The Viking, the Jew, and the Haunted Mansion

The American sitcom Ghosts, now in its fourth season (the first two available on Netflix and the rest on Prime Video), offers a surprising mix of humor, history, and heart. It follows Sam, a former journalist, and her husband Jay, a New York chef, who inherit an old mansion and plan to turn it into a charming bed and breakfast.What they don’t realize is that the house is haunted by a group of quirky and endearing ghosts, each from a different period in American history.

After a freak accident, Sam gains the ability to see and hear the ghosts. The result is a warm, clever comedy full of historical clashes, unexpected friendships, and tender moments.

Who’s in the Mansion?

The ghostly ensemble includes:

• Hetty Woodstone, a strict and proud 19th-century heiress who once owned the estate.

• Isaac Higgins, a Revolutionary War officer who wrestles with his identity and unspoken love.

• Sasappis (or “Sass”), a dry-witted Lenape man who often sees through the nonsense.

• Flower, a spacey hippie from the 1960s with a big heart and a foggy memory.

• Pete, a cheerful scout leader from the 1980s who was killed in a tragic archery accident.

• Alberta, a glamorous 1920s jazz singer with a suspicious death and a lot of charm.

• Trevor Lefkowitz, a Jewish Wall Street bro from the early 2000s who died at a wild party.

• Thorfinn, a Viking warrior from Iceland who has been haunting the property for over a thousand years.

  
  

A Surprising Duo: Trevor and Thorfinn

Among this unforgettable group, two characters form a particularly fascinating bond:Thorfinn, the long-dead Viking with a booming voice, a deep love of fish, and a hatred for Danes, and Trevor, the only ghost from the 21st century, who brings sharp wit, strong opinions, and subtle Jewish identity.

Their dynamic is one of the show’s quiet delights. Despite the thousand years between them, they connect over shared values — loyalty, courage, and a willingness to challenge authority. Neither one cares much for Christmas: Trevor, because he’s Jewish, and Thorfinn, because he sees it as a poor imitation of the Norse tree of life.

Thorfinn - Icelandic Honor and Ancient Grudges

Played by Devan Chandler Long, Thorfinn is more than comic relief. His dialogue draws from old Norse values, his pride in Icelandic tradition, and his lingering trauma from a life (and death) of conquest and isolation.His stories of gods, storms, and betrayal give the show a mythic touch, and his love of seafood is as specific as it is hilarious.Despite being American, Long delivers a surprisingly authentic accent and physical presence.

Trevor - A Modern Jew with a Heart

Asher Grodman’s Trevor isn’t a stereotypical Jewish character. His heritage comes up naturally - a casual reference to Hanukkah, a memory about his bar mitzvah, admiration for Judah Maccabee, or the classic Jewish-American Christmas dinner of Chinese takeout.The show never leans on clichés, and that’s part of what makes Trevor stand out. His identity is part of him, not his punchline.

Grodman, who is Jewish in real life, has spoken about wanting to create a character who reflects modern American Jewishness with nuance and humor. He succeeds beautifully.

Trevor and Thorfinn are unlikely friends, but their bond runs deep. Both are guided by codes of honor. Both wrestle with what they’ve lost. Both know how to laugh through pain.Together, they navigate the strange afterlife of the mansion, offering one another advice, perspective, and sometimes just company.

Ghosts is more than a clever sitcom. It’s a love letter to memory, identity, and unlikely connection. Whether you’re watching from Reykjavík, Brooklyn, or anywhere in between, it offers something warm, funny, and unexpectedly human.

L’chaim - and skál.