In the British version of Ghosts (2019-23), the gay ghost is closeted, with a "disgraceful secret" that he never reveals to his housemates. I heard that the American version (2021-25) was better at gay representation, so I watched Episode 3.10, "Isaac's Wedding"
The Premise: Sam (a woman) and Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar) inherit a house filled with the ghosts of people who have died there or nearby, and for some reason can't move on to the afterlife. Since she was dead for a few minutes after an accident, Sam can see and hear them, but Jay can't.
Nigel (John Hartman, right), a British soldier who died during the Revolutionary War, has been in a relationship with Isaac (Brandon Scott Jones, left), the Continental soldier who he killed (by accident)). They are going to get married today, but Isaac is worried about his ongoing fantasy about Chris, the adult performer hired for his bachelor party (the humans told him that he was performing for an empty room).
Isaac asks Sassapis (Roman Zaragosa), a Native American who died in the 16th century, about his attraction to the stripper. Sassapis reassures him that it's just cold feet.
The DJ hired to play at the wedding arrives -- and to everyone's surprise, it's Chris (Deniz Akdeniz)! He's gay, he hates the show Hamilton, and he has no sense of smell -- all points in his favor. When he eats crab and has an allergic reaction, Isaac secretly wishes that he will die, so they can date -- but he survives.
Meanwhile Peter (Richie Moriarty), a 1980s scout leader who accidentally shot an arrow through his neck, has discovered that he can leave the house by poltergeisting family members, so he follows his descendants to a Caribbean vacation, and meets a female ghost from his time period. They have a passionate affair, but then he starts to evaporate.
Back at the house, the wedding begins, with Sassapis officiating. As Nigel and Issac exchange vows, Peter returns from the Caribbean, finds that he is whole again, and interrupts with his shout of jubiliation. He tells the story of his trip and the intensity of his love, and Isaac realizes that there's something missing in his relationship with Nigel. He backs out at the last minute.
Not noticing, lounge singer Alberta, who was poisoned during the Prohibition Era, starts singing "At Last" anyway. Nigel runs off crying.
Later, Isaac's housemates agree with his decision. He's 300 years old, and he's been out for only a few years, so he shouldn't rush into a relationship right away. He needs time to grow.
More after the break
The Viking Thorfin (Devan Chandler Long, left) and the 1960s flower child Flower are involved in a three-way relationship with one of the cholera victims in the basement (a woman), but Thorfin decides that he wants to be monogamous, and asks Flower to marry him. The humans want to do it right then, so they can use the existing decorations, but they refuse: it would be disrepectful for Isaac and Nigel.
Then a third couple, Peter's ex-wife Carol and Baxter (Steven Yaffe), one of Isaac's subordinates, state that they are engaged, and will use the decor.
Suddenly a Puritan woman named Patience appears in the basement. In an earlier episode, Thor, Isaac, and Patience were trapped in the dirt. As they clawed their way out, Isaac lost his grip on Patience's hand, so she was trapped again. Now she is back. The cholera victims tell Isaac that they have a "wedding present" for him, but when he reaches the baseemnt, she drags him into the dirt! The end.
Beefcake: The ghosts appear in the costumes they were wearing when they died, so no.
Heterosexism: Three straight and one gay couple.
Gay Characters: Isaac and Nigel share a bed -- apparently ghosts sleep -- and they have bedroom activities off-camera, but at least in this episode, they never touch.
Several other gay characters appeared during Seasons 1-3 :
Jenkins (Christian Daoust, top photo), Isaac's subordinate during the Revolutionary War, whom he was dating when he died. They have a fling when he is "on a break" with Nigel.
The Puritan George (Chris Eckhart), who also came out after becoming a ghost.
Thomas (Daniel Rindress-Kay), son of Lady of the House Hetty, and Earl (Brooks Brantley, left), who dumped him for lounge singer Alberta during the 1920s, leading to both of their deaths.
Also of note:
Christian Jadah (left) as the Viking Thorfinn's son.
Trevor (Asher Grodman, below), a hard-partying stock broker who died of a drug overdose in 2000, with his pants off.
My Grade: B+. They should have shown Nigel and Isaac kissing, and they should have let them stay married.
See also:
The Other Two, Episode 1.6: Carey goes shirtless, Chase twerks, and there's enough bulges and backsides for everyone. Brandon Scott Jones appears as Carey's friend.
High Potential, Episode 1.1: The cleaning lady figures out whodunit in a rich family with two gay sons. Deniz Akdeniz plays her detective partner.
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