They’ve both played presidents, and now they’re in the presence of “Ghosts.” Original “Hamilton” star Christopher Jackson — who played George Washington in the Broadway hit — and “SNL” cast member James Austin Johnson (best known for his Donald Trump impression) have signed on to guest later this spring on CBS’ “Ghosts.”
Jackson is on board to play Anthony, described as “an HR rep at Mahoning Capital who calls in Trevor’s fake employee alter ego, ‘Michael Jackson,’ after questionable stripper‑gram behavior.” And Johnson has been cast as Joe, “the local historical expert who helps Sam and Jay navigate the process of declaring Woodstone a historical monument.”
Previous guest stars announced for Season 5 include “Young Sheldon” star Iain Armitage, as well as John Michael Higgins and recent Emmy winner Jeff Hiller.
Jackson was mostly recently seen on HBO Max’s “And Just Like That.” His other TV credits include CBS’ “Bull,” Netflix’s “When They See Us,” “The Good Wife,” “Nurse Jackie” and more. He’s been nominated for a Tony and has won Grammys and Emmys; besides “Hamilton,” other Broadway credits include “Holla If Ya Hear Me,” “Bronx Bombers,” “After Midnight,” “In the Heights,” “Memphis” and “The Lion King.”
As for Johnson, he’s now in his fifth season on “SNL.” His other TV credits include spots on “Barry” and “Better Call Saul.” He has also voiced for “The Simpsons,” “Angry Birds 3,” “Hotel Transylvania 5,” “Inside Out 2” and the podcast “‘Tis the Grinch Holiday Podcast.”
Joe Port and Joe Wiseman are the showrunners and executive producers on the series, which stars Rose McIver, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Brandon Scott Jones, Richie Moriarty, Danielle Pinnock, Asher Grodman, Román Zaragoza, Sheila Carrasco, Rebecca Wisocky and Devan Chandler Long.
CBS Studios, in association with Lionsgate Television and BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions, are behind “Ghosts.” Besides Port and Wiseman, Richie Keen, Matthew Baynton, Jim Howick, Simon Farnaby, Laurence Rickard, Ben Willbond and Martha Howe-Douglas, Alison Carpenter, Debra Hayward, Alison Owen (Monumental Television), Angie Stephenson (BBC Studios), Josh Malmuth, John Blickstead and Trey Kollmer are also exec producers.
Here are first looks at Jackson and Johnson on “Ghosts”:
