The fifth season of Ghosts US has landed on BBC iPlayer, the American remake of the original UK version, which faced tough criticism when it first came out in 2021. The British comedy, created by the Horrible Histories and Yonderland stars, premiered in 2019 and followed a group of eccentric ghosts haunting a large manor inherited by unassuming couple Alison and Mike. It ran for five seasons and will return for a feature-length movie.
From Skepticism to Success
The UK show was met with widespread praise during its run, but there was far more skepticism when its American counterpart, starring Rose McIver and Utkarsh Ambudkar, aired. It was dubbed everything from a 'poor copy of the original' to a 'cheap knockoff' to a 'flawed remake'.
However, it seems to have proved the haters wrong. With 22-episode-long seasons – considerably more than the British show's modest six-episode stints – it has comfortably hit its stride, already eyeing up a sixth season which will land in the US this autumn.
Fan and Critic Praise
The show is not a beat-for-beat rehash of the original, with its own unique ghosts and storylines. By season five, it has long strayed from any recognizable plotlines as it goes totally in its own direction. The new series seems to have impressed fans who have already watched it.
'The American version is consistent, pretty good with some bright moments,' Blanca M praised on Rotten Tomatoes, averaging an impressive 87% audience score for the show as a whole. 'Well if the last season was the best yet then this is better. It's also the funniest season in the entire show. There are episodes in this season that will keep you laughing throughout,' Zane T hailed. 'First half of this season has the old magic back,' Jen N reflected.
Why It Works
Metro TV writer Asyia Iftikhar, who originally groaned at the idea of a US version, decided to give the show a chance and was glad she did. She notes that while the American humor didn't always land for her, the show often made her laugh out loud, and she grew fond of the eccentric band of spirits, including a gay Revolutionary War veteran named Isaac, a forever high 60s hippie called Flower, and a self-obsessed jazz singer, Alberta.
'The series manages to keep itself fresh with new situations, ghosts and stunts. The feel of an old sitcom is to be cherished. There aren't many shows that manage to accomplish what Ghosts does in this day and age,' Cin C echoed. Phillip A agreed that it was 'such a fun show' and 'binge-worthy'. 'Ghosts Season 5 continues to ensure that the series remains the best sitcom on TV,' Fangirlish declared. 'From new ghost powers to saving Jay from a Hell-ish fate, it's always fun to see what shenanigans this found family gets up to. A top-tier cast that continues to deliver!' Pop Culture Planet teased.
Impact and Availability
Ghosts US has paved the way for more remakes, with Australia recently launching its own spin-off, following the UK with a traditional six-episode format. The Australian version features its own culturally and historically specific ghosts. Ghosts US seasons one to five are now streaming on BBC iPlayer.
