Bustin’ Makes Me Feel Good

Press release time!

Ghosts Just Wanna Have Fun!

Things are about to get seriously spooky and spirited, when Ghosts Australia floats onto screens on Sunday, 2 November, with a double premiere episode at 8.30pm on 10, and all eight episodes available to stream on Paramount+.

Who says the afterlife can’t be dramatic, hilarious, and just a little bit awkward? Based on the critically acclaimed British comedy series, that has also been a huge hit in its US version, the local adaptation is full of haunts, humour and so much heart.

When Kate (Tamala: Cleverman, Nowhere Boys) and Sean (Rowan Witt: Totally Completely Fine, Book Of Mormon) inherit Ramshead Manor, a dilapidated country estate, they see a fresh start to live together and transform it into a boutique hotel. But the real test isn’t the renovations – it’s the six ghostly residents haunting the place.

After hitting her head, Kate develops the ability to see the dead, and soon after, the couple are dragged into a whirlwind of hauntings, tantrums, and century-old secrets that refuse to die. As Kate and Sean try to fix up the house, they end up fixing ghost problems instead – putting their relationship through the wringer but ultimately finding a new kind of family.

The hilarious ensemble of ghosts are brought to life by Mandy McElhinney (Love Child, Paper Giants: Magazine Wars), Brent Hill (Hamilton, School of Rock), Ines English (Last Days of the Space Age, The Last Anniversary), Michelle Brasier (Thank God You’re Here, Aunty Donna), George Zhao (The Family Law, Gold Diggers), and Jackson Tozer (Ricky Stanicky, Deadloch). The series also features guest appearances from Leah Purcell (Wentworth, High Country), Helen Thomson (Elvis, Collin From Accounts) and Peter Rowsthorn (Kath and Kim, Thank God You’re Here).

That’s “haunts, humour and so much heart”, right? You’re sure “haunts” is first? Not going to go with “haunting”? Hey. your call.

Just wondering, but has a local version of any overseas comedy format ever taken off here? Back in the 70s Kingswood Country was a knock-off of All In The Family (itself based on ‘Til Death Do Us Part). We all remember how the Australian version of Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush destroyed the unstoppable rise of the Doug Anthony All-Stars. But otherwise? Are You Being Served Down Under?

Though presumably where all those other previous attempts went wrong is that they hired comedians to do the funny stuff, a trap Ghosts Down Under has largely avoided. Be prepared to be scared!