The Canterville Ghost

Sir Simon de Canterville has been playing to an empty house for twenty years when American billionaire inventor Hiram Otis buys Canterville Chase in England, taking contents and ghost at valuation. Relishing the opportunity to be back treading the boards, he painstakingly plans a ‘Spectrecular' performance as Reckless Rupert the headless Earl, aided by his reluctant side-kick, Cesspitt the rat. But his opening night fails miserably and the ghost is forced to retreat from the twins' tripwire stunt. Sir Simon tries a different tack in the form of Jonas the Graveless but the ghost is further humiliated by the Otis family's welcoming reception and his inability to terrorize them. Meanwhile, Frank and Theo go exploring and stumble upon their alter egos, Patience and Charity Lovell. After initial hostilities, two pairs become a gang of four. Double double trouble. Especially for Sir Simon. The Otis's discover Sir Simon killed his wife and as punishment was walled up alive in a priest hole by her vengeful brothers. Sir Simon's bones have never been found but legend says he was interred with a casket of priceless jewels. The twins join forces and embark on a quest to find the lost treasure of the Cantervilles. And if the Otis's aren't fazed by a ghost they aren't going to fazed by the English. It's the annual Point to Point. So when Virginia is informed by Cecil that top race ‘The Canterville Chase' is open only to male riders it can't go unchallenged. After an initial set-back from Lady Deborah's scheming, Virginia uses her legal prowess to find a loophole in the rulebook. Riding her horse bareback, the race ends in a nail biting finale with Virginia and Cecil neck and neck. He may have won the trophy, but Virginia wins the hearts of the crowd. Despite initially regarding him to be a sexist jerk, Virginia is undeniably attracted to Cecil. However, he is engaged to be married to Moppy. And while Hiram mends a historic family feud with Django Lovell, they find a bitter enemy in Lady Deborah.

Sir Simon steps up his efforts to terrorize the Americans but the vulgar Colonials still refuse to be frightened. On the contrary, they leave him with a care package that includes oil for his chains and a guide to trauma and recovery. Disgraced and seeking vengeance, the ghost invokes the curse of Chanticleer, the cursed cockerel. Legend says that if he crows twice during the midnight hour a member of the household will die. Meanwhile, the twins meet the Lovell's matriarch, Masilda, who discloses details about the Sir Simon's past. They conspire to hunt down the ghost, reasoning that he will lead them to the treasure. On his subsequent haunt, Sir Simon is ambushed by the twins, bearing UV paintballs. He disappears, leaving an ultraviolet glow in his path. They reach the last trace of paint where the ghost dispersed and resolve to find what lies beneath that floor. But they will first need to get hold of the original builders' plans. Virginia is advertently drawn to Lady Deborah's grandson, Cecil, when she undertakes a genealogy project at their home. During her research, she discovers Lady Eleanor died in childbirth in 1576, the year after Sir Simon was supposed to have killed her. When she later comes across the ghost looking wretched after the paintball attack, Virginia takes pity on him. Sir Simon shows her the prophesy which curses him to haunt the house until it is fulfilled – "When a golden girl can win prayer from the lips of sin. When the barren almond bears. Then shall the house be still. And Peace come to Canterville."

No longer the haunter but the haunted, Sir Simon is reduced to creeping around the house. And after Hiram receives devastating news, Lucy is determined not to wallow in the loss and resolves to host a Christmas ball.

Virginia must summon all her courage to defend Sir Simon in the court of the dead. Meanwhile the twins search for buried treasure, but things go terribly wrong. If there's to be hope for the haunted, the Otises much come closer together than they ever have before—closer than they think they can. Past and present collide in this stirring conclusion to the miniseries.