Ghosts

Premise and setting

The series centres on married New Yorkers Samantha 'Sam' and Jay Arondekar, whose lives change dramatically when they inherit Woodstone Manor, a dilapidated country house, from Sam's great aunt Sophie Brimble. Their dream of converting the property into a bed and breakfast is complicated by its poor condition and, more significantly, by its spectral residents. After a near-death experience caused by a ghost named Trevor, Sam gains the ability to see, hear, and interact with ghosts, while Jay remains unaware of their presence. The ghosts are spirits of individuals from different periods of American history who died on the property and are now bound to its grounds. Each ghost retains the appearance they had at the moment of their death and possesses a unique power related to their life or demise. The core narrative explores the couple's efforts to renovate the mansion and run their business while managing the often chaotic demands and personal dramas of their ghostly roommates, who are unable to move on to the afterlife.

Main characters and ghostly powers

The ensemble cast features both living characters and the ghosts who haunt Woodstone Manor. Rose McIver portrays Samantha 'Sam' Arondekar, a freelance journalist who becomes the bridge between the living and spiritual worlds after her accident. Her husband, Jayanth 'Jay' Arondekar, played by Utkarsh Ambudkar, is a chef and pop culture enthusiast who, despite being unable to perceive the ghosts, frequently attempts to communicate with them and supports Sam's unique situation. In season four, he founds his own restaurant in an abandoned barn on the Woodstone property. In later seasons, Ben Feldman joins as Kyle Rosenblatt, a man who gains the ability to see ghosts after colliding with a bird while riding a roller coaster. The ghostly residents form a diverse group spanning over a millennium, each with a specific power and backstory.

Devan Chandler Long plays Thorfinn, a melodramatic Viking from Norway who died over 1,000 years ago from a lightning strike conducted by his helmet. His power allows him to manipulate electricity. Román Zaragoza plays Sasappis, a witty Lenape hunter from 1513 who can influence the dreams of the living, making him the only ghost who can directly communicate with Jay. Brandon Scott Jones portrays Captain Isaac Higgintoot, a closeted gay Continental Army officer who died of dysentery in 1777. His power causes a foul odour when living people pass through him. Rebecca Wisocky plays Henrietta 'Hetty' Woodstone, Sam's ancestor who strangled herself with a telephone cord in 1895. Her dormant power to interact with the living awakens on St. Patrick's Day in season four after she embraces her Irish heritage.

Danielle Pinnock appears as Alberta Haynes, a Prohibition-era singer murdered by strychnine in 1928. Her humming can be heard by the living and her full voice can be heard through Alexa devices. Sheila Carrasco plays Susan 'Flower' Montero, a naive 1960s hippie mauled by a bear in 1969. Her power puts living people into a hallucinogenic high if she passes through them. Richie Moriarty is Peter 'Pete' Martino, a friendly 1980s travel agent who died from an arrow wound in 1985. He discovers he is the only ghost who can leave the Woodstone property, though he risks vanishing if he stays away too long. Asher Grodman rounds out the main ghosts as Trevor Lefkowitz, a stockbroker who died of a heart attack in 2000 while not wearing pants. He can physically move small objects with concentrated effort using one index finger.

Recurring and supporting ghosts

Beyond the core ensemble, Woodstone Manor is home to a wide array of other spirits who contribute to the series' expansive supernatural world. A significant group is the cholera victim ghosts, a dozen or so spirits who died in a 19th-century pest house on the property and now reside primarily in the basement, watching the water heater for entertainment. Among them is Nancy, played by Betsy Sodaro, a brash ghost who later is revealed in season five to be a famous missing English princess named Adeline Marie Dunham, whose death at Woodstone makes the property a historical landmark. Other notable recurring ghosts include Crash, a decapitated 1950s greaser whose head, played by Alex Boniello, goes missing in the pilot episode, and the British Revolutionary ghosts, a trio of soldiers who occupy a shed. Lieutenant Colonel Nigel Chessum, the leader of this trio played by John Hartman, shares a secret romantic history with Isaac Higgintoot, and they begin a relationship at the end of the first season.

The property also hosts ghosts with more transient connections, such as Stephanie, a teenager murdered by a chainsaw killer on her prom night in 1987 who sleeps for months at a time in the attic. Jessica, a ghost bound to her former car who died in a drunk driving crash, briefly dates Sasappis in season two. Several ghosts are connected to the main characters' personal histories. Elias Woodstone, Hetty's unfaithful husband played by Matt Walsh, died from suffocation in a vault and has the power to arouse people sexually. He later becomes a demon who collects souls for the Devil. Carol, Pete's widow played by Caroline Aaron, becomes a ghost in the third season after choking on a doughnut hole, becomes engaged to the British ghost Baxter, and moves on in the fifth-season premiere after a sacrificial act. Later introductions include Patience, an unstable Puritan ghost played by Mary Holland who can make walls bleed, and Joan, a 1940s Golden Age of Hollywood screenwriter played by Taylor Ortega who becomes a love interest for Sasappis. External properties also harbour spirits, such as Bjorn, Thorfinn's son who haunts the neighbouring Farnsby estate, and Shiki, a Lenape woman Sass admired in life who is bound to a magazine office.

• Crash (Hudson Thames/Alex Boniello): Decapitated 1950s greaser ghost, body played by Matt Keyes.
• Nancy/Adeline (Betsy Sodaro): Cholera ghost revealed to be Princess Adeline Marie Dunham.
• Nigel Chessum (John Hartman): British officer, Isaac's love interest, accidentally shot by him.
• Stephanie (Odessa A'zion): Teen prom ghost murdered in 1987, sleeps for extended periods.
• Elias Woodstone (Matt Walsh): Hetty's husband, power causes arousal, later a demon.
• Carol (Caroline Aaron): Pete's widow, ghost power makes her a 'Christmas Carol' who grants wishes.
• Patience (Mary Holland): A Puritan ghost banished for being too Puritanical, died of blood-letting.
• Joan (Taylor Ortega): A 1940s Hollywood screenwriter, introduced to Sass as a romantic partner.

Production history and Canadian connection

Ghosts was developed for CBS by Joe Port and Joe Wiseman, who serve as the series' showrunners. The American adaptation premiered on October 7, 2021, and was quickly picked up for a full season that same month. Its success led to swift renewals, with a second season ordered in January 2022 and a third in January 2023. A significant production shift occurred with the third season, which began filming in Montreal, Quebec, on December 2, 2023. This move established a direct and ongoing Canadian production link for the series. The third season, consisting of ten episodes, premiered on February 15, 2024. The show's popularity remained strong, resulting in a renewal for a fourth season in March 2024, which premiered on October 17, 2024. In a major commitment to the series, CBS renewed Ghosts for both a fifth and sixth season in February 2025. The fifth season premiered on October 16, 2025, and the sixth is scheduled to debut on October 29, 2026. The series' consistent renewal pattern and two-season pickup confirm its status as a reliable hit for the network.

Major story arcs and character development

Throughout its run, Ghosts has balanced episodic humour with longer character-driven narratives. A central mystery of the early seasons was the murder of Alberta Haynes, which Sam investigated through a true crime podcast, ultimately solving the case in the second season. The second season also revealed that Alberta sold out a more popular singer, Clara Brown, to the police to get her stage chance. Romantic relationships have provided significant ongoing plots, including the courtship between Thorfinn and Flower, which begins in the second season, and the secret and later open relationship between Isaac and Nigel. Pete's long-unrequited feelings for Alberta culminate in a kiss in the fourth season finale and the official start of their relationship in the season five premiere, 'Soul Custody'. Character backstories are frequently explored, such as the revelation of Hetty's Irish heritage, which unlocks her dormant ghost power. Major turning points include Pete's discovery that he can leave the property, though at great risk, and his complete disappearance in the season five finale, leaving his fate unknown. The series also explores the mechanics of the afterlife, with storylines involving characters moving on, such as Flower being temporarily missing in season three and Carol moving on in season five. Elias Woodstone's arc sees him become a demon who administers torture and can physically reincarnate, appearing in modern business attire.

• Alberta's Murder: Solved in season two via Sam's podcast, poisoned by strychnine-laced moonshine.
• Isaac and Nigel: Begin a relationship at the end of season one, with a history from when Isaac accidentally shot Nigel.
• Hetty's Power: Dormant until season four, activates on St. Patrick's Day after embracing Irish roots.
• Pete's Ability: Discovers he can leave Woodstone, but vanishes if away too long. Disappears in season five finale.
• Trevor's Pants: Revealed he lent them to friend Adam Pinkus as a good deed, not due to a sexual encounter.
• Sass's Love Life: Dies a virgin, has first intimate experience with Joan by the end of season four.
• Nancy's Identity: Revealed in season five to be Princess Adeline Marie Dunham.

Broadcast history, episode counts, and reception

Ghosts has been a consistent ratings performer for CBS since its debut, leading to multiple renewals and an extended episode order. The series premiere on October 7, 2021, established a strong comedic tone that resonated with audiences. The show's schedule has been relatively stable, with new seasons typically launching in the fall, though the third season had a mid-season premiere. The second season premiered on September 29, 2022, the third on February 15, 2024, the fourth on October 17, 2024, and the fifth on October 16, 2025. The early renewal for two additional seasons in 2025 demonstrated the network's confidence in the series' longevity. While specific Canadian broadcast details are not part of the core notes, the show's availability on Paramount Plus and Global TV in Canada has made it accessible to Canadian audiences. The move to film in Montreal for season three onwards also increased its profile within the Canadian television industry, highlighting the show's production value and its utilization of Canadian talent and resources.

Adaptation from the British series

The American Ghosts is a direct adaptation of the British sitcom created by Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard, and Ben Willbond. Showrunners Joe Port and Joe Wiseman adapted the core premise of a couple inheriting a haunted house for an American audience, transplanting the setting and historical periods to the United States. While many characters are loosely based on their British counterparts, they are reimagined with American backgrounds and traits. Sam Arondekar is based on Alison Cooper from the original, while Jay is based on Mike Cooper. Thorfinn takes inspiration from Robin the caveman, though his character is a Viking. Captain Isaac Higgintoot is inspired mainly by the Captain, while his ghost power is similar to Mary Guppy the witch trial victim. Hetty Woodstone is based on Lady Fanny Button, and Pete Martino is based on Pat Butcher. Trevor Lefkowitz is loosely based on Julian Fawcett MP, and his initial attraction to Sam mirrors poet Thomas Thorne's infatuation with Alison. The cholera victim ghosts are based on the plague ghosts from the British version. Key differences include the American show's focus on US history, from Vikings and Lenape hunters to Revolutionary officers and Prohibition singers, and the development of distinct ghost powers and backstories that align with its new setting.

Questions about Ghosts

Where is Ghosts filmed?

The American version of Ghosts films in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Production for the third season relocated to Montreal, with filming beginning there on December 2, 2023. This Canadian connection has continued for subsequent seasons, making Montreal the primary production home for the series from season three onward. Earlier seasons were filmed in the United States before the production move north.

Who are the main ghosts in the show?

The main ghost characters are Thorfinn the Viking, Sasappis the Lenape hunter, Captain Isaac Higgintoot, Hetty Woodstone, Alberta Haynes, Flower Montero, Pete Martino, and Trevor Lefkowitz. They are ghosts of people from different eras of American history who died on the Woodstone Manor property. Each ghost has a unique personality and a ghostly power based on their life or manner of death. For example, Thorfinn can manipulate electricity, Alberta's humming can be heard by the living, and Trevor can move objects with concentration.

Can Jay ever see the ghosts?

No, Jay Arondekar cannot see or hear the ghosts throughout the series. His wife Sam gained the ability after a near-death experience caused by Trevor. However, Jay frequently acknowledges their presence, talks to them through Sam, and includes them in his life, such as playing Dungeons & Dragons with Pete. Another living character, Kyle Rosenblatt, gains the ability to see ghosts in seasons four and five after colliding with a bird on a roller coaster.

What happened to Flower in season 3?

In the third season, the character Flower went missing. This led her friends at Woodstone Manor to mistakenly believe she had moved on to the afterlife. The storyline was written to accommodate actress Sheila Carrasco's maternity leave. Flower was later rescued towards the end of the third season, allowing her to return to the main group of ghosts.

Is Ghosts based on another show?

Yes, the American Ghosts on CBS is an adaptation of a British sitcom of the same name. The original UK series was created by the comedy group The Six Idiots. The American version was adapted by showrunners Joe Port and Joe Wiseman, who reimagined the characters and setting for an American audience while maintaining the core premise. Characters like Sam, Jay, Thorfinn, and Hetty have direct counterparts in the British original.

How many seasons of Ghosts are there?

As of 2025, there are five completed seasons of the American Ghosts series. The show premiered on October 7, 2021 and was renewed for a second season in January 2022, a third season in January 2023, and a fourth season in March 2024. In February 2025, the series was renewed for both a fifth and sixth season. The fifth season premiered on October 16, 2025, and the sixth season is slated to premiere on October 29, 2026. This indicates the show's sustained popularity and ongoing production.

Sources and further reading

• Ghosts (Wikipedia)
• Ghosts: The Possession of Button House review (theguardian.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-22.