GHOSTS fans were left shocked when beloved character Mary left Button House at the beginning of season four.
But why did Mary decide to leave the show and what happened to her?
Why did Mary leave Ghosts?
The character Mary left BBC series Ghosts during season four.
She had been a resident of the haunted house since the very first episode.
But the character departed after actress Katy Wix decided to leave the show.
The writers of Ghosts told RadioTimes.com: “We were so lucky to have Katy Wix with us in Button House for four fun-filled series.
“She, ironically, breathed life into the role of Mary, as only Katy could, making her into such a unique, hilarious, and popular character.
“We’re sad to see her go but can’t wait to see what she does next.”
Co-creator Ben Willbond said on BBC’s Inside… Ghosts podcast about Mary’s character leaving: “We never intended for a character to leave, so it was very sad the whole process.
“The Ghosts are dead but they’re still living as ghosts, and there is that constant threat that they might go at any stage.
“That kicks off for the rest of the Ghosts this fear that oh, actually, we’re here for a long time but we could go at any time, pretty much like life!
“That is what the episode’s about.”
What happened to Mary on Ghosts?
Mary failed to make it into the afterlife after being burnt at the stake in the 17th century after being accused of witchcraft.
As a result, her face was smeared with soot and she constantly smouldered – and humans who couldn’t see her would smell toast if she passed through them.
During episode four of season four, Mary was bathed in golden light before finally ascending into the afterlife.
Before she disappeared she said “Ooh” and then floated up through the ceiling of Button House.
After she was gone the other ghosts were shocked and all of them dealt differently with her demise.
Kitty was crying and Pat comforted her by saying: “She’s looking down on us right now and saying there’s really no need to cry.”
Alison held a memorial service for Mary after seeing how much the other ghosts were struggling with her sudden loss.
During the service, she placed Fennel, a Loose Women magazine, and a photo of Mike into a basket and buried everything under a tree.
After the memorial, the ghosts had a little party because Mary would have wanted them to have fun together.
Did Katy Wix want to leave Ghosts?
Katy decided to leave Ghosts due to other commitments.
She had a massive workload during the filming of the show, including appearing in Stath Lets Flats, The Windsors, and Big Boys.
And in August 2022, Katy was co-writing a comedy series called Fat Camp, which is supposed to be about a children’s weight loss retreat.
BBC crime dramas
The BBC is reopening case files on an all-star line-up of crime dramas this summer. Here's a refresher on the popular programmes which span six decades.
- Campion: Aired from 1989 to 1990, a detective drama series adapted from novels by Margery Allingham and starring Peter Davison.
- Dalziel and Pascoe: A gritty detective drama series about a mismatched pair of policemen, based on the award-winning books by Reginald Hill. Aired from 1996 to 2007.
- Death in Paradise: A misanthropic detective inspector is assigned to a Caribbean island against his will. Premiered in 2011 and is still on air to this day.
- Happy Valley: Created by Sally Wainwright, this northern noir follows Sarah Lancashire as Sgt Catherine Cawood – tough, defiant and facing her traumatic past.
- Hinterland: Welsh drama starring Richard Harrington. Brooding DCI Tom Mathias uncovers secrets – and links to his troubled past amid mountainous terrain and close-knit villages. Aired from 2013 to 2016.
- Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Based on the novels of Elizabeth George, this drama series is about upper-crust DI Thomas Lynley and working class DS Barbara Havers. Aired from 2001 to 2007.
- Jonathan Creek: Starring comedian Alan Davies, this comedy-drama series follows a deviser of magic tricks who is often called in to solve puzzling murders. Aired from 1997 to 2016.
- Law & Order: Originally broadcast in 1978, this four-part drama series is about the British judicial system. Stars include Peter Dean and Derek Martin.
- Life on Mars: Beguiling science-fiction police drama following a Manchester policeman who travels back to 1973 following a car accident. Stars John Simm and Philip Glenister. Aired from 2006 to 2007.
- Line of Duty: Created by Jed Mercurio, this drama follows the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anticorruption unit. Stars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar, aired from 2012 to 2021.
- Luther: Crime drama series starring Idris Elba as DCI John Luther. Aired from 2010 to 2019, with a follow-up film released in 2023.
- New Tricks: Warm-hearted drama following an eccentric group of old-fashioned detectives. Starring Dennis Waterman, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam. Aired from 2003 to 2015.
- Sherlock: Benedict Cumberbatch stars a modern day Sherlock Holmes, teaming up with Martin Freeman’s war veteran Dr Watson to solve impossible crimes. Aired from 2010 to 2017.
- Shetland: Detective drama starring Douglas Henshall, Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell, showcasing the dark side of one of the most beautiful places on earth. Premiered in 2013 and is still on air to this day.
- The Cops: Set in the fictional northern town of Stanton, this acclaimed, provocative police drama stars Katy Cavanagh, Rob Dixon and John Henshaw. Aired from 1998 to 2001.
- Waking The Dead: With a cast including Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston and Wil Johnson, this series follows a cold case team who unearths sleeping secrets, but sometimes the past is best left buried. Aired from 2000 to 2011.
- Wallander: Starring Sir Kenneth Branagh, Kurt Wallander is unable to unsee the dark crimes he’s tasked to investigate while Wallander’s job comes at a cost to his family and relationships. Aired from 2008 to 2016.