Cameras Roll On Highly Spirited Series, Ghosts Australia.
Australia, BBC Studios Productions Australia and Screenwest, announced today that filming has commenced in Western Australia for Ghosts Australia, the new local adaptation of the beloved and critically acclaimed British and U.S. comedy.
The eight-episode comedy series is set in a haunted country house full of new ghosts who are as chaotic, unpredictable and messy as Australian history itself.
Ghosts Australia stars Tamala (Cleverman, Nowhere Boys) as Kate and Rowan Witt (Totally Completely Fine, Book Of Mormon) as Sean, with an impressive ensemble of ghosts played by Mandy McElhinney (Love Child, House of Hancock), 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).
Young lovebirds Kate and Sean are about to jump into the hellscape of the inner-city property market, until Kate inherits a huge and historic mansion in the country. The only problem? It’s haunted by a motley collection of spirits who over the centuries, carked it under this very roof.
When go-getter Kate decides to revamp “Ramshead Manor” into a boutique hotel, nerdy city boy Sean has his doubts. But when a near-death experience gives Kate the power to see the ghosts, all their lives (and afterlives) will change forever.
The question is, as Kate and Sean navigate the milestones of a new relationship, build a business and deal with the emotional needs of six neurotic ghosts, will their relationship survive… or end up as dead as their new housemates?
Haunting the Australian halls are six ghostly residents, each with a tale to tell.
- Eileen (Mandy McElhinney) is an Irish potato famine survivor, hardworking publican and mother of 13 children – all of which she never, ever complains about. Ever.
- Gideon (Brent Hill) is a stoic naval officer, fresh off the Third Fleet with similarly fresh ideas about race, gender and politics.
- Miranda (Ines English) is a socialite bride-to-be from the early 1900s, repressing more than just her brutal opinions on the other Ghosts.
- Lindy (Michelle Brasier) is a vibrant 1980s aerobics instructor with people-pleasing tendencies and terrible taste in men.
- Joon (George Zhao) is a handsome young Chinese miner from the gold rush era with an eternal concussion and a penchant for married women.
- Satan (Jackson Tozer) is a misunderstood 90s bikie with a heart of gold who is most comfortable in a 2IC role and watching rom coms in secret.
Six spirits, one sprawling mansion, and enough supernatural shenanigans to fill a haunted eternity.
Daniel Monaghan, SVP Content and Programming, Paramount Australia said: “We’re delighted to commence production on the Australian iteration of this much-loved global comedy hit.
“Ghosts Australia boasts a stellar cast and an incredibly talented creative team. We can’t wait to bring this witty and heartfelt show to life, complete with our set of uniquely Australian ghosts.”
Kylie Washington, EVP and General Manager, Global Entertainment Australia, BBC Studios Australia and New Zealand, said: “We’re excited to have assembled such a talented ensemble cast to breathe life into our distinctly Australian reimagining of Ghosts.
“Ghosts has been a runaway hit in the UK and U.S. and we’re looking forward to introducing audiences to these comedic, warm-hearted and unlikely group of flat mates that draw on our unique Australian culture and history.”
Rikki Lea Bestall, Screenwest Chief Executive Officer, said: “Ghosts has entertained audiences all around the world, and we’re so pleased to welcome Network 10, Paramount+ and BBC Studios Productions Australia to Western Australia for the Australian series. The production will kick off what is set to be an exciting year for the WA screen sector, creating a slew of opportunities for Western Australians.”
Directed by Christiaan Van Vuuren (Top End Bub, A Sunburnt Christmas) and Madeleine Dyer (Colin from Accounts, Austin), the series is produced by Bree-Anne Sykes (Critical Incident, Wellmania) and Executive Produced by Sophia Zachariou (Ladies in Black, The Office Australia), Kylie Washington, EVP and GM Global Entertainment BBC Studios ANZ plus Paramount ANZ Head of Scripted and Comedy, Sophia Mogford.
The writing team is led by writer and executive producer Josh Mapleston (Surviving Summer), with script editor and writer Libby Butler (Surviving Summer, Neighbours) alongside writers Shontell Ketchell (Gold Diggers), Philip Tarl Denson (Zero-Point) and Steph Tisdell (Fisk, Rosehaven).
Ghosts Australia is produced by BBC Studios Productions Australia for Network 10 and Paramount+ with major production investment from Screenwest and the Western Australian Production Attraction Incentive. Based on the original series Ghosts, produced by Monumental Television in association with Them There for BBC One. Distributed by BBC Studios.
First produced for the BBC in the UK, the format continues to go from strength to strength. The U.S. version on CBS has just been renewed for a further two seasons, the German and French adaptations are now airing, and a Greek version is currently in production.
Ghosts Australia is made possible thanks to the State Government’s Western Australian Production Attraction Incentive – Australia’s most competitive incentive, which is designed to attract high profile, market driven screen productions to the State.
Ghosts Australia will premiere on Paramount+ and Network 10 later this year.
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