10 Best Ghosts (BBC) Episodes, Ranked
Introduction
A country manor full of ghosts sounds like the start of a horror story, but the BBC sitcom Ghosts makes Button House one of television’s most welcoming homes. Alison and Mike inherit the crumbling estate and hope to make it pay its way. They soon discover it is occupied by an assortment of spirits from different centuries, each with their own habits, arguments and ideas about who gets to run the place. After an accident leaves Alison able to see and hear them, the couple’s renovation project becomes a very unusual shared-house arrangement.
The best Ghosts episodes balance that supernatural hook with ordinary pressures: money, family, work, memory and the need to be understood. A party booking can bring the dead into contact with the living world; a birthday or Christmas visit can expose the ghosts’ hopes and insecurities. Meanwhile, Alison and Mike still have bills to pay and a building to maintain. The show’s warmth comes from taking both sides seriously, even when the immediate joke is completely absurd.
This countdown follows your ranking, from “Who Do You Think You Are?” at number ten to “Gone Gone” at number one. It weighs how clearly an episode sets up its story, how well it uses the ensemble, the strength of its comic situations and how much emotional or thematic weight it adds. There are five series of the original British sitcom, and these choices range from the opening introduction to character-focused episodes and Christmas specials. This list is about the BBC original, not the separate American adaptation.
Alison is the bridge between Button House’s living and dead residents; Mike is a kind, practical presence who cannot see the ghosts and often finds himself caught in the middle. The spirits are not interchangeable: the Captain’s discipline, Kitty’s longing for affection, Julian’s selfishness, Thomas’s romantic self-image and Robin’s ancient perspective create different comic rhythms. A great episode lets those traits collide with the couple’s immediate problem. It can be a small domestic inconvenience or news that changes the house, as long as the characters’ reactions make it feel specific.
Episode titles, series numbers and premises were checked against the British Comedy Guide. For UK viewing, BBC iPlayer is the main service to check; streaming guides also list UKTV Play, and catalogues can change. Whether you want a first episode, a festive watch or a story that gives the ghosts a real turning point, this ranking offers a route through Button House. Let’s get into it 👇
The countdown rewards episodes that make Button House feel like a real shared home, even when the immediate crisis involves supernatural rules rather than ordinary housework.
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10. Who Do You Think You Are? — Series 1, Episode 1
Cash-strapped Alison and Mike inherit Button House, a grand country manor that seems to offer a fresh start. The estate is in poor repair, however, and it is already home to ghosts from many centuries. After an accident leaves Alison able to see and hear them, she and Mike must work out how to live with the spirits while renovating the property and trying to make it viable. The ghosts are not eager to share, and the couple’s dream home quickly becomes a repair project with an invisible group of tenants.
As an opener, it has a lot to establish: the house, its rules and a large ensemble. Charlotte Ritchie makes Alison’s confusion an accessible point of entry, while Kiell Smith-Bynoe gives Mike an appealingly practical counterpoint. The ghosts arrive as distinct personalities shaped by their eras, promising a durable source of comedy. Meanwhile, the couple’s financial stress grounds the supernatural setup in recognisable modern worries.
It earns tenth place by introducing the series with clarity and charm. It ranks below the other episodes because its main job is foundational: later stories use the ensemble more freely and offer stronger emotional turns once viewers know Button House. This is an effective first episode, but a less distinctive standalone story than those above it.
Start here if you are new to the BBC original or enjoy a gentle haunted-house comedy. For current UK access, check BBC iPlayer; streaming guides also list UKTV Play. Episode availability can change.
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9. The Thomas Thorne Affair — Series 2, Episode 4
Thomas takes Alison through memories of a past romance, hoping to explain the man he was before he became one of Button House’s ghosts. The other spirits have their own recollections, and their versions muddy his account. While Alison tries to make sense of the competing stories, Mike is unsettled by his own memories of Alison’s past. The episode explores how people shape romantic history: Thomas wants his version believed, while his housemates know memory can flatter, distort or omit awkward details.
Mathew Baynton plays Thomas as a romantic poet who is both sincere and grandly self-regarding. The others puncture his performance without erasing his longing. Alison provides a natural listener, and the ghosts’ conflicting testimony turns a flashback story into ensemble comedy. Mike’s parallel thread makes the theme relevant to the living couple too: an old story can still provoke present-day insecurity.
Ninth place recognises the episode’s character insight and playful use of unreliable memory. It sits below the higher entries because it is conversational rather than built around a tightly escalating comic situation. Its reward is the new shade it adds to Thomas, not a major change to Button House or a cascade of set-pieces.
Choose this for romantic melancholy, lively ghostly commentary and a story about self-image. For current UK access, check BBC iPlayer; streaming guides also list UKTV Play. Episode availability can change.
8. Happy Death Day — Series 1, Episode 3
It is Pat’s “Death Day,” the anniversary of the day he died, and he is preparing for his family’s annual visit to the place where it happened. The ritual helps him feel close to relatives who now live without him, and Alison becomes involved in his hopes for the occasion. This is especially unsettling for a group who have spent so long treating the manor as permanent. The other ghosts watch as Pat anticipates a moment that matters deeply to him. The central question is tender: can an afterlife resident still feel part of a family tradition when he can no longer join it in the ordinary way?
Jim Howick gives Pat an open-hearted enthusiasm that makes the premise more than a joke about a dead man celebrating his death. His excitement and vulnerability coexist, and the episode lets the other characters respond in their own registers. Alison’s effort to help bridges the gap between the living family and Pat’s expectations. The show’s tonal balance is already clear: the story is funny, but its emotion grows naturally from the character.
At number eight, this early episode proves that the show can make a supernatural idea genuinely tender. It ranks below the entries above it because the action is contained and the ensemble’s roles are less varied than in the strongest set-pieces. Pat’s story gives the countdown an important emotional counterweight and helps establish why he is one of Button House’s most affecting ghosts.
Watch it for warmth, character comedy and a little emotional depth alongside the haunted-house premise. For current UK access, check BBC iPlayer; streaming guides also list UKTV Play. Episode availability can change.
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7. The Ghost of Christmas — 2020 Christmas Special
Alison and Mike are hosting Mike’s family at Button House for Christmas for the first time, and Mike is determined to make the visit go well. The ghosts are part of the household, but the guests cannot see them, so the couple must manage the family gathering while the spirits watch from the edges. Mike’s wish for a perfect holiday competes with the awkwardness of entertaining relatives in a house where invisible residents have their own opinions. A family visit becomes a test of hospitality and of how much chaos the couple can conceal.
The special uses the show’s central comic advantage: Alison and Mike are never hosting only the people they invited. The ghosts supply a second audience and another set of reactions, so a familiar family gathering becomes unpredictable. Mike’s need to impress gives the story a sympathetic centre, while Alison knows perfection is unlikely when the spirits can derail a plan without being seen. The seasonal setting adds warmth without replacing the characters as the source of the comedy.
Seventh place recognises its cosy atmosphere and focus on Mike’s family ties. It ranks below “It’s Behind You” because the later special gives the spirits a shared mission and stronger momentum, while this one uses a more familiar awkward-hosting format. It is a charming seasonal watch, but not as distinctive as the episodes above it.
Pick this for a festive, low-stress story about family and trying to impress guests. For current UK access, check BBC iPlayer; streaming guides also list UKTV Play. Episode availability can change.
6. It’s Behind You — 2022 Christmas Special
Alison is away with Mike and his family for Christmas, and the ghosts want to surprise her with a special present when she returns. Their plan is ambitious and the clock is ticking, so the spirits must organise themselves without Alison to coordinate them. A journey home brings complications, while Kitty is given a chance to step forward after an encouraging pep talk. Usually Alison helps the ghosts; this time the housemates are trying to do something thoughtful for her.
Giving the ghosts a deadline turns their bickering into active teamwork. Each resident has a different idea of what makes a good present, and the comedy comes from the group’s inability to coordinate without the person they normally rely on. Kitty’s focus is welcome because her enthusiasm can hide uncertainty; the episode lets her take initiative. The travelling thread keeps the special connected to Mike and Alison as a couple, rather than leaving the living characters out.
Sixth place puts it above the 2020 special because it gives the ensemble a clearer goal and a generous emotional payoff. It misses the top five because the deadline structure is seasonal, while the higher entries develop more lasting questions about the characters and their home. Still, this is one of the series’ most affectionate ensemble stories.
Choose it for a Christmas rewatch, a ghostly group project and a welcome Kitty moment. For current UK access, check BBC iPlayer; streaming guides also list UKTV Play. Episode availability can change.
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5. Carpe Diem — Series 5, Episode 5
Robin has a revelation that unsettles the ghosts and prompts them to think about the legacies they will leave behind. Alison and Mike, meanwhile, decide to have a spontaneous night out. The two strands place questions about memory and time beside the human wish to stop working for an evening. Each ghost has a different relationship to being remembered, and their lifespans shape their responses, while the couple try to take a break from repairs, finances and the demands of Button House.
The episode draws on Robin’s ancient perspective without making the others’ concerns seem trivial. His way of understanding time widens the frame, while the ghosts respond according to their own histories and fears. Alison and Mike’s night out is a grounded counterpoint, and it feels earned after years spent keeping the house and business running. The humour and reflection fit together because both threads ask what people do with the time and relationships they have.
Fifth place rewards its thematic reach and the way Robin’s revelation changes the mood of the group. It ranks above the seasonal specials for reflective depth, but below the final four because its central idea is less tightly organised around a comic set-piece. It is memorable as a thoughtful episode, not the sharpest farce in the countdown.
Watch this for a philosophical turn that still leaves room for a night-out comedy thread. For current UK access, check BBC iPlayer; streaming guides also list UKTV Play. Episode availability can change.
4. Last Resort — Series 5, Episode 6
Mike and Alison receive an extraordinary offer that could change Button House’s future, and they have to decide what to do. The choice matters to the ghosts too: the manor is their home and the centre of their shared afterlife. Alison and Mike must weigh a tempting opportunity against their attachment to the place and the people, living and dead, who depend on it. The season finale turns years of practical worries about money and repairs into a decision with consequences for the whole household.
The offer works because financial pressure has been part of the show’s texture from the start. It asks what Alison and Mike want after spending so long trying to keep the building afloat. The ghosts experience the news differently because Button House is their only home. Their reactions add emotional range, while the couple’s dilemma keeps the story moving. Comedy and uncertainty share the same space rather than one cancelling the other out.
Fourth place reflects the episode’s meaningful stakes and its effect on both the couple and the ghosts. It edges “Carpe Diem” through stronger momentum and wider consequences for the house, but the top three have more distinctive comic construction. Its strength is that the decision feels consequential to the entire ensemble.
Choose this for a season-ending story about belonging and the future of the house. For current UK access, check BBC iPlayer; streaming guides also list UKTV Play. Episode availability can change.
3. Redding Weddy — Series 2, Episode 3
Alison and Mike are trying to secure another event booking for Button House, but an obstacle stands between them and their first potential client, Claire. Their event planner Martin tells them what is holding the deal back. The couple need bookings to support the house, yet events bring outsiders into a building whose ghostly residents will not behave like ordinary background noise. The Captain fears that the event visit could uncover a closely guarded part of his wartime past, while the ghosts’ evening plans create a second strand of household friction.
This episode shows how the premise works in practical terms: Button House is not only haunted, it must function as a business. That gives Alison and Mike an immediate, grounded problem, while the spirits make professional presentation difficult. The booking visit unexpectedly intersects with the Captain’s wartime memories and reveals a more vulnerable side beneath his strict authority. It feels like a whole-house problem, not a detached client-of-the-week story.
Third place rewards its world-building and the way the couple’s commercial future feeds the comedy. It ranks above “Last Resort” for variety and a more playful use of the ensemble, but below the top two because its stakes are more modest. The leading episodes either shift the ghosts’ relationships or transform a routine house problem into a particularly memorable set-piece.
This suits Captain fans and viewers interested in the couple’s efforts to run Button House as a venue. For current UK access, check BBC iPlayer; streaming guides also list UKTV Play. Episode availability can change.
2. The Woodworm Men — Series 3, Episode 3
Button House has to be fumigated for woodworm, so Alison and Mike save money by camping in the grounds overnight while the treatment takes effect. The plan gives the ghosts a rare chance to experience the outdoors: Pat and the Captain are delighted, while Alison and Mike turn the night into a friendly contest over who is the better camper. Inside, Mary is frightened by “woodworm men” and tries to eliminate them. Lady Button’s hoped-for break from Mary’s usual scolding has its own complications.
The change of setting is more than a visual novelty. Pat and the Captain respond to the grounds through their own memories, while the couple bring competitive modern camping energy to an old estate. Mary’s fear and Lady Button’s reaction create a second comic strand indoors, and the episode lets the pairings feel distinct. Its simple premise gives the cast room to play around practical tasks, ghostly misunderstandings and the question of who is actually good at camping.
It earns second place for variety, visual freshness and how naturally character differences drive both halves. It beats “Redding Weddy” by giving the ensemble more comic combinations and a stronger central image. It narrowly misses number one because “Gone Gone” carries an emotional turning point through an equally lively set-piece. This is the best choice when you want the whole house in motion.
Choose it for a change of scenery, a camping contest and Mary’s anxious subplot. For current UK access, check BBC iPlayer; streaming guides also list UKTV Play. Episode availability can change.
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1. Gone Gone — Series 4, Episode 4
Shocking news rocks Button House just as a booking mix-up leaves Mike and Alison with a last-minute children’s birthday party they are unprepared to host. The couple scramble to create a memorable event, with Pat offering dated menu ideas and Robin eager to join the games. The ghosts’ upheaval interrupts the party and forces Alison and Thomas to bring everyone together. Mike and Alison are trying not to disappoint their clients while the spirits confront news that may change their shared home and relationships.
The episode fits a major character turn inside a busy sitcom plot. The party supplies a clear deadline and physical comedy, while the ghosts’ emotional crisis gives the story a deeper centre. Pat tries to support Kitty, Robin offers unexpected wisdom, and Alison’s role as the bridge between worlds becomes especially important. While Mike improvises a children’s party, the ghosts face a change that could redefine their life together. Every thread contributes to the feeling of a household under pressure.
“Gone Gone” takes first place because it combines the series’ funniest practical chaos, its strongest ensemble work and an emotional development that feels earned. It beats “The Woodworm Men” by making the event plot matter to a deeper shift among the ghosts while keeping the comedy active. It also shows how far Alison has become part of this strange household since the opening episode. The result is funny, affecting and important to the characters’ story.
Start here if you know the Button House residents and want party mishaps alongside a meaningful turning point. For current UK access, check BBC iPlayer; streaming guides also list UKTV Play. Episode availability can change.
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Conclusion
The best Ghosts episodes use the afterlife to sharpen familiar feelings: wanting to be remembered, worrying that home might change, trying to impress family or wishing somebody would listen. “Happy Death Day” gives Pat’s ritual a tender centre; “The Thomas Thorne Affair” plays with the stories people tell about love; and the Christmas specials show two sides of the household. For a first watch, start with “Who Do You Think You Are?”; for a reflective one, try “Carpe Diem.”
“Gone Gone” wins because it gives the ghosts a genuine turning point while still delivering the party logistics and ensemble comedy that make the show so inviting. Its emotional stakes grow directly from the relationships at Button House, and the living couple’s immediate problem keeps the episode funny and brisk. Which episode would you put at number one? Share your favourite, or tell us which Button House story deserves a place in the countdown.
That mix also helps explain the show’s unusual appeal across ages and moods. The ghosts bring historical absurdities, but their loneliness, loyalty and grudges remain recognisable. The living couple’s unfinished house projects keep those feelings attached to everyday life. Together, those elements make these episodes easy to revisit long after the mystery of who can see the spirits has been settled.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best episode of the BBC’s Ghosts?
This ranking puts “Gone Gone” first. In Series 4, Episode 4, Mike and Alison are unexpectedly hosting a children’s party while the ghosts confront shocking news of their own. The episode gives the couple a brisk comic problem and the spirits an emotional turning point, allowing the full ensemble to contribute to one story.
Is the BBC version of Ghosts the same as the American version?
No. This list covers the original British sitcom, which follows Alison and Mike at Button House with ghosts from different historical periods. The American adaptation has its own characters and plots. Episode titles such as “The Woodworm Men” and “Redding Weddy” refer specifically to the BBC series.
How many episodes are in the BBC Ghosts series?
The original sitcom has five series and 34 regular episodes. Christmas and other specials are listed separately in episode guides, so totals can vary depending on whether specials are included. The British Comedy Guide identifies the show as a BBC One sitcom that ran from 2019 to 2023.
Where can I watch Ghosts in the UK?
As checked on 6 November 2026, BBC iPlayer is the main UK service to check for the original series. Streaming guides also list UKTV Play with adverts and Sky Go. Catalogue availability and catch-up windows can change, so check the live listing on the service before watching.
What episode is The Thomas Thorne Affair?
“The Thomas Thorne Affair” is Series 2, Episode 4. Thomas shares his version of a past romance with Alison, but the other ghosts remember the events differently. Mike also has a parallel story involving memories of Alison’s past, giving the episode a living-couple thread alongside its ghostly recollections.
What happens in Happy Death Day?
In Series 1, Episode 3, Pat marks the anniversary of the day he died. He anticipates his family’s annual visit to the place where it happened, and Alison and the other ghosts become involved. The story combines an unusual supernatural ritual with Pat’s wish to stay connected to his living family.
Which Ghosts Christmas special is called It’s Behind You?
“It’s Behind You” is the 2022 Christmas special, associated with Series 4. The ghosts plan a special present for Alison while she is away with Mike’s family, and Kitty gets an opportunity to step into the spotlight. It is distinct from the 2020 special, “The Ghost of Christmas.”
What is The Woodworm Men about?
Button House is fumigated for woodworm, so Alison and Mike camp in the grounds overnight to save money. Pat and the Captain are pleased to be outside, while Mary is frightened by the notion of woodworm men. It is Series 3, Episode 3 and gives the sitcom a change of setting from its familiar rooms.
Who are the main ghosts in the BBC sitcom?
The core group includes the Captain, Thomas, Julian, Lady Button, Pat, Kitty, Robin, Mary and Humphrey. Each died in a different era, and their clashing manners and assumptions create much of the comedy. Alison can see and hear them, while Mike cannot, creating an ongoing communication problem in the household.
Who created the original Ghosts?
The sitcom was created and written by Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond, who also play several of the ghosts. Charlotte Ritchie plays Alison and Kiell Smith-Bynoe plays Mike. The original series aired on BBC One from 2019 to 2023.
More Places to Find Great Movies and TV Shows
The British Comedy Guide’s Ghosts episode guide lists the original series, specials and episode order. The BBC iPlayer programme page is the official place to check UK availability. JustWatch UK’s Ghosts listing tracks streaming and rental options, which can change over time.
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