CBS’ Ghosts features a cast full of spectral characters that each hail from a distinct time, making fans wonder “How did the ghosts die in Ghosts?” Each ghost comes with a unique backstory and death. Though each of the eight ghosts has a wildly different perspective based on their experiences throughout history, they form a sort of family. After all, being stuck with the same people for all eternity allows plenty of time to get to know each other. Ghosts stars Utkarsh Ambudkar and Rose McIver as Jay and Sam, a young couple who inherit an upstate New York mansion.
In an adaptation of a BBC show of the same name, the couple discovers the house also comes with several ghostly inhabitants, who Sam can see after a near-death experience. These ghosts are Thorfinn, Sasappis, Isaac, Hetty, Alberta, Flower, Pete, and Trevor. Although other ghosts feature in the show, such as those in the basement “cholera pit,” the British soldiers from the shed outside, and even Hetty’s nefarious husband Elias, the main eight are the most fully fleshed-out throughout the first three Ghosts seasons.
Unlike Marvel’s Thor from the MCU, with whom he shares a name, Thorfinn is not a god, although he does have some pseudo-lightning powers. The oldest ghost in the show, Thorfinn is a Viking who traveled to North America but was accidentally left behind by his compatriots. The Vikings’ historical voyage was about 1,000 years ago, meaning Thorfinn died in 1007 BC. He died after being struck by lightning on the land that would one day hold Sam and Jay’s house, which leaves him with the ghostly ability to make lights flicker.
Never one to pass up a good discussion about fishing or fighting wild animals, Thorfinn is a Viking through and through. Instead of a Viking like Thorfinn in Ghosts, the oldest ghost in the UK version of the comedy series is a caveman named Robin. He is similar to Thorfinn when talking with monosyllabic dialogue and his ability to control electricity. He also died when struck by lightning.
