Ghosts season 4 delivered a surprise twist in that it’s not just humans that can become ghosts. Animals can as well, with a snail becoming the first animal ghost on the property of Woodstone Manor. That’s opened the idea of more animals popping up for the Main 8 to interact with.
It turns out that it’s not just us fans wondering about other animals who could appear on the property. The writers have also had this discussion, and showrunner Joe Wiseman had some exciting news for TVLine.
Wiseman shared that the snail ghost is likely not the only animal that we’ll see in spirit form. As a quick recap, the snail ended up dying on the property and became something that Trevor latched onto. It turned out that he died, leaving his dog behind, and he didn’t want to get close to another pet after that. However, he couldn’t help but get close to the snail, and in doing this, he thought the white light was for him.
Instead, it was the snail being “sucked off,” and not Trevor. Of course, it was in a hilarious way, with the snail going upward just as slowly as a snail moves forward.
Well, it turns out that the writers had so much fun in bringing the snail in that there is a chance of other animals showing up in the future. The writers have a few ideas, but there are some I hope we don’t end up seeing. I don’t think my heart could take some of them.
“We’ve talked about a lot of different animals. So, yes, we love that ghosts can be animals — and we have a few ideas," Wiseman teased.
The one I’m most worried about seeing turn up is a dog. It doesn’t matter how many humans die, I will always be angry at the death of a dog. I think that comes from being a dog person, but it’s just a fact that I don’t want the reminder that dogs die. Plus, I don’t think that a dog would end up as a ghost, as there’s nothing for them to really learn from in the afterlife. Remember that the spirits in Ghosts are there to learn to be better people.
I could say that about all animals, though. My theory on the snail is that it didn’t have anything to learn, it just took so long to get the light because, well, it’s a snail. Maybe the snail heaven takes so long to call its own back.
To be honest, most animals don’t have a lot to learn as a ghosts. They’re not inherently bad, even when they attack. They are doing what nature intends them to do, and so, that means they shouldn’t end up as ghosts. So, if they do, it needs to be for a purpose, and that could be to help a member of the Main 8. It arguably is time that one of the Main 8 learns the final lesson they need to and be “sucked off,” and via an animal would be a great way to do that.
Ghosts will return on Thursdays at 8:30/7:30c on CBS in fall 2025.