Familiar Faces Unmasked: The Cast of CBS Ghosts and Where You Know Them From
There's a peculiar comfort that settles over a viewer when a beloved new show appears on their screen, feeling simultaneously fresh and familiar. For many, CBS's Ghosts has struck this perfect chord. Its premise is whimsical: a young couple inherits a sprawling country estate, only to discover it's teeming with the spirits of former residents, each from a different historical era. The humor is sharp, the heart is undeniable, and the ensemble chemistry is nothing short of magical. Yet, a significant part of that immediate connection, that sense of comfortable belonging, comes not just from the clever writing, but from the delightful realization that you’ve seen these spectral (and living) faces before. Ghosts is a masterclass in casting character actors, turning a delightful premise into a tapestry of talent where every "familiar face" unmasked adds another layer of joy to the viewing experience.
Leading the charge of the living, Rose McIver (Sam) is the first face to elicit a strong sense of recognition for many. Her five-season run as Liv Moore, the zombie medical examiner in iZombie, cemented her status as a charming, quick-witted lead capable of carrying a show. Her transformation from brains-eating detective to ghost-seeing journalist feels like a natural, if supernatural, progression, her expressive eyes still conveying a mix of exasperation and genuine care, now directed at a gaggle of spectral roommates instead of a revolving door of personalities ingested. Opposite her, Utkarsh Ambudkar (Jay) brings a grounded, slightly exasperated warmth to his role as the supportive, non-ghost-seeing husband. While his acting resume is extensive, often in supporting roles, his most iconic "where you know him from" moment for many might be his show-stopping, rapid-fire rap battle as Donald in Pitch Perfect. He's also been seen in blockbusters like Free Guy and the live-action Mulan, proving his versatility extends far beyond comedic musical numbers.
Then there are the faces that evoke an immediate "Oh, that's where I know them from!" The most frequent and delightful aha! moment for Ghosts viewers often comes courtesy of Brandon Scott Jones as the pompous, secretly vulnerable Revolutionary War officer, Isaac Higgintoot. Before he was pining for Hamilton and wrestling with his own sexuality in the afterlife, Jones delivered one of the most memorable and bizarre supporting performances in recent comedy as Derek (or rather, the hundreds of Dereks) in The Good Place. His unique blend of deadpan delivery and unexpected physical comedy, honed in shows like The Other Two and films like Isn't It Romantic, makes Isaac a standout, proving he can infuse even a seemingly stiff historical figure with surprising depth and hilarious neuroses.
The stately, often withering gaze of Rebecca Wisocky as the Victorian matriarch Hetty is another instant classic of recognition. Wisocky has made a career out of playing formidable women, frequently with a touch of the sinister or simply a formidable presence. She was the menacing Evelyn Powell in Devious Maids, a chilling guest star in American Horror Story, and has graced countless dramas from True Blood to Picard. Her ability to switch from cutting sarcasm to a surprising moment of tenderness as Hetty showcases the vast range behind that elegant, unmasked face.
Rounding out this spectral lineup are the beloved "that guy" actors who have graced countless commercials, sitcoms, and indie films, lending an unquantifiable reliability to the ensemble. Richie Moriarty's Pete, the wholesome scout leader with an arrow through his neck, is the quintessential earnest, slightly awkward everyman. Before Ghosts, Moriarty's understated comedic genius was often seen in a variety of commercial roles, or as the affable-yet-slightly-out-of-place corporate type in shows like The Tick and What We Do in the Shadows. He brings a comforting familiarity, as if he's the nice neighbor from a dozen other shows. Similarly, Devan Chandler Long as the Viking Thorfinn, a character of surprisingly tender emotional depth beneath his gruff exterior, has long been a go-to for roles requiring a formidable, yet often comedic, physical presence. Fans might recognize him as the bizarrely muscled Flex Mentallo from Doom Patrol or as the lovably dim Barry in Loudermilk.
And the unmasking continues with every character: Danielle Pinnock (Alberta), the brassy Prohibition-era singer, whose powerful voice and comedic timing have been showcased in Young Sheldon and A Black Lady Sketch Show. Sheila Carrasco (Flower), the perpetually stoned hippie, brings her unique, quietly hilarious energy honed in various sketch comedy and commercial roles. Even Asher Grodman (Trevor), the slick, pants-less 90s broker, and Román Zaragoza (Sasappis), the wry, insightful Native American, have built impressive resumes in a variety of productions, even if their faces are only just becoming widely "familiar."
The true genius of CBS Ghosts lies not just in its clever premise or its heartwarming humor, but in its perfectly curated cast of "familiar faces." These are not necessarily the biggest movie stars, but they are seasoned professionals, character actors whose distinct energies and proven comedic or dramatic chops have graced our screens for years. The "unmasking" of where we know them from transforms a simple viewing experience into a delightful game of recognition, where each "aha!" moment deepens our appreciation for the show's ensemble. It's a testament to their collective talent that these actors, having played countless memorable roles, can now coalesce into a spectral family, feeling instantly recognizable and profoundly new all at once. Their familiarity is not a distraction, but rather a foundation, allowing us to dive headfirst into the whimsical world of Woodstone Manor with the comforting sense that we're already among friends.
