Ghosts' Kiell Smith-Bynoe reunites with co-star for new project

Ghosts spoilers follow.

If you're still feeling emotional after the Ghosts Christmas special, you might take some comfort in knowing Mike Cooper (played by Kiell Smith-Bynoe) and Lady Button (played by Martha Howe-Douglas) will soon be reunited.

Smith-Bynoe and Howe-Douglas will be swapping Button House for Marylebone Theatre, as they take to the stage in a new adaptation of The Government Inspector (via Chortle).

lolly adefope, charlotte ritchie, kiell smith bynoe, jim howick, martha howe douglas, ghosts season 5

BBC

The classic satire, based on Nikolai Gogol's original play, opens next month. Set in a small town in late 19th Century Britain, the corrupt local officials mistake a vain, over-privileged liar for a high-ranking government inspector as he is passing through the town.

The play, which runs from May 3 to June 15, sees the town's governor and his cronies desperately try to bribe the 'inspector' in order to cover up their crimes. Tickets are available now from outlets including London Theatre Direct and LOVEtheatre.

Buy The Government Inspector tickets

Smith-Bynoe will be playing the role of Percy Fopdoodle, while Howe-Douglas will be replacing previously announced Vicki Pepperdine as Mrs Swashprattle.

"I am delighted to be joining the company of The Government Inspector – my first theatre role since 2003," said Howe-Douglas.

charlotte ritchie and kiell smith bynoe in ghosts christmas special 2023

BBC

We last saw the Ghosts stars in the Christmas special episode, which came after the series finale in season 5 (2023). Despite uproar from fans who were gutted to hear the news of the show's end, the creators were firm in their decision.

Ben Willbond (who played The Captain) told Digital Spy exclusively: "We all have various other things that we wanted to be doing at this time. And every time I talk to somebody about it now, I feel like we’ve made the wrong decision, because we love it so much. I would hate for it to be series 7, and people going, 'What happened to Ghosts? It used to be really good.'"

The Government Inspector runs from May 3 until June 15 at Marylebone Theatre in London's West End. Tickets can be purchased from LOVEtheatre and London Theatre Direct.