For a series featuring a lot of historical characters Ghosts doesn't half have a lot of topical references. Particularly this week. I'd barely settled down to watch it when there was a discussion about rising energy prices and the cost of heating Button Hall.

As well as this there was a spot of #metoo chat and the suggestion that lovelorn poet Thomas is a little too smitten with Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and needs to learn that "enough is enough". There was also a suggestion that easily distracted Kitty (Lolly Adefope) has some form of ADHD, but maybe that was just me projecting. There's a lovely scene featuring Kitty and the Captain (Ben Willbond) frolicking in the fields and making up a song. Could a romance be on the cards? Do ghosts fall in love? 

The main storyline this week involves Mary's back story and a frosty tale of witchcraft, and included an appearance from Bridget Christie (pictured in the middle) who chokes and dies a sudden death in Button Hall and encourages Mary (Katy Wix) to find her voice. 

Meanwhile old friends of Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) check into the Button Hall B&B and invite him along to a meeting that looks suspiciously culty...

This is a great series which four seasons in seems to get better and better, managing to be escapist fun while also mainting a serious undertow. There's plenty here for children, hence the pre-watershed slot, but it's also intellectually meaty and funny for adults too.

Full credit to writer/performers Matthew Baynton and Jim Howick and to the rest of the cast. Though I do wish disgraced MP Julian (Simon Farnaby) would be allowed to put his trousers on once in a while.

Ghosts, Friday, September 30, 8.30pm, BBC One. All episodes now available on iPlayer.

There's also a podcast released after each broadcast. Details here.

Picture Credit: BBC/Monumental/Robbie Gray