Paramount Brings BBC’s ‘Ghosts’ to Australia with Fresh Adaptation

Paramount Australia and BBC Studios Productions Australia are producing an Australian localized version of the British light drama “Ghosts.” The show will air on Paramount-owned linear channel Network 10 and streaming platform Paramount+.

The eight-part family comedy series is set in a haunted country house filled with hilarious new ghosts that are as chaotic, unpredictable, filthy and hilarious as Australian history itself, though the companies said the completed series is not expected to air until 2025.

The original series “Ghosts” is produced by Monumental Television in association with Them There for BBC One. It is distributed by BBC Studios. The fifth and final season of the original UK version was the most-watched comedy of 2023, with the finale being watched by over six million people in seven days.

The US version is currently in production, with season four set to begin production on CBS. It is produced by CBS Studios in association with Lionsgate Television and BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions, and distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution. A German version of Ghosts was recently announced. “Ghosts has been a huge hit in the UK and US and has garnered an incredibly loyal fanbase here in Australia. While the all-star cast is yet to be announced, we can’t wait to create a unique series with an Australian twist,” said Daniel Monahan, SVP Content & Programming, Paramount Australia.

The two companies explained the premise of the local adaptation: “New lovebirds Kate and Sean are about to jump into the hellscape that is the inner-city rental market, until Kate inherits a huge mansion in the country. Moving in together for the first time the young couple are attempting domestic bliss, but unbeknown to them, the house is haunted by a collection of needy spirits who died in Ramshead Manor over the last 200 years. An optimistic go-getter, Kate wants to revamp the manor into a boutique hotel, but city boy Sean isn’t so sure. When a near-death experience gives Kate the power to see the ghosts, all their lives (and afterlives) will change forever,” they said.

Kylie Washington, GM 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.”