Ghosts 2023 Christmas special: Release date, cast, plot and latest news
Button House is closing its doors – but first, one last festive celebration.
There's not long now until Christmas Day and – perhaps just as excitingly – the last ever episode of Ghosts.
After the dramatic season 5 ending saw a pregnant Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) decide to stay at Button House for the foreseeable future, this year's festive episode sees her and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) return home from hospital with their newborn baby in tow.
The Ghosts 2023 Christmas special trailer gave us our first look at the happy family and revealed the infant is called Mia – although Kitty (Lolly Adefope) seemed to prefer her earlier nickname, Bumpy.
Speaking to RadioTimes.com and other press ahead of the launch, Ghosts co-creator Laurence Rickard said a certain "degree of melancholy" would be "unavoidable" in the farewell episode.
However, co-creator Mathew Baynton added that the Christmas setting helps to give it "the sweet against the bitter" as caveman Robin (Rickard) seeks out something to give him that unique festive feeling.
Read on for everything you need to know about Ghosts 2023 Christmas special.
Ghosts Christmas special 2023 release date: When can I watch it?
The Ghosts Christmas special 2023 will air on BBC One at 7:45pm on Christmas Day (Monday 25th December).
This is the second time that the Button House gang have bagged a coveted spot on the Christmas Day schedule, with season 2 and 3's festive editions not quite making the cut (settling instead for the moderately less exciting 23rd).
Of course, we would expect nothing less for the show's big send-off.
Is the Ghosts Christmas special 2023 the final episode?
Yes – and we really mean it this time.
Ghosts is confirmed to be ending with its fifth season, which we weren't initially told included another Christmas special – but we're not complaining!
The writers behind the hit series have explained why they're wrapping things up, while they've also spoken about the possibility of returning to Button House for a reunion sometime in the future.
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Co-creator and star Mathew Baynton saw one potential issue with that idea.
He told RadioTimes.com and other press: "The thing about the show, and it's probably a good thing in that it stopped us from being tempted to do it forever and ever, is that the ghosts can't age. And some of us were already pushing it, playing the age.
"I'm talking about myself. There's a few of us that could, in theory, grow into their roles for a while... For me, the gulf between my age and Thomas's is ever-widening."
He added: "I mean, in theory, we could do a special in 10 years but I think some CGI would be needed. You’ll have to deep fake my old face onto my actual one."
Earlier this year, co-star Kiell Smith-Bynoe told RadioTimes.com that the last episode of Ghosts is "very final" – and it now appears he was referring to this Christmas special, which had not been announced at the time of our Big RT Interview.
Ghosts Christmas special 2023 cast: Who stars?
The confirmed Ghosts cast for this final special includes:
- Charlotte Ritchie as Alison
- Kiell Smith-Bynoe as Mike
- Mathew Baynton as Thomas
- Simon Farnaby as Julian
- Lolly Adefope as Kitty
- Martha Howe-Douglas as Lady Button
- Jim Howick as Pat
- Laurence Rickard as Robin/Humphrey
- Ben Willbond as the Captain
- Sutara Gayle as Betty
Prior to the cast being confirmed, Rickard told RadioTimes.com that "it's possible we'll get to see a character that we've had before again" – which led to hopes that Katy Wix could cameo as witchcraft victim, Mary.
However, it is now clear he was referring to Sutara Gayle's Betty, the mother of Mike, who was first introduced in the 2020 Christmas special – 'The Ghost of Christmas'.
Ghosts Christmas special 2023 plot: What will happen?
The official synopsis is as follows: "Christmas is just around the corner and Mike’s mum, Betty, is staying. Although she is just trying to be helpful, Mike and Alison soon lose patience with her interfering ways. There’s no easy way to ask her to go home so the couple (and the Ghosts) struggle on, with Button House feeling fuller than ever.
"Now a Christmas convert, Robin is missing that all important 'Christmassy' feeling, so the gang share their secrets to getting into the festive spirit. But when even more decorations and merry music don’t do the trick, the Ghosts wonder if Robin will be able to capture that Christmas magic again?"
Ghosts Christmas special 2023 trailer: When can I watch it?
Right now!
Enjoy the festive Ghosts teaser below:
Ghosts 2023 Christmas special airs on BBC One at 7:45pm on Christmas Day. Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.
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Authors
David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.
