Ghosts to be remade in America
- A new version of hit BBC One sitcom Ghosts is being made for American audiences
- Following a pilot filmed in December, CBS has ordered a series starring Rose McIver and Utkarsh Ambudkar
- The British creators, who are working on Series 3 for BBC One, are executive producers on the American version
American TV network CBS have ordered a series based on hit BBC One sitcom Ghosts.
Ghosts launched on BBC One in 2019, and quickly became an audience favourite. Based in a dilapidated country house, it follows the adventures of nine ghosts who have died there over the centuries, and their interactions with new owners Alison and Mike. Only Alison can see and hear them.
Deadline reports that the new version of the show will star actors Rose McIver and Utkarsh Ambudkar in the central roles of the house's new owners, with Rebecca Wisocky, Brandon Scott Jones, Danielle Pinnock, Asher Grodman, Richie Moriarty, Sheila Carrasco and Román Zaragoza playing the ghosts.
The original version of Ghosts was created by and stars Horrible Histories and Yonderland actors Mathew Baynton, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard, Ben Willbond and Simon Farnaby. Charlotte Ritchie and Kiell Smith-Bynoe play Alison and Mike, with Lolly Adefope and Katy Wix joining the Horrible Histories gang as ghosts.
Joe Port and Joe Wiseman, who have previously produced shows including New Girl, are overseeing the new version. The UK creators are executive producers on the project.
CBS reportedly ordered a pilot in February 2020, however it wasn't filmed until December 2020 due to coronavirus delays. The series has now been ordered, just as the 'options' contracts for the cast were about to expire.
The new version is being made as part of a deal production company Lionsgate struck with BBC Studios, which sees it have first refusal on scripts and formats. This Country is also being remade through the same deal, for Fox.
A third series of the original version of Ghosts is currently in development, and will be broadcast on BBC One when its ready.