Funny, surprisingly emotional and completely endearing. The American sitcom Ghosts had me laughing out loud, falling in love with its characters and, rather unexpectedly, wanting my very own 1920s speakeasy!

Spoiler warning: This review discusses character developments and plot twists across several seasons.

I’ve just finished watching the American version of Ghosts on Netflix, and I genuinely didn’t expect to become quite so attached to a house full of dead people!

Sam and Jay inherit a sprawling old mansion, only to discover it’s already occupied by an eccentric collection of ghosts from different centuries. Following an accident, Sam can see and speak to them; poor Jay cannot. What follows is a wonderfully chaotic mixture of comedy, unlikely friendships, supernatural surprises and some genuinely touching moments.

But what made Ghosts special for me wasn’t simply the humour. It was how much the characters — and the show’s whole supernatural world — changed as the seasons progressed.

Watch the American Ghosts on Netflix UK (availability and included seasons can change).

From Irritating to Irresistible

One of the things I found fascinating was how my favourites changed as the seasons progressed. Hetty, Thor and Trevor initially irritated the life out of me!

Hetty, with her outdated attitudes and social superiority. Thor, with his constant shouting and Viking approach to absolutely everything. And Trevor, the trouserless finance bro whose personality initially seemed to be all partying and ego.

Yet by the end, I absolutely loved all three.

That’s where the writing really shines. Rather than leaving the ghosts as one-dimensional stereotypes, the show peels back their personalities to reveal regrets, insecurities and surprisingly touching backstories. They don’t suddenly become perfect people — they’re still wonderfully flawed — but they grow.

Alberta and Flower, meanwhile, were firm favourites from the beginning. Alberta’s confidence and larger-than-life personality made her instantly likeable, while Flower’s wonderfully free-spirited outlook provided some brilliant comedy. Given my love of all things 1920s, perhaps Alberta was always destined to be a favourite!

Apparently, You’re Never Too Dead to Grow

For a comedy about the afterlife, Ghosts has an awful lot to say about living.

Watching Hetty discover feminism and challenge the restrictions placed on women in her lifetime was genuinely moving. Here was a woman shaped by an era that severely limited her choices, slowly beginning to understand her own independence and worth.

Then there’s Isaac. His journey towards accepting his sexuality was handled with such a lovely combination of humour, vulnerability and tenderness. Watching him embrace a part of himself he’d hidden for so long felt especially meaningful.

And Thor! Beneath all that Viking aggression was someone gradually learning that anger and violence aren’t always the answer. Seeing him develop empathy and express affection was unexpectedly heartwarming.

The characters weren’t simply moving on from their pasts; they were learning from them. Personal growth, it turns out, doesn’t have an expiry date. Not even death!

A House Full of Surprises — and New Ghosts

One of my pet hates with long-running sitcoms is when the characters and their situations stay exactly the same. Thankfully, Ghosts never felt stagnant to me. The original cast wasn’t presented at the beginning and left to repeat the same jokes indefinitely. The writers kept finding fresh ways to expand their supernatural world.

I particularly loved discovering the ghosts’ individual superpowers. Imagine being dead for decades, perhaps centuries, and only just finding out you have a special ability! Each new revelation changed what seemed possible.

Then came the visiting ghosts. Jessica, whom Sass developed feelings for, was attached to the car she died in rather than Woodstone Mansion. Alberta’s romance with Saul, a baseball-playing poltergeist attached to a living person rather than a place, introduced another brilliant twist. Each newcomer challenged the rules we thought we understood.

And Stephanie! The prom-night teenage ghost spends most of her afterlife sleeping in the attic, waking only occasionally — unless Jay accidentally disturbs her. Apparently life at Woodstone isn’t complicated enough without an eternally teenage ghost with attitude!

Some surprises were more painful. Pete discovered that his wife Carol had cheated on him with his best friend, only for Carol to die at Woodstone and become part of his afterlife too. Talk about awkward! The twist created a completely new relationship dynamic, rather than simply revisiting an old joke.

I also loved the Halloween séance that brought Hetty’s former maid, Molly, back from the other side. Just when I thought I knew how this ghostly universe worked, another discovery had me guessing what would happen next.

It wasn’t simply the original cast being funny: the characters evolved, their relationships shifted and the world of Woodstone kept growing.

Poor Jay! The Man Who Just Wanted to Join In

Can we take a moment to appreciate Jay? I felt genuinely sorry for him at times.

Imagine living in a house full of fascinating people, hearing about their arguments, adventures and romances every day, but never being able to see or speak to them. And he had so much in common with Pete and Sass! You could imagine the friendships they might have if only he could interact with them properly.

I’ll admit, I was secretly wishing he’d have a little bump on the head, just like Sam, and suddenly see them all too. Surely that wasn’t too much to ask?! 😂

So when Sass managed to connect with Jay through his dreams, I absolutely loved it. Finally, Jay had a connection to the ghostly world without Sam always acting as interpreter.

And then there was the hilarity of Jay losing Pete in the supermarket. Seriously, how do you even begin looking for someone who’s invisible to you in the first place?

Underneath all that comedy is something incredibly sweet: Jay doesn’t just tolerate Sam’s supernatural housemates. He genuinely wants to be part of their world. And he is every bit as much a member of the Woodstone family.

Pete Finally Gets His Adventure

Speaking of Pete… oh, Pete!

His storyline about finally being able to travel was one of my absolute favourites. There’s something incredibly poignant about watching someone who has been confined to one place discover the freedom to explore the world.

Pete is dependable, well-meaning, slightly awkward and often more concerned about other people than himself. Seeing him finally embark on his own adventures felt thoroughly deserved.

Maybe my own love of travelling made this storyline particularly special to me. Stepping beyond familiar boundaries and embracing unexpected opportunities really resonated. Sometimes, even when you think your story is already written, there’s a whole world still waiting to be explored. Even if you happen to be dead.

Sucked Off, Going Down and Other Ghostly Expressions!

Of course, I couldn’t write about Ghosts without mentioning the gloriously inappropriate language!

When a ghost moves into the light, they’ve been “sucked off”. And if they’re headed in the opposite direction? They’re “going down on us”!

Honestly, the writers must have had an absolute field day. What makes the expressions even funnier is how innocently the ghosts use them.

And then there’s Thor. I don’t think I’ll ever look at a car the same way after hearing him call one a “landship”. His Viking interpretation of modern life became one of my favourite recurring jokes.

These silly details give the show so much personality. Before you know it, you’re speaking fluent Woodstone yourself. Who knew death could be so full of innuendo?!

A Little Speakeasy Envy!

I couldn’t possibly review Ghosts without mentioning one of my favourite episodes: the speakeasy!

I’ve always had a soft spot for the 1920s: the jazz, the glamour, the flapper dresses, the Art Deco interiors and that rebellious spirit. Perhaps that’s why I loved Alberta from the start.

So when the speakeasy came along, I was completely sold. There’s something irresistible about a secret drinking den hidden away from the world, complete with vintage cocktails, music and a healthy dose of mischief.

And now? I want one of my own!

Give me a concealed entrance, some gorgeous Art Deco décor, a cocktail shaker and a little jazz playing in the background and I’ll be in my element. Each ghost brings a little piece of history into the present — and some of that history I’d quite happily step straight into. Preferably with a cocktail in hand.

More Than Just a Sitcom

What surprised me most was how often Ghosts made me emotional. One minute I was laughing at something involving a Viking, a Victorian lady and a man without trousers. The next, I was reflecting on loneliness, acceptance, friendship or the importance of being true to yourself.

Somehow, it never felt preachy. Humour was never far away, even during the tender moments.

For all their squabbling and selfishness, these characters became a wonderfully unconventional family. They come from different centuries, backgrounds and belief systems; under normal circumstances, many would never have chosen to spend time together. Yet they gradually learn to understand, support and care about one another — even as they drive each other absolutely bonkers. Rather like any family, really.

Fi’s Sofa Verdict 🛋️

Funny, emotional in places, completely endearing and consistently full of surprises.

Ghosts sneaks up on you. You start watching for the comedy but find yourself invested in people you never expected to love. Just as important, the show doesn’t let them stand still: it keeps offering new relationships, fresh supernatural rules and unexpected discoveries.

It’s a reminder that we can change, challenge our beliefs, find acceptance and discover new adventures no matter where we’ve come from. And family isn’t always about the people you’re related to. Sometimes it’s the people who share your home, experiences and heart — even if they’ve been dead for 200 years.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely! Just be prepared to become rather fond of a group who should, technically, have moved on a long time ago.

And if anyone knows where I can get a secret speakeasy installed, do let me know!

Have you watched the American Ghosts? Who was your favourite, and which surprise storyline did you enjoy most? Let me know in the comments!

More On The Sofa with Fi

Fancy another night in front of the telly? Take a look at my American Horror Story season-by-season favourites, my Behind Her Eyes review, or find out whether Emily in Paris is worth a watch. For more supernatural viewing, browse my Halloween films and series picks.

Ready to meet the Woodstone ghosts yourself? Find American Ghosts on Netflix UK.

On The Sofa with Fi is my little corner of Life of a Crazy Mum where I share the films, television shows and entertainment that make me laugh, cry, think or simply escape for a while.

Turns out, there’s a lot of life after Mum.