Ghosts creator Jim Howick teases future Xmas special as show heads for finale

23 December 2023 , 18:16

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The ghosts of Button House owners with Mike (Kiell Smith Bynoe) and Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) (Image: BBC)

Millions of fans tuning in to the finale of Ghosts tomorrow will be pleased to hear there are plans afoot for a Christmas future.

Although the show won’t be resurrected, actor, co-creator and co-writer Jim Howick said: “We are already working on new ideas and hopefully there will be another TV show or film. Whether or not we can make something as successful as Ghosts you never know, but we will definitely give it a good try.”

The star, 43, who plays dead 80s scoutmaster Patrick Butcher in the BBC comedy about a couple who inherit haunted Button House, described tomorrow’s Christmas special as a “cup final”, adding: “It will be emotional for viewers saying goodbye to the characters but there is a sense of serenity about it. The show always insists on the idea that all things must pass, so this too has to end.”

Launched in 2019, Ghosts, from the makers of Horrible Histories, was the most-watched comedy series on broadcast TV in 2022, with 5.9million viewers.

Jim Howick (Getty Images for Warner Bros. Pi)

But Jim confessed it almost didn’t make the cut, saying: “The taster tape wasn’t successful. We quickly realised we had to go back to the drawing board and change it completely. Thank God we did. The film Toy Story was a big inspiration, he said, adding: “I loved the idea that there were all these kinds of beings that didn’t exist in our world and had all these different personalities.”

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An article on how Taliban and ISIS hostages coped with captivity by discussing hobbies and films also influenced him. The Peep Show star said: “I thought that was fascinating. It inspired me for our characters to do the same and create a film club and other clubs.”

Ghosts Christmas special (BBC/Monumental/Guido Mandozzi)

Appearing in the BBC1 show was a laugh, said Jim, especially scenes with the Plaguers – a gaggle of 14th century Black Death victims in the basement. He added: “At the end of shooting those scenes we became a bit hysterical.”

The star also appeared in Netflix hit Sex Education as science teacher Mr Hendricks, with new Doctor Who Ncuti Gatwa playing his student. Jim said: “Ncuti is such a lovely, charming, talented and funny man. Not many people can say they’re friends with Doctor Who.”

• Ghosts 2023 Christmas special airs on BBC1 at 7.45pm tomorrow

Louise Lazell