TV series
What they can do when no one can see them
The Ghosts of Motley Hall is a British children's television series written by Richard Carpenter and produced and directed by Quentin Lawrence for Granada Television, and broadcast between 1976 and 1978 on ITV. Five ghosts occupy the titular Motley Hall. Each hails from a different era and all—with the exception of newly deceased Matt—are unable to leave the confines of the building.
Availability
Checked Jul 22, 2026
The Ghosts of Motley Hall premiered April 25, 1976. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
The Ghosts of Motley Hall is a British children's television series written by Richard Carpenter and produced and directed by Quentin Lawrence for Granada Television, and broadcast between 1976 and 1978 on ITV. Five ghosts occupy the titular Motley Hall. Each hails from a different era and all—with the exception of newly deceased Matt—are unable to leave the confines of the building.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
There has always been an Uproar at Motley Hall, until now. The last Uproar, Sir Humphrey, has died, leaving caretaker Mr Gudgin facing two schemers plotting to steal Motley Hall out from under him. It's up to the ghosts to figure out a way to save their home and their way of life (death)!
Directed by Quentin LawrenceWritten by Richard CarpenterGuest stars Peter Sallis, William Mervyn, Gerry Cowan
Episode 2
Old Gory is a Motley Hall Ghost who appears faithfully every five years and can be seen by all, living and ghosts alike. Unfortunately this year, his scheduled appearance is likely to be seen by a ghost hunter and his very perceptive wife staking out Motley Hall. The appearance of Old Gory to the Ghost Hunters would be disastrous for the residents by exposing them and threatening their happy home!
Directed by Quentin LawrenceWritten by Richard CarpenterGuest stars Reg Lye, Gerald James, Margaret John
Episode 3
The ghosts discover television abd the trouble it can cause when two bumbling crooks use Motley Hall to store eight boxes of stolen wireless TVs. The crooks are thwarted, first by the residents and then by a policeman who is able to see clearly into a crime, and a whole lot more!
Directed by Quentin LawrenceWritten by Richard CarpenterGuest stars Hugh Walters, Tony Haygarth, James Berwick
Episode 4
Mr Gudgin has sold Motley Hall to The British Banana Company, but their agent has accidentally released Bad Lord William, surely one of the worst of the Uproar Clan ghosts. It'll take Bodkin's sword skills and Matt's cunning to free Gudgin and contain Bad Lord William.
Directed by Quentin LawrenceWritten by Richard CarpenterGuest stars Peter Sallis, Frank Barrie, Reginald Marsh
Episode 5
It's just been discovered that Motley Hall is 400 years old, so to commemorate this, the ghosts decide to hold a Masque. But when Bodkin tries to write it, the pages of the history book that might finally identify the mysterious White Lady have disappeared! Was she somebody so horrible that she doesn't want it to be found out and her deep dark secret revealed?
Directed by Quentin LawrenceWritten by Richard Carpenter
Episode 6
Matt's joining the other ghosts has certainly made Motley Hall much more lively and interesting for all. However, hiding from the others is a second Matt, one with a secret agenda, and it's not good! And worse, which Matt is which?
Directed by Quentin LawrenceWritten by Richard CarpenterGuest stars Peter Sallis
Episode 7
Once again, poor Mr Gudgin finds himself roped into yet another newfangled way to rid Motley Hall of its 'spirited' occupants. This time, it's a scientist who says they're not ghosts, but merely hallucinations, simply electrical emanations. One by one, Matt watches as his new friends disappear and faces the prospect of eternity alone unless he can figure a way to stop the Pogmore 'solution'.
Directed by Quentin LawrenceWritten by Richard CarpenterGuest stars Peter Sallis, Neil McCarthy
Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026
Available now in United States
These shows are available now and closely match The Ghosts of Motley Hall.
Sheila SteafelThe White Lady
Sean FlanaganMatt
Peter SallisMr Gudgin
Arthur EnglishBodkin
Freddie JonesSir George Uproar
Nicholas Le PrevostSir Francis 'Fanny' Uproar
Annie RossDarlene Dewey
Joan SandersonAlexandra Uproar
ITV1United Kingdom
Granada TelevisionUnited Kingdom
