Rebecca Wisocky on Humor and Heart in CBS’ Ghosts

We’re adding a new face to Actors With Issues’ Ghosts Hall of Fame as we sit down with the lovely Rebecca Wisocky for a bite-sized interview to discuss her four-season journey on the hit CBS series, its lighthearted yet impactful storylines, and how the cast has become a unit during the many industry setbacks since it first entered production.

With a 25+ year career, Rebecca has played roles of all kinds, from the villainous Evelyn Powell in Devious Maids, and recurring roles on Star Trek: Picard, For All Mankind and the latest season of The Sex Lives of College Girls. Though her Ghosts character Hetty Woodstone has no problem speaking her mind, Rebecca herself was not always as bold and brazen as her characters. 

Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Wisocky shared she was a “painfully shy” child. “Like hug-my-mother’s-leg shy,” she shared. “She took me down to the local theatre to see a children’s play and I was mesmerized. She had the bright idea that maybe this could get me out my shell, so I auditioned for a production of Alice in Wonderland and I got a part!”

“I was terrified, but I fell in love with it,” she said, sharing how the sense of camaraderie and teamwork drew her into the world of acting. Theater became her “team sport,” as she described it, and she spent much of her childhood and adolescence performing at the community theater in her hometown.  

Rebecca would go on to make her Broadway debut in The Play’s The Thing in 1995, and booking her first television role just a few years later on HBO’s Sex and the City, eventually landing dozens of roles in television, film, and even voiceover work for a number of videogames, including hits from the Star Wars franchise, Star Wars: Squadrons and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.

When discussing her role on Ghosts, Wisocky reflected on how the pandemic and the SAG-AFTRA strike shaped both the show, the cast’s bond, and her personal growth as an actor. “We had such an extended period of not knowing whether this job we all wanted so much would actually happen,” she said. Though the series pilot was greenlit in February 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic causes months of delays and didn’t film until later that year, with an official series pickup in March 2021. The series would go on to premiere in October 2021. “Very little good came out of that period, but the closeness and sense of family we developed have made our show stronger.”  

This sense of connection is evident in Ghosts’ ability to tackle serious themes like grief, racism, religion, coming out, and even suicide, all through the lens of lighthearted humor and hope. One particularly moving episode centered on Wisocky’s character and her suicide, which drew heartfelt responses from fans. “If you told me a half-hour sitcom on CBS could handle something like suicide responsibly, effectively, and with humor and hope, I would’ve been doubtful,” she admitted. Working closely with therapists and mental health professionals, as well as the show’s writers, Wisocky and the creative team ensured the story was handled with care. “It’s incredibly humbling to see how the show has helped people have difficult conversations and bridge generational gaps.”  

Wisocky’s deep admiration for her castmates shines through, particularly in storylines like Isaac’s coming out, which explores themes of acceptance and understanding. “I love that my character, who might seem like the least likely to provide support, becomes the safest harbor and warmest heart,” she said. These moments of growth and change reflect the show’s central theme: only in death, and in relationships with others, do these characters truly learn to grow.  

Her advice for young actors emphasizes preparation and adaptability. “Understand discipline and be as prepared as you can so you can find freedom in the moment,” she said. Wisocky also underscored the importance of understanding the business side of acting, encouraging aspiring performers to find trustworthy collaborators early in their careers. When asked about a dream role, Wisocky expressed interest in revisiting the role of Lee Miller, the iconic WWII photographer and muse she portrayed onstage. “She’s a magnificent character, and I’d love to explore her story again.” Rebecca also mentioned her excitement for the upcoming film in which Academy Award-winning actress Kate Winslet portrays Lee Harper in Lee. 

Watch our full interview with Rebecca above, or tune in on your favorite podcast platform!