News comes as the original returns for series 4

The BBC is reportedly on the verge of signing a deal to acquire the US version of Ghosts.

Trade magazine Broadcast says the Corporation is ‘finalising a deal’ for the CBS version, which is currently preparing for a second series. It is due to start a new 22-part run from September 29 following a successful 18-episode first series which began last October.

The news comes as the British original returns for a fourth series at 8.50pm next Friday, with Mike and Alison (Kiell Smith-Bynoe and   Charlotte Ritchie) welcoming the first guests to stay at the haunted stately pile they have converted into a  B&B. Last month the BBC confirmed that Ghosts would get a third Christmas special.

Its creators Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard, and Ben Willbond – all of whom also play ghosts – are executive producers on the US version, too.

That stars Rose McIver and Utkash Ambudkar as the central couple – with the spirits changed from the UK version to reflect US history, and include a Prohibition-era jazz singer, Viking explorer, hippie and a Native American.

The first US series started with an audience of 7.3million, including catch-up viewers, which grew to just under 9million by the end of the season. It is also a critical hit, with  a 91 per cent approval rating on aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes.

Published: 15 Sep 2022