‘Ghosts’ Creators Dish on Sam’s Holiday Surprise, Season 5 Spoilers & New Vampire Sitcom!

WARNING: This article contains spoilers from the midseason finale of CBS’ Ghosts.

This year’s holiday season at Woodstone Mansion brought yet another eerie Christmas possession, leaving Sam (played by Rose McIver) more annoyed than usual afterwards.

Having endured countless supernatural hijinks at her inn, Sam is less than thrilled when Thorfinn (Devan Chandler Long) assists Flower (Sheila Carrasco) in taking over her body as an odd festive present. This event comes at an inconvenient time, almost ruining Sam’s important interview about her new book, made worse by Flower’s lack of memory of the incident afterward.

While it’s refreshing to see Sam, usually accommodating to a fault, finally assert herself, she eventually softens, reminded of the mutual benefits and positive impacts shared between her and the ghosts.

In the initial part of the Ghosts Season 5 Christmas special, tensions flare between Sam and the spectral residents, but by the conclusion of the second part, they have mended fences. This change is sparked by Carol (Caroline Aaron), who visits Sam to show her a vision of what her life might have been if she hadn’t fallen down the stairs and gained the ability to communicate with the ghosts.

“Obviously, she’s significantly influenced them, just as they have her and Jay,” comments showrunner Joe Port in a conversation with Deadline.

Below, Port and fellow showrunner Joe Wiseman discuss the timing of this reflective moment for Sam and Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar), the ongoing relationship dynamics with the ghosts, and what’s expected in the rest of Season 5. They also touch on their upcoming comedy pilot, Eternally Yours.

DEADLINE: At the start of the season, we discussed if Sam might be growing tired of the ghosts. Clearly, you had this plot twist planned. When did you decide Sam needed this reminder of the ghosts’ positive impact?

JOE WISEMAN: After years of sacrifices and challenging situations for Sam and Jay, I felt it was time for a change. It was very satisfying to finally see Sam refuse to just forgive and forget. Even Alberta suggests moving past the conflict quickly, but Sam resists. This shift felt right. The second episode served as a reflection of all the good that has come from their coexistence with the ghosts.

DEADLINE: Reflecting on the series in this way, how does it feel to see the growth over five seasons?

JOE PORT: It was enjoyable and challenging to pinpoint what would change in a world where Sam never gained the ability to see ghosts. She and the ghosts have profoundly impacted each other. This episode allowed us to explore that dynamic further and brought back Caroline Aaron, which was a treat.

DEADLINE: With this pivotal moment for the group, how might this affect their interactions moving forward?

WISEMAN: While significant changes in a TV show are often gradual, this episode highlights a healthy shift. The ghosts can be bothersome, but the mutual affection and positive influence are undeniable. The dynamic will remain, but with a slight adjustment as the characters continue to assert themselves more.

PORT: This Christmas episode marks a milestone in the characters’ development over five seasons. While sitcoms often reset characters, ours have experienced genuine growth and change.

DEADLINE: It’s intriguing that at the end of all this, Flower doesn’t remember possessing Sam. How enjoyable has it been to see Utkarsh and Rose perform these impersonations?

PORT: In Season 2, we had Sam briefly impersonate Flower, and she nailed it. Ever since, we’ve wanted to see her take on Flower more extensively. Rose McIver’s talent for mimicry has been a highlight, earning her a Critic’s Choice nomination this year. Utkarsh also shined when he impersonated Hetty, making for one of my favorite episodes.

DEADLINE: At the conclusion of Part Two, Patience hints at introducing Trevor to the ‘Others.’ What can viewers expect from this development?

WISEMAN: The introduction of the Others will pick up right where we left off. This new element will unfold and influence upcoming storylines.

PORT: Creating a compelling cliffhanger was crucial as we head into a broadcast break. We aim to keep the audience excited for what’s next.

DEADLINE: What other exciting developments can fans anticipate in the latter half of the season?

WISEMAN: We have a lineup of entertaining episodes, including another St. Patrick’s Day event and more of Jay’s impersonation antics. We’ll also revisit some ongoing storylines, keeping the season dynamic and engaging.

PORT: The remainder of the season is set to deliver significant developments for both the ghosts and the living characters, highlighting the evolving relationships and the complexities they bring.

DEADLINE: Regarding callbacks, how do you decide when it’s the right moment to reintroduce certain elements?

PORT: We strive to keep the narrative fresh without dwelling too long on any one storyline. The timing often depends on various factors, including actor availability and narrative pacing.

WISEMAN: The decision is based on a combination of intuition and practicality. After many episodes, we have numerous threads to consider, and we carefully choose when to revisit them.

DEADLINE: You’re also about to start shooting the Eternally Yours pilot. What are your expectations for this project?

WISEMAN: Eternally Yours has been a passion project for us, and seeing it come to life is incredibly exciting. The creative process and the talent we’ve seen in auditions have been energizing.

PORT: Having previously showcased the script on a podcast, the opportunity to finally produce it is thrilling, especially given its theme of the undead. It’s fitting that this project continues to evolve and persist.