Button House is closing its doors – but first, one last festive celebration.
The Ghosts of Button House are giving us a Christmas present this year – and frankly, we couldn’t be happier.
It initially appeared that the season 5 finale (ominously titled Last Resort) would be an emotional farewell to Alison (Charlotte Ritchie), Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) and their paranormal tenants.
However, the BBC revealed at the last moment that there would indeed be another festive episode this year, which will serve as the true send-off for this juggernaut sitcom.
“The obligation to make sure that we kept this episode Christmassy was a huge boon to the episode itself, because otherwise it would have been pretty straight down the line sad at the end – without much to kind of leaven that,” said co-creator Laurence Rickard. “But the Christmassiness of it, I think gives it the sweet against the bitter.”
Read on for everything you need to know about Ghosts 2023 Christmas special.
Ghosts Christmas special 2023 release date: When can I watch it?
You can watch it on Christmas Day at 7:45pm on BBC One.
Is the Ghosts Christmas special 2023 the final episode?
Yes – and we really mean it this time (maybe).
Ghosts is confirmed to be ending with its fifth season, which we weren’t initially told included another Christmas special – but we’re not complaining!
The writers behind the hit series have explained why they’re wrapping things up, while they’ve also spoken about the possibility of returning to Button House for a reunion sometime in the future.
Co-creator and star Mathew Baynton saw one potential issue with that idea.
He told RadioTimes.com and other press: “The thing about the show, and it’s probably a good thing in that it stopped us from being tempted to do it forever and ever, is that the ghosts can’t age. And some of us were already pushing it, playing the age.
“I’m talking about myself. There’s a few of us that could, in theory, grow into their roles for a while… For me, the gulf between my age and Thomas’s is ever-widening.”
He added: “I mean, in theory, we could do a special in ten years but I think some CGI would be needed. You’ll have to deep fake my old face onto my actual one.”
Earlier this year, co-star Kiell Smith-Bynoe told RadioTimes.com the last episode of Ghosts as “very final” – it now appears he was referring to this Christmas special, which had not been announced at the time of our Big RT Interview with him.
Ghosts Christmas special 2023 cast: Who stars?
The confirmed cast for the special is as follows:
- Charlotte Ritchie as Alison
- Kiell Smith-Bynoe as Mike
- Mathew Baynton as Thomas
- Simon Farnaby as Julian
- Lolly Adefope as Kitty
- Martha Howe-Douglas as Lady Button
- Jim Howick as Pat
- Laurence Rickard as Robin/Humphrey
- Ben Willbond as the Captain
Rickard has also teased a guest star who has yet to be announced: “I think certainly the final three or four minutes will be quite unexpected. And it’s possible we’ll get to see a character that we’ve had before again and there’s certainly a step change very early on – something that we haven’t done before in the show.”
Ghosts Christmas special 2023 plot: What will happen?
The official synopsis is as follows: “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?”
Ghosts Christmas special 2024 trailer: When can I watch it?
Right now!
Enjoy the festive teaser below:
Ghosts 2023 Christmas special airs on BBC One at 7:45pm on Christmas Day. Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on.
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