Ghosts Christmas Special 2021: when is it on the BBC, who is in the cast and what’s the plot?

The Horrible Histories gang are returning to Button House for another Ghosts Christmas special
A promotional image for the 2020 Ghosts Christmas special (Credit: BBC/Monumental Television/Guido Mandozzi)A promotional image for the 2020 Ghosts Christmas special (Credit: BBC/Monumental Television/Guido Mandozzi)
A promotional image for the 2020 Ghosts Christmas special (Credit: BBC/Monumental Television/Guido Mandozzi)

The Horrible Histories gang are once again returning for another Ghosts Christmas special – and this time it’s going to guest-star Jennifer Saunders.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2021 Ghosts Christmas special

What is it about?

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This year’s Ghosts Christmas special sees Button House with an unexpected visitor: Santa Claus. Possibly. Or maybe just someone called Nicholas.

According to the official synopsis for this episode, “Kitty becomes convinced that Santa has made an early stop at Button House when Mike and Alison discover a man living in a tent on their grounds.”

“The ghosts’ advice on how to deal with him leaves much to be desired, but eventually Mike and Alison learn that they have more to offer this Christmas than they realised.”

Who is in the cast?

Jennifer Saunders and Martha Howe-Douglas in the 2021 Ghosts Christmas special (Credit: BBC/Monumental Television/Guido Mandozzi)Jennifer Saunders and Martha Howe-Douglas in the 2021 Ghosts Christmas special (Credit: BBC/Monumental Television/Guido Mandozzi)
Jennifer Saunders and Martha Howe-Douglas in the 2021 Ghosts Christmas special (Credit: BBC/Monumental Television/Guido Mandozzi)

Charlotte Ritchie and Kiell Smith-Bynoe will once again star as Allison and Mike, owners of the haunted mansion Button House. You’ll know Smith-Bynoe from his fantastic performance in Stath Lets Flats, and you’ll recognise Charlotte Ritchie from any number of programmes like Feel Good, Dead Pixels, Taskmaster, Doctor Who, Call the Midwife, and of course Fresh Meat.

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The cast of Horrible Histories, meanwhile, will appear as the Ghosts: Matthew Baynton (The Split), Jim Howick (Sex Education), Martha Howe-Douglas (Motherland), Lawrence Rickard (Bill), Simon Farnaby (who writes the Paddington movies), Katy Wix (Stath Lets Flats), Lolly Adefope (Shrill) and Ben Wilbond (The Thick of It).

This year’s Christmas special also features a guest appearance from Jennifer Saunders as Lady Button’s mother. You’ll know her from Absolutely Fabulous and French and Saunders, or perhaps last year’s Harlan Coben crime drama The Stranger. She’s next due to be in Agatha Christie movie Death on the Nile.

Where can I watch it?

The 2021 Ghosts Christmas special will air on BBC One at 8.30pm on Thursday 23 December.

It’ll be available on iPlayer immediately after that.

Where can I see the trailer?

There is no trailer for the Ghosts Christmas special yet.

Will there be a Ghosts Series 4?

Yes! A fourth series of Ghosts was confirmed earlier this year, with filming for the next six episodes scheduled for early next year. There’s no airdate confirmed yet but it’ll likely be around Autumn 2022.

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Meanwhile, if you’re missing Ghosts, you might want to check out the recent US adaptation. CBS Ghosts stars Rose McIver (iZombie) and Utkarsh Ambudkar (The Mindy Project), and it was recently announced that Veep star Matt Walsh would guest star in season 2 early next year.

Why should I watch it?

Because last year’s Ghosts Christmas special was one of their best episodes yet, and even if you’re not already familiar with the Button House spirits you can guarantee it’ll be a wholesome Christmassy comedy.

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