CBS “Ghosts” fans flooded Ballroom 20 for a sneak peek of season five, and I was there to get the tea. The upcoming season promises to be a little darker and more chaotic than previous ones.
Devan Chandler Long (Thorfinn), Asher Grodman (Trevor Lefkowitz), Danielle Pinnock (Alberta Haynes), and Utkarsh Ambudkar (Jay Arondekar) joined co-Showrunner Joe Wiseman on the SDCC panel moderated by Punam Patel (Bela Arondekar). They flew in for Comic-Con and left the following Monday to film season 5.
First, let me set the stage for my mindset as I approach the panel. It’s the night before the panel, and I’m attending the Blerd & Boujee Party. I look over, and I see the panel cast members were there! After summoning the courage to scurry over and ask for a picture, I gathered everyone together for a group photo. I gave my phone to a volunteer who was willing to take my photo. I ended up with a photo of Devan Chandler, Punam Petal, and myself. Everyone went back to enjoying the party, and I didn’t want to interrupt their night again. But, I was even more excited about the panel. And of course, I will forever cherish my photo.
CBS announced a double renewal of the show in February, which greenlit seasons five and six. “It is such an amazing concept for a show, and to have two seasons of a runway to start playing and being really bold. That’s a lot of pressure, Joe Wiseman,” Grodman joked when discussing his excitement for the double renewal. During the panel,Thorfinn actor Devan Chandler Long said the upcoming seasons were a 44-course dinner. While I cannot confirm the episode count, seasons two and four wrapped with 22 episodes. Season three was much shorter, which can be attributed to the SAG-AFTRA strike.
In addition to the returning main cast, we will see expanded roles for Punam Patel’s Bela Arondekar, Jay’s sister, and the return of recurring characters like Elias Woodstone (Matt Walsh), Puritan ghost Patience (Mary Holland), and the Cholera ghosts.
Wiseman and the cast served a few morsels from the upcoming season. Let’s dive into some highlights from the panel that have me especially excited for season five:
- Alberta’s Soft Girl Era
- Patience and “the Others”
- More Scene Partners for Jay
- The Sasappis Mystery
- Holiday Episodes
- Honorable Mentions
Alberta’s Soft Girl Era
Alberta and Pete’s love story will kick off the season. After asking who in Ballroom 20 is a “Love Island” fan, Pinnock said about her storyline, “Alberta and Pete’s love story is definitely like Olandria and Nic.” After a loud applause, Pinnock continued, “Yeah, you’re my people…I’m so excited for Alberta to enter her soft girl era. She’s looking for a healed love, a nerdy love, and a safe love. We’re done with the bootleggers. We’re done with the murderers, and something that Joe [Wiseman]said, ‘you really learn a lot about a character when they get into relationships.’”
Ambudkar (Jay) said Pinnock and Richard Moriarty (Pete) have hot, hot chemistry.
Pinnock later said what surprised her most about her character is “she’s a hot mess with a heart of gold.” She lives for the applause, and so does Pinnock. She [Alberta] is going to be a toxic girlfriend, and she is excited about the mess. Later in the panel, she pitched a scene to Wiseman where Alberta sings Radiohead’s not-Jazz classic “Creep,” if things start going south with Alberta and Pete.
I don’t know about you, but I’m excited to see how this plays out. And if it doesn’t work, I hope it doesn’t upset the friendships in the house.
Patience and “the Others”
Patience is coming back, and there will be a showdown between her and Elias Woodstone. Wiseman exclaimed, “I know online a lot of people have been clamoring for a Patience Elias sort of showdown. We’re gonna deliver on that.” And just to refresh your memory, Elias is Hetty’s husband, who is now a soul-stealing demon. Will this be an all-out battle for Jay’s soul? Only time will tell.
Do you remember when Patience mentioned “the others” in season three’s Halloween episode? Wiseman said it is our intention to meet “the others” this season. What can that mean? Who are the others? Are they just as pious as Patience? Yikes.
More Scene Partners for Jay
Since Jay is the only living person in Woodstone who cannot see ghosts, Utkarsh Ambudkar often acts solo or opposite a tennis ball. While reflecting on his often solo filming days, Ambudkar said, “My dad has a PHD, and I pretend I can’t see ghosts. Let’s get Jay’s parents back and maybe some cousins.”
Jay will have more screen partners this season. His sister Bela, played by Punam Petal, will take a larger role at the restaurant and start an event business. Will Jay and Bela’s dynamic survive the close quarters?
In addition to more Bela, we will be seeing their parents again, and Trevor’s daughter is set to return for a few episodes. She will also be working in the restaurant.
Jay ended season four in quite a conundrum. He unknowingly made a Faustian deal for the success of his restaurant with Elias Woodstone, and it’s going to take the combined efforts of all the Woodstone ghosts to save him. Ambudkar said he loves it when “we as a family” come together to fight a common enemy. Will this be part of the Patience Elias showdown? Now, I wonder if we will see a Ghost Jay during the battle or in a situation where he can interact with the ghosts.
Sasappis’ Mystery
At this point, we know how each of the Woodstone ghosts met their demise, except Sasappis, played by Ramán Zaragoza. “We’re crafting that story,” co-showrunner Joe Wiseman said. “That’s the last big mystery. We know everyone’s power, and we know how everyone died. So yes, that’s the last big one.
After season four, we can no longer call Sasappis the “500-Year-Old Virgin,” thanks to 1940s Hollywood screenwriter ghost Joan. Now we get to see what happened to Sas all those years ago. He is the oldest character on the show, and we know the least about him. I hope we get to explore more of Sasappis and the Lenape Nation in the coming seasons.
Holiday Episodes
I love a themed episode, and “Ghosts” Halloween episodes never fail to entertain. Wiseman confirmed a season five Halloween-themed episode, and the mummy we met last year will play a major role in the episode.
We will also be treated to another St. Patrick’s Day episode. Hetty’s ghost power was revealed in the last St. Pat’s episode. After discovering and embracing her Irish heritage, Hetty learned she could appear to mortals on that day. I hope this means Ambudkar and Hetty, played by Rebecca Wisocky, will share scenes in the episode.
Honorable Mentions
- We will get the backstory of Alberta’s hat and why Thorfinn hates it.
- Bela will start a relationship with a ghost that is not Trevor.
- We will revisit Hetty and Trevor’s secret romance.
- We will see something new with Flower’s power.
Get ready for a spooky treat with a side of dry humor and found-family this October. As season 5 of this supernatural sensation premieres Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 8:30 PM ET/PT, mark your calendars and join the fun! Will you be watching along with me? Share your predictions and reactions—let’s keep the conversation going and celebrate all things “Ghosts” together!