Ghosts made its big return to Ballroom 20 with a smaller cast but just as much excitement and energy. Cast members Utkarsh Ambudkar (Jay), Rebecca Wisocky (Hetty), Roman Zaragoza (Sasappis), and Richie Moriarty (Pete) joined showrunners/executive producers Joe Port and Joe Wiseman to discuss season 3 and look ahead to season 4. The panel quickly revealed the reason for the absence of other cast members – season 4 just started filming last week (the actors themselves have only seen 3 scripts) and everyone else was actually filming. While the others were missed, the crowd were very happy to hear that filming was underway as that means season 4 episodes would be arriving soon.

The panel started off by paying tribute to the fans. Joe Wiseman shared that the biggest thing he feels towards viewers is gratitude because without them, he and the show wouldn’t be here. Richie Moriarty echoed this, describing how thankful he was to be making the show and for the love they get from the audience.

They were also grateful to be able to get back to shooting after the strike. Roman Zaragoza drove up to set with Moriarty from New York. Once there, a reception was held with the whole crew so that everyone had the opportunity to catch up. The panel discussed that Rose McIver (Sam) and Sheila Carrasco (Flower) had given birth to their first children with Wisocky commenting “lots of new babies – I still have 3 big dogs”. While Moriarty was happy to catch up with his co-stars, he was most excited to see the whole new set built for the Patience storyline so ran there as soon as he got to set.

Speaking of Patience, the puritan ghost who sought her revenge against Isaac at the end of season 3, it was exclusively revealed that she would be played by Mary Holland. The panel praised her talent and shared what a great addition she was to the cast. Roman Zaragoza was so in awe of her that he would forget his lines.

Joe Wiseman gave another casting reveal – Sam’s father is going to be played by Dean Norris. Wiseman’s daughter actually came up with idea of him playing Sam’s dad while they were watching Breaking Bad, and Norris ended up being available.

However, it’s not just Sam’s family that will be featured this season, Wiseman shared that we would get to meet more of Jay’s family in season 4 which Utkarsh Ambudkar said would be stressful for Sam. It will be a journey for Jay’s family to fully accept Sam as well as them as a couple.

Joe Port shared more of Jay’s storyline for this year with the restaurant opening being a big focus, with Ambudkar joking “It’s going to become an episode of The Bear”. Ambudkar discussed further how important the restaurant is to Jay as it’s the first thing he gets for himself while the BnB was an adventure he went along with for Sam. However, he shared that there will be challenges and some bickering with Isaac as he’s the silent partner in the restaurant. Port also teased that Jay will see the ghosts this season (“maybe”) which even the cast themselves were surprised to hear. Ambudkar was especially excited – “I get to talk to people at work”.

Moriarty discussed Pete’s discovery of his powers and how that would continue to be explored in season 4 with him meeting some new ghosts. Wiseman also hinted that they going to continue the slow burn of Pete and Alberta.

The panel also suggested that there would be some romance for Sasappis. Zaragoza reflected that at the start of the show Sass was so lost he just wanted a partner and someone to see him and love him but is now starting to learn what he likes and doesn’t like. “He’s learning – he’s been dead for so long so he thinks he knows everything but he doesn’t so he’s constantly learning”.

For Hetty, before looking forward to season 4 it was important to acknowledge how far she’d come in season 3, especially in the heartbreaking episode (“Holes Are Bad”) where it was revealed she had committed suicide. Wisocky stated that “tackling suicide in a comedy is risky but also important” and credited the writer Sophia Lear as “the episode wouldn’t exist without her”. To do the episode justice, they spoke with mental health professionals. Wisocky has gotten positive feedback from people who have been affected by the issue, and is very proud of the episode. Others on the panel praised Wisocky with Moriarty sharing that it raised their gratitude and respect for Rebecca as it was such an incredible performance, and Zaragoza stating it was his favourite episode. Wisocky shared that although this will affect Hetty going forward in season 4 given that she has learned a really powerful lesson about empathy it also doesn’t mean she’s suddenly going to be a good person now. Port had more positive outlook stating that “the characters are trying to right wrongs that they didn’t do in their lives” and described how Hetty is going to step up as a business woman with the BnB.

Other reveals included that there would be another Halloween special (episode 3) where Patience would play a big part. Wiseman discussed that she would have a big effect on the house and that she’s not a fan of Halloween. In addition to the Halloween episode, there will be another 1 hour Christmas special.

As the panel drew to a close, there was one more big reveal. In conjunction with Creep LA, fans will be able to attend an immersive haunted house in LA which will transport them into the eerie world of Ghosts. Tickets are expected to drop on September 9th which will be the perfect preparation for season 4 which will begin airing on October 17th.