BBC Studios to produce German adaptation of Ghosts for WDR, ARD Mediathek

Ghosts is heading to Germany

BBC Studios Germany, WDR and ARD Mediathek are teaming up for a German version of the comedy series Ghosts. The 6×30’ series, directed by Erik Haffner and produced by BBC Studios Germany, is currently filming in Cologne.

The German adaptation’s screenwriters are Yves Hensel and Aylin Kockler, with Claudius Pläging providing additional dialogue. Tom Holzhauser and Anne Lindemann are responsible for cinematography. Filming will continue throughout the summer.

The show is a production of BBC Studios Germany, with Eva Holtmann as producer and Nina Sollich as executive Pproducer, on behalf of WDR for ARD. The editor in charge is Anke Hirschel.

The show marks the first in-house production for BBC Studios Germany, confirmed Holtmann.

The German version features a cast that includes Cristina do Rego and Benito Bause as a young couple who inherit an old mansion and decide to turn it into a hotel, as per the UK original on BBC One and the US remake on CBS.

Ghosts living in the mansion include a Neanderthal (played by Jan van Weyde), a Roman legionnaire (Max Giermann), a countess (Antje Widdra), a feminist maid (Meltem Kaptan), an insurance salesman (Sebastian Schwarz), a teacher (Sina Tkotsch) and love-hungry poet (Alexander Khuon).

André Renaud, senior VP of global format sales for BBC Studios, said: “The comedic happenings of Ghosts continue to entertain audiences in the UK and US, and I’m delighted that German viewers will now also have their own version on WDR.”

Alexander Bickel, WDR’s fiction director, added: “We are pleased to add a completely unique programme colour to ARD Mediathek with the German adaptation of the successful British series. Ghosts captivates with a special, warm-hearted humour and will hopefully inspire audiences in Germany next year.”

The show marks the first in-house production for BBC Studios Germany, confirmed producer Eva Holtmann.

Since its original airing on the BBC One in the UK, Ghosts has chalked up five seasons. The US version is in production for its fourth season on CBS. Ghosts was created by Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond. The UK version is produced by Monumental Television and distributed by BBC Studios.