also, they become like a little family, so it’s really hard when people leave." 

Although Ghosts has now sadly ended, Kiell still sees his former co-stars. Indeed, Kiell is currently appearing alongside Martha Howe-Douglas [Lady Button] in a play called "The Government Inspector" at London's Marylebone Theatre, which runs until 15 June.

The Great British Sewing Bee continues on BBC One on Tuesdays [see our TV Guide for full listings].

Ghosts season 3 is saying goodbye with two of its characters saying "I do," as a wedding is set to be the focus of the Ghosts season 3 finale. Fans wanting to watch it live can tune in on Thursday, May 2, at 8:31 pm ET/PT on CBS.

As for who is getting married, that would be Isaac (Brandon Scott Jones) and Nigel (John Hartman). The two ghosts' love story has been one of the best storylines of the series thus far, as the Revolutionary War soldiers that fought on opposite sides put aside their differences, accepted their true selves and are now ready to commit to each other for the rest of their afterlives. But that doesn't mean everything is going to go off without a hitch.

The synopsis for the Ghosts season 3 finale, titled "Isaac's Wedding," reads: "Isaac's wedding day jitters are exacerbated by the arrival of a surprise guest." Watch a promo for the episode below.

In order to watch the Ghosts season 3 finale live you need either a traditional pay-TV subscription, a TV antenna receiving local signals, a live TV streaming service that carries CBS (Fubo, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV) or a Paramount Plus with Showtime subscription. To watch it on-demand, any Paramount Plus subscription will let you watch the show as soon as Friday, May 3.

The finale is Ghosts season 3's tenth episode, as the comedy was shortened as a result of the actors' and writers' strikes that took place over the summer and into early fall 2023, delaying the season's premiere until winter 2024. The good news is that Ghosts season 4 has already been picked up and there's every expectation that it will premiere in fall 2024 and return to a full-length season.

Ghosts season 3 is the first CBS primetime show to air its finale this season, with more shows set to do so over the next few weeks. For fans of CBS's Thursday night lineup, while Ghosts is wrapping up, you still have a couple more weeks of Young Sheldon season 7 and So Help Me Todd season 2, as they will end their seasons on Thursday, May 16. That will conclude the runs for each show, as Young Sheldon previously announced that season 7 would be its last, while So Help Me Todd was recently cancelled by CBS.

Again, the Ghosts season 3 finale airs at 8:31 pm ET/PT on CBS on May 2, with the episode landing on-demand on Paramount Plus as of May 3.

CBS's Thursday night lineup of comedies were booted from primetime on March 21 because of college basketball March Madness action, so are Ghosts season 3, Young Sheldon season 7 and So Help Me Todd season 2 back with new episodes on Thursday, March 28? Unfortunately no, as the college basketball tournament is once again putting the shows on the bench this week.

While March Madness doesn't have games airing throughout the afternoon and into the night like last week, CBS is still going to air two of the four Sweet Sixteen games taking place on March 28. The first is Clemson vs Arizona at 7:09 pm ET/4:08 pm PT, followed immediately by Alabama vs UNC at 9:39 pm ET/6:39 pm PT. That of course directly impacts CBS's primetime lineup, which normally would have Young Sheldon air at 8 pm ET/PT, Ghosts at 8:30 pm ET/PT and So Help Me Todd at 9 pm ET/PT.

Because the Alabama vs UNC game may be over between 9 and 10 pm PT, West Coast viewers may get a rerun of one of CBS's Thursday shows, but nothing is set in stone. East Coast viewers should see their local news immediately follow the game.

If you're frustrated that college basketball has disrupted your TV viewing habits these last two weeks, we've got good news: things start to get back to normal for CBS's Thursday lineup next week, April 4, as both Young Sheldon and Ghosts are slated to air new episodes in their usual times.

However, there is still going to be a bit of a tweak with So Help Me Todd. The courtroom dramedy will not be airing a new episode on April 4 and instead is slated to return on April 11. The reason is that Elsbeth, which premiered its only episode to date on February 29, is going to air both its second and third episode on April 4 back-to-back at 9 pm and 10 pm ET/PT before taking up its normal time slot of 10 pm ET/PT on April 11.

Again like with the first round of the March Madness tournament, Thursday isn't the only day being impacted on CBS. Friday, March 29, is also going to see two Sweet Sixteen games played on the network, meaning S.W.A.T. season 7, Fire Country season 2 and Blue Bloods season 14 are also not airing new episodes this week.

CBS's late night programming is also being impacted. Even though new episodes of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and After Midnight aired March 25-27, they are ending the week early and not airing new episodes on Thursday, March 28. However, reruns are going to air on March 28, as well as on Friday, March 29 (as per usual with the shows).

If you don't want to go another week without watching Ghosts, Young Sheldon and So Help Me Todd, you can watch past episodes from the latest season and earlier on-demand with a Paramount Plus subscription.

If your Thursday night plans usually involve watching CBS shows Young Sheldon, Ghosts and So Help Me Todd, then you may be a bit frustrated this week. Young Sheldon season 7, Ghosts season 3, So Help Me Todd season 2 and new show Elsbeth are not only not airing new episodes on Thursday, March 21, but they won't be shown at all. This is because the annual NCAA men's college basketball tournament, otherwise known as March Madness, is taking over the network.

The first round of the March Madness tournament begins on March 21, with CBS airing games throughout the day, which is also impacting its daytime soaps The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful. That continues into primetime, with Oakland vs Kentucky and NC State vs Texas Tech games airing at 7:10 pm ET/4:10 pm PT and 9:40 pm ET/6:40 pm PT, respectively, on March 21.

It's not just this week either. With CBS slated to also air Sweet Sixteen games of the tournament on Thursday, March 28, new episodes of Young Sheldon, Ghosts and Elsbeth aren't expected to return to their usual times until April 4. It may be even longer for So Help Me Todd, as according to CBS's press site, April 4 is going to see two new episodes of Elsbeth air, including one during what is usually So Help Me Todd's time slot (9 pm ET/PT).

CBS's Thursday night shows are not the only ones that are going to be impacted by basketball. The network's entire Friday night lineup — S.W.A.T. season 7, Fire Country season 2 and Blue Bloods season 14 — are also going to be booted on Friday, March 22, with the expectation that new episodes won't return until April 5.

Other networks aren't shifting their schedules for March Madness. So if you always have to choose between watching CBS's programming and shows like Grey's Anatomy season 20, Law & Order: SVU season 25 and others first, then that decision becomes a lot easier for you these next two weeks.

The one good thing about the break is that anyone behind on the latest episodes of Young Sheldon, Ghosts, So Help Me Todd and Elsbeth have a chance to catch up on the episodes on-demand. You can do so exclusively on Paramount Plus.

Ghosts is now the veteran sitcom airing on CBS, as Ghosts season 4 returned as part of the 2024 fall TV schedule along with a number of new/newer CBS shows as part of network's comedy lineup.

The adaptation of the BBC show is the latest example of a UK import becoming a big hit in the US (The Office, anyone?) Now it is fully entrenched and is going to keep continuing its run, as Ghosts season 5 is on its way.

Here is everything to know about Ghosts season 4.

Ghosts season 4 how to watch

All episodes of Ghosts season 4 are now available to watch on Paramount Plus.

You can watch the entire season, as well as past seasons, of Ghosts on-demand on Paramount Plus, as long as you are a subscriber to the streaming service.

Ghosts season 4 cast

The main Ghosts cast includes Rose McIver as Sam, Utkarsh Ambudkar as Jay, Brandon Scott Jones as Isaac, Danielle Pinnock as Alberta, Richie Moriarty as Pete, Asher Grodman as Trevor, Devan Chandler Long as Thorfinn, Roman Zaragoza as Sasappis, Rebecca Wisocky as Hetty and Sheila Carrasco as Flower.

Some new additions to the cast in season 4 included Mary Holland joining the show as Patience, a Puritan ghost from the 1600s, while Dean Norris guest starred as Sam's father during the season.

Ghosts season 4 plot

The Ghosts premise continues to see Sam and Jay live in Woodstone with their ghost friends, who are all just trying to make the best of their afterlife. While major plotlines on the season are being kept under wraps, some details have come out.

Also, Ghosts had a one-hour Christmas special, which introduced Jay's parents for the first time.

Ghosts season 4 trailer

Get ready for CBS's premiere week, which includes Ghosts season 4, with this special preview video:

One of Ghosts' characters has moved out of Woodstone Mansion, getting "sucked off," as the show has coined, and moving on to the next phase of the afterlife. After revealing this detail in the Ghosts season 2 finale and having fans wonder who it would be, the Ghosts season 3 premiere quickly answered that question, and it may be a surprise for many.

While many thought that it would be one of the side ghosts, possibly one like Nigel (John Hartman), it actually turned out to be a member of the main ensemble: Sheila Carrasco's Flower.

After witnessing the spotlight that signaled one of the ghosts had been "sucked off," Sam (Rose McIver) and Jay (Utkarsh Amdubkar) searched the house to find out who it was, finding Isaac (Brandon Scott Jones), Alberta (Danielle Pinnock), Pete (Richie Moriarty), Trevor (Asher Goodman), Hetty (Rebecca Wisocky), Sasappis (Roman Zaragoza) and Thor (Devan Chandler Long). But when they can't find Flower, they realize she's the one who moved on.

The group holds a memorial service for their departed friend, but the one to be the most impacted by this will definitely be Thor, who had started a relationship with Flower in the last season.

But the major ramifications are part of the reason that the Ghosts team also settled on Flower being the one to exit the series. In an interview with Variety, executive producer Joe Port said "we wanted it to be somebody very consequential… someone who'd have an impact on the other ghosts and obviously Sam and Jay to some degree."

They also revealed that they did not know who they would have exit the show when they wrote the season 2 finale. However, real life helped them make the decision, as Carrasco gave birth to a daughter in November 2023 before the show started production on season 3. In an interview with TVLine, they said that with Carrasco needing time with her new baby, they would "make [the best] out of the situation" and make Flower the ghost to move on.

As for what this means moving forward, the Ghosts team believe they can get a lot of stories out of Flower's exit. Not only surrounding Thor and him missing his new girlfriend, but the other ghosts who may be jealous and wondering why Flower was the one to move on rather than them. Remember, in the context of the show getting "sucked off" means that the ghost has achieved some kind of growth and is now ready to move on to either heaven or hell (we hope heaven for Flower).

This does not necessarily mean that we've seen the last of Flower, in the Variety interview, Port said "this is the kind of show where you could see a ghost anywhere. We've hinted that ghosts are in heaven. They're in hell, they’re on Earth, so I think there's different ways to see people too."

So TBD on a Flower return. But keep up with everything else going on at Woodstone this season by watching Ghosts season 3 Thursdays on CBS and streaming on-demand on Paramount Plus.

Dead-funny US sitcom Ghosts is back to scare up some good times after last year’s industry strikes delayed the show's production. The number one comedy on Paramount Plus continues to find Sam and Jay continuing to help the spectral residents of Woodstone Manor.

You can watch Ghosts season 3 for FREE in the United States on Paramount Plus. Even if you’re traveling abroad, you could still watch Ghosts S3 from anywhere with a VPN.

Adapted by Joe Port and Joe Wiseman from the beloved BBC sitcom of the same name, Ghosts features Rose McIver (iZombie) as Samantha Arondekar, a journalist in the midst of converting a creaky old mansion into a thriving B&B with her husband Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar). But things get a little more complicated after a near-death accident leaves her able to see and speak with the manor’s litany of spooks.

Season 2 resolved some major dramas for the residents of Woodstone. The mystery of Alberta’s murder was finally solved, which dropped Hetty in some hot water, while Continental Army officer Isaac finally acted on his feelings for Lieutenant Colonel Nigel and proposed.

While we now know who was spirited away in the season 2 finale, it remains to be seen how the remaining spectres will cope with their departure. 

Find out with our guide for how to watch Ghosts season 3 from anywhere in the world. We've got all the information you'll need below.

Watch Ghosts US for FREE

Great news for fans of Ghosts in New Zealand: the show is available to stream for free, on the TVNZ Plus streaming service with episodes landing at 6pm NZDT every Friday. 

You can stream Ghosts free on TVNZ Plus from anywhere in the world with a VPN, as a Kiwi abroad. Full details on how to do that just below...

How to watch Ghosts season 3 in the US

Can I watch Ghosts season 3 online in the UK?

Alas, while the first two seasons of Ghosts (US) are available to stream on BBC iPlayer, there’s previously been a wait of almost a year before UK viewers can enjoy new episodes of the US version of the show. We imagine a similar wait lies ahead before Ghosts season 3 lands on iPlayer, but we'll update you here if that should change. You can however, catch up on all five seasons of the UK version of Ghosts on iPlayer now, including the Christmas special 

Out of the country? If you’re currently traveling outside of the US, you might want to use a VPN to allow to watch Ghosts season 7 from abroad.

Can I watch Ghosts season 3 online in Australia?

Ghosts season 3 streams on Paramount Plus Down Under and the streamer currently has both seasons 1 and 2 available too. It's AU$9.99 for a monthly subscription, although new members get a 7-day free trial first.

How to watch Ghosts season 3 from anywhere with a VPN

You can watch Ghosts season 3 on any of the streaming services above by using a VPN – no matter where you are in the world!

Normally a streaming service will know where you are trying to tune in from and block you if you're not in the right country but a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an app that hides your location. That means you can access your usual sports and entertainment services even while you're traveling abroad.

Our favorite VPN is ExpressVPN, which is the No. 1-rated VPN in the world right now according to our sister site, TechRadar, where you'll find a deeper reader on the best VPN services available right now.

How to use a VPN to watch any stream

• Download the app at ExpressVPN
• Choose the location of the streaming service you want to watch (UK, US, etc)
• Navigate to the streaming service and start watching!

What is the Ghosts season 3 release date?

Season 3 of Ghosts debuted on Thursday, February 15, 2024 on the CBS channel.

• Episode 1: The Owl – February 15
• Episode 2: Man of Your Dreams – February 22
• Episode 3: He Sees Dead People – February 29
• Episode 4: Halloween 3: The Guest Who Wouldn’t Leave – March 7
• Episode 5: The Silent Partner – March 14
• Episode 6: TBC – March 21
• Episode 7: TBC – March 28
• Episode 8: TBC – April 4
• Episode 9: TBC – April 11
• Episode10: TBC – April 18

All you need to know about Ghosts season 3

Apparently the Ghosts cast are big fans of chicken wings. That's according to star Danielle Pinnock, who revealed that one of the ensemble's favorite places to hang out and eat is the famous restaurant chain Hooters, best known for their wings and bar food as well as, a bit more infamously, the outfits their wait staff wears.

Pinnock shared this detail on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Wednesday, February 14, ahead of Ghosts season 3's long-awaited premiere on CBS on Thursday, February 15.

When asked about how tight the cast is, Pinnock said all they do is "hang out and eat." "We go out all the time," she said. "Season 1, if you watch the pilot, we all had like sharp jawlines and collar bones, and by episode 22 we all looked a little fuller."

She explained that Montreal, where the series is filmed, is one of the most delicious food cities in the world. But even though they have a great selection of restaurants to choose from, they have recently found an affinity for the local Hooters restaurant. "I don't know what is in the wing water at Hooters baby, but I'm telling you them lemon pepper wings, the smoky garlic — listen, I need to be the ambassador. I'm ready."

So if you happen to be in Montreal and find yourselves at a Hooters, keep an eye out for Pinnock, Rose McIver, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Brandon Scott Jones, Richie Moriarty, Asher Goodman, Sheila Carrasco, Rebecca Wisocky, Devan Chandler Long and Roman Zaragoza.

In addition to their favorite dining spots, Pinnock told some more fantastic stories during her The Late Show appearance. One included how during college at Temple University in Philadelphia she and her fellow students — including 2024 Oscar nominee from The Holdovers Da'Vine Joy Randolph — would lie to get tickets to Broadway shows when they visited New York. Some of their tactics included donning self-proclaimed bad British accents and claiming to be related to Patti LaBelle.

She also recalled what she said was the "best role of her life" — playing Captain Hook in a high school production of Peter Pan. She said that she wasn't interested in any of the other parts in the show, so she went after Captain Hook, was the only girl to do so and beat out all the other boys in her theater class for the role, which she humorously noted still angers them to this day.

Tune in for Ghosts season 3 premiere on Thursday, February 15, at 8:30 pm ET/PT on CBS. You can also watch Pinnock’s full interview with Colbert directly below.

CBS's Ghosts has been one of TV's biggest hits over the last couple of years (and Ghosts season 3 premieres on February 15), and at the center of it is Rose McIver. She plays the main character, Sam, who after a near death experience is able to see the ghosts that live in the house that she and her husband Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar) are turning into a Bed & Breakfast.

While Ghosts has made McIver more of a household name, she has been working for a long time and has had plenty of roles that garnered her attention, like The CW series iZombie and the popular Netflix Christmas movie franchise A Christmas Prince. But that's all on-camera, what are some interesting facts about Rose McIver from her life beyond TV and movies?

We did some research and found seven things you may not have known about Rose McIver.

Rose McIver comes from a family of artists

Rose McIver isn't the only member of her family to find a career/passion in the arts. Her mother Ann is an artist, her father John is a photographer and her brother Paul is a musician. McIver credits growing up in that environment for helping her become the person she is today.

"I have been amazingly fortunate to land in the family I did. I can’t think of a more supportive, tolerant, immensely loving and patient group of people to call whanau (family)" she told the site Narrative Muse. "Being an artist is an absolute privilege and one that I am grateful for every day. Given that mum, dad and Paul are all deeply creative, I think it may have been more challenging and unfamiliar for them if I had left school and said 'I want to be a lawyer' than it has been to pursue a career in the arts, but regardless, the twists and turns of a job like this can be hard on a family and they have all been rock solid in their support and belief. I am too lucky."

One of her first roles was in an Oscar-winning movie

McIver has said that she started acting at 2 years old, mostly in commercials, but it wasn't much longer when she landed a role in her first major project, an Oscar-winner no less. At the age of 5, McIver had a role as "Angel" in Jane Campion's The Piano, which won three Oscars and was nominated for eight in total, including Best Picture. Sure it wasn’t a big part, but it’s pretty cool that at her young age she was in such a big movie 

Rose McIver's early career aspirations 

While acting was a part of her life at such an early age, McIver had other dreams as a child. As a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show, McIver detailed that she used to deliver bananas around her hometown in New Zealand, including doing so in a hearse. Next, she held out hope on being a rapper, inspired by the music of Tupac. However, she admits that she is better off leaving the rapping to her Ghosts co-star Ambudkar, who in addition to acting is a rapper. 

Some of her hobbies include cross-stitching and gardening 

Outside of acting, McIver has some low-key hobbies that she enjoys doing. On The Late Show with Stephen Colbert she showed off some of her cross-stitching work, often of things from her family home when she is feeling homesick. Then on The Late Late Show with James Corden, she talked about her green thumb as she redid her garden during the early days of the COVID pandemic; she also found a trick to help protect her garden from racoons: playing Christian radio. 

Rose McIver knows how to dirtboard

In that same interview with Corden, she manages to impress skateboarding legend Tony Hawk with the fact that she knows how to dirtboard. McIver says she learned to dirtboard for her role in the Disney Channel movie Johnny Kapahala: Back on Board, where there is a scene that she and the other characters go dirtboarding. She was already to go and show off her skills when the production decided that it was too dangerous (Hawk backed that idea up) and instead used a stunt double. The stunt double, however, was a 6-foot 4-inch man, which McIver jokes is kind of noticeable in the finished scene. 

Rose McIver has a famous sister-in-law 

McIver's family growing up was full of artists, and now the family she is making with her husband George Byrne also is filled with artists. Not only because Byrne is a respected photographer, but because his sister, and McIver's sister-in-law, is actress Rose Byrne of Bridesmaids and Platonic fame. 

Rose McIver initially found the script for A Christmas Prince "ludicrous"

Before Ghosts, McIver's most popular project was Netflix's A Christmas Prince. The holiday movie became a popular hit and spawned two sequels, A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding and A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby. But her initial reaction to reading the script did not have her thinking it would turn into a franchise.

Talking with Vulture, McIver recalls that when she heard the pitch for the movie she "thought it was kind of a ludicrous idea." However, she was won over by the filmmakers and once she saw the surprising reaction it was getting she realized something.

"People want to see things that make them feel good," she said. "People are turning to these films to be soothed and to find some kind of comfort. I knew I would enjoy watching a film like that, but I didn't realize so many people would enjoy it, too."

If there is ever a fourth A Christmas Prince movie, she says she is "scared" where the story may go next.

Rose McIver fact file

Frequently asked questions about Rose McIver:

The gruesome discovery of the missing researchers at the end of the True Detective: Night Country premiere is an active crime scene raising far more questions than answers. 

In "Part Two," Chief Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) immediately gets to work on piecing what they have together while also fending off Captain Connelly (Christopher Eccleston), who wants to move the case to Anchorage. 

More is revealed about the ghosts that haunt this location; past trauma that casts a long shadow over this community and interpersonal relationships. Plus, a solid link between a Tsalal researcher and the murdered Annie K is uncovered, bringing Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) and Danvers back into each other's orbit.

Digging out the frozen bodies

The Ellis police team processes the icy crime scene. Initial assessments of the injuries include ruptured eardrums, ice burns and self-inflicted wounds like scratching their eyes out. One of them has a symbol drawn on his forehead. The men are naked and some clothes are neatly piled up nearby. "This case is gonna be a s*** bowl," says Danvers.

When the police officers stop goofing around, one accidentally pulls off the arm of a scientist, who then begins to scream in agony. Yes, one of the men is still alive. Danvers won't get to interview him anytime soon though, as (unsurprisingly) he is put into an induced coma. 

In the meantime, Danvers heads to the local high school to ask geology teacher Bryce (Donnie Keshawarz) about what the Tsalal station does. She has a romantic history with Bryce, who is wary of talking to Danvers until he realizes it is about work. 

Bryce calls the researchers "mad men," saying no one goes in or out of the station. However, he also mentions their work could be an "absolute game changer" that could find the cure for cancer. Bryce says they are trying to sequence DNA from an extinct microorganism, which is incredibly difficult due to the permafrost.

Seeing ghosts 

Navarro visits Rose (Fiona Shaw) at her isolated home to ask about the ghost who led Rose to the bodies. Rose says the only times she sees Travis (Erling Eliasson) is "when that f***er wants something." Navarro met Rose as the officer assigned to tell her Travis had walked out on the ice to die, as he didn't want to wait for his leukemia to kill him instead. Travis is the first ghost Rose sees, but she explains spirits are common in Ennis.

"The thing about the dead is that some of them come because they miss you; some come because they need to tell you something that you need to hear and some of them want to take you with them," says Rose. "You need to know the difference."   

Navarro tells Rose about her sister's breakdowns and that her "dead mother is calling her." Rose is sympathetic but warns Navarro not to "confuse the spirit world with mental health issues." Unfortunately, Jules (Aka Niviâna) had an awful experience in a mental health facility and doesn't want to go back. 

Before Navarro leaves, Rose brings up the symbol, which Navarro recognizes. Rose warns that it is ancient.

Asking the right questions 

Despite Captain Connelly's plans to move the bodies to Anchorage, Danvers digs her heels in to keep the bodies in Ennis until they thaw. She emphasizes that its proper protocol and not just retribution to Connelly for sticking her in Ennis. They decide to put the "corpsical" at the local ice rink for it to thaw.

Logically, they go through the injuries and what could have caused their demise. Danvers wants Peter (Finn Bennett) to ask the right questions, such as why they went outside and what made them undress. 

Navarro also wants to work with Liz and mentions the symbol link, as she remembered Annie K had a tattoo of this symbol. Liz tells her to "f*** off," but when Peter interviews the Tsalal delivery guy, they discover that Clark had this same image tattooed on his chest.

Tattoos and trailers 

Navarro finds a crucifix necklace in her car on the drive to find information and flashes back to what appears to be her mother's mental spiral, with Navarro protecting her sister. She doesn't let this distract her, finding a solid lead: researcher Raymond Clark (Owen McDonnell) bought a trailer from one of the miner's cousins.

Meanwhile, Danvers argues with stepdaughter Leah (Isabella Star LeBlanc) about the temporary version of a traditional Indigenous face tattoo she gets drawn on. It speaks to Liz's prejudices that we have seen in interactions with Navarro.

Liz's own past continues to haunt her, including a flashback showing her with what appears to be her son while "Twist and Shout" plays. Leah tells Peter that Danvers used to dance with her dad, which sounds unlike the woman we see now. 

Another layer of Danvers is peeled back as a romantic relationship with Captain Connelly has gone on for 19 years. After sleeping together, they argue whether Danvers should keep the case, making her even more determined to solve it.

Danvers finds that Clark's accounts reveal he got the tattoo four days after Annie's death. The tattooist emails Danvers the inspiration image, while an intimate photo shows the tattoo on Annie's back. With this, Danvers agrees to investigate with Navarro, but they still have tension regarding another case.

Navarro talks through the evidence with Qavvik (Joel Montgrand), the guy she is dating and who owns the local bar. Navarro echoes Liz that they aren't asking the right question. She then realizes the trailer helped keep Annie's relationship with Clark secret, and there is only one place where the trailer would be.

Danvers, meanwhile, goes through Clark's work, finding disturbing handwritten notes like "her eyes, her face." Navarro calls to tell her she has found the trailer with similar creepy writing and additional fabric dolls. They discover Annie K's phone and photos of Annie everywhere. 

"Cheif, we have a problem," Peter calls to say. When they get to the ice rink, the ice has thawed, but there are only six scientists (one is in the hospital), with Clark missing. Did Clark murder his co-workers and Annie?  

Watch True Detective season 4 Sundays at 9 pm ET/PT on HBO and streaming on Max in the US; airing on Sky Atlantic Mondays in the UK.

Not many choreographers have the power to convince the whole family to sit down and watch a ballet on Christmas Day, but if anybody can, it's Sir Matthew Bourne. And this year, it's his Sleeping Beauty that will be broadcast on Christmas day – Monday, December 25.

You can watch Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty for FREE in the UK on the BBC iPlayer streaming service. But don't worry if you're on holiday while it's on because you can watch Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty on iPlayer from anywhere with a VPN.

For anybody new to Bourne's craft and with preconceived ideas of the art of ballet, be prepared to be dazzled. A heavyweight of the choreography world, Bourne has spent the last three decades breathing fresh life into traditional ballets, injecting a new approach — often in modern dress — to those classic works. The likes of Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Carman and Romeo and Juliet have had Matthew Bourne's magic dust sprinkled on them in the past, and this recording of Sleeping Beauty at the famous Sadlers Wells theater celebrates the 10th anniversary of its first run.

In true Bourne style, Sleeping Beauty takes Tchaikovsky's original 1890 ballet and gives it new blood — vampire blood, in this case!

As its dance-theatre company New Adventures puts it, Sleeping Beauty is a "wondrous world of magical fairies and vampires, where the timeless tale of good vs evil is turned upside-down, creating a supernatural love story that even the passage of time cannot hinder. Will Princess Aurora ever find her true love again?".

You don't need to sit in the stalls to enjoy the magic of Matthew Bourne this yuletide. Here's how to watch Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty from anywhere in the world and for free — we've got all the streaming information you'll need below.

How to watch Sleeping Beauty in the UK

Can I watch Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty in the US?

Unfortunately, it seems that the Matthew Bourne masterpiece won't be available to watch across the Atlantic during the holidays.

So if you're a Brit travelling to the States and are desperate to watch Sleeping Beauty, you'll need to go down the VPN route — explained below.

Can I watch Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty in Australia?

Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty hasn't made it into the Australian TV schedule this Christmas.

But if you want some magical Matthew Bourne ballet to watch, the free ABC iview streaming service has his Swan Lake, Nutcracker! and The Red Shoes to stream at your leisure. All you need to do to watch is register with your name, date of birth and postcode.

Brits that are Down Under, however, will need to use a VPN to watch Sleeping Beauty online.

How to watch Sleeping Beauty from anywhere with a VPN

You can watch Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty on the BBC iPlayer by using a VPN — no matter where you are in the world.

Normally a streaming service will know where you are trying to tune in from and block you if you're not in the right country but a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an app that hides your location. That means you can access your usual sports and entertainment services even while you're traveling abroad.

Our favorite VPN is ExpressVPN, which is the No. 1-rated VPN in the world right now according to our sister site, TechRadar.

How to use a VPN to watch any stream

• Download the app at ExpressVPN
• Choose the location of the streaming service you want to watch (UK, US, etc)
• Navigate to the streaming service and start watching!

What is the Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty release date?

This newly recorded 10th anniversary performance of Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty will be broadcast on BBC Two in the UK at 1.15 pm on Christmas Day (December 25).

There is no release date in the US or Australia.

All you need to know about Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty

Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty theatre trailer

There's Christmas cheer for anybody mourning the dearly departed Ghosts after the UK show made its final haunting in November. The fifth and final series may have come to an end, but the sitcom has been reincarnated for a one-off Christmas special with Ghosts: A Christmas Gift having arrived Christmas Day (December 25) 2023.

You can watch Ghosts: A Christmas Gift for FREE in the UK on the BBC iPlayer streaming service. But don't worry if you're away from home because you can watch the Ghosts Christmas special on iPlayer from anywhere with a VPN.

As we re-join the ghoulish residents of Button House, there are welcome and not-so-welcome guests in tow for the Christmas period. Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) are bringing along their gorgeous new-born baby Leia for her first noel... but invited too is Mike's mum Betty (Sutara Gayle). And it doesn't take long before she outstays her welcome.

Just as it seems she may finally leave, Betty senses that things in the house are far from normal. Paranormal, in fact. And then it's all hands on deck to try and force the irritating in-law to leave them in peace — cue Operation Bye Bye Betty.

As Smith-Bynoe says: "It’s Christmassy, it’s in keeping with Ghosts and you’ll laugh and cry at the ending especially... Even at the readthrough, it felt fitting and emotional, realising this was the end of that journey we’ve been on for a long time.”

Ready to return to Button House? Here's how to watch Ghosts: A Christmas Gift from anywhere in the world and for free — we've got all the streaming information you'll need below.

How to watch Ghosts Christmas special in the UK

How to watch Ghosts Christmas special in Australia

Ghosts: A Christmas Gift hit ABC iview in Australia on Tuesday, December 26, and aired on TV on ABC TV Plus the same day at 9.15 pm AEDT.

That means you'll be able to stream the festive episode (along with all of the recently released Ghosts series 5) for free on the service. All you need to do to watch is register on ABC iview with your name, date of birth and postcode.

Can I watch Ghosts Christmas special in the US?

Although CBS and Paramount Plus is now beginning to show Ghosts UK (season 2 is currently being shown), the new A Christmas Gift is not in its listings.

You'll either have to settle for the 2020 season 2 special The Ghost of Christmas — which is available to stream now on Paramount Plus — or, if you're a Brit or Aussie travelling to the States and are desperate to watch the new episode on Christmas Day, you'll need to go down the VPN route...

How to watch Ghosts Christmas special from anywhere with a VPN

You can watch Ghosts on any of the streaming services above by using a VPN — no matter where you are in the world.

Normally a streaming service will know where you are trying to tune in from and block you if you're not in the right country but a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an app that hides your location. That means you can access your usual sports and entertainment services even while you're traveling abroad.

Our favorite VPN is ExpressVPN, which is the No. 1-rated VPN in the world right now according to our sister site, TechRadar.

How to use a VPN to watch any stream

• Download the app at ExpressVPN
• Choose the location of the streaming service you want to watch (UK, US, etc)
• Navigate to the streaming service and start watching!

What is the Ghosts: A Christmas Gift release date?

The half-an-hour 2023 Ghosts Christmas special, called A Christmas Gift, aired on BBC One in the UK at 7.45 pm. It is now available to watch on the network's BBC iPlayer website and apps.

There is currently no release date in the US. In Australia, it was added to ABC iview on Tuesday, December 26.

All you need to know about Ghosts: A Christmas Gift

Ghosts: A Christmas Gift trailer

Ghosts is bowing out for good with a Christmas special, which brings high emotion and big change for the residents of Button House.

The episode, airing on BBC One on Christmas Day at 7.45 pm, sees Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) welcome their first baby, which delights their ghostly housemates. But trouble brews when Mike’s mum Betty (Sutara Gayle) moves in to lend a hand. 

While her well-meant fussing drives Alison and Mike crazy, she also starts to suspect that the stately home might be haunted, which could have big repercussions for the ghosts…

What to Watch chatted to two of the show’s co-creators – Jim Howick, who plays spectral scoutmaster Pat, and Laurence Rickard, who portrays Tudor phantom Headless Humphrey and caveman Robin – to find out more about the Ghosts Christmas special…

Ghosts is coming to an end with its Christmas special. What can you reveal about the episode?

Laurence: "The show is about living people and dead people, so you're never going to have that ending of them all moving to Greece!" 

Jim: "It will be emotional, that’s unavoidable when you're dealing with a last episode. The idea was always to keep it as upbeat as possible though and not venture too much into the supernatural. We wanted it to resonate on a human level." 

Was it tough for you to film your final scenes?

Jim: "Yes, the last shot we did, we kept improvising and carrying on, because we didn’t want them to say ‘Cut!’ I’m going to miss it."

Laurence: "It should feel like a wrench though. Because we've had a joy making it, selfishly, we could have gone, ‘Let's keep doing it.’ But even with all the kind things people have said about the recent last series, we’ve not gone, ‘We've made a mistake in ending it.’” 

What impact does the arrival of Mike and Alison’s baby have on the ghosts?

Laurence: “The ghosts are a family and they all have that dynamic with Alison and Mike, but when this child arrives, they realise, ‘Actually, that’s the family.’ Some of them handle that worse than others! Kitty [the childish Georgian played by Lolly Adefope] has always felt kinship with Alison and she’s the baby of the gang, so jealousy comes in!”

It sounds like Betty could cause problems too…

Laurence: “We see generationally how parenting has changed and that’s tricky for grandparents. The issue is compounded because Mike and Alison live in this big house in the middle of nowhere and they’re all stranded together!"

Jim: “Yes, we liked the idea of Betty's involvement stimulating a burst of opinion from all the ghosts and there’s friction and a chain reaction.”

What was it like working with the twins who share the role of Alison and Mike’s baby?

Jim: "Surprisingly, they liked Robin most!"

Laurence: “I was keeping my distance, thinking, ‘Will Robin scar them for life?!’ But they seemed intrigued and probably just thought, ‘That's the strangest thing I've seen in the weeks I've been alive!’” 

Does it still feel special for Ghosts to be a centrepiece of the Christmas schedule, particularly with the final episode?

Jim: “Yes, it’s a massive deal. When we were offered our first Christmas special [in 2020], there was a sense of achievement and privilege.”

Laurence: “A Christmas special feels like a natural fit with the tone of the show because it is about different generations coming together. There's melancholy and wintryness but also warmth and fun. It’s lovely when the tree goes up!”

Finally, in the special, Robin is struggling to get into the festive spirit. What makes you both feel Christmassy?!

Laurence: “I like it when the lights go up. As a kid, we’d do a tour of the neighbourhood with my parents and see the houses who had gone nuts with the lights and decorations!”

Jim: “I cook the Christmas dinner most years, so it’s all about food! And I love the two days pre-Christmas Day when there's a feel of magic in the air!”

Ghosts airs on Christmas Day on BBC One at 7.45pm.

Ghosts gets a baby in the Christmas special as Alison and Mike show off their new daughter.

In adorable first pictures from the Ghosts Christmas special 2023, the happy couple can be seen cooing over the tiny tot. We won’t spoil the surprise and give away the baby's name, that's a treat for Christmas Day when the comedy airs. And if you’re wondering why the baby's not really tiny, it's because Alison (played by Charlotte Ritchie) gives birth in the story at Halloween. 

We found out in Ghosts season 5 that Alison was expecting and the happy couple are enjoying the baby in the festive episode, which is sadly the final one. The ghosts themselves all love the baby except Kitty who feels a bit jealous! Mike's mum Betty is on hand to "help" but soon she’s causing trouble for the new family.

Laurence Rickard, who plays Tudor nobleman Humphrey and caveman Robin, told What To Watch: "The ghosts are a family and also have that dynamic with Mike and Alison but when this baby arrives they realise 'Actually, that’s the family'. Some of them handle that worse than others! Kitty has always felt kinship with Alison and is the baby of the gang, so jealously comes in!"

The Ghosts team announced that series 5 would be the final season before adding that there would at least also be a Christmas special to enjoy.

Speaking to us earlier in the year, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, who plays Mike, said of the special: "It’s Christmassy, it’s in keeping with Ghosts and you’ll laugh and cry at the ending especially. It’s so difficult to write an ending but they’ve done it exceptionally well. Even at the readthrough, it felt fitting and emotional, realising this was the end of that journey we’ve been on for a long time."

The Ghosts Christmas special airs on Christmas Day on BBC One at 7.45 pm.

Ghosts UK is heading to CBS and as a big fan of the British series and being British myself, I'm hugely looking forward to seeing what the US makes of the original version which inspired the US remake. (And good news CBS's Ghosts season 3 finally has a premiere date!).

I'm also fascinated to see how it translates because although we share the same language, there are some crucial cultural differences! So I rewatched the first episode of UK Ghosts, which follows the adventures of Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe), and jotted down several words/phrases that I thought might not make much sense to an American viewer. And, after double-checking with an American colleague, Terrell, I was often proved correct!

Having watched the UK and US versions they're both wonderful fun and also quite distinct.

So, to help US watchers here's an explanation of what those words and phrases mean…

Let's talk about Fanny…

So one of the ghosts is called Fanny Button, a previous owner of Button House, the grand country house Alison inherits. I asked my US colleague whether he knew what fanny meant and Terrell replied "Butt!" I'm like "No, that's not what it means in the UK!" Now, how do we put this politely… erm, well, fanny in the UK is slang for a lady’s private parts shall we say. It's probably the rudest gag in the UK version — mind you the US version has the phrase "Sucked off" when a ghost departs, which also seems pretty rude!

'Tremendous innings'

In the opening scene of the first episode, we see the ghosts gather around the bedside of the dying current owner of Button House. The Captain says she's had a "Tremendous innings." Now, I was fairly confident this wouldn’t translate and Terrell asked if it had something to do with baseball. No, it's actually a reference to the game cricket, which like baseball sees a player enjoy an innings, although unlike baseball, these can go on for a day or more (yes, a game of cricket can go on for five days!). If someone says "Tremendous innings" in Britain, it means leading a long and happy life.

'Lucky cow'

Still in the opening scene, when the woman dies and goes to heaven, rather than hanging around as a ghost, Mary says "Lucky cow." A bit of background first on Mary, she's a 16th-century English peasant woman who was burned for being a witch. Anyway back to "lucky cow," it simply means being lucky. It's normally meant quite affectionately. 

'Beyond the pale'

The Captain tells Fanny that her actions are "beyond the pale" when she keeps jumping out of his window. When I said "beyond the pale" to Terrell he said he didn’t have a clue what it meant. Well, "beyond the pale" is quite commonly used in Britain and simply means unacceptable behavior.

'Tush'

In the same conversation, Mary says "Tush," which is an old expression of disapproval. And no, Terrell, it doesn't mean butt in this context! To be fair this isn't actually used that much anymore in the UK either.

We hope this helps!

Ghosts UK begins on November 16 at 9.00 pm ET/PT. The first two episodes will be shown back to back.

CBS has wasted little time in announcing when many of its most popular shows would be returning now that the actors' strike has officially ended and Hollywood can get back to work. Ghosts season 3, NCIS season 21, Blue Bloods season 14, Young Sheldon season 7 and more hit series are returning starting in February 2024 to fill the back half of the 2023-2024 TV season.

After a fall schedule that saw CBS rely on reality shows like Big Brother season 25, Survivor season 45 and The Amazing Race season 35, reruns of popular shows like NCIS or broadcast TV debuts of hit cable shows (Yellowstone seasons 1 & 2) and international shows (UK Ghosts), things are going back to normal for the network. In fact, the schedule is going to nearly identical to the CBS primetime schedule that the network announced back in May, save for a couple of small changes.

However, as great as it is to have these shows back, there is a little hiccup that viewers need to know about: most of the scripted shows are going to have abbreviated seasons. Instead of the usual 20 or so episodes that NCIS, Ghosts and others have, that number is going to come down to 10-13 as a result of the late starts. But, most of the shows should return to their normal lengths in the 2024-2025 TV season.

Here is a look at the winter/spring 2024 CBS TV schedule, which kicks into high gear following Super Bowl LVIII:

Sunday, February 11

• Tracker series premiere (following the conclusion of Super Bowl LVIII) 

Monday, February 12

• The Neighborhood season 6, 8 pm ET/PT
• Bob Hearts Abishola season 5, 8:30 pm ET/PT
• NCIS season 21, 9 pm ET/PT
• NCIS: Hawai'i season 3, 10 pm ET/PT

Tuesday, February 13

• FBI season 6, 8 pm ET/PT
• FBI: International season 3, 9 pm ET/PT
• FBI: Most Wanted season 5, 10 pm ET/PT

Thursday, February 15 

• Young Sheldon season 7, 8 pm ET/PT
• Ghosts season 3, 8:30 pm ET/PT
• So Help Me Todd season 2, 9 pm ET/PT
• Tracker (premiere episode encore), 10 pm ET/PT

Friday, February 16

• SWAT season 7, 8 pm ET/PT
• Fire Country season 2, 9 pm ET/PT
• Blue Bloods season 14, 10 pm ET/PT

Sunday, February 18

• 60 Minutes, 7 pm ET/PT
• The Equalizer season 4, 8 pm ET/PT
• Tracker, 9 pm ET/PT (regular time period)
• CSI: Vegas season 3, 10 pm ET/PT

Thursday, February 22

• Young Sheldon season 7, 8 pm ET/PT
• Ghosts season 3, 8:30 pm ET/PT
• So Help Me Todd season 2, 9 pm ET/PT
• Tracker (episode 2 encore), 10 pm ET/PT

Wednesday, February 28

• Survivor season 46, 8 pm ET/PT (two-hour premiere) 

Thursday, February 29

• Young Sheldon season 7, 8 pm ET/PT
• Ghosts season 3, 8:30 pm ET/PT
• So Help Me Todd season 2, 9 pm ET/PT
• Elsbeth series premiere, 10 pm ET/PT 

Wednesday, March 6

• Survivor season 46, 8 pm ET/PT (two-hour episode) 

Wednesday, March 13

• Survivor season 46, 8 pm ET/PT (90-minute episode)
• The Amazing Race season 36, 9:30 pm ET/PT

Watch a promo for CBS's 2024 slate right here:

Also, in case you are wondering where previously announced CBS new shows Matlock starring Kathy Bates and Poppa's House with Damon Wayans are, CBS has opted to hold them until the 2024-2025 TV season.

As always with CBS shows, anyone with a traditional pay-TV subscription or a TV antenna that can receive over-the-air signals automatically gets their local CBS station. Meanwhile, live TV streaming services Fubo, Hulu with Live TV and YouTube TV offer CBS as part of their channel lineup. Also, Paramount Plus with Showtime allows subscribers to watch CBS programming live, while any Paramount Plus subscriber can watch the shows on-demand.

Ghosts star Kiell Smith-Bynoe has spoken about the huge impact the comedy has had on his career and his emotions filming the final season.

The last episode of Ghosts season 5 sees Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) and Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) trying to make a big decision. 

The cash-strapped parents-to-be have been trying to sell part of their land to developers who want to create a golf course, but when the couple hears of a lucrative new offer that could mean them leaving the house and its phantoms forever, they are torn.

What to Watch caught up with Kiell Smith-Bynoe, who will next be seen as the host of The Great British Sewing Bee, to find out more about the finale of Ghosts….

What has being part of Ghosts meant to you?

“Career-wise it has been huge; it has opened doors for me and given me the opportunity to work on my own projects. People see me as a lead now. Ghosts has shown what I'm able to do, from emotional scenes to physical comedy. And every time someone tells me that they love Ghosts and that it’s the only thing they watch as a family, it means a lot.”

Ghosts is concluding its final season with a moving episode. Tell us about the dilemma that Mike and Alison face...

“It's a tough decision for them as a couple. They’ve put all their time and money into that house, but it has been a hindrance, so the money and the freedom would solve problems.

"But it’s a heavier decision for Alison [who can see the ghosts], because she has everyone else in the house who she knows she couldn't take with her. To walk away from them would be huge.”

The ghosts put on a charm offensive to influence the decision, how does that go?!

“Planning and executing something well is not their strong point! But they try their best and it all comes from a good place of wanting to keep what they have. They've never had someone before who could turn the page of a book or turn on the TV for them, and it’s massive what they’ve learnt through Alison. But there’s a big turn in the decision-making…”

Mike and Alison are also distracted from their deliberations by the arrival of their friend Obi (Nathan Bryon) whose heart has been broken. How does that pan out?

“It's not helpful, it's high stakes! But even though Mike and Alison don’t have a massive friendship group, Obi means a lot to them and they’ll put the time in to look after him. It's easy to forget how good Nathan is, because I’ve known him a long time. But he’s so much fun!” 

Parenthood is also on Mike and Alison’s minds as their baby’s arrival is imminent. Have you enjoyed that development for them in the final series?

“Yes, it's has been weighing heavily on Mike but he's learnt a lot and now it's something he's ready for. It is a huge thing in his and Alison’s relationship. They married young and then took on the responsibility of this house. They had to mature quickly and this is a natural next step.” 

Ghosts ends for good with the upcoming Christmas special. What can you tease about that?

“It’s Christmassy, it’s in keeping with Ghosts and you’ll laugh and cry at the ending especially. It’s so difficult to write an ending but they’ve done it exceptionally well. Even at the readthrough, it felt fitting and emotional, realising this was the end of that journey we’ve been on for a long time.”

Was the final day of filming hard?

“We shot the last scene on the last day, so there were lots of emotions then and throughout the weeks leading up to it, knowing it was the final time we’d see things like the Captain [the World War Two soldier, played by Ben Willbond] in full costume. We were remembering all the jokes we’d had and all the messing about. I’ll never forget that and I'm grateful for it.”

You have great chemistry with Charlotte, would you love to work with her again?

“Oh, Charlotte is probably the best that we have in this country. There are so many reasons why it works with us but there’s a generosity she has as an actor in scenes, where she gives time and space to allow me to work things out and she’ll make suggestions. We have a shorthand now because we’ve worked together for so long and it has been a blessing. I’m very lucky to have found that.”

And would you like to team up with the rest of the Ghosts gang — many of whom co-write the series — for their future projects?

“Yes, because they’ve got so many great ideas individually and as a group but mainly I would like to actually just act with them rather than pretend I can’t see them! They are some of the best comedy actors in the UK.”

Have you taken any souvenirs from your time in Button House?

“I kept the monocle [that Mike put on the huge stuffed bear he bought in series four]. But the bear had to be returned!”

The final episode of Ghosts season 5 airs on Friday 10 November on BBC One at 8.30 pm and the Ghosts Christmas Special 2023 will air in December.

While Ghosts season 3 on CBS is delayed, meaning there's no new Halloween special to enjoy this year, fans can still celebrate the holiday with their favorite group of spirits, as the Ghosts Halloween specials from Ghosts season 1 and Ghosts season 2 are going to air on Monday, October 30, on CBS.

The special Halloween-themed episodes are airing back-to-back starting at 8 pm ET/PT on CBS. It kicks off with the season 1 episode, simply titled "Halloween," that has the group of ghosts help Sam and Jay protect Woodstone from the kids who annually vandalize it on Halloween. Then it's "Halloween 2: The Ghost of Hetty's Past," which has Sam and Jay host a séance that conjures up spirits that know Hetty all too well.

You can watch these episodes live if you have a TV setup with access to CBS, which includes a traditional pay-TV cable subscription, a TV antenna to receive local CBS station signals over-the-air or a live TV streaming service that carries CBS, like Fubo, Hulu with Live TV and YouTube TV. Select Paramount Plus subscribers can also watch the episode live, specifically Paramount Plus with Showtime subscribers, as they can live stream their local CBS station.

If you are not a Paramount Plus with Showtime subscriber or just can't sit down to watch the special airings of the Ghosts Halloween specials, then you can still catch up with on-demand via Paramount Plus.

CBS's Ghosts is an American adaptation of the BBC's Ghosts that originated in the UK. The US series follows the same basic premise, where a young couple, Sam and Jay, inherit a mansion that they plan to turn into a Bed & Breakfast. However, after an accident, Sam gains the ability to see and communicate with the ghosts that live in the house.

The show stars Rose McIver as Sam and Utkarsh Ambudkar as Jay, with the group of ghosts being played by Brandon Scott Jones (Isaac), Danielle Pinnock (Alberta), Richie Moriarty (Pete), Asher Grodman (Trevor), Sheila Carrasco (Flower), Rebecca Wisocky (Hetty), Devan Chandler Long (Thorfinn) and Roman Zaragoza (Sasappis).

As for why there isn't a new Ghosts Halloween special this year, that is due to the strikes that Hollywood has been dealing with for the last several months. The writers' and actors' strike for new labor agreements with the Hollywood studios have delayed many shows from starting new seasons, including Ghosts season 3. While the writers' strike has been settled, the actors' strike is ongoing and it is unclear when new episodes of Ghosts or other popular series will return.

But if you can't wait that long for new Ghosts, CBS is also going to be airing the UK Ghosts on US broadcast TV for the first time starting November 16.

See what other fun, Halloween-themed programming is available this year with WTW's Halloween 2023 TV guide.

The Great British Sewing Bee is set to welcome one of the stars of Ghosts to the sewing room floor for the next series.

Ghosts season 5 might be coming to an end very soon, but joining The Great British Sewing Bee seems like the next logical step for any resident of Button House! 

Kiell Smith-Bynoe (who plays Alison's husband, Mike, in the show) is stepping in for Sara Pascoe for The Great British Sewing Bee Christmas Special 2023 and for series 10. 

The news was revealed on Instagram alongside a selfie of Kiell with judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young. The caption read: "We're bursting at the seams that Kiell Smith-Bynoe has stepped in to host this year's Christmas Specials and Series 10. "(Sending lots of love to Sara and the new baby!)"

Kiell also shared the news and the same photo on his own page with the caption: "Filling the big knitted shoes of Sara Pascoe as host of The Great British Sewing Bee series 10.

"(Is knitting anything to do with sewing? I dunno, I've learnt nothing. See ya sewn)

Judge Patrick Grant is clearly very happy to welcome Kiell to the show. Under the main post, he wrote: "Brand new gang, an absolute blast. See you all for the Christmas spesh."

And when he shared the photo on Instagram, Patrick added: "We got a new chum! The brilliantly hilarious KS-B, comin atcha for Series 10 (yes its true!) and this year's super lolz Christmas spesh. Enjoy."

Will Sara Pascoe be back on The Great British Sewing Bee?

It sounds like there's every chance the star will make a comeback for series 11 or even next year's Christmas special (if there is one!).

The Sewing Bee team specifically said Kiell Smith-Bynoe was "stepping in" to host the forthcoming special and series 10, whilst Kiell shared on his own page that he would be "filling the big knitted shoes of Sara Pascoe". So, all signs seem to suggest Pascoe will be returning later down the line.

The Great British Sewing Bee is next on our screens this festive season for the 2023 Great British Sewing Bee Christmas Special (though we don't have an exact release date just yet). Meanwhile, you can see Kiell Smith-Bynoe in the last episodes of Ghosts on BBC One on Fridays at 8.30 pm or on BBC iPlayer. 

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Although we'll be saying goodbye to Mathew Baynton's melodramatic romantic poet, Thomas, when Ghosts season 5 ends very soon, the star has already landed another role in a major new BBC series.

BBC Three is adapting A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, the bestselling young adult thriller by Holly Jackson. 

The BBC confirmed that Wednesday's Emma Myers and newcomer Zain Iqbal would be leading the cast as Pip and Ravi back in June 2023. Today, they have today revealed Mathew Baynton (and several other big names) would also be cropping up at some point in the show. 

He has landed the role of Elliott Ward, the father of one of Pip's best friends. He'll be joined by Anna Maxwell Martin (Line of Duty, Motherland) and Gary Beadle (Rye Lane, Small Axe), who are playing Leanne and Victor, Pip's mother and father.

"I am beyond thrilled to finally introduce Anna and Gary as Pip’s parents, Leanne and Victor, and Mathew Baynton as Elliot Ward", Holly Jackson said. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think we’d have such an incredible cast and yet — at the same time — it always had to be them, because they are perfect for these characters.”

Filming on A Good Girl's Guide to Murder was completed in September 2023, and Anna Maxwell Martin has revealed just how much she enjoyed being a part of the show. In the same announcement, she commented: "I so enjoyed being part of A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder with a really lovely cast, crew and creatives. Can’t wait for all the people who love Holly’s book to see it brought to their screens.”

If you're unfamiliar with the book, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder follows Pip, a teenager who launches her own private investigation into the murder of a schoolgirl Andie Bell by her boyfriend, Sal Singh. Whilst the case was closed by the police, Pip has suspicions Sal wasn't responsible after all, and she sets out to prove who was really responsible.

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder is due to air on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer, but does not have a release date at the time of writing. Ghosts season 5 continues Friday at 8.30 pm on BBC One, and the full final season is available to stream on iPlayer.

Ghosts star Laurence Rickard has revealed his reaction when a fan told him that she'd had Humphrey’s head tattooed on her leg.

Laurence plays Humphrey's Head and Robin the Caveman in the hugely popular show, which is ending with Ghosts season 5, available to watch now on iPlayer.

And the actor has spoken about his mixture of horror and delight when a fan told him she had Humphrey's head tattooed on one leg… and then the character's body on the other!

"I met someone the other day who was showing me the tattoo on the back of her calf of Humphrey's head. I was like, 'Wow!' Then she went, 'Look at the other leg' and pulled her trousers up on the other leg to reveal Humphrey’s headless body. That was amazing. 

"But also, I thought, 'Oh my God, what have you done'. Recently, we went to the London Comic Con, and hundreds of people there were all dressed up as the ghosts. In television, obviously, you very rarely get to meet your audience so it was really lovely to see just how much people had taken this show to their hearts."

Laurence also spoke about his transformation into Robin the Caveman and how he has a "make-up buddy" in Martha Howe-Douglas, who plays Lady Button.

"I have a two-hour call for makeup and Martha has an hour-and-a-half call. So, we are makeup buddies. Just as we're finishing, the others turn up and comb their moustaches and put some wax in their hair. There’s something nice in always trying to perfect it all and finding little, tiny tweaks and improvements. 

"At the start it took almost three and a half hours, but by the end we had we got it down to just under two hours. So, we refined the process. The makeup people are just phenomenal. They are always there before I am and they're still there when I leave — and my day’s long enough!"

Ghosts fans had some great news recently when it was revealed there will be a Christmas special. However, the show is coming to an end and Laurence says it was a tough experience shooting the final scenes.

"I think throughout the final week, we all had tiny breakdowns. Obviously, we'd known it was coming for a long while. In the process of writing series four, we started to talk about maybe just doing one more so we had a long run into it. But yes, I think we were all taken by surprise by how emotional it was. 

"The last scene we shot was the last scene of the series so it really tugged on the heartstrings. There were a lot of tears, but it was happy and sad. It was sad to say goodbye to something which has been so much fun. But at the same time, it's just been such an incredible thing to have done. Going into it, none of us had any idea that it would go on to become what it has."

The creators of Ghosts have called time on their dead funny sitcom, which stars Charlotte Ritchie and Kiell Smith-Bynoe as the human inhabitants of a house overrun with bickering apparitions. Fans of the show can watch Ghosts season 5 from anywhere beginning Friday, October 6.

You can enjoy Ghosts FREE online thanks to BBC iPlayer. But if you’re on holiday, don’t fret, because you can watch Ghosts season 5 on BBC iPlayer from anywhere with a VPN.

Created, written by, and starring the creative team behind Horrible Histories (2009-2014), Ghosts was an instant hit thanks to its whimsical humor, high gag rate, and eclectic collection of cohabiting spectres.

These include neanderthal man Robin (Laurence Rickard), a Georgian Noblewoman (Lolly Adefope), a closeted World War II officer (Ben Willbond), and pants-less Tory MP Julian (Simon Farnaby) – all tethered to the country estate of Button House and incessantly bending Alison’s ear.

With their B&B dreams in ashes after the fire, Alison (Ritchie) and Mike (Smith-Bynoe) are back to hustling to keep financially afloat. Might they be forced to leave their haunted home? Season 5 will also see the larger-than-life spooks enjoy some April Fool’s Day hijinks, as well as investigating the cause of Kitty’s death some 200 years ago.

Ready for the last gasp of this nearly departed show? Then read on as we explain how to watch Ghosts season 5 online and from anywhere in the world.

How to watch Ghosts season 5 FREE in the UK

The final season of Ghosts will air on BBC One from Friday, October 6, 2023. As always, there’s a total of 6 episodes, each of which will be broadcast weekly at 8:30pm BST. You can find the full release schedule provided below.

But you don’t have to wait a week between episodes, because BBC iPlayer will have every episode of Ghosts available to watch on-demand from October 6. Neither the linear BBC channel or iPlayer cost anything extra to people who already pay TV license fees.

Can I watch Ghosts season 5 in the US?

It’s unlikely that US viewers will be able to watch the fifth and final season of Ghosts anytime soon, given that the UK series is only now getting its cable debut.

Season 1 episodes will begin airing on CBS from Thursday, November 16. It’s a smart move by CBS, filling the schedule left empty by the Writers Guild of America strike and which delayed production on season 3 of the network's own, US version of Ghosts.

Can I watch Ghosts season 5 in Australia?

As of the moment there’s no release date for Ghosts season 5 in Australia. Fans of the show with a subscription to Stan, however, can enjoy seasons 1 through 3 on the streamer, with season 4 episodes being added as soon as October 17. Subscriptions to Stan start from AU$10 a month.

How to watch Ghosts season 5 from anywhere with a VPN

If you're going to be away from your normal TV setup but still want to watch Ghosts season 5, you might run into some problems. Thankfully, you can solve this exact issue with a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

A VPN lets you change your IP address to that of the area of what you want to watch, meaning you can tune in to your favorite shows or other content even if you're not there. Our favorite is ExpressVPN, which is the No. 1-rated VPN in the world right now according to our sister site, TechRadar.

What is the Ghosts season 5 release date?

All 6 episodes are available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK, as of Friday, October 6. But for those who’d prefer to watch live on BBC One – and are in possession of a valid TV license – then they can catch episodes weekly on BBC One, every Friday at 8:30pm BST as laid out below:

• Episode 1: Fools – October 6
• Episode 2: Home – October 13
• Episode 3: Pineapple Day – October 20
• Episode 4: En Francais – October 27
• Episode 5: Carpe Diem – November 3
• Episode 6: Last Resort – November 10

Great news Ghosts fans, we're getting a Ghosts Christmas special 2023 to enjoy on Christmas Day at 7.45 pm on BBC One. Yes, we now have a time for the very last episode.

Everyone thought Ghosts was ending this autumn, but the BBC has revealed there will be a Christmas special and they've now teased some plot details with Mike's mum Betty set to outstay her welcome!

Plus we have the first picture of Mike and Alison's daughter (above), bless! A new trailer (below) has also arrived, with the baby entering Button House for the first time.

Ghosts season 5 was previously believed to see the final episode of the beloved comedy.

But the BBC has announced there’s "one last present under the Christmas tree" for Ghosts fans to enjoy.

Kiell Smith-Bynoe, who plays Mike, has given What to Watch an exclusive glimpse of what to expect, telling us: "It’s Christmassy, it’s in keeping with Ghosts and you’ll laugh and cry at the ending especially. It’s so difficult to write an ending but they’ve done it exceptionally well. Even at the readthrough, it felt fitting and emotional, realising this was the end of that journey we’ve been on for a long time.”

Speaking to us previously about her excitement at getting a festive special last year, Ghosts star Charlotte Ritchie told us: "It's exciting being on at Christmas, it's huge! This is a time when people get together, so it’s a testament to it being a family show. You need good TV at Christmas because it can be stressful with family, so it's great to be part of that relief!”

Here's everything we know...

Ghosts Christmas special 2023 release date

It's been confirmed the Ghosts Christmas special 2023 will air on Christmas Day on BBC One at 7.45 pm. See our Christmas TV section for all things festive TV.

Ghosts Christmas special 2023 plot

The BBC has revealed some plot details at last. The makers tease: "Christmas is just around the corner and Mike’s mum, Betty is staying. Although she is just trying to be helpful, Mike and Alison soon lose patience with her interfering ways. There’s no easy way to ask her to go home so the couple (and the Ghosts) struggle on, with Button House feeling fuller than ever.

"Now a Christmas convert, Robin is missing that all important 'Christmassy' feeling, so the gang share their secrets to getting into the festive spirit. But when even more decorations and merry music don’t do the trick, the Ghosts wonder if Robin will be able to capture that Christmas magic again?

"Just as Betty announces she’s heading home to (silent) sighs of relief, she suspects there is something terribly wrong at Button House. This triggers a U-turn – Betty resolves that she cannot leave until the house is safe – going to extreme measures to protect her family. Desperate, Mike and Alison must recruit the Ghosts to start Operation Bye Bye Betty! The Ghosts soon realise however that they may have more in common with Betty than they first thought. The whole experience inspires the Ghosts to reflect, and a big decision awaits them all."

Plus Laurence Rickard, who plays Tudor nobleman Humphrey and caveman Robin, spoke to us about how the baby changes the dynamic: "The ghosts are a family and also have that dynamic with Mike and Alison but when this baby arrives they realise 'Actually, that’s the family'. Some of them handle that worse than others! Kitty has always felt kinship with Alison and is the baby of the gang, so jealously comes in!"

Cast

All the main cast are back. Charlotte Ritchie plays Alison, who sees ghosts, much to the bewilderment of her partner, Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe). The pesky ghosts are Pat (Jim Howick), The Captain (Ben Willbond), Thomas (Mathew Baynton), Laurence (Robin/Humphrey), Kitty (Lolly Adefope), Fanny (Martha Howe-Douglas) and Julian (Simon Farnaby). Sutara Gayle plays Mike’s mum Betty.

Is Ghosts ending? Really?

Yes, sadly this really is the last episode of Ghosts although in theory there's nothing to stop the gang from doing more episodes. Speaking about the show's end, Charlotte Ritchie told us: "It’s the right choice but it's painful. I'm in denial. I was sad leading up to the last day of filming and then I felt numb. I think I ‘pre-grieved’ because I spent the last three weeks giving lingering looks to everyone and welling up at the tea table, so I got it out of the way."

Is there a trailer?

Yes, see above!

Ghosts might be coming to an end in the UK very soon, but it has been announced today (Wednesday, October 4) that a final special will be coming our way this Christmas. 

Ghosts UK season 5 was confirmed to be the hit BBC comedy's last outing back in Spring 2023. At the time, the team announced they felt the time was right 'to let our beloved sitcom Ghosts rest in peace' after filming was completed on the fifth series. 

Fans were devastated to learn that Ghosts would be coming to an end. But if you were one of the many people disappointed to learn the show was ending, we've got some good news - season 5 won't be the last time we see the ghosts of Button House after all!

Today the Ghosts team revealed that we'd be treated to a final Christmas special this December. 

Ahead of the show's final season, star Matthew Baynton shared the good news on social media, writing: "The final series of Ghosts starts on Friday... but there might be one last present under the Christmas tree this year."

As you'd expect, the news was received very well by Baynton's followers, many of whom chimed in to share just how happy the announcement had made them. Subsequently, the BBC revealed that the previous Ghosts Christmas Special secured a massive audience of 5.9 million viewers, making it the biggest comedy of 2022. 

This news comes just after we caught up with Button House's owner, Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) to ask all about the fifth series. Charlotte Ritchie told us 'It feels rubbish it's ending' but went on to confirm that this last set of episodes will give the show a fitting end.

When we asked if Ghosts season 5 would give the show a proper send-off, Ritchie said: "Yes, they have taken the real care over it and pulled out all the stops, so expect a great, funny, heartfelt final series. I hope viewers feel satisfied and moved and know that a lot of thought has gone into it because it's just as sad for everybody involved."

Ghosts season 5 premieres at 8.30 pm on Friday, October 6 on BBC One, with all episodes available to stream on BBC iPlayer after the first episode airs. 

If you're looking for more shows to enjoy, check out our top picks for the best BBC comedies and best BBC dramas you should be streaming right now.

Ghosts is set to bow out for good as the doors close at haunted Button House in the fifth and final season of the acclaimed comedy.

Ghosts season 5, which begins on BBC One on Friday 6 October at 8.30 pm, sees Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) and the spectral residents of their stately home face an epic change, while more surprises are on their way.

We caught up with Charlotte Ritchie to find out all about the last-ever episodes of Ghosts…

Ghosts is coming to an end! How does that feel?

Charlotte Ritchie: "It feels rubbish! It’s the right choice but it's painful. I'm in denial. I was sad leading up to the last day of filming and then I felt numb. I think I ‘pre-grieved’ because I spent the last three weeks giving lingering looks to everyone and welling up at the tea table, so I got it out of the way."

Will it be a fitting close to the show?

Charlotte Ritchie: “Yes, they have taken real care over it and pulled out all the stops, so expect a great, funny, heartfelt final series. I hope viewers feel satisfied and moved and know that a lot of thought has gone into it because it’s just as sad for everybody involved.”

What can we expect? 

Charlotte Ritchie: “We learn more about some of the ghosts’ backstories in an exciting way and about things that have been lingering for a few series. The story for the Captain [the wartime soldier played by Ben Willbond] is a big one. He's the sweetest character. It’s brilliant and moving. There’s also classic stuff from the ghosts with them not getting on but loving each other and learning from each other.”

Where do we find Mike and Alison?

Charlotte Ritchie: “We see them entering a new phase and considering what their life is at Button House and how possible it is for it to be maintained. There are dilemmas. Not just because of the money but now for bigger reasons. They have other concerns…”

In the opening episode Alison joins Headless Humphrey, the ill-fated Tudor spectre played by Laurence Rickard, to get revenge on the ghosts for pranking her with an April Fool’s gag. Was that fun to film?

Charlotte Ritchie: "Larry as Humphrey is so funny so it’s nice to work with him. And it's great having Alison being mischievous because she’s usually cleaning up after the ghosts. It’s also another way of showing how different all the ghosts are because Pat [the genial 1980s scoutmaster played by Jim Howick] proves the hardest one to fool. That’s brilliant, he’s so gentle, kind and wide-eyed and then there’s this sudden gearshift!"

Did you take any souvenirs after filming?

Charlotte Ritchie: “I really wanted Alison's car, I think it belongs to a member of the art department though! But I have some of Alison's trousers, jumpers and boots. I won't wear them, because it's weird. But I can look at them and be like, ‘Ah, that's great, that was Button House!’”

Finally, what has Ghosts meant to you?

Charlotte Ritchie: “I feel proud to be part of a show that has heart. But it's not OTT about it, it’s loving and thoughtful but not saccharine and it’s always undercut with self-aware humour. Lots of people have said that it makes them feel better after they've watched it and that feels really good.”

The final season of Ghosts begins on Friday 6 October on BBC One at 8.30pm. It will also be available on BBC iPlayer.

Ghosts star Charlotte Ritchie has dropped a hint that Alison and Mike will see a big change in their lives in the final season — could this be a baby together?

As all fans know, Ghosts season 5 is sadly the last series of the hugely popular BBC One comedy, and speculation is mounting about how the show will end.

Could it be that Alison and Mike start a family together and this means that they need to move to somewhere more suitable and therefore the ghosts are no longer part of their lives? Or even that by becoming a mum Alison can no longer see the ghosts?

Dropping the hint that big changes are in store for the couple, Charlotte says: "It’s a pretty big arc. She takes a new step into a different phase of her life with Mike. It's the end of an era as there's more responsibility involved. 

"When something more serious happens to the two of them, that strangely sheds a light on the life that they've been living with the Ghosts. It slightly exposes how unsustainable it is. They were going from day to day thinking about how to get the next bit of money to continue to live there. Then suddenly that changes and they have to look a lot more long-term for the first time. Playtime is over basically.”

The new trailer, below, also hints at big changes ahead.

Plus the BBC has teased: "As we begin the series, while Alison and Mike search for new ways to keep Button House going after the gatehouse fire, they receive some unexpected news that will bring about major changes for them and the Ghosts.”

Charlotte says she felt emotional during the final weeks of filming. "Basically, I was really emotional for the whole three weeks leading up to the end. It wasn't really the last day that did it to me — by then I think I’d pre-grieved! 

"I think that phrase is from Succession, but I’m sure I coined it first! In some ways, it’s cathartic to say, 'OK, that's it. That’s the end of the chapter.' Strangely, you get used to that in this job. There are so many goodbyes that we have to see them as a good thing because otherwise, it's just too sad all the time.”

But she believes it’s right to end the show. "I think the writers are really smart. They knew that it was the right choice. I think we just were just getting to the point where everyone was very comfy in their parts, and it was just the right point to finish. A lot of the feedback I've got from people has been that they think it's cool to quit while you're ahead.”

Ghosts season 5 begins on BBC One on Friday 6 October at 8.30 pm.

This post contains spoilers for Virgin River season 5 episode 2, Songbird.

Virgin River may seem to be a quiet town, but it has its fair share of drama going on. 

As Mel comforts a young woman facing devastating news, Brie tells Jack about something important while Preacher decides to focus on himself.

What else happened to the heroes of Virgin River season 5? Let’s recap this second episode of season 5, titled Songbird.

Conflicts...

The least that can be said is that Jack is upset with Charmaine. For months, she led him to believe he was the father of her unborn twins, and finding out this was a lie has now made him feel disappointed and humiliated. As he confronts her about it in the beginning of this new episode of Virgin River, the only explanation Charmaine can give is that she lied to provide a future for her children. Yet, as much as Jack can sympathize with that, he cannot forgive her. The only good thing to come out of their conversation is that at least now that Jack has said what was on his mind, he feels better.

Over at Brie’s, Jack’s sister is convinced the rock that smashed her front door came from Don, the man she is pressing charges against for assaulting her. Brady, however, is not so sure Don is really to blame for this. Instead, he suspects his boss Melissa to have something to do with it. Later on when he goes to work, he confronts her about threatening Brie when they had a deal to leave her out of their business. But Melissa is not pleased with Brady lately and on top of using Brie to send him a message, she scolds him like a school boy for not being the best minions in her ranks. Reluctantly, he then agrees to train Jeb to oversee the less legitimate aspects of the lumber business, but warns him to be cautious of Melissa and her men.

…and confrontations!

Brady is not the only one struggling at work. Over at the clinic, Doc is having issues with Cameron while at home, Hope is on a warpath to prove to the town council that she should remain mayor of Virgin River. She enlists the help of Lizzie and Denny, who are making plans regarding their first “real” date, to write a speech she will deliver at the opening of the new community garden. Hope intends to use the speech as a way to convince the council but what she writes comes out more like a rant than anything else. After explaining to Lizzie and Denny that she wants to remain mayor because it is the only thing her TBI has not taken away from her, they advise Hope to speak from the heart in her speech. 

Over at the clinic, Doc is cross with Cameron because of some paperwork that the latter didn’t take care of when Doc asked. The two of them mostly have trouble communicating and are struggling with the day-to-day of the clinic now that Mel is gone. Witnessing the vibe between Doc and Cameron, Muriel suggests that the young doctor stand his ground and show Doc that he deserves to be treated as his equal. She also offers to help them with the insurance claims they need to file. 

Later on, Cameron follows Muriel’s advice and stands up to Doc, who apologizes for the way he behaved with him. They then find Muriel in the kitchen, tidying things up and telling them about all the tasks she took care of to help them out. Impressed, Doc immediately offers her to work at the clinic. 

When daughters miss their mothers

You can take the girl out of the clinic, but you can’t take the need to help out of Mel. After what happened with Eva at the bar, Mel takes her to the hospital and it turns out Ava has been living with endometriosis, and it is flaring up again. According to doctors, her best course of treatment would be to have a hysterectomy, but Ava is not sure where she stands on the idea of having children and when Mel asks her about it, Ava struggles to discuss the subject. Later on, she will admit to Mel that although she used to not want to be a mother, now she isn’t so sure anymore.

Mel is flooded with thoughts about motherhood in Songbird, and she especially feels the weight of the loss of her mother. Throughout the episode, we find her reminiscing about the past and missing her mom as she prepares to become one herself. She confesses to Jack that she became a nurse because of her mother, that she turned her death into a purpose, and that she doesn’t want to lose that connection with her. She isn’t the only one thinking about her mom though, as we also find Charmaine comparing herself to mother and wondering if she is repeating the same mistakes. 

Speaking of Charmaine, Mel tells Jack he should forgive her in order to fully get closure on what happened between them. Playing devil’s advocate, Mel argues that Jack has a part of responsibility in what Charmaine did, because when they were seeing each other, he never made it absolutely clear to Charmaine that they had no future together. So when the latter shows up at the cabin to apologize to Mel for lying, Jack takes the opportunity to also make amends.

The path to redemption is a rocky one

After the debacle with Paige, Preacher feels like he needs to take a break from dating. When Brie hears about it, she assures him whoever he ends up with will be very lucky to have him. Confiding with Mel later on, Preacher tells her about how he hopes to find a soulmate while having her try out a new mac ’n’ cheese recipe, based on one of his mother’s, that he wants to add to the bar’s menu. Can we get that recipe, please?

While Preacher is busy in the kitchen, Brie and Jack go for a hike during which she tells her older brother about what Don did to her. Jack admires his sister’s resilience but also feels the need to protect her and be there for her. However when he says he will come to the trial, Brie asks him not to and explains that she does not need his protection but rather his support, and that it would be a bigger help for her if he considered giving another chance to Brady. At first, Jack isn’t thrilled but he agrees to a double-date with Brie, Brady, Mel and himself that evening. The dinner goes well overall, but when Brady asks Jack if they will ever be okay again, Jack says it is all up to him.

As usual in Virgin River, when things start to get better on one end, they crumble on the other. After the dinner at Brie’s, Brady goes back to work to find Jeb (whom he left in charge while he was gone) unconscious on the floor, his nose and fingers covered with drugs. On the other side of town, Hope finds out the speech she gave did not convince the council of her ability to remain mayor, and that she has been voted out of office. Meanwhile at the bar, Preacher hears concerning reports about wildfires over the radio…

What dangers are on the horizon for the folks of Virgin River? What will Brady do about Jeb? Can Hope recover from losing her job?

All episodes of Virgin River season 5, part 1, are now available to stream on Netflix, so tune in to the next one to find out.

Ghosts US season 2 is coming to the UK following the huge success of the first installment with British audiences.

The American version sees Rose McIver and Utkarsh Ambudkar playing a young couple who end up with some unexpected roommates. The BBC has revealed that the second season of the US edition will land on iPlayer on Monday, August 31. Ghosts US season 1 is available to watch in full now.

If you're new to the US Ghosts universe, the comedy series follows Samantha and Jay (instead of Alison and Mike in the UK one), who have inherited an old country house. 

However, after suffering an accident while at the house, Samantha begins to see the handful of ghosts that occupy the home. They all must learn to live together and help each other out.

The result is a scarily good time and the stateside edition of Ghosts has proven just as popular as its UK counterpart, which stars Charlotte Ritchie and Kiell Smith-Bynoe. There's even been a Ghosts universe developing, as actor Mathew Baynton, who plays Thomas Thorne in the UK version had a guest role in Ghosts US.

Discussing his US appearance with Entertainment Weekly, Baynton said: "When I was invited to play a guest role in the CBS version of Ghosts, I was a little concerned that the two universes colliding would tear a hole in the fabric of time and space. 

"Thankfully, that didn't happen and instead, I had a lot of fun playing with a bunch of very lovely funny people."

Not only that but Ghosts US season 3 has already been confirmed so there's a chance the third installment will arrive on iPlayer once it's had its CBS run (although it's release has been delayed by the strikes). So it looks like it isn't stopping any time soon.

However, we need to say a bittersweet farewell to the original edition as Ghosts UK season 5 is the final season.

Confirming the news in a statement, the series creators said: "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 can't wait to share it with you all later this year."

Both Ghosts UK and Ghosts US are available on iPlayer.

Ghosts UK has arrived on CBS as part of its revamped primetime schedule.

The American version of Ghosts was one of the top four comedies on US TV during the 2022-2023 season and fans are eagerly awaiting the third season.

But due to strikes it's been delayed and while fans wait, CBS is showing the British version. And don't worry it's just as funny!

Here's everything you need to know about Ghosts UK, including how it differs from the US version and the new CBS trailer… we also have a quick guide to the language in Ghosts UK, like the British meaning of Fanny!, as some of it might not make sense to US audiences!

On Thursday 14 December, CBS will air the first-ever Ghosts UK Christmas special. We get more of an insight into Julian's life in the moving special...

Ghosts UK on CBS release date

Ghosts UK began on November 16 at 9.00 pm ET/PT. The first two episodes were shown back to back. CBS is showing the first Ghosts Christmas special on Thursday, December 14 at 9.30 pm ET/PT.

Ghosts UK plot

Instead of following Samantha and Jay like we do in the US version, in the British original we follow Alison and Mike, a young couple struggling with money. They think their prayers have been answered when a distant relative leaves them a huge mansion, Button House. But the only problem is the house is haunted and when Alison has a brush with death she discovers she can talk to the ghosts!

Who are the ghosts in Ghosts UK and who plays them?

Thomas Thorne (played by Mathew Baynton) — Thomas is a 19th-century English romantic poet who falls in love with Alison. Mathew Baynton actually guest-starred in the US version as a different character.

Julian (Simon Farnaby) — Julian is a sleazy politician from the 1990s who's similar to stockbroker Trevor in the US version.

Pat (Jim Howick) — Pat is just like Pete in the US version, a scoutmaster who was tragically shot through the neck with an arrow by a scout.

Robin (Larry Rickard) — Robin is a surprisingly thoughtful caveman!

Kitty (Lolly Adefope) — A Georgian lady from the 18th century, who just wants to be Alison's friend.

The Captain (Ben Willbond) — A World War Two army officer.

Fanny (Martha Howe-Douglas) — Former owner of Button House, where the show is set. She's also known as Lady Button and is like Hetty in the US version.

Humphrey (Laurence Rickard) — A 16th-century English nobleman who sadly lost his head!

Mary (Katy Wix) — A peasant woman from the 16th century who was burnt for being a witch.

Ghosts cast

As well as the above stars, former Call the Midwife actress Charlotte Ritchie stars as Alison Cooper. With Kiell Smith-Bynoe as her husband Mike.

Charlotte previously told us how much the hugely warm response to the first series surprised her, saying: "Yes, someone texted me saying she'd had a horrible day and that Ghosts had improved her mood. That's the best thing ever. It is just a very warm show that people seem to respond to from different demographics and age groups. I feel so lucky to be in a show with this much joy in it."

Who created Ghosts UK?

Ghosts UK was created by Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond, who also all star in the series. They had previously worked together on Horrible Histories.

Speaking about how the show came about, Mathew said: "Initially we just wanted to do something together. We knew Horrible Histories was finishing and it was before series three of Yonderland, which we suspected would feel like enough. We wanted to come up with another thing to do together so we hired out a room in town and threw some ideas around. I think the Haunted House thing was one of the first…"

Is there a trailer?

Yes, CBS has released a special trailer for Ghosts UK. "The Ghosts that started it all are coming to CBS... Ghosts US and Ghosts UK, The Spectral Relationship!."

We have also included the original BBC trailer for Ghosts UK...

Like a classic western hero, Yellowstone is riding in to try and save the day for CBS, as the hit TV show that has for five seasons been exclusive to Paramount Network is going to make its debut on the network as part of its 2023 fall TV lineup. 

But it's not alone, as CBS has a number of shows that have aired in the UK that it has licensed, primetime versions of its classic game shows and reality TV to fill in for the lack of new scripted programming because of the ongoing writers and actors strikes.

Yellowstone is the big headline here, as the Taylor Sheridan-created neo western has become one of TV's biggest hits over the last few years. It'll now make its broadcast premiere on CBS, starting with season 1 premiere. 

In case you haven’t seen Yellowstone yet, the series follows the Dutton family, who own one of the biggest cattle ranches in the US and fight to protect it from various people trying to take it from them, by just about any means necessary. Kevin Costner stars as the family patriarch John Dutton. Also starring in the series are Kelly Reilly, Luke Grimes, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille and Gil Birmingham.

Yellowstone is scheduled to air on Sundays on CBS, though a specific date for when it will premiere on the network has not been announced. If the NFL on CBS only features a single game, there will be two episodes of Yellowstone airing at 8 pm ET/PT and 9 pm ET/PT; if CBS has a football doubleheader, only one episode of Yellowstone will air at 9 pm ET/PT.

To be clear, these episodes are not the second half of Yellowstone season 5, but Yellowstone season 1.

In addition to Yellowstone, CBS is swapping out its popular comedy Ghosts with the UK version that predated it. The UK Ghosts follows the same basic premise — a couple inherit a rickety mansion and one soon gets the ability to see and communicate with the ghosts that inhabit it — and stars Charlotte Ritchie, Kiell Smith-Byone, Mathew Byaton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond. The UK Ghosts premiered in 2019 on the BBC and has aired four seasons, with Ghosts season 5 on the way.

The UK Ghosts will air on Thursdays, with two episodes running back-to-back during the 9 pm ET/PT hour. It'll follow reruns of the US Ghosts.

Other new programming that CBS is using to fill its slate include Paramount Plus original series SEAL Team (which was actually a CBS series before being moved to the streamer) and FBI True, which features FBI agents talking about their toughest cases. Another Paramount Plus original is expected to be added to the lineup, but is TBD for now.

There will also be primetime versions of The Price Is Right and Let's Make a Deal and new reality and game shows like Buddy Games, which sees groups of close-knit friends compete in different challenges, Loteria Loca, based on the Latin game of chance and hosted by Jaime Camil, and Raid the Cage, where teams answer trivia questions and try to grab as many prizes as they can from a cage before the door closes.

There are some usual staples to the CBS primetime lineup, like reruns of Blue Bloods and NCIS, Young Sheldon and Ghosts and new episodes of the news program 60 Minutes. There will also be new seasons of favorite CBS reality shows, including Big Brother season 25, Survivor season 45, The Amazing Race season 35 and The Challenge: USA season 2.

No premiere dates have been announced for any of these shows, but we do know that the UK Ghosts will premiere after Buddy Games concludes its run.

Here is the current breakdown of the CBS 2023 fall TV schedule:

Mondays

• 8 pm: Loteira Loca
• 9 pm: NCIS
• 10 pm: Paramount Plus Original TBA

Tuesdays

• 8 pm: Big Brother
• 9 pm: FBI True
• 10 pm: FBI

Wednesdays

• 8 pm: Survivor
• 9:30 pm: The Amazing Race

Thursdays

• 8 pm: Big Brother
• 9 pm: Buddy Games
• 10 pm: The Challenge: USA

Thursdays later fall 2023

• 8 pm: Young Sheldon
• 8:30 pm: Ghosts
• 9 pm: UK Ghosts
• 9:30 pm: UK Ghosts
• 10 pm: SEAL Team

Fridays

• 8 pm: The Price Is Right at Night/Let's Make a Deal Primetime
• 9 pm: Raid the Cage
• 10 pm: Blue Bloods Classics

Saturdays

• 8 pm: encores and sports
• 10 pm: 48 Hours

Sundays with NFL on CBS singleheader 

• 7 pm: 60 Minutes
• 8 pm: Yellowstone
• 9 pm: Yellowstone
• 10 pm: Big Brother

Sundays with NFL on CBS doubleheader

• 7:30 pm: 60 Minutes
• 9 pm: Yellowstone
• 10 pm: Big Brother

CBS loves being haunted by the hilarious spirits on Ghosts, as Ghosts season 3 was a fixture of the CBS lineup in spring 2024 alongside other comedies Young Sheldon season 7, The Neighborhood season 6 and Bob Hearts Abishola season 5. And in good news for British fans, the third season has now landed on BBC iPlayer. And in great news for Ghosts fans everywhere Ghosts season 4 is on the way.

Ghosts, which is adapted from the BBC series of the same name, was one of the top four comedies on US TV during the 2022-2023 season, per CBS. Fans have certainly come to love the show's cast of characters, including Sam, Jay, Isaac, Alberta, Pete, Trevor, Flower, Hetty, Thorfinn and Sasappis.

Here is what we do know about Ghosts season 3...

How to watch Ghosts season 3

Ghosts season 3 has officially wrapped up, but you can catch up with all episodes from this season and past ones with a Paramount Plus subscription. 

Any plan for Paramount Plus (Essential or Paramount Plus with Showtime) gives you on-demand access to the complete library of Ghosts episodes. However, if you do opt for Paramount Plus with Showtime, when Ghosts season 4 rolls around in fall 2024, you will be able to watch those episodes live on the streaming service.

In the UK, you can watch Ghosts season 3 on BBC iPlayer. BBC iPlayer also has seasons 1 and 2 available to watch, plus all five seasons of Ghosts Uk!

Ghosts season 3 plot

In the final moments of season 2, Sam and Jay notice a light from the house that means that one of the ghosts has been "sucked off," or has moved on into the next life. The question of who was "sucked off" was answered pretty quickly in the opening moments of season 3, revealing it was Flower (Sheila Carrasco).

Flower's exit is likely going to have major implications on the rest of the main group, including the other ghosts wondering why they haven't yet moved on to the next phase of the afterlife and Thor missing Flower after starting a relationship with her last season.

Also, expect Sam and Jay to get up to their own hijinks as they continue to run the Woodstone Mansion as a B&B...

Ghosts season 3 cast

Rose McIver and Utkarsh Ambudkar return as Sam and Jay, the living married couple that run the Woodstone Mansion B&B, with Sam being the one who can see the ghosts that live there.

As for the ghosts, they are played by Brandon Scott Jones (Isaac), Richie Moriarty (Pete), Danielle Pinnock (Alberta), Asher Grodman (Trevor), Rebecca Wisocky (Hetty), Roman Zaragoza (Sasappis), Devan Chandler Long (Thorfinn) and John Hartman (Nigel).

Sheila Carrasco's Flower was one of the main ghosts for the first two seasons, but after her character was "sucked off" she is no longer a series regular. However the creatives haven't shut the door on her returning in some capacity down the road. 

One of the first images for Ghosts season 3, which you can see below, also revealed that Tristan D. Lalla, who plays Mark, returns for some episodes of the new season.

Ghosts season 3 trailer

Watch the Ghosts season 3 promo right here:

Agatha Christie wrote 39 books featuring the great detective Hercule Poirot, so it's no surprise she dabbled in some different genres. In the case of A Haunting in Venice, it appears to be horror, as the first teaser trailer for the third Kenneth Branagh Poirot mystery on the big screen gives a chilling vibe and a few jump scares to boot.

After the successes of Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile, A Haunting in Venice is a highly anticipated entry in 2023's slate of new movies. And like its predecessors, the latest Poirot mystery features an all-star cast that in addition to Branagh includes Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh, Yellowstone's Kelly Reilly, Only Murders in the Building's Tina Fey, Belfast's Jamie Dornan and Jude Hill, and Mayor of Kingstown's Emma Laird.

This latest big screen Poirot mystery, scheduled to be released on September 15, is set in post World War II Venice on All Hallow's Eve. Reluctantly brought to a séance, Poirot goes back on the case when one of the guests is murdered. In addition to the murder, Poirot is also dealing with a loss of faith, Brangah told Variety.

You actually wouldn't know that the teaser trailer is for a Poirot mystery right away because the famous mustachioed detective doesn't appear until the final seconds, while the first half does a great job creating an eerie tone. Check out the teaser trailer for yourself right here.

20th Century Studios also released the first poster for the movie, which you can see below.

One thing that sets A Haunting in Venice apart from its predecessors is that this is the first time that this particular Christie story, based on her novel Hallow’een Party, has been adapted as a movie; both Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile had movie versions in the '70s.

In addition to starring, Branagh is directing A Haunting in Venice, just as he did for his previous two Poirot movies. Michael Green also returned as the screenwriter for the movie after penning both Orient Express and Nile.

A Haunting in Venice is set to premiere exclusively in movie theaters on September 15 worldwide.

In sad news for Ghosts fans, it has been revealed by the cast that the series will be coming to an end after Ghosts season 5.

In a statement posted to Twitter, the Ghosts team revealed on social media that they felt now was the right time to let the beloved sitcom "rest in peace" after filming on the fifth season has now come to an end.

Posted alongside a photo of the cast, the full statement read: "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 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, BBC One, and Monumental Television for their tireless support. But most of all we'd to thank everyone who watches. Mat, Simon, Martha, Jim, Laurence & Ben."

Fans have not taken the announcement lightly and took to social media to share how gutted they were, but also to thank everyone involved in making the show so delightful for so long. One viewer wrote: "Heartbreaking. Best thing on tv. Thank you for such a fantastic programme."

Another wrote: "Noooo! One of the best sitcoms around for a long time. Really sad to see the end, but look forward to the last series with relish! Thank you all for giving us the best laughs."

A third wrote: "Will be so missed. I guess too much of a good thing might get stale but Ghosts never will - 5 series of pure entertainment will always be loved and enjoyed again & again. Thanks for all the laughs, Meanwhile we have series 5 to look forward to before mourning the end."

Ghosts seasons 1-4 are available to stream on BBC iPlayer right now, and the fifth season will air later in 2023. Don't forget to check out our recommendations for the best BBC comedies you can stream on iPlayer, too.

Ghosts season 5 is available right now on BBC iPlayer, with the final episode having now aired on BBC One.

The comedy has become an enormous success for the BBC, and there's even an American version (also good, available now on iPlayer), which also has proved really popular.

Ghosts stars writers and creators Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond, with Lolly Adefope as Kitty alongside Charlotte Ritchie as Alison and Kiell Smith-Bynoe as Mike.

Sadly, they previously announced that season 5 is the last although there will be a Ghosts Christmas special 2023 to enjoy! Plus there's talk of a movie version happening one day.

The Ghosts team said: "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 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, BBC One, and Monumental Television for their tireless support. But most of all we'd to thank everyone who watches. Mat, Simon, Martha, Jim, Laurence & Ben."

Kiell Smith-Bynoe, who plays Mike, told What to Watch: "We shot the last scene on the last day, so there were lots of emotions then and throughout the weeks leading up to it, knowing it was the final time we’d see things like the Captain [the World War Two soldier, played by Ben Willbond] in full costume. We were remembering all the jokes we’d had and all the messing about. I’ll never forget that and I'm grateful for it.”

All about the final series...

Ghosts season 5 release date

Ghosts season 5 began on BBC One on Friday 6 October at 8.30 pm. The whole series is available to watch right now on iPlayer, along with the previous series.

Ghosts plot

Episode 1: The BBC teases: "Mike approaches Alison to discuss their finances following the loss of their B&B business. However, Alison is more preoccupied with plotting revenge on the ghosts for April Fools' Day and recruits a playful Humphrey to execute her plans. But who will prove the hardest to fool? 

"Meanwhile, Mike is shocked to find someone from their insurance company on his doorstep – an unannounced visit to check the details of the gatehouse fire. Can Mike convince her that lightning really can strike thrice?"

Episode 2: The BBC teases: "In a bid to make some much-needed money, Alison and Mike look into selling some land. The plan proves far from straightforward however, with Lady Button up in arms at the mere thought of losing some of her beloved estate. Thomas enters a competition that he hopes will finally see him become a published poet, but hearing Lady Button speak so passionately about Button House gives him an idea or two... Pat and Julian are locked in a dispute, and it is Robin who offers a surprising pearl of wisdom."

Episode 3: The BBC teases: "Alison and Mike are forced to cosy up to Barclay if their plan to sell some land to the golf consortium is going to work. Elsewhere, Alison is involved in a silent negotiation of her own – she has designs on Lady Button’s bedroom but can’t quite muster the courage to ask her outright if she would consider relocating. The ghosts become fixated on solving the mystery of Kitty’s death."

Episode 4: The BBC teases: "The ghosts are officially bored, and Pat comes up with new entertainment for the gang. Mike and Alison host their international buyer at Button House in order to confirm the land sale, but Mike’s antics threaten the whole deal – can he pull it back in time? Humphrey is offered a fresh perspective on his strained marriage and finally learns some French, with a little help from a most unexpected source."

Episode 5: The BBC teases: "Robin has an epiphany that has a far-reaching impact on the rest of the ghosts, who each struggle to believe his prediction. Alison suggests a spontaneous night out with Mike, just like the old days! They try to get the old gang together but with such short notice, only Obi and his new girlfriend Brenda are free. Despite Alison’s efforts to plan the best night ever, the evening doesn’t quite meet her expectations, and the couple are left pondering how much their lives are changing."

Episode 6: The BBC teases: "Mike and Alison receive a life-changing offer beyond their wildest dreams. Still reeling from the news and anxious to discuss it, they are interrupted by a heartbroken Obi, who has been suddenly dumped by a strangely callous Brenda. Alison and Mike agree to reconvene with lists of pros and cons. At first, Obi’s romantic woes find a sympathetic ear in eternally lovelorn Thomas, but even he tires of Obi’s self-pity. Meanwhile, Alison must fend off the ghosts, desperate to sway her decision."

Ghosts season 5 cast

Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) return as the owners of Button House. Martha Howe-Douglas plays Lady Fanny Button. While Mathew Baynton returns as Thomas Thorne alongside Jim Howick as the loveable Pat Butcher and Ben Willbond as the Captain.

Plus Laurence Rickard as Robin/Humphrey’s Head, Simon Farnaby as MP Julian Fawcett, and Lolly Adefope as Kitty.  

Is there a Ghosts season 5 trailer?

Yes, at last!

NOTE: this post contains spoilers for Ghosts season 2 episode 15, "A Date to Remember"

The Valentine’s Day episode of Ghosts season 2 revealed that Flower (Sheila Carrasco) and Thor (Devan Chandler Long) have a lot more depth than they let on, as it was great to see two characters that can come across as one-note sometimes created a real emotional bond. 

Things begin with Thor asking Flower to join him on a real date, with the help of Alberta (Danielle Pinnock), Pete (Richie Moriarty) and Sas (Roman Zaragoza). Alberta and Pete agree to provide entertainment, while Sam (Rose McIver) asks Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar) to cook a special meal for the ghosts. They can't eat, but they can smell the food. Thor wants to make the date really special so he requests a four course meal of foods that are significant for him, like ram's testicles. 

Agreeing to help out with the date means that Sam and Jay have to postpone their own Valentine’s Day dinner. But they do it for the ghosts. 

Nigel (John Hartman) has moved into the house now but he's having some trouble settling in. Particularly with Hetty (Rebecca Wisocky), whose close friendship with Isaac (Brandon Scott Jones) seems threatened by having Nigel around all the time. When Nigel tries to invite himself to Hetty and Isaac's routine "ponder," where they stare out the window and think about deep philosophical questions, Hetty is upset.

But what really pushes Hetty over the edge is Nigel giving Hetty a last minute invitation to the welcome tea he's holding for all the ghosts to celebrate his move into the house. When the basement servant ghost tells Hetty that Nigel invited her before Hetty it's the last straw. Upset she talks to Trevor, who suggests she throw a party at the same time as Nigel's tea to get back at him. So Hetty plans a half birthday party for Alberta at the same time as Nigel's tea and convinces all the ghosts to attend her party instead.

When Flower and Thor are having dinner, Sam is there in case they need anything. Poor Jay, who can't see the ghosts, is basically serving dinner to an empty room. Flower asks about the dishes and Thor tells her his family used to eat testicles before his father would ride off into battle. Until he never returned, then the family never ate them again. She asks him to describe what they taste like, but Thor doesn't remember. Flower suggests Sam taste and describe it to them. Sam is usually ready to take one for the team, but not this time. She lies and tells Jay that women aren't allowed to eat testicles, so Jay needs to eat them, which he does. 

After dinner, Alberta sings for Flower and Thor and then Pete does some improv, which really impresses Thor. Thor walks Flower to her room and they agree the date was very nice. They kiss goodnight, and it seems like there will be a second date.

But the next day Flower seems to have forgotten the date entirely. Thor is confused, so he wants to recreate the entire date to jog Flower's memory. Once again Sam and Jay postpone their own romantic dinner for Thor and Flower. And Jay gets to sample the ram's testicles again, much to his disgust. 

Flower lets it slip she actually does remember the date. She lied because she didn't want the date to go well. She goes back to her room and doesn't want to talk about why, but Sam prods her to explain. Flower says at one point in her life she was in love with just one person, Michael. Flower and Michael were in law school together and deeply in love. They were planning a future together. But Michael got sick and died. Flower said the last date she went on with just one person was with Michael. That's why she has avoided dating just one person. But she thinks that she and Thor could have something real and that's scaring her. Sam tells Flower to tell Thor about Michael.

Flower and Thor have a great talk where they bond over loss and love after loss. They agree they are going to give romance a try. 

When Isaac shows up to Nigel's tea he is the only one there, the other ghosts are at Hetty's party for Alberta. Isaac calls Hetty out for her pettiness and she apologizes to Nigel. Nigel apologizes to Hetty for issuing a late invitation. Isaac thinks his best friend and his partner have buried the hatchet, but when he steps out they start fighting. These two aren't going to be getting along anytime soon.

Even though they don't get the fancy romantic dinner at their favorite restaurant they wanted, Sam and Jay get to share a romantic dinner at home finally. Sam agrees to start setting some boundaries with the ghosts. Thor guards the kitchen to keep the ghosts from bothering Sam while she and Jay get some much-needed time on their own.

New episodes of Ghosts premiere Thursdays on CBS and are available to watch on-demand via Paramount Plus the next day.

NOTE: this post contains spoilers for Ghosts season 2 episode 14, "Trevor's Body."

"Trevor's Body" is one of the episodes that really captures the, well, spirit of Ghosts. It was fun and clever and peppered with pop culture references, but it also had some real depth without being cloying or saccharine.

The episode opens with Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar) fishing at the Woodstone pond with a guest. Jay was trying a new "experience" package for guests where they would fish then Jay would cook whatever they caught; Isaac named it "Bait to Plate," which sounds like something that some B&B in the country is probably already doing. But what the guest fished up was Trevor's (Asher Grodman) skull.

After the coroner confirmed the skull was Trevor's, Sam (Rose McIver) broke the news to the ghosts as Trevor's parents, Lenny (Chip Zein) and Esther (Laraine Newman), arrived at Woodstone. They came to walk the grounds where Trevor had been to feel connected to him after they got his remains back. Jay and Sam sat down with Trevor's parents to talk about Trevor and learn more about his life.

Esther shared some childhood photos of Trevor from her phone, including one of his "schmekel," which Trevor pointed out was a "respectable schmekel" for a 2 year old. Flower (Sheila Carrasco) thought "Respectable Schmekel" would be a great band name, which it would. 

And there was another photo of Trevor with a cardboard cutout of Mel Gibson at his bar mitsvah because the theme was Mel Gibson movies. Lenny points out they didn't know about Mel Gibson at that time.

It's also revealed Lenny and Esther divorced after Trevor died. Trevor was shocked to learn about Mel Gibson, and his parents divorce, and later in the episode laments, "I'm a child of divorce, Mel Gibson is a monster, what the hell is going on in the world?"

While Trevor's parents are talking to Sam and Jay, Pete (Richie Moriarty, Nigel (John Hartman), Isaac (Brandon Scott Jones) and Thor (Devan Chandler Long) are in the shed watching ants. Nigel and Isaac go for a walk and Jenkins (Christian Daoust), who was sitting in the corner, insinuates that Nigel cheated on Isaac by having a liaison with him on Christmas Eve. Pete and Thor are not sure if they should tell Isaac so they tell Hetty (Rebecca Wisocky), Flower, and Alberta (Danielle Pinnock) to get their opinion.

While they're debating what to do, Isaac comes in and Flower mistakenly tells him what Jenkins said. Isaac confronts Nigel, who says he and Jenkins did kiss on Christmas Eve. Nigel points out that he and Isaac were "on a respite," a clever reference to the Friends trope of Rachel and Ross being on a break. Isaac breaks up with Nigel. 

Meanwhile, Trevor is working on getting his parents back together with Sam and Jay's help. They pull our all the stops, recreating special moments from their relationship, including a dinner featuring red snapper, their song for dinner music and watching The Horse Whisperer. It seems like the plan is working until Lenny takes a cell phone call, destroying the cozy romantic vibe.

Later on, Trevor sneaks into his mom’s bedroom, at Sam's suggestion, and sends a sext to his dad. Trevor left at that point but the other ghosts confirmed the next day his parents did indeed reconnect romantically thanks to his text.

After Thor says there’s another gay ghost named George (Chris Eckert) at Farmsby's, Alberta suggests Isaac meet him. Isaac gives it a shot, but George is definitely not Isaac's type. He’s very forward and a little icky. If Tinder was a ghost it would be George. Instead, Isaac chooses to forgive Nigel and they get back together. Isaac even invites Nigel to live in the mansion, although not in his room. Isaac is still setting boundaries. 

Trevor's memorial is surprisingly heartfelt. Photos of Trevor's life are shown and his parents give a touching tribute to their son. It's always nice when a comedy delivers an unexpected bit of real depth and warmth. Trevor got some humanity and his parents got some closure.

Then Tara Reid showed up. She was hired by Trevor's brother Jeremy through Pop In, a service "like Cameo, but for in person appearances." Trevor was thrilled. So thrilled that at the end of the episode he uses his ability to manipulate objects to throw a vase on the floor right in her path trying to get her to fall down the stairs, die and stay with him for eternity. Sam intercepts the vase though and spoils his plan.

Trevor's still upset about his parents divorce, but Sam is able to steer a conversation with them to the divorce and they tell her, and Trevor who is nearby, it had nothing to do with Trevor. It turns out their marriage was not good for a long time. So in another surprisingly deep moment, Trevor gets some closure too.

This episode was great because it so deftly handled a topic like the aftermath of finding Trevor's human remains. Without getting too maudlin or depressing there was still closure, some poignant and warm moments and just the right amount of dark comedy. 

New episodes of Ghosts are on Thursdays on CBS. You can watch previous episodes on-demand on Paramount Plus.

NOTE: this post contains spoilers for 1923 episode 5, "Ghost of Zebrina."

Much like Cara Dutton (Helen Mirren) making her carriage rides to the post office waiting for Spencer (Brandon Sklenar) to cable he is on his way, 1923 fans have been eagerly awaiting the show's return after three weeks off. That wait is over with "Ghost of Zebrina," which immediately gets us back into the sprawling epic of the Duttons, the toll this war is taking on the family but how their strength comes from their reliance on one another.

As Elsa (Isabel May) says in opening narration, the family on the ranch have settled into routines, and not for the better. Cara continues to tend to an ailing Jacob (Harrison Ford); Jack (Darren Mann) is angry and wanting revenge, ignoring Elizabeth (Michelle Randolph); Emma (Marley Shelton), meanwhile, is distraught after John's (James Badge Dale) death. She eventually takes her own life, another blow to this family. Spencer can't come soon enough.

He and Alex (Julia Schlaepfer) are doing what they can to make their way back, arriving in a port city to book passage back to America. However, there isn't a passenger ship leaving for three weeks, which is not soon enough. As they try to figure out what to do next, we as fans can only dread, as Elsa says this journey for her brother "will be his last."

We then head back to the Indian school, where the nuns and priests find the nuns that Teonna (Aminah Nieves) killed before she escaped. Father Renaud (Sebastian Roché) beats Teonna's friend to find out where she has gone, then sends a few priests out to look for her and bring her back. Thankfully Teonna has a good head start and is covering her tracks. Unfortunately, she is alone in the wilderness, and at night a wolf comes for her. She is able to get on top of a rock, but the wolf decides to wait her out. The next morning, to Teonna's surprise, the wolf is gone and a herd of sheep are beneath her. She meets a Native American named Hank (Michael Greyeyes), who knows her father and says she can stay with him and send word to her father.

Back in Africa, Spencer tries to book passage on a smaller ship to the Suez Canal where they can get another one to take them to America. He manages to secure a spot on a tugboat captained by a man named Luca (Peter Stormare). Spencer can see Luca is sick, but it's his only choice.

Banner (Jerome Flynn) and Whitfield (Timothy Dalton) continue to make their plans, with Whitfield telling Banner he doesn't into to stop at the Yellowstone, he wants the whole valley. For Banner's loyalty, Whitfield gives him a house with a gas stove, electricity and running water, telling Banner he is a master now.

While things are looking up for Banner, the Duttons struggles are also financial. Jack sells a number of their cows as they can't manage them after many cowboys left. This is one of the things that makes him so angry, confronting Jacob that they need to fight back. But Jacob says they need a leader — Spencer — as men won't follow Jack yet. He also tells Cara that someone must be backing Banner, another monster as he puts it, and that she needs to find men who will fight with them when the time comes.

Jack may be itching for a fight, but he gets one he doesn't expect from Elizabeth, who gives him an ultimatum that he start acting like the man she fell in love with and stop ignoring her or she will leave. This finally snaps Jack a bit back to reality, as the two finally say their vows, in front of God if not an actual priest and the law (though Cara spies from afar to bear witness). We also learn later that Elizabeth is now pregnant.

Spencer had the brief thought to leave his own bride to make the journey alone and send for her later, but Alex says he either take her now or their life together is over. Spencer chooses the former (thank goodness because the two of them have been a highlight of the show). Before setting sail with Luca, Spencer sends a cable to America.

At sea, they come across a ghost ship, abandoned by its crew and now just drifting through the water. Luca tells them a story of other eerie instances he saw at sea, including another ghost ship, the Zebrina, he believes was actually hunting him. They are able to avoid this one and the trio split watch for the night. Spencer joins Alex for her watch, where she says if he doesn't doubt her, she won’t doubt him, to which Spencer agrees.

The next morning, Spencer wakes, noticing the engines not running. On the bridge he finds Luca dead. He calls for a mayday, but then sees the ghost ship from before is bearing down on them. He attempts to speed around it but it crashes into their boat.

The final scene of the episode is back in Montana, as Cara once again heads to the post office. Before she arrives, she meets Whitfield, who tells her he has acquired the Strafford ranch. As they leave, he tells Banner that by the spring he believes Cara will be ready to sell the Yellowstone. However, hope springs in Cara as she receives Spencer's cable telling her that he is on his way home. Little does she know though their boat has capsized in the middle of the ocean.

This is the second Spencer cliffhanger 1923 has used to end an episode, and while we're betting he is going to survive this one as well, poor guy (and Alex now as well) has gone through the ringer already this season. What lies in store when he presumably gets back to Montana?

New episodes of 1923 drop exclusively on Paramount Plus on Sundays in the US, Mondays in the UK. 

Ghosts returned after a short hiatus with episode 213, "Ghost Hunter". One of the best things about Ghosts is the chemistry and camaraderie between the ghosts. Freddie's determination to prove that ghosts were indeed real was the source of many antics this week, and, whilst the show was missing some of its usual crackling pop culture zingers this week there was enough heartfelt support to remind viewers they’re really the heart of Woodstone.

Gaslighting Freddie

This week, Freddie goes to Jay and Samantha to voice his concern that the inn has ghosts. He mentions that, sometimes, he can an ethereal voice humming like a singer warming up. Alberta takes great offense when he calls her singing off key. Jay and Sam brush off his concerns but Freddie shows them footage from the camera at the front desk. It clearly shows the keys on the computer moving when no one was around. Trevor needs to cover his tracks better.

Sam and Jay try to gaslight Freddie into believing that the keys weren’t really moving, but Freddie covers his bases by buying sage to cleanse the house and trying to prove their existence. He also get an EMF detector, which doesn’t detect the ghosts. And he buys a Ghost Trap 2000 device from Latvia that is supposed to trap ghosts. It’s about the size of a typewriter and because it has a “2 and under” tag on it Jay and Sam, along with the ghosts, assume it’s a harmless child’s toy.

Freddie thinks it could work though. He puts an Oreo on top of the device to tempt the ghosts to get close to the trap. All of the ghosts — except Sas — gather around it and talk about getting close enough to smell the cookie.

Sas and Jessica

Freddie also bought a new car, which meant Sas wouldn’t see Jessica anymore. Sas asked Sam to buy Freddie’s old car so he and Jessica could stay together. Jay agreed with Sam that they should buy the car, but when he haggled with the car’s new owner he almost lost his chance. 

Sam saved the day by paying what the new owner wanted. Sas and Jessica were reunited and it seemed like their relationship would be perfect. But Jessica was concerned when Sas told her that Sam and Jay don’t drive very much. Sitting in the driveway with no one to talk to and not getting any time on the open road didn’t seem like an upgrade to Jessica. 

The Ghost Trap 2000

Back in the kitchen, the ghosts are still trying to figure out who should touch the device to make sure it’s safe for them to get close enough to smell the cookie. After giving everyone a number Trevor pushes one of Jay’s D&D dice onto the floor and Pete’s number comes up. But, Pete is too scared to touch the device. Thor takes one for the team and touches it, and gets sucked into the Ghost Trap 2000. The other ghosts rush to get Sam. When she tells Jay what happened Jay is offended that they had a “weird sci-fi looking thing” in the kitchen and “didn’t think to ask the guy in the Atari shirt”. 

While Sam, Jay, and the ghosts are trying to figure out what to do Flower touches the trap and gets sucked inside. The ghost indicator light turns from green to red and everyone is very concerned.

Sam and Jay ask Freddie how to open Ghost Trap 2000 in case a ghost hypothetically got caught in it. And Jay and Freddie try to out-nerd each other with a discussion about whether or not Obi-Wan was a ghost in Empire Strikes Back or a manifestation of The Force. Then Freddie goes to call the Latvian company while the ghosts, Sam, and Jay wait anxiously in the kitchen. 

Freddie comes into the kitchen to tell them there’s a button on the side they need to hold down for three seconds. Sam holds down the button but it starts some sort of countdown in Latvian. Freddie looks it up, only to find out it’s a countdown to evisceration. 

Sam, Jay, and the non-trapped ghosts panic as the countdown continues. But Jay, using his nerd skills, wonders if the tag that says “2 and under” on the machine isn’t an age but a warning that the system can’t handle more than two ghosts at a time. Pete finds his courage and touches the trap, getting sucked inside with Thor and Flower. Jay was right, and the system overloads and frees Thor, Flower, and Pete. Flower finds her own courage thanks to Pete and agrees to go on a real one-on-one date with Thor.

 Freddie’s Had Enough 

Freddie sure seemed like the perfect assistant, but Woodstone Manor was too much for him. He tells Jay and Sam he’s quitting. They’re confused about why but he reminds them that they fired him once, got him to come back, then drove him to quit. So Freddie wasn’t really all that invested in his employment situation at Woodstone. But the ghosts turn out to be the last straw for Freddie. And Alberta doesn’t help the situation by letting loose with some humming as Freddie is talking about not wanting to work in a place that’s haunted. 

So Freddie’s out, and Sam, and the ghosts are on their own. Maybe the next assistant will be able to see and hear the ghosts like Sam can, or at least not be scared of them. If Freddie knew how much this rag-tag band of misfits cared about each other and Sam and Jay he wouldn’t be scared of them. They are the team that makes the Woodstone Manor dream work. 

Ghosts season 2 continues on February 9 at 8.30 pm ET on CBS. You can also stream the series on-demand on Paramount Plus.

NOTES: this post contains spoilers for Ghosts season 2 episode 12 "The Family Business."

Things open with Hetty (Rebecca Wisocky) telling Trevor (Asher Grodman) that their holiday dalliance (seen in the Christmas special) can't happen again and insults Trevor's manhood, which not surprisingly he's kind of into. That's on brand for Hetty though, who likes to take control of any situation. Especially situations involving Woodstone Mansion. Once the lady of the house, always the lady of the house, although some of her methods need updating.

Freddie really is the perfect assistant

Freddie (Mike Lane) has made some upgrades around the mansion. He created a customized reservation system to stop double bookings and also installed a security camera at the front desk. The reservation system gets put to good use because it's the Ulster County Jam Fest weekend and Woodstone is packed to capacity with middle aged white suburbanites reliving their college days and enjoying the finest Ulster County jams and jam bands. 

Samantha (Rose McIver) and Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar) are thrilled with Freddie's work, but Hetty tells Samantha not to compliment the help, believing they work better when they're hungry and afraid. Hetty continues to school Samantha in 19th century management wisdom by telling her to stop asking about Freddie's personal life to get to know him because he will start to think she cares about him. That's not the message Samantha should be sending, according to Hetty.

Ghosts in cars

Now that Freddie is back at Woodstone, so is Jessica (Nichole Sakura), at least during the day when Freddie's car is there. Sas (Roman Zaragoza) and Jessica have been getting to know each other and Sas is totally smitten. They're kissing in Freddie's car when he gets in and turns on some REO Speedwagon, which is more of a mood killer than Freddie. 

No good deed goes unpunished

Despite Hetty's insistence Samantha not be nice to Freddie, she offers some advice when Freddie reveals he and his girlfriend are having an issue because she doesn't refill the Brita water pitcher. Hetty, infuriated, forbids Samantha from getting involved in Freddie's personal life. 

But she's a ghost and can’t really do anything to enforce her ultimatum. The worst she can do is tell Samantha her inheritance is going to her cousin. Which may have carried some weight back in Hetty's day but rings hollow considering Woodstone is Samantha's inheritance and she's already inherited it. 

Freddie takes Samantha's advice, but it backfires and his girlfriend breaks up with him. Freddie becomes a useless sobbing mess and Hetty is gloating.

Sas gets jealous

Alberta (Danielle Pinnock), Thor (Devan Chandler Long) and Flower (Sheila Carrasco) ask Sas how his relationship with Jessica is going. He reveals he and Jessica kissed, which is a big deal for him. But when Sas mentions Jessica has great stories about life on the road, Alberta talks about how she loved having different men in different cities when she was touring. Sas immediately becomes insecure and worries Jessica is seeing other ghosts.

To find out what Jessica does when Freddie's not parked at Woodstone, Sas asks her about Freddie's apartment. Jessica tells him that she spends time with a ghost there who was a football player and modeled in his life but is surprisingly sensitive. And after Freddie's girlfriend kicks him out they go to stay at Freddie's mom's house, Jessica met a firefighter ghost, Chad, who was doing a charity car wash for his firehouse when he was mowed down accidently by a driver distracted by his abs.

Hetty takes matters into Trevor's hands

Hetty is determined to turn Samantha into what she thinks a leader should be. So she gets Trevor to sabotage Freddie's reservation system since he's the only one who can manipulate objects. It overbooks the Woodstone and threatens the business when three different jam band enthusiasts show up all having booked the same suite. Samantha, blaming Freddie, yells at him in front of guests. He is so upset that he quits. 

But Jay, checking the change log on the reservation system, can see the changes were made at night when Freddie wasn't even at the Woodstone. When Jay tells Samantha the maximum occupancy was changed from four to 69 she instantly suspects Trevor. Her suspicions are confirmed when one of the reservations made after the change is revealed to be "Mr. and Mrs. Seymour Butts." 

Samantha has it out with Hetty. Hetty says she just wanted to prevent Samantha from making a big mistake. Hetty is surprisingly emotional when she tells Samantha that for 100 years she watched her own kids and other Woodstones making mistakes in her house and she couldn't communicate with them to stop them. Since she can communicate with Samantha she was just trying to help, in her own way. Samantha forgives her and they agree to disagree on some things moving forward.

Samantha and Jay have to beg Freddie to come back to work, but he eventually does. That means that Sas gets to apologize to Jessica and they make up. Jessica tells him she's not interested in the other ghosts, which makes Sas feel a lot better. 

The security camera catches more than Freddie bargained for

When Freddie is going over the security camera footage from the front desk to figure out what happened to the reservation system, he catches the keys on the keyboard being pressed down by an unseen hand. Will Freddie still want to work there if he finds out the place is haunted?

New episodes of Ghosts air Thursdays on CBS. You can watch the latest episodes on-demand with Paramount Plus.

NOTE: this post contains spoilers for Ghosts season 2 episode 11 “The Perfect Assistant.” 

Ghosts season 2 is back on CBS and there are some changes at Woodstone Mansion. When the episode opens, Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar) and Sam (Rose McIver) are interviewing Freddie (Mike Lane) to be their new assistant. Freddie's got an impressive resume and a friendly demeanor that makes Jay and Samantha wonder why he'd want a job he's clearly overqualified for. Freddie tells them he's moved back to the area to be closer to family so he's looking to be part of the team at Woodstone Mansion and help it grow.

After Freddie is able to correctly answer Jay's question about what the correct move is if someone is at an airport and a gunman has taken someone hostage, Jay is ready to hire him on the spot. If you're wondering, the correct plan is to shoot the hostage, or at least that's what Keanu Reeves in Speed would do.. 

The ghosts are happy Jay and Sam have some help, but they're upset when they realize Sam won't be able to talk to them all day every day when Freddie is there. When Samantha tries to go for a walk so she can talk with the ghosts, Freddie insists on coming so he can learn his way around the grounds. 

As Freddie and Sam are coming back from their walk, the ghosts are clumped around Freddie's car. They tell Samantha to come and meet the car ghost, which none of them have ever seen before. 

The car ghost

Jessica (Nichole Sakura) is a car ghost. She's attached permanently to Freddie's car because she died in a crash involving that car. She was buzzed at the time of the accident, so she's forever buzzed in the afterlife, which frankly doesn't seem like a bad way to spend eternity. 

Jessica explains being attached to the car isn't so bad because Freddie's job since he moved there has been delivering food, so she gets to see new places and smell lots of delicious food. 

When Jessica talks to Sam she drops the bombshell news that Freddie is the one who killed her and dumped her body in the woods. Sam, understandably freaking out, tells Jay they need to fire Freddie right away, letting him think it was over a Diet Coke he took from the fridge.

But Jessica accidently arouses suspicion when Sas (Roman Zaragoza) asks her what her ghost power is. Jessica can make the car's alarm go off, promptly producing the key fob and setting it off. That causes the ghosts to wonder why she has a key to Freddie's car. Too buzzed to keep lying, Jessica reveals she made up the story about Freddie killing her so he would get fired and could go back to delivering food. 

After Freddie and Jessica leave, the ghosts don't tell Sam the truth because they like being able to talk to Sam all day again. But Sas convinces them they have to tell her. Sam and Jay try to get ahold of Freddie to ask him to come back, however he won't take their calls or return their texts.

Out of desperation they start ordering many burritos, hoping Freddie will be the one that delivers their orders. They amass an impressive pile of burritos, but no luck. When they are ready to give up, Freddie shows up with their latest burrito order. 

Seeing the giant pile of burritos, Freddie knows they are serious about wanting him back and he decides to come back to work at the Mansion. 

Sas, who had some serious chemistry with Jessica, is happy that she'll be back at Woodstone Mansion daily.

Bjorn and the bully

While all this is going on Thor (Devan Chandler Long) handles a family situation with a little help from Pete (Richie Moriarty) and Flower (Sheila Carrasco). Thor's son Bjorn (Christian Jadah), who is attached to the property across the way with some other ghosts, is being bullied by a sassy '50s housewife named Judy (Lindsey Broad). 

Thor can't understand why his strong Viking son is allowing himself to be bullied by a woman. Pete, who knows a thing or two about being bullied, encourages Bjorn to tell her how her bullying makes him feel. Thor thinks that's the wrong approach, but Pete convinces Thor he needs to let Bjorn be his own man and accept him even if he's not exactly like Thor.  

Bjorn works things out with his nemesis Judy after it's revealed she has a crush on him and that's why she’s bullying him. Thor is proud of him.

It's going to change the dynamic at Woodstone Mansion to have Freddie and Jessica joining the team, but there are sure to be more witty miscommunications, pop culture references and personality clashes as the ghosts and their livings figure out how to live their best afterlives and lives together. 

New episodes of Ghosts premiere on Thursdays on CBS, then arriving on Paramount Plus the next day. Also check out our recap of the Ghosts Christmas special.

The Ghosts Christmas special 2022 is rapidly becoming a Christmas TV regular and has now been rewarded with a Christmas Day slot on BBC One. From Only Fools and Horses to One Foot in the Grave, there’s been a tradition of festive comedy specials and Ghosts is no different.

Martha Howe-Douglas, who plays Fanny, has described it as her “favourite” episode of the year.

Speaking to us, star Charlotte Ritchie says: "It’s exciting being on at Christmas, it's huge! This is a time when people get together, so it’s a testament to it being a family show. You need good TV at Christmas because it can be stressful with family, so it's great to be part of that relief!"

Here’s everything we know… contains spoilers if you’ve not finished watching the latest series!

Ghosts Christmas special 2022 release date

The Ghosts Christmas special 2022 will air on BBC One on Christmas Day at 7.25 pm. It will last half an hour and will be followed by the Call the Midwife 2022 festive special.

Check out our Christmas TV guide for all the big shows on over the festive season.

Cast

All the main cast return. Charlotte Ritchie plays Alison, who sees ghosts, much to the bewilderment of her partner, Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe). The pesky ghosts are Pat (Jim Howick), The Captain (Ben Willbond), Thomas (Mathew Baynton), Laurence (Robin/Humphrey), Kitty (Lolly Adefope), Fanny (Martha Howe-Douglas) and Julian (Simon Farnaby). But Katy Wix is unlikely to be seen after Mary departed in series four.

What’s the plot of the Ghosts Christmas special 2022?

Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and husband Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) are spending Christmas Day with Mike’s family, and before they go, Alison leaves a present for each of her ghostly housemates. The gift for Pat (the 1980s scout master played by Jim Howick) proves particularly poignant and gives him pause for thought about his past life.

But when Alison and Mike get stuck in traffic and have to head home, Alison is amazed to find that the spectres have laid on a spectacular gift for her, too.

Talking about how Alison feels about being away from home, Charlotte says:
"It's Kitty [the Georgian ghost, played by Lolly Adefope] that she worries about the most, because Kitty is so childlike and excited about the day and she's saddest that they’re going. But deep down, Alison probably enjoys a day away due to the reality of living with those grown-up children!"

How long is the Ghosts Christmas special?

It's just 30 minutes long. 

Is there a trailer?

Yes, one is finally hear and it looks magical!

Charlotte Ritchie became a household name after playing nurse Barbara Hereward in four series of the nation's favourite Sunday night drama, Call the Midwife.

Sadly, for her and us, Charlotte will be remembered for her tragic death in the BBC One period drama, dying of septicemia in the arms of her husband, Tom (Jack Ashton).

Since then, Charlotte has appeared in a wide variety of shows, including Doctor Who , Sky comedy Dead Pixels, hit BBC One sitcom Ghosts and Netflix shows, Feel Good and You.

Here are some things you might not know about Charlotte...

Charlotte Ritchie took some of Alison's clothes from Ghosts as souvenirs!

Charlotte starred in the BBC One sitcom Ghosts as Alison, a newlywed who inherits a mansion with her husband, Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe), and soon discovers they share the dwelling with inhabitants from centuries, even millennia, ago.

After the show ended, she told us about some souvenirs she took from set... "I really wanted Alison's car, I think it belonged to a member of the art department, though! But I have some of Alison's trousers, jumpers and boots. I won't wear them, because it's weird. But I can look at them and be like, ‘Ah, that's great, that was Button House!'"

She's worried people won't like her after watching You on Netflix

Charlotte has admitted that people are nervous about speaking to her in public becasue they might be worried she is like her You season 5 alter-ego - Kate.

She told Harper’s Bazaar: “People who know me from Kate are just not afraid to talk to me, but they assume I'm going to be like her, so the reception is a bit colder. People who know me from Ghosts practically give me a hug, because I feel like they know Alison and think of her as approachable. It’s quite a strange experience."

She is a London girl

Charlotte was born on August 29th 1989 in Clapham and went on the attend the James Allen Girl’s School in Dulwich. After joining the British Youth Music Theatre, she then went to university in Bristol, with a view to becoming a teacher because her father thought she needed a back-up plan if acting didn't work out.

In her final year at uni, Charlotte auditioned for and was cast in Channel 4's hilarious student comedy, Fresh Meat, opposite Jack Whitehall and Joe Thomas.

She can sing as well as act

Charlotte might be an actress first and foremost, but she is also a talented singer and songwriter, and was one of four members of the British classical crossover group, All Angels. The group performed between 2006-2011 and sold half a million of their two albums, while they were still at school.

Performing runs in Charlotte's family

Charlotte’s brother, Luke, is, like her, also a singer/songwriter. The siblings often collaborate, and shared their beautiful performances on YouTube. Their EP Light of "Another" was released in 2014. Luke continues to perform although Charlotte focuses mainly on her acting career these days.

She had an uncredited role in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Charlotte has a bulging CV that boasts shows like Fresh Meat, Doctors, Raised by Wolves, Taskmaster, Life of Riley and comedy Feel Good, but before her career took off she appeared as a Slytherin student in the 2005 fourth film in the Harry Potter series.

Her mum is a huge Call the Midwife fan

Charlotte revealed on ITV morning show Lorraine that her mum is such a huge fan of Call the Midwife she was crushed when she revealed she had left the show. The actress confessed: “She’s not happy, but she is very glad that I starred in the series. She loves the show and she understands!”

Her grandad worked on the Queen's Coronation!

Talking to us while working on Call the Midwife, Charlotte revealed that her grandad had worked on the Queen's Coronation in 1953. Speaking about a Call the Midwife plot that saw the cast have a brush with stardom when the BBC decides to film a local carol service, she said: "It is nice because my granddad, who I never met, used to be a producer for the BBC and for ITV, he even worked on the Queen’s Coronation, so it was really strange seeing all the old BBC cameras going around during filming because I have got pictures of him and the camera operators with them."

Charlotte Richie's fact file

Frequently asked questions about the star...

Charlotte Ritchie does not use social media.

We work hard to ensure that all information is correct. Facts that change over time, such as age, will be correct, to the best of our knowledge, at the time of the last article update.

In the Ghosts Christmas special on CBS, Sam and Jay just want to enjoy a classic Christmas in their beautiful mansion; Sam in particular is set on having a holiday that is pulled straight from a frothy Christmas movie. When Jay’s sister Bela arrives for Christmas with a friend Eric in tow, Sam sees it as her chance to do a little holiday matchmaking. 

Eric is sweet and seems to have real feelings for Bela, but Bela isn’t interested in being more than friends with Eric. Since that’s the plot of nearly every holiday romance, Sam tries to bring them closer by suggesting they make a gingerbread house together. 

Jay suggests that Sam send Eric out to chop some wood, since Bela has been sharing TikToks of lumberjacks in the family group chat. Jay shows Sam a lumberjack video Bela shared and Hetty becomes an instant fan of lumberjack TikTok.

Meanwhile, Alberta, Flower, Sas, and Pete are practicing a Christmas carol to sing for Sam as a Christmas present. As “Alberta and the Christmas Cookies” are deciding what song to sing Isaac drops by. While they’re chatting, Isaac reveals that he and Nigel have never even kissed, which leads to yet another discussion about the “face palm incident” which Pete is going to haunt Pete forever.

Trevor is upset to see Bela with Eric, even though she’s not romantically interested in Eric, because he really likes her. He is also not a fan of Sam trying to get Bela and Eric together. Sas suggests that Trevor possess Eric so that he can spend Christmas day with Bela and they’d actually get to be together. Trevor texts Bela the idea, and she likes it. She starts questioning Jay about the time when Hetty possessed him to find out more about how it works. Amazingly, when she asks Eric if he’d be willing to do it he agrees.

Eric tells her that he cares about her and could see the two of them together but he knows she has to get Trevor out of her system, so he agrees to the possession as a way for her to do that.

When Jay and Sam find out about the plan on Christmas Eve they immediately put a stop to it. They discover Eric and Bela trying to recreate Jay getting electrocuted, which is what allowed Hetty to possess him. Eric and Bela give up the plan and go to bed. Sam attempts to screw in the light that the two had loosened so that Eric could touch the wires and electrocute himself but she accidentally touches the wires and electrocutes herself. She falls back into Thor, who was standing behind her, and Thor possesses her.

Thor has been a real Scrooge about Christmas, which he sees as cultural appropriation. But while he possesses Sam, he gets to eat Christmas cookies and experience some of the very human joys of the holidays which makes him understand a little better what the appeal of Christmas is. 

The other ghosts try to explain to him that what makes Christmas special is spending time with people that you love and that’s why it’s such an important holiday for Sam. Except for Hetty, who just wants Thor to use Sam’s phone to show her more lumberjack TikToks in exchange for telling him how to possess Sam’s body for a longer period of time.

Issac and Nigel find themselves under the mistletoe, and Nigel is hoping for their first kiss. Even though Isaac seems open to the kiss at the last second he face-palms Nigel, which surprises them both. Nigel, understandably feeling slighted, breaks up with Isaac. Isaac has a nightmare about his wife and realizes that he can’t move forward with Nigel because he feels guilty about trapping his wife in a sham marriage when he was alive. He feels like he doesn’t deserve to be happy in love when she didn’t get to have that when she was alive. 

After noticing a cricket embroidered on his handkerchief, the others ask about it and Isaac reveals it was his wife’s nickname for him. Sas tells Isaac that a woman he assumed was a nurse visited Isaac on his deathbed and changed him into his uniform as he was dying. She called him cricket. Isaac was touched and after realizing his wife truly did love him and didn’t hate him for their marriage he was able to let go of his guilt. He goes to find Nigel and explain and they finally have their first kiss. It’s a holiday miracle that these two are finally going to move their relationship forward.

Meanwhile, Eric has left the mansion to take a train home. Jay goes to the train station to get him while Sam is at home, possessed by Thor and enjoying Christmas food. Jay manages to talk Eric into coming back to the mansion. Even though Sam didn’t get the classic TV movie Christmas she wanted by the end of Christmas night Thor is no longer possessing her, Eric and Bela are getting close, and there is peace in the mansion.

The next morning Sam wakes up to snowflakes raining down and the lovely harmonies of Alberta and The Christmas Cookies singing Silent Night; too bad only Sam can hear them! Even though it’s a day late Sam, Jay, Eric, and Bela open presents for themselves and for the ghosts, with everyone in the mansion both living and dead enjoying the true spirit of the holidays — spending time with the people they love.

The Ghosts Christmas special managed to deliver plenty of pop culture referencing one-liners and laughs but blended them with genuine holiday spirit that avoided being too saccharine. It was the perfect kickoff to the week before Christmas.  

Ghosts season 2 US airs on CBS. New episodes are available to stream on Paramount Plus and CBS.com. Ghosts US is available on iPlayer in the UK.

A breakout hit of the 2021-2022 TV season, Ghosts is back on CBS and giving audiences another frighteningly good time.

Ghosts became the latest example of an original British show adapted for and enjoyed by US audiences. It joins the likes of The Office, Shameless, House of Cards and Love Island USA, just to name a few. The American creators behind Ghosts, Joe Port and Joe Wiseman, would probably love to have the same kind of success that those shows have had.

But before we can talk about Ghosts' place in the British-to-America pantheon, Ghosts season 2 looks to show that season 1 was no fluke. Here is everything we know about Ghosts season 2.

How to watch Ghosts season 2

Ghosts season 2 has wrapped up, but you can catch up with all of the episodes of the comedy on Paramount Plus.

Check out what else if on US TV tonight with WTW's US TV listings.

Who is in the Ghosts season 2 cast?

The entire main cast is back for the new season. This includes Rose McIver, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Brandon Scott Jones, Danielle Pinnock and more. Here is the entire principal cast and who they play: 

• Rose McIver as Samantha
• Utkarsh Ambudkar as Jay
• Brandon Scott Jones as Isaac
• Richie Moriarity as Pete
• Danielle Pinnock as Alberta
• Asher Grodman as Trevor
• Roman Zaragoza as Sasappis
• Sheila Carrasco as Flower
• Rebecca Wisocky as Hetty
• Devan Chandler Long as Thorfinn

By the way, at a recent Comic-Con event, the cast revealed who they'd love to guest star on the show. Hint, the person is an EGOT winner and is currently a host on a famous daytime talk show. Take a look at who they want on the series (we fast-forwarded the clip to the moment in question). 

What is the Ghosts plot?

Ghosts follows a young couple, Samantha and Jay, that inherit an old country house and have aspirations to turn it into a bed & breakfast. However, after suffering an accident while at the house, Samantha begins to see the handful of ghosts that occupy the home. They all must learn to live together and help each other out.

The Ghosts season 1 finale saw two big developments. First, the ghost of Revolutionary War soldier Isaac finally reveals his true, romantic feelings for a ghost British soldier. Meanwhile, just as Samantha and Jay are ready to open their B&B, they are told about a curse that was set upon them shortly after moving in by Thorfinn, before they all became friends. With the only way to remove the curse potentially risking Samantha’s ability to communicate with the ghosts, she decides to dismiss it. However, as they welcome their first guests the floors of the house crumble beneath them.

So the ramifications of the very real curse are going to have to be addressed in Ghosts season 2. Can Samantha and Jay still open their B&B? Is Samantha going to decide to give up her new ability to talk with the dead? What other problems from the ghosts’ past will come to light?

CBS has revealed the official plot synopsis for the Ghosts season 2 premiere. Titled "Spies," the episode sees Sam enlists the ghosts to help secure a good review from an overly critical couple staying at the B&B. Also, Isaac tries to integrate Nigel into his friend group.

Catch up with some of what's happened so far this season with our Ghosts episode recaps:

• Ghosts: The Christmas Spirit recap
• Ghosts season 2 episode 11 recap
• Ghosts season 2 episode 12 recap
• Ghosts season 2 episode 13 recap
• Ghosts season 2 episode 14 recap

Ghosts UK and Ghosts US collide

For those fans that were familiar with the original UK version of Ghosts and were hoping for some kind of crossover between the two shows, we have some good news. It’s kind of happening in the new season. Actor Mathew Baynton, who portrays Thomas Thorne in Ghosts season 4 in the UK is guest starring in the US iteration of the show. When discussing his US stint with Entertainment Weekly, Baynton stated: 

"When I was invited to play a guest role in the CBS version of Ghosts, I was a little concerned that the two universes colliding would tear a hole in the fabric of time and space. Thankfully, that didn't happen and instead, I had a lot of fun playing with a bunch of very lovely funny people."

Is there a Ghosts season 2 trailer?

Here's the original first-look trailer for Ghosts season 2.

The Ghosts team also shared a blooper reel from season 1 as part of their Comic-Con 2022 presentation. Enjoy!

Is there going to be a Ghosts season 3?

More Ghosts is coming on CBS, as the network has officially renewed the comedy series for a season 3.

"This season, executive producers Joe Port, Joe Wiseman and the brilliant cast delivered episodes that far surpassed our expectations. From the opening of the Woodstone B&B to epic Halloween and Christmas episodes, we have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know our Ghosts even better. Much like our viewers, we love them more each and every week," said Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment. "As the series continues to win fans on broadcast and streaming, we're thrilled to bring back this touching and hilarious comedy for a third season."

Ghosts season 2 is going to continue its run for the rest of the 2022-2023 TV season, with Ghosts season 3 arriving in the fall for the 2023-2024 season. 

The BBC One Christmas Day schedule has been revealed and in a surprise, the Ghosts festive special has been given a prime slot alongside Call the Midwife.

Ghosts has enjoyed Christmas specials before but not on Christmas Day, appearing two days before the big day last year.

However, in the ultimate accolade for a BBC comedy, the Ghosts Christmas special 2022 will air actually on Christmas Day just before Call the Midwife.

Here's what the BBC One Christmas Day afternoon and evening schedule looks like:

2.30 The Smeds and the Smoos

3.00 The King's Christmas Broadcast

3.10 Aladdin (2019)

5.10 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas 2022 special

6.25 Michael McIntyre's Christmas Wheel

7.25 Ghosts

7.55 Call the Midwife

9.25 EastEnders

10.25 Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas Special

Ghosts star Charlotte Ritchie spoke to us last year to say how pleased she was that the show had a festive special saying: "It’s a huge thing for a show we feel so proud of. Knowing how much viewers care about Ghosts is special, for some people, it's a family event. That feels right for Christmas.”

She will no doubt be even more delighted now it's been given a Christmas Day slot.

Meanwhile, ITV1’s Christmas Day schedule features a Chase Christmas special, plus festive episodes of Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

It will also be a bittersweet moment for Doc Martin fans as the last ever episode will air on Christmas Day.

Here’s ITV1’s Christmas Day afternoon and evening schedule:

2.00 Ainsley’s Festive Flavours

3.00 H M The King

3.10 Alan Carr’s Epic Gameshow Christmas special

4.10 Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway Presents: Polter Guys

4.45 News

5.00 The Chase Celebrity Christmas special

6.00 Emmerdale

7.00 Coronation Street

8.00 Ant and Dec’s Christmas Limitless Win

9.05 Doc Martin Christmas special

Check out our Christmas TV guide for a run down of all the big festive shows and when they’re on.