Ghosts features much of the same cast as the beloved BBC show Horrible Histories, as well as actors that have appeared in or written for iconic British TV shows over the years, such as Yonderland and The Armstrong and Miller Show. The actors have also appeared in Hollywood movies - for example, Simon Farnaby appeared in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story as an X-Wing pilot.
Each actor brings their personal style of humor to the show, and although Ghosts is a comedy, many of its actors flex their skills with dramatic roles, unlikable characters, and shows that tackle serious topics.
Katy Wix - The Windsors (2016-2020)
The Windsors is a brilliant satire of the English monarchy, taking the members of the royal family and dialing their personalities up to 11. Camilla Parker-Bowles is a criminal mastermind, Pippa Middleton is selfish and jealous of her sister Kate, and Fergie, played by Katie Wix, is a dim ex-royal trying to relive her glory days when she was part of the monarchy.
The ridiculous situations that the royal family finds themselves in are hilarious, such as Eugenie and Beatrice's attempts at starting a business, and Wills calling for an abolition of the monarchy, angering his father Charles.
Simon Farnaby - Paddington (2014) & Paddington 2 (2017)
Simon Farnaby is a hilarious member of the Horrible Histories crew, and his cameo appearances as a security guard named Barry in Paddington (2014) and Paddington 2 (2017) are a highlight of the films. In both films, a young bear named Paddington travels from Peru to London after his Aunt Lucy is put into a retirement home for bears.
Paddington is such an adorable movie, with celebrity guest stars making up the populace of London and creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Barry the security guard is especially brilliant in the second film when he recounts the moment he fell in love with a nun, who turns out to be a criminal actor named Phoenix Buchanan.
Ben Willbond - The Thick Of It (2005-2012)
The Thick of It is known for its razor-sharp humor and political satire, with so many great episodes showing the ineffectually of government and leadership. Peter Capaldi plays Malcolm Tucker, Downing Street's enforcer who bullies his coworkers into doing whatever he wants, keeping his position throughout various government overhauls.
Ben Willbond's Adam Kenyon is described as a "loathsome" night editor of the Daily Mail promoted to Special Adviser to the Minister of State. Like many other characters, Kenyon is untrustworthy and out for his own interests, often arguing with others who disagree with his advice.
Jim Howick - Sex Education (2019-)
Sex Education is an honest and open show that follows nervous student Otis, who despite his lack of experience has become an expert on sex via his sex therapist mother. Otis unwittingly starts a clinic for sexual advice at his school once his classmates learn about his home life, at the same time as discovering his attraction to fellow student Maeve.
Colin Hendricks, played by Jim Howick, is a teacher at Otis's school that does everything in his power to become someone the students will like, attempting to be everyone's friend, speaking his mind, and eventually becoming one of the funniest characters in the Netflix show.
Charlotte Ritchie - Call The Midwife (2012-)
One of the best British shows on Netflix, Call the Midwife follows a new nurse, Jenny, at Nonnatus House as she forms a bond with her fellow midwives as they help women through childbirth and look after the newborn babies. The series tackles difficult topics such as disease and complications during childbirth, as well as exploring the nurses' private lives.
Barbara Gilbert, played by Charlotte Ritchie, is an optimistic and hard-working nurse that goes through a lot during the series, including her romantic relationship with Tom Hereward and her family-like relationship with Nurse Crane, who Barbara sees as kind of a mother.
Lolly Adefope - Shrill (2019-2021)
Shrill follows Annie Easton, played by Saturday Night Live alum Aidy Bryant, who is trying to make it as a journalist while also accepting herself for who she is. Annie becomes empowered after breaking up with her boyfriend and sets out to change her life for the better.
Lolly Adefope plays Fran, Annie's roommate, who supports her throughout the show. Fran and Annie's friendship is described as "the heartbeat" of the show, as both women are inspired by each other to become the best version of themselves that they can be, and they support each other through their various relationships with other people.
Mathew Baynton - You, Me, And The Apocalypse (2015)
You, Me and the Apocalypse stars Mathew Baynton as Jamie Winton, a bank manager who vows to find his wife, Layla, even after a comet appears, threatening to trigger the apocalypse. Baynton also plays Jamie's twin brother, Ariel, a leader of a cyber-terrorist group who tries to survive at all costs.
This show is unpredictable, with a large cast of brilliant actors such as Joel Fry (Cruella), Jenna Fischer (The Office), and Rob Lowe (Parks and Recreation). While some fans found the cancellation of the show and the cliffhanger ending to be off-putting, the show is overall a great time with a lot of depth to be found in its characters.
Martha Howe-Douglas - Doctor Foster (2015-2017)
Doctor Gemma Foster suspects her husband of having an affair when she finds a blonde hair on one of his coats. She at first thinks that the cheater is her husband's assistant Becky Hughes, played by Martha Howe-Douglas, but soon moves on to other suspects.
Doctor Foster is a contentious mystery drama, with fans agreeing that its first season is its best. Twists and turns in the narrative keep the audience hooked, as well as the fast pace and great acting from its stellar cast. Although the subsequent seasons became more complicated and convoluted, season 1 is compelling and tackles its subject matter with maturity.
Kiell Smith-Bynoe - Man Like Mobeen (2017-)
Man Like Mobeen is a comedy-drama following Mobeen, who is trying to escape his past as a drug dealer while raising his younger sister and ensuring that she follows a good path in life. As part of his reformation, Mobeen tries to improve his community, although most of his attempts end in confrontation and run-ins with the law. Kiell Smith-Bynoe plays Jovell Maynard, a drug dealer that has connections to Mobeen's past.
In its exploration of its setting, Birmingham, and Mobeen's commitment to his religion, Man Like Mobeen garnered great reviews on its release. Fans adored the humor that is very specific to the Birmingham area, as well as the show's ridiculous situations that allow its realistic characters to shine.
Mathew Baynton - The Wrong Mans (2013-2014)
Considered one of James Corden's best shows, The Wrong Mans stars Mathew Baynton as Sam and James Corden as Phil. The two men become entangled in a web of crime and corruption after Sam answers a ringing phone at a crime scene. The show is kind of a parody of mystery dramas, but plays its absurd situations straight, allowing the drama to cut through the comedy.
Spies, assassinations, secret missions, and hostage attempts plague the two main characters, who just want to return to their normal lives. The characters are mostly likable, which helps to keep the audience invested throughout the twists and cliffhangers of the narrative.