Okay, Now I Understand Why Lin-Manuel Miranda Didn’t Play Hamilton In Ghosts Season 4

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Ghosts season 4, episode 14, “Alexander Hamilton and the Ruffle Kerfuffle.”

While I was initially disappointed to see that Lin-Manuel Miranda wasn’t reprising his most famous role in Ghosts season 4, I can now see why the cameo appearance would not have worked in the CBS sitcom. While the ghosts of CBS’ Ghosts are the show's most important characters, alongside the Woodstone B+B’s living proprietors Sam and Jay, that doesn’t mean that the sitcom is short on guest stars. In season 4 alone, Dean Norris appeared as Sam’s estranged father Frank, and Mary Holland played Patience the Puritan, a new ghost with a creepy supernatural power.

Other episodes reintroduced Ghosts supporting stars like Jay’s sister Bela, who plays a bigger role in season 4, and Pete’s widow Carol. As such, I wasn’t shocked when it was announced that Isaac’s longtime rival, the Revolutionary War legend Alexander Hamilton, would appear on the CBS show. However, I was a little surprised and disappointed by who was playing the historical figure and the circumstances of his appearance. Hamilton's role was limited to a flashback in season 4, episode 14, “Alexander Hamilton and the Ruffle Kerfuffle.”

Why There Was Interest In Seeing Lin-Manuel Miranda Play Hamilton In Ghosts

Series Star Utkarsh Ambudkar Worked With Miranda On Hamilton

When Isaac’s actor first announced that Hamilton would appear in the sitcom, I initially assumed Lin-Manuel Miranda would play Hamilton in Ghosts season 4. Not only did Miranda’s well-received musical Hamilton earn a lot of praise when the Broadway show debuted a decade ago, but series star Utkarsh Ambudkar worked with Miranda on the project when Hamilton was still in its infancy. Then dubbed The Hamilton Mixtape, this early version of the musical saw Ambudkar play the central role of Aaron Burr.

Ambudkar openly admitted at Comic-Con that he asked Miranda to reprise the role of Hamilton in Ghosts. Thus, Miranda bringing back the character during a January episode of Saturday Night Live made me more convinced than ever that Ghosts was missing out by casting someone else in the role. The Conners supporting star and sitcom stalwart Nat Faxon might be a mainstay in TV comedy, but it seemed unlikely that he would leave as much of an impression as the return of Miranda's take on Hamilton.

“Alexander Hamilton and the Ruffle Kerfuffle” is a goofy farce that wouldn’t have worked with Miranda’s more self-serious version of Hamilton at its center.

Luckily, I was very wrong on this front. From start to finish, “Alexander Hamilton and the Ruffle Kerfuffle” is a goofy farce that wouldn’t have worked with Miranda’s more self-serious version of Hamilton at its center. Faxon brought a funny, light-hearted energy to the petty, immature Hamilton that was a welcome surprise, and the absurdity of Isaac losing out on signing the Declaration of Independence because of a fight over an ornate ruffle just wouldn’t have worked with Miranda’s sincere take on the historical figure.

Ghosts Season 4, Episode 14's Version of Hamilton Is Unflattering

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton Wouldn’t Have Fit Ghosts Season 4 Episode 14’s Story

One of the main appeals of Hamilton was the way that Miranda’s play re-imagined the Founding Fathers as fast-talking rappers, far from the sedate, solemn figures they are usually depicted as. However, as the title implies, “Alexander Hamilton and the Ruffle Kerfuffle” took a totally different approach to subverting viewer expectations. Ghosts season 4's story turned the Founding Fathers into a group of bitchy gossips who were more concerned with each other’s fashion choices than life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Rose McIver's Sam looks panicked the driveway in Ghosts season 4

Sorry, But Ghosts Season 4 Episode 13’s Returning Supporting Star Is Still My Least Favorite Character

Ghosts season 4 episode 13 brought back a supporting star that I've never been able to warm to, and they were just as abrasive as ever in this plot.

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Miranda's take on Hamilton was equally unexpected, but a lot more dramatic. In contrast, Ghosts season 4’s Alexander Hamilton was hilariously petty, and Faxon turned the historical figure into a clique-ish bully who was nothing like Miranda’s famous firebrand. Ghosts season 4’s Hamilton was a cartoonishly unflattering caricature because the episode’s story was told by Isaac, so it would have made no sense for him to be played by an acclaimed playwright notable for their verbal dexterity and spirited delivery.

Nat Faxon’s Version Of Hamilton Was Actually Perfect For Ghosts Season 4

The Founding Father Is Mostly Notable For Annoying Isaac

Since Ghosts made the real-life political figure as petty as Isaac, "Alexander Hamilton and the Ruffle Kerfuffle” was right to cast Faxon as Hamilton. The Conners actor nailed the silly tone of the series while still ensuring that Isaac’s childish rivalry with Hamilton carried some pathos. After Ghosts mocked The Bear for being classified as a comedy despite its frequent injections of drama, it would have been a bit hypocritical for the sitcom to cast a dramatic actor in such a goofy role.

Ghosts Actor	Character Name
Brandon Scott Jones	Isaac Higgintoot
Roman Zaragoza	Sass
Danielle Pinnock	Alberta
Rebecca Wisocky	Hetty
Richie Moriarty	Pete
Asher Grodman	Trevor
Devon Chandler Long	Thor

Despite some moments of levity throughout the musical, Miranda’s version of Hamilton is an inherently self-serious figure. The play wouldn’t work if his character wasn't taken seriously, since “The Founding Fathers, but they rap” is a premise that could become very silly, very quickly, if the show didn’t strike the right tonal balance. As such, it makes perfect sense that Ghosts season 4’s Alexander Hamilton was played by a comedic actor rather than Ambudkar’s famous collaborator.

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