Ghosts UK vs. Ghosts US: Which Version Reigns Supreme?

Ghosts U.K. vs. Ghosts U.S.

Welcome to MsMojo, and in this installment of Versus, we’re crossing the pond to compare the CBS sitcom “Ghosts” with its original U.K. version. If you’re not up to date on either series, we wouldn’t want you to be haunted by spoilers; you have been warned!

Round 1: Setting Up the Story

Both versions begin similarly: a couple inherits a rundown house from a distant relative they hardly knew. Despite the state of the place, they decide to stay and try their hand at the hospitality business. Naturally, the resident ghosts aren’t thrilled and do their best to scare them off. Here’s where the versions differ: in the U.K. edition, former MP Julian Fawcett, the only ghost who can physically interact with the living world, takes matters into his own hands. After Alison’s near-death experience, she sees ghosts everywhere. The spirits pester her until a truce is formed. But will Alison ever learn what truly happened that day? Spoiler: She does, and she’s not happy!

Both shows share another detail: the ghosts are people who died on the property and, for various reasons, haven’t moved on to the afterlife. Also, these spirits do not enjoy being walked through—though it leads to some hilarious moments, it’s quite unpleasant for them. So, the last thing they want is more livings to dodge! Like their U.K. counterparts, the Woodstone Manor ghosts try to scare Sam and Jay away. But unlike in the U.K., Sam’s life-changing accident happens by, well, accident. Though she freaks out over her new gift, she eventually finds a way to coexist with her ghostly roommates. Sam knows how her accident happened but doesn’t seem too upset about it.

Since the establishing story continues to haunt the series like a ghost in the shadows, we’re waving the U.K. flag on this one.

Winner: “Ghosts” U.K.

Round 2: Alison & Mike Cooper vs. Sam & Jay Arondekar

The main livings in the U.K. story are Alison and Mike Cooper. Alison discovers she’s the closest descendant of the Button dynasty and ends up with this old manor house. Once she can see the ghosts, her main role is as a bridge between her unlikely housemates and the world of the living. Mike can’t see the ghosts, which leads to plenty of funny and chaotic moments. Still, he seems to have accepted that his wife has this whole second life under their roof that he’s not part of. Still, Alison and Mike’s stories are mostly tied to the ghosts, with their own lives only getting attention when it drives the ghosts’ tales forward.

Like Alison, Sam is also the link between her ghosts and the living world. She absolutely serves them much like Alison does—if not more! However, Sam and Jay get their own storylines away from the ghosts, too. Also, while Mike seems mostly okay with not being able to see Alison’s ghostly companions, Jay makes a real effort to connect with them. He tries talking to them, acknowledges their presence, and even forms an unlikely friendship with Pete. Sure, he’s not always thrilled about being so out of the loop; who would be? However, he’s willing to put his chef skills to work, cooking meals for the ghosts—even if they can’t eat any of it.

We love both couples equally, but Sam and Jay just feel a bit more fleshed out and seem almost more immersed in their surroundings.

Winner: “Ghosts” U.S.

Round 3: The Ghosts

Meet the U.K. ghosts! Lady Fanny Button, the lady of the house, is joined by spirits from the Stone Age all the way to the 90s. The series does a great job revealing their backstories through flashbacks, explaining why they didn’t just move on after their untimely deaths— or as they put it: “getting sucked off.” While many storylines focus on the ghosts trying to get through eternity, what really makes it work is their tight-knit bond. Who would’ve thought a caveman, a Georgian aristocrat, and a theatrical Regency poet would have anything in common? It shows that no matter where or even when we come from, it’s our shared humanity that connects us all.

In the U.S. crew, you’ll meet a Viking, a young Lenape man, a Continental Army officer, and several ghosts from throughout the 20th century up to the turn of the millennium. These ghosts possess special powers that often manifest when they walk through the living. They’re just as close as the U.K. gang and we get to know them well as individuals, too. Also, just because they’re dead doesn’t mean their love lives have to be! It also expands the ghostly universe, with the basement cholera ghosts mingling more with the upstairs crowd than the plague ghosts from the U.K. series do. Plus, recurring and guest characters bring even more insight into ghostly existences!

The U.K. has such a phenomenal ensemble cast that carries the show superbly, but we also enjoy how the U.S. side expands the ghostly universe. Hmm, this is a tough one!

Winner: Tie

Round 4: The Historical Context

Them There, the comedic brains behind the series, are perhaps best known for their hilarious adaptation of the “Horrible Histories” book series, so they definitely know how to bring history to life! While history takes more of a backseat here, they do a fantastic job of weaving it into the ghosts’ stories. It’s just enough to help you connect these characters with the stuff you might remember from school. Plus, we love how the series tackles important topics like race, gender, and sexuality through characters like Kitty, Mary, and The Captain. Although it doesn’t go too deep, it encourages the audience to think about how much has changed since those days and whether it’s enough.

With more episodes to work with, the U.S. series digs deeper into history. Since British history might not connect with American audiences, the creators adapted their characters to reflect the country’s past. For example, instead of a caveman, they introduced a Viking! They even jumped on the “Hamilton” bandwagon with Isaac, who, ironically, isn’t a fan. Series creator Joe Port said it was important to them to respect the country’s Indigenous history, and we see that through Sasappis, a young Lenape man from roughly the 1500s. They started by including Indigenous voices in the writing room. The series also tackles race, gender, and sexuality more explicitly through characters like Alberta, Isaac, Flower, and Hetty.

The “Horrible Histories” gang really knows how to give a spirited history lesson, and their work laid the foundation for the U.S. series to get into more historical detail; they both have their merits!

Winner: Tie

Round 5: Handling Controversial Histories

Unlike the American version, the U.K. “Ghosts” doesn’t really have a character that channels the country’s darker past. The closest we get is The Captain, a closeted World War II officer who sadly never got to confess his love. Then there’s Mary, who tragically fell victim to the witch hunts. But if you know your British history, you’ll remember that much of their messier moments happened overseas, so it’s less likely that anyone with a truly dark past met their end at Button House. Who knows? Maybe if the series had continued or had more episodes per season, they’d have tackled the colonial history in their own clever way!

Remember Sass, the Lenape character we talked about? He gets a whole episode focused on his connection to the land. He fights to protect a tree that may not have a direct cultural link, but the episode ends with a ceremony honoring the Lenape tribe’s claim to the land. Unlike the British ghosts, who feel pretty homogeneous despite different timelines, the American version highlights a diverse mix of backgrounds, reflecting the country’s rich tapestry! Alberta, a ghost from the Prohibition era, tackles race while Isaac learns to embrace his identity as a gay man. Meanwhile, Flower, a free spirit from the ’60s, along with Alberta and Sam, helps Hetty see gender equality in a new light!

One series devotes more time to acknowledging, honoring, and celebrating its country’s varied history, “Oh say, can you see” who’s going to take this round?

Winner: “Ghosts” U.S.

Round 6: British Fright Flicks

Since this is a ghost story, we expect some classic ghostly tropes to show up. We’ve already discussed the darker beginnings, like how Julian is directly responsible for Alison’s fall. While the series doesn’t focus heavily on supernatural folklore, it leans into it enough to use it as a comedic device. For instance, Fanny stands in for the Grey Lady and has to relive her death every night, waking everyone up in the process. Then there’s Sir Humphrey, who mostly exists as a talking head while his body does its own thing. There’s even a creepy child ghost! It’s just the right amount of spookiness to keep us entertained without overwhelming us with the same old clichés!

The U.S. series also features eerie basement ghosts and a headless ghost, though the latter doesn’t play a major role. Instead of a kid, we meet Stephanie, the attic ghost, who practically embodies every teen slasher movie victim. Interestingly, unlike the U.K. version, this series skips the witch trials. However, it explores the connections between the living and the dead through séances and possession. They even address the strange fact that ghosts can walk through walls but don’t fall through floors—and can still sit on furniture! Plus, we learn that some materials are impenetrable to them. The show also deepens the link between the afterlife and the purgatory where these ghosts are stuck!

Both series incorporate the supernatural excellently, but in this case, we’re giving the U.K. series an extra booooo-st.

Winner: “Ghosts” U.K.

Round 7: The Humor

It goes without saying that British and American humor are quite different, and the “Ghosts” series exemplifies this. If you’ve watched “Horrible Histories” or “Yonderland,” you’ll know that these shows don’t box themselves into just one style of comedy, and this series is no exception. Sure, you’ll find the occasional physical or slapstick joke, but most of the humor is clever and plot-driven, not just thrown in for easy laughs. The creators also know when to hit the brakes on the comedy, allowing moments to be sad, poignant, or sentimental as needed. This balance means that, yes, there are plenty of laughs but enough heartfelt moments to make us feel like part of this oddball family!

If you love American sitcoms, then the U.S. version of “Ghosts” will be right up your alley! Despite its quirky setup, it’s got that friend-centric vibe we know and love, delving into character dynamics and the kind of romances you’d expect in your favorite sitcoms. Even some of the death stories have a silly twist—there’s even an episode that feels like a nod to the classic “Horrible Histories” “Stupid Deaths” segment! But don’t be fooled; this version has plenty of heart, too. It knows how to make us tear up when it counts. However, most of the time, it’s all about keeping things light and endlessly funny, and it does that brilliantly!

While this one might be subjective based on your sense of humor, it’s the U.K. version that just has the edge for us.

Winner: “Ghosts” U.K.

It was a close battle but the U.K. series narrowly takes the win today.

Winner: “Ghosts” U.K.

Have you watched both series? Which one is your winner? Let us know in the comments.