Ghosts season 5 spoilers follow.
One of the best British comedies in recent years has been BBC's Ghosts – and sadly, it has now (dearly) departed, save for an upcoming Christmas special.
The sitcom concerned the young married couple Alison and Mike (Charlotte Richie and Kiell Smith-Bynoe) who inherited an old, dilapidated mansion and, unknown to them, a whole host of revenant inhabitants from all points of British history.
Alison had a near-fatal fall which meant she was able to see the ghosts, and the unlikely band of misfits went on to weather life's (and death's) challenges, becoming a family along the way.
The show, created by the stars of Horrible Histories Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Larry Rickard and Ben Willbond, became a firm favourite with fans of all ages – however, it seems to have resonated most with LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent fans.
Related: Ghosts stars and creators explain decision to end with season 5
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To celebrate its lasting legacy, we spoke to some of those fans who have found something special in the show – a cosy, comforting nature that never judges and makes fans feel seen and accepted in ways they never had before.
This is especially relevant for many neurodivergent and queer people who don't feel accepted in their real lives.
Ghosts "makes it feel like I’m safe," one fan, Taylor, expressed to us. "I belong somewhere and I couldn't be any more grateful for that."
Of course, a great deal of the love from LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent people goes to the Captain (Ben Willbond), the World War Two soldier trapped in a past where being gay could have gotten him killed. Throughout the show we see the Captain battling with his internal demons but, through the love of his found family, feels safe enough to come out of his shell, share his interests and even eventually – kind of – come out.
A highlight came in series two, when the ghosts find out a couple getting married at Button House are same-sex. Amidst the bigoted rants of the late Lady Button, you see a small glimmer of recognition from the Captain: a realisation that who he is isn't illegal or wrong now.
Although he isn't explicitly autistic, many of the Captain's traits – such as his need for routine and passion for his special interests – resonate with autistic viewers. However these are never things that are made fun of. While the other ghosts might mock his need for order, they recognise the role he plays not only in the house but their family.
This can also be said for the rest of the characters: the way Kitty is energetically excited about everything, Pat's fear of breaking the rules, Fanny's insistence on upholding them, Thomas struggling to regulate his emotions, and the general unbridled chaos of Robin, Mary and Julian.
Seeing themselves represented in little ways makes fans feel more seen. It means a huge deal that however intended or unintended, neurodivergent traits are never the butt of the joke – instead, as fan Bex notes, "We are included in on the joke and see ourselves in characters who are clearly beloved, neurodivergent traits and all."
Likewise, the captain's 'secret' sexuality is not his sole defining characteristic, nor is it used for laughs. He is a well-written, multi-dimensional character who also happens to be gay.
In series four, Kitty helps the Captain to embrace spontaneity and realise that his day doesn't have to be thrown off when plans change. This resonated with autistic viewers as changes to routine can be a big trigger.
By showing the Captain kindness and inviting him into her day, Kitty allows him to feel safe to be "his true, fabulous self", which we see at the end of the episode when he appears without his jacket and with his sleeves rolled up.
In turn, he doesn't laugh at Kitty or think her naive, instead he admires her positivity and ability to create the best out of bad situations. Their friendship is often compared to that of a father and daughter in the way he is proud of her and she has enabled him to grow without judgement.
In series five viewers finally found out everything they needed to about the Captain. In a moment of true growth, he admitted to his fellow ghosts that as well as never being a decorated hero, the only reason he was at Button House on the day of his death was to find his secret love, Lieutenant Havers.
The scene was both remarkable and heartbreaking, and straight after, the usually bigoted Lady Button became the first to tell him that she still thought he was brave.
The subtext was there for many to feel in ways they hadn't had in their own lives: you are loved and accepted here.
Although the Captain is the only explicitly LGBTQ+ character, fans identify with the whole host of spectres. From Kitty being obsessed with love but disgusted by men and sex, to the connection between Julian and Robin, through Annie helping Mary find her voice to Thomas' all-encompassing infatuations.
It helps that the cast are all allies of LGBTQ+ rights, and there are countless photos of them across the internet holding pride flags.
"Knowing the cast stands with us, especially in the current situation is something I will be forever grateful for," says fan Eli.
Ghosts will be hugely missed, but the incredible community it has created in a time when LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent people are feeling less safe will live on.
Ghosts airs on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer. A Christmas special will also air in 2023.
Ghosts: The Button House Archives is published by Bloomsbury on October 26, and is available to pre-order now.
Rachel is a freelance journalist and activist, they specialise in disability and (among other things) the way it's portrayed in TV and film.
They are currently a columnist at The Canary and have previously written for the Daily Mirror, where she also guest edited their groundbreaking series Disabled Britain.
She writes mostly about politics and disability, but her true love is TV, especially the best TV show ever (in their opinion) Ghosts. When they're not writing they can be found walking their sausage dog Rusty.
