Cast and executives of the Australian Ghosts show. Photo: Simon Westlake.
Don’t stop if you’ve heard this before – a married couple move into a haunted mansion and only the wife can see and talk to the ghosts.
That’s the plot for the Ghosts sit-com that is growing in popularity worldwide: it started in the United Kingdom, spread to the US, it’s expanding into France, Germany – and now Australia.
Filming has begun in Perth on Ghosts Australia, co-produced by BBC, Paramount and Screenwest.
The basic premise involves a couple moving into a historic house only for the wife to suffer a near-death experience. When she recovers, she finds she can communicate with the ghosts that haunt the property.
The eight-episode Australia series is being funded by the WA Government, will create 200 jobs and will be directed by Christiaan Van Vuuren (The Office Australia, Top End Bub, A Sunburnt Christmas) and Madeleine Dyer (Colin From Accounts, Austin).
Creative Industries Minister Simone McGurk says filming the series in Perth will ensure a “very exciting year” for the WA screen sector.
“Ghosts has entertained audiences around the world, and we’re delighted to welcome the Australian adaptation of this series to Perth,” says Rikki Lea Bestall, Screenwest’s chief executive officer
Daniel Monaghan, Paramount Australia’s SVP Content and Programming, says they are “delighted” to start production of an Australian version of the show.
“We can’t wait to bring this witty and heartfelt show to life, complete with our set of uniquely Australian ghosts,” he says.
Kylie Washington, EVP and General Manager for Global Entertainment Australia BBC Australia and New Zealand, says they are “excited” as well.
“Ghosts has been a runaway hit in the UK and US. We’re looking forward to introducing audiences to these comedic, warm-hearted and unlikely group of flat mates that draw on our Australian culture and history.”
THE PLOT
Kate (Tamala Cleverman of Nowhere Boys), is setting up house with Sean (Rowan Witt of Totally Completely Fine, Book Of Mormon) when she discovers an inheritance: an historic mansion in the country named Ramshead Manor.
After a near-death experience. Kate finds she can communicate with ghosts who are confined to the mansion.
THE GHOSTS
- Eileen (played by Mandy McElhinney) is an Irish potato famine survivor and mother of 13 children;
- Gideon (Brent Hill) is a stoic naval officer, fresh off the Third Fleet;
- Miranda (Ines English) is a socialite bride-to-be from the early 1900s;
- Lindy (Michelle Brasier) is a vibrant 1980s aerobics instructor;
- Joon (George Zhao) is a young Chinese miner from the gold rush era; and
- Satan (Jackson Tozer) is a misunderstood 90s bikie.
Ghosts Australia is due to screen later this year, the producers say.
