Utkarsh Ambudkar Shares Insights on Directing 'Ghosts' Season 5 and Why Jay's Close Call with His Soul Won't Change His Ways: "Sorry to Disappoint You, Jay Isn't One to Learn from His Mistakes"
Facing death and coming close to losing his soul might prompt many individuals to reconsider their priorities in life. However, when it comes to Jay from the beloved sitcom Ghosts, don't hold your breath expecting any profound changes.
Warning: Spoilers Ahead for the Season 5 Premiere of Ghosts
In a recent interview with DECIDER, Utkarsh Ambudkar, who plays Jay, revealed his thoughts about the dramatic conclusion of Season 4, which involved a pivotal moment with Elias Woodstone, portrayed by Matt Walsh. The stakes are high for Jay after Carol, played by Caroline Aaron, made a selfless decision to save him—yet it seems like he’s not ready for any life reevaluations just yet.
"Absolutely not. I apologize if that’s disappointing, but Jay doesn’t tend to learn from his errors. That’s simply not how engaging comedy unfolds," Ambudkar remarked when asked whether Jay would experience a transformation after his near-death experience. "We have plenty of amusing story arcs coming up, and the essence of those stories is that this couple is continuously growing and changing. However, they hardly ever stop to truly reflect on their past."
Utkarsh continued, sharing that this inclination to avoid letting past experiences shape their future decisions is precisely what makes Jay and his partner Sam one of the most endearing couples on television today. "Just like many of us, they are rushed from one day to the next. That’s what sets them apart and makes them so relatable."
As for embarking on his directorial journey in the fifth season, Utkarsh expressed a desire to emulate Sam's actor, Rose McIver, by utilizing his strengths to foster a fun and creative atmosphere for both the cast and crew. "My goal is to cultivate a collaborative, enjoyable, and effective shooting environment. I believe I've gained a solid understanding of what Ghosts intends to convey, what works, and what doesn’t," he explained. "Additionally, I have complete trust in my fellow cast members, which will allow me to manage our time so that everyone feels at ease and we can simply enjoy our work."
Stay tuned for the entire interview with Ambudkar as we delve deeper into the world of Ghosts!
So, what’s the latest with Ghosts? We left off in Season 4 with Jay's life hanging in the balance. How is he coping when Season 5 kicks off?
When we last observed Jay, he had a heart-stopping experience involving a chandelier. As Season 5 begins, he finds himself racing against time. Both he and Sam are filled with dread, and Jay is genuinely frightened. In a frantic attempt to protect himself, he has taken to wrapping himself in every conceivable type of sports protective gear, while also devising ways to outsmart Elias. More importantly, he is pondering what his afterlife will become should Elias emerge victorious. Thus, he is in a desperate state when we make his acquaintance this season.
What’s your favorite aspect of portraying someone in distress?
Honestly, embodying heightened anxiety is always an enjoyable experience, especially since Jay rarely finds himself at the center of such turmoil. Typically, he’s the one going, “What on earth is happening?” That’s his default demeanor. But now, he’s in a position of uncertainty, contemplating whether to enter the ghost trap or wondering about the type of snacks he should bring if he faces eternal rest. I mean, he’s stuffing cookies into his pockets because who wouldn’t want a cookie for the afterlife? It’s thrilling to be at the center of this chaos while the other ghosts scramble, and watching Sam attempt to remedy the situation just adds to the fun.
I adore how Jay is concerned about cookies and even packing a lounge chair into the ghost trap! How would you prepare in his shoes?
Definitely not the way Jay is! If it were me, knowing the end was near, I would probably engage in typical sentimental fare—writing letters or leaving heartfelt notes for my loved ones. I would want them to understand what I would wish they’d carry with them forever. Plus, I would try to tick off a few items from my bucket list, depending on my situation. I feel pretty content in that respect.
Well, we know how things pan out; Carol indeed sacrifices herself.
That’s right, it indeed happens.
If Jay were in a different position, do you think he would be willing to sacrifice himself for anyone present?
Possibly, but I’d lean towards a hesitant ‘no.’ I’m not convinced Jay would go through with it. He might think, “You’re already deceased and are a ghost. I don’t want you to suffer, but should I really trade one life for another?” This kind of thinking enters complicated territory, and I acknowledge it could spark a debate.
Now that Jay has been saved, do you believe this will shift his perspective on life? Is there anything newfound he might want to do?
Not at all. Sorry to say it again, but Jay isn’t one to learn from his past blunders. That’s just how good comedy thrives. We have numerous entertaining plotlines ahead, revolving around this couple that is constantly learning, yet they hardly find the time to pause for any meaningful introspection. They’re just keeping up with the daily grind like most people do. That is what makes them exceptional and endearing.
I saw something intriguing in the headlines recently; someone is making their directorial debut. Could you shed some light on that?
I spoke with the creators, the Joes, about it possibly last season. I shadowed several directors, conducted my research, and took a course with the Directors Guild of America (DGA)—which was fantastic. The Joes then informed me that I’d be directing an episode this season! I’ve been preparing and consulting with every director who has been on set. Watching Rose shine in her directorial efforts inspired me greatly; she really played to her strengths. I believe if I can do that too, I should be in good shape!
What aspect of this experience excites you the most? Do you have any nerves?
I hope the process will be collaborative, delightful, and smooth. I feel quite clear about Ghosts’ identity—what it aims to be and what it shouldn’t do. It comes down to pacing—nailing the jokes, finding the ideal camera angles, the shot sizes—all that technical jazz. I believe I have a strong grasp on the technical side, and I trust my fellow cast completely. It’s about timing it all so no one feels undue pressure, allowing us to enjoy our days fully.
I’m particularly excited about collaborating with Michelle, our director of photography, Matt, our first assistant director, and our talented design team. It’s going to be great to bounce our ideas off one another. Our crew is well-versed in this universe, and I can’t wait to see the bursts of creativity we’ll generate together. Naturally, I want the comedy to land, and I’d like to propose some new jokes that empower the actors to shine.
Before we wrap up, I must ask about the Halloween and Christmas episodes, which everyone anticipates. I’ve heard the previously mentioned mummy will make an appearance. What can you share about what’s coming up in those episodes?
I'm pretty certain possession is on the horizon for us, and yes, I suspect that mummy will play a significant role! Additionally, I think we’ll be introduced to one or two new ghosts who’ll bring plenty of humor from different historical periods we haven’t yet explored. As for our Christmas special, let’s just say there are iconic holiday films whose plots and themes could easily make their way into our Ghosts storyline. Including possibly featuring our main characters in surprising ways. I really wish I could disclose more, but I must resist! Let’s just say that this Christmas special is shaping up to be incredibly special.
The premiere of Ghosts Season 5 is now available for streaming on Paramount+.
For those interested, Paramount+ offers two different subscription options. The ad-supported Essential plan is just $7.99 per month, while the Premium plan, with no ads and including Showtime, is available for $12.99 per month. New subscribers can even take advantage of a seven-day free trial!
Find out more and dive into the hilarious and spooky world of Ghosts this season!
