After participating in numerous brief group interviews, the moment has finally arrived for an in-depth one-on-one discussion with Ghosts star Sheila Carrasco. During our engaging Collider Ladies Night conversation, Carrasco reminisced about her collaboration with D’Arcy Carden on The Good Place and explored several of Flower’s most captivating moments in Ghosts Season 4. However, this particular segment emphasizes a pivotal time in Carrasco’s career when her personal and professional lives intersected beautifully. Throughout the Ladies Night episode, Carrasco shared her insights on the experience of becoming a mother while maintaining her role as a series regular on a hugely popular and rapidly evolving show.

The conclusion of Ghosts Season 2 left viewers on the edge of their seats with a dramatic cliffhanger. On May 11, 2023, the episode titled “The Heir” ended with a brilliant burst of light emanating from Woodstone Manor, hinting at the mysterious fate of a ghost. But who was it? When Ghosts Season 3 premiered in February 2024, all indications pointed towards Flower due to her conspicuous absence. However, after seven episodes without Carrasco, viewers were finally enlightened. In one of the most outstanding episodes of Ghosts to date, titled “Holes Are Bad,” it was revealed that Flower was trapped in a well, while a cholera ghost was the one who departed at the end of Season 2.

This clever writing not only sets the stage for one of the series’ most profound and emotional revelations—the truth behind Hetty’s demise—but it also allowed Carrasco to prioritize her new role as a mother while keeping the door open for her return to the show on her own terms. Carrasco expressed her gratitude, stating, “I’ve never felt more supported. It was incredible.”

Behind-the-Scenes: Showrunners Uncertainty on Season 2 Cliffhanger

“I informed the Joes, ‘I’m pregnant.’ This coincided with their deliberations on who got sucked off.”

While it might be assumed that Ghosts showrunners Joe Port and Joe Wiseman had a clear direction when they concluded Season 2 with that suspenseful cliffhanger, it turns out that the duo and their writing team were uncertain about who exactly was sucked off at that time. Carrasco provided insight into the timeline:

“We had the actors’ strike, which began when I was three months pregnant. At the start of that strike, just when the writers’ room was set to reconvene, I had the opportunity to tell the Joes, ‘I’m pregnant.’ This was coincidentally around the time they were figuring out who got sucked off at the end of Season 2.”

Carrasco candidly admitted, “I wasn’t even focusing on the sucked-off aspect at that moment. I was suggesting, ‘Perhaps I could possess a peculiar object in the house for a few episodes.’” She added, “The solution they devised was brilliantly tailored for my maternity leave.”

Carrasco’s Empowering Role in the Series Narrative

“Everything was truly my decision.”

This plot development not only enriched the Ghosts storyline but also granted Carrasco the flexibility to choose when to make her return.

“I welcomed my baby the week prior to the production resuming for Season 3. Given that we shoot in Montreal, it wasn’t a situation where I could just pop back in, so I knew I wouldn’t be working for a while. The team informed me that, from a timing perspective, it would take at least six or seven episodes before I could return. Naturally, I was eager to come back. However, they insisted, ‘Please take all the time you need. You don’t even have to return this season.’ Ultimately, I chose to come back because I simply couldn’t bear to be away.”

Upon her return to the set, the Ghosts team ensured that Carrasco had everything necessary to thrive in all aspects of her life.

“When I returned, my baby was around two and a half months old, and it was safe to fly with her. Production took care of everything, from arranging the Airbnb I had rented to setting up all my ordered necessities, including the changing table and crib, so that we could just arrive from the plane. That alleviated a significant amount of stress.”

The support Carrasco received during her time on set was extensive, particularly in how the costumes department adapted her wardrobe. She elaborated:

“The costumes team modified my top to allow it to snap down completely, which is a complex design because it’s fully crocheted. This adjustment enabled me to pump or breastfeed whenever necessary, allowing me to take my pumping breaks as needed. During the early postpartum period, managing everything can be incredibly overwhelming. It’s challenging regardless, but the support I received in terms of giving me the space and time I required was invaluable.”

Carrasco further emphasized:

“All decisions regarding my return to work were ultimately mine. When I came back, I had complete control over how I re-entered the workplace. Furthermore, the fact that they were able to seamlessly integrate my absence into the script without anyone realizing the true reason behind it was remarkable. It made perfect sense within the narrative, which was fantastic.”

A Model for Inclusivity: How ‘Ghosts’ Sets a Standard for Other Productions

“Guest stars frequently take pictures and say, ‘This is the kind of environment I want for my children.'”

While there has been some progress, the film and television industry still often lacks the necessary support for mothers and expectant mothers. However, this is not the case for Ghosts. Indeed, one could hope that Carrasco’s experience serves as a model for how other productions can support artists navigating significant life milestones.

“I should note that we now have these spacious dressing rooms that connect around our green room, and they’ve transformed my room into a playroom/nursery area for all the other babies to come and hang out. Since I don’t work every day, this setup has been incredibly beneficial. Rose works daily, so I don’t require much space. We now have this fantastic play area, and the babies can relax together. I believe this could never have happened even just a decade ago, and it should serve as a blueprint. I’ve had guest stars come on set, take pictures, and say, ‘Oh, this is what I want for my kids.’”

For those eager to hear more from Carrasco, be sure to catch her full interview on Collider Ladies Night in the video featured at the top of this article or listen to the conversation in podcast format below. Discover all about her journey studying directing, set design, and acting at NYU and Harvard, her experience landing her big break at 38, her thoughts on Flower’s impactful moments in Ghosts Season 4, and the exciting future possibilities for the character, especially since Ghosts has recently received a well-deserved double renewal.

Ghosts is now available for streaming on Paramount+.

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