The date of 23 October 2026 has been in my diary since they announced the release date of Ghosts: The Possession of Button House. Yesterday, the BBC released a short behind-the-scenes look at the film featuring the cast. Naturally, having reviewed all 34 episodes and five Christmas specials, I of course watched it.
I don’t typically like watching behind-the-scenes programmes, as I feel they can often spoil the plot of the film. In this case, it hasn’t given much more away than what was in the trailer, but there were some interesting, juicy bits of general information that I enjoyed hearing about.
Humphrey’s head and Julian’s cold days
For example, did you know that Humphrey’s head is sometimes a model head – often used in stunts where it is falling downstairs or perched precariously on a ledge – that weighs the same as a human head? Laurence Rickard, who plays both Robin and Humphrey’s head, actually takes the head home, and it is on display in his home office. (Not me trying to search to see if I could find a replica for my office!)
The film has seemingly been shot in the colder months, and it is then that you appreciate how bloomin’ cold it must be for Julian, played by Simon Farnaby. Out there in the middle of a field wearing no pants. In between takes, you can see how cold he must get, as the second the cameras stop rolling he is bundled up in layers.
He is certainly suffering for his craft, and as a fan it makes you ‘warm’ (pardon the pun) to Julian a little more – not too much though, he will just get smug.
New make-up and a closer look at Button House
There have been some adaptations that needed to be made for filming the film. For example, more cameras and more close-ups. This means that the make-up needs to be adapted because, and I didn’t appreciate this, make-up for film needs to be vastly different from television.
In Robin’s case, for example, it has meant a change to his prosthetics and more time in the make-up chair – up to three hours each time and up to an hour to take it off.
I also enjoyed taking a look at the different filming locations in the house, finding out that there are strict conditions in some of the rooms.
For example, in the giant hall/living space where the ghosts seem to spend most of their time and hold their special clubs and meetings – who could forget food club and impressions club? – the rules are that nobody is permitted to touch the walls, so the cast and crew have to move around carefully.
It sort of reminded me of the episode where Mike and Alison had a film crew into Button House and were carefully counting people in and out of the room so that the floor didn’t collapse.
It was lovely seeing the cast back together, and this little sneak peek into the making of the film has got me even more excited for the release on Friday 23 October. I already have my ticket booked!
Access All Areas: Ghosts – Inside the Movie is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
