Even though the US version of Ghosts is a remake, it has enough differences to stand alone. The ghosts have been adapted to American culture, adding characters like a Revolutionary War soldier, a Native American man, and a 1920s jazz singer.
Sam (played by Rose McIver) and Jay (played by Utkarsh Ambudkar) also manage Woodstone Manor better than their British counterparts managed Button House.Many viewers in the US did not see the UK version because it did not air on major television networks, although some might have watched it on streaming services.
Having both versions seemed fine at first since there has not been much overlap in plot, aside from the basic idea of the show.
However, now there is a German version being made by BBC Studios Germany, and a French version is also in development.
An Australian adaptation has been announced, set to premiere on Paramount+ in 2025. The US version will now have to compete for viewers with these other adaptations, which can dilute what makes Ghosts special.
The US version is already following familiar territory laid out by the UK sitcom. With multiple shows sharing the same idea and similar characters airing at once, the unique qualities of the series may become less noticeable.
The original Ghosts was not based on a major movie, toy, or another successful project, making it unique with its fresh concept. However, if there are many versions of the same series, its specialness may fade.
A Bigger Problem in Hollywood
Creating many adaptations of the same show highlights that many studios prefer to promote ideas that have already been successful rather than support original ideas. Recent Emmy winner Richard Gadd (from Baby Reindeer) mentioned this in his acceptance speech.
He said, “I know the industry is in a slump right now, and I know it might put pressure on networks and stuff to tighten the purse strings and broaden the slate, but I do believe no slump was ever broken without willingness to take risks.”
Gadd’s statement is significant and addresses the current state of Hollywood. It calls out studios that focus too much on airing franchises or shows with an established fan base. This limits the chances for truly unique ideas to shine.
If studios and streaming services can only approve a limited number of projects each year, this restricts the number of original projects that can be seen by viewers.
At this rate, in the future, we might only watch reboots, remakes, and spin-offs with no special or different ideas.
It is understandable that the Ghosts team wants to take advantage of their success, but the US version may struggle to keep some of what made it great.
