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newsFriday, June 26, 2026·4 min read

BBC Acquires Ghosts Australia

BBC buys Ghosts Australia to air alongside UK version

University student intensely studying in a sunlit Buenos Aires classroom.
Photo: Gera Cejas

The BBC has acquired the rights to Ghosts Australia, a series that will sit alongside the British and American versions of the show. Ghosts Australia is an eight-part series from BBC Studios Australia Productions and stars Tamala and Rowan Witt as a couple who inherit a dilapidated country manor home, only to find it inhabited by an eccentric group of ghosts. The show was originally produced for Paramount+ in Australia and will now play on BBC iPlayer and BBC Three in the UK. The acquisition is a significant move for the BBC, which has a long history of producing and acquiring high-quality comedy programming. The show's unique blend of humor and supernatural elements is expected to appeal to a wide range of audiences.

What happened

The BBC has acquired the rights to Ghosts Australia, which was originally produced for Paramount+ in Australia. The show is an eight-part series that stars Tamala and Rowan Witt as a couple who inherit a dilapidated country manor home, only to find it inhabited by an eccentric group of ghosts. The show was produced by BBC Studios Australia Productions, with investment from Screenwest and the Western Australian Production Attraction Incentive. The show's directors are Christiaan Van Vuuren and Madeleine Dyer, with Josh Mapleston serving as the writer. The show's cast includes Mandy McElhinney, Brent Hill, Ines English, Michelle Brasier, George Zhao, and Jackson Tozer as the apparitions. The show's production team also includes Libby Butler as script editor and writer, with Shontell Ketchell, Philip Tarl Denson, and Steph Tisdell also writing. Bree-Anne Sykes is the producer, and Sophia Zachariou exec produced alongside Kylie Washington, EVP and Creative Director at BBC Studios ANZ, and Sophia Mogford, Paramount ANZ Head of Scripted and Comedy. The acquisition of Ghosts Australia is a significant move for the BBC, which has a long history of producing and acquiring high-quality comedy programming. The show's unique blend of humor and supernatural elements is expected to appeal to a wide range of audiences.

Why it matters

The acquisition of Ghosts Australia marks a significant expansion of the Ghosts franchise, which has already proven successful in the UK and US. The show's unique blend of humor and supernatural elements is expected to appeal to a wide range of audiences, and the BBC's acquisition of the show demonstrates the network's commitment to producing and acquiring high-quality comedy programming. The show's success could also have implications for the future of the Ghosts franchise, which could potentially lead to further acquisitions and productions.

+ Pros
  • The show's unique blend of humor and supernatural elements is expected to appeal to a wide range of audiences.
  • The acquisition of Ghosts Australia marks a significant expansion of the Ghosts franchise, which has already proven successful in the UK and US.
  • The show's production team includes a number of experienced writers, directors, and producers.
Cons
  • The show's success is not guaranteed, and the BBC's acquisition of the show may not pay off.
  • The show's unique blend of humor and supernatural elements may not appeal to all audiences.
  • The show's production costs may be high, which could impact the BBC's budget.

How to think about it

The acquisition of Ghosts Australia by the BBC is a significant move that demonstrates the network's commitment to producing and acquiring high-quality comedy programming. The show's unique blend of humor and supernatural elements is expected to appeal to a wide range of audiences, and the show's production team includes a number of experienced writers, directors, and producers. However, the show's success is not guaranteed, and the BBC's acquisition of the show may not pay off.

FAQ

What is Ghosts Australia+
Ghosts Australia is an eight-part series from BBC Studios Australia Productions that stars Tamala and Rowan Witt as a couple who inherit a dilapidated country manor home, only to find it inhabited by an eccentric group of ghosts.
Where will Ghosts Australia air+
Ghosts Australia will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC Three in the UK.
Who produced Ghosts Australia+
Ghosts Australia was produced by BBC Studios Australia Productions, with investment from Screenwest and the Western Australian Production Attraction Incentive.
Sources
  1. 01BBC Buys ‘Ghosts Australia’ To Sit Alongside Original British Sitcom
  2. 02BBC Buys 'Ghosts Australia' To Sit Alongside Original British Sitcom
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