Did you know that there’s a Jewish ghost on TV?
That’s right, a Jewish character is haunting the airwaves in Ghosts, the hit CBS series that recently kicked off its fourth season. The show is a remake of the British series of the same name, and it follows Samantha (Rose McIver) and Jay Arondekar (Utkarsh Ambudkar), who inherit the haunted Woodstone Manor. The manor is filled with a diverse and quirky cast of eight ghosts, including a moody Viking (Devan Chandler Long), a Lenape man (Román Zaragoza), a Prohibition-era lounge singer (Danielle Pinnock), and a gay Continental Army officer (Brandon Scott Jones). Among them is Trevor Lefkowitz, a Jewish finance bro who died in 2000.
At first glance, Trevor feels like a classic stereotype: a money-obsessed, lecherous stockbroker with a penchant for frat-boy behavior, sexual innuendos, and a general disdain for anything selfless. With his Yiddishisms and “bro-code” mentality, Trevor is every bit the “bad Jewish stereotype”—the kind of character you might expect to be fixated on materialism and power. Oh, and did I mention he doesn’t wear pants? (Though that’s probably not related to his Jewishness.)
But as the show progresses, Trevor’s character begins to evolve. In season 1, episode 14, we discover how Trevor lost his pants—a moment that’s unexpectedly touching, showing that beneath his “bro” persona lies a man who can be altruistic and caring. His random acts of kindness, paired with the reveal that his life wasn’t as shallow as it first appeared, gradually transform Trevor into a much more complex character. He’s still the womanizing, sometimes obnoxious finance bro, but there’s a sweetness to him, too. He turns out to be, in the words of his character, a “secret mensch.”
Trevor’s portrayal works in part because he is played by Jewish actor Asher Grodman, which adds a layer of authenticity to the role. Grodman, who is openly Jewish, has said the role is meaningful to him, but he also appreciates that Trevor isn’t defined by his Jewishness. In an interview, Grodman shared, “You would describe Trevor in countless ways before you got to the point that he was Jewish. I think that’s also a thrill for my parents.” It’s refreshing to see a Jewish character whose identity isn’t the focal point of his entire personality but rather one aspect of his multifaceted character.
The show’s commitment to authentic Jewish representation is further underscored by the casting of Trevor’s parents, Esther and Lenny Lefkowitz, played by comedy legends Larraine Newman and Chip Zien. The episode in which they appear (season 2) brings a mix of family humor and heartfelt moments, as Trevor tries to reunite his divorced parents while navigating his own ghostly existence. The episode, brimming with Jewish jokes and references—schmekels, punims, and all—is an entertaining and lighthearted take on family dynamics and Jewish culture. It also features a cameo by ’90s star Tara Reid, which is…well, unexpected, to say the least.
Ghosts continues to expand Trevor’s family in season 3, introducing his less successful brother, Jeremy, played by Jon Glaser. During one of their conversations, Trevor encourages his brother, telling him, “You learned your haftorah in like a week,” a genuinely sweet and funny Jewish moment. It’s these subtle, endearing touches that make Ghosts stand out—it’s not just the jokes, but the tender, often schmaltzy moments that strike a balance between humor and warmth.
The show’s approach to Jewish representation is not only rare but also refreshing. While there’s no shortage of Jewish characters on TV, it’s still uncommon to see Jewishness represented in ways that feel natural and unforced. Trevor may start off as a walking stereotype, but he soon becomes a lovable, multidimensional character whose Jewishness is just one layer of who he is—something that is particularly meaningful when considering how often Jewish characters are reduced to their faith or culture.
Ghosts also features other Jewish actors in key roles, including Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Caroline Aaron as Carol, a ghost with cat ears, and Odessa A’zion as Stephanie, a teen ghost with a grisly backstory. These additional Jewish representations, paired with Trevor’s nuanced portrayal, offer viewers a fun yet thoughtful exploration of Jewish characters in a mainstream show, without making their Jewish identity the entire defining factor of who they are.
In the end, Ghosts is a charming, spooky, and surprisingly heartfelt show that uses humor to tackle big questions—while also offering some delightfully unique Jewish representation. Trevor may be a bit of a stereotype at first, but as the show progresses, he becomes one of the most lovable and unexpected characters on TV, and his Jewishness feels both authentic and integral to his character, without overwhelming it. It’s a delicate balance that many shows fail to strike, and it’s one of the reasons Ghosts stands out as a show that doesn’t just entertain, but also provides meaningful representation for its diverse characters, Jewish or otherwise.
