When ABC dropped a show about a broke, single woman writing obituaries while chatting with actual ghosts, people weren't sure if it was a sitcom or a supernatural drama. It turned out to be both. Honestly, the cast of Not Dead Yet is the only reason that quirky premise didn't crash and burn after the pilot episode. You’ve got Gina Rodriguez leading the charge, but the chemistry between the supporting players—the frantic editors, the wealthy best friends, and the rotating spirits—is what actually gave the show its pulse.
Television is weird right now. Shows get canceled after two seasons regardless of how many people are watching, and unfortunately, this series joined the "gone too soon" club in May 2024. But looking back at the ensemble, it's clear the producers caught lightning in a bottle with this specific group of actors.
The Core Players: More Than Just Ghost Bait
Gina Rodriguez plays Nell Serrano. You probably know her from Jane the Virgin, but here, she’s much messier. Nell is a journalist who blew up her life for a guy in London, lost everything, and moved back to California to start over as an obituary writer. Rodriguez brings this specific kind of frantic energy that makes you root for her even when she's talking to thin air in the middle of a grocery store.
Then there’s Hannah Simone. She plays Sam, Nell’s best friend. If you’re a New Girl fan, seeing Simone play a high-functioning, slightly stressed-out mom is a fun pivot from Cece Parekh. She’s the grounded element. Without Sam, Nell would just be a person having a mental breakdown. Instead, their friendship serves as the emotional spine of the series.
Lauren Ash is a literal scene-stealer as Lexi. As the daughter of the newspaper owner, she could have been a one-dimensional "mean girl" boss. But Ash, who spent years honing her comedic timing on Superstore, makes Lexi vulnerable. She’s desperate for approval and deeply lonely, which is why her gradual friendship with Nell feels earned rather than forced.
Why the Cast of Not Dead Yet Faced an Uphill Battle
Sitcoms live or die on their "B-plots." If the main character isn't on screen, do you still care? In this case, the answer was usually yes.
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Rick Glassman plays Edward, Nell’s roommate. Glassman is an interesting dude in real life—he’s very open about his autism diagnosis—and he brings that neurodivergent perspective to Edward. His character isn't just a "quirky roommate" trope. He’s specific. He likes things a certain way. He challenges Nell. Their dynamic is one of the most realistic depictions of adult cohabitation seen on network TV in years.
Angela Gibbs plays Cricket, the widow of one of the first people Nell writes an obituary for. Gibbs is a veteran in the industry, and she adds a layer of soul to the show. While the younger cast is dealing with career anxiety and dating apps, Cricket is dealing with genuine grief. She owns the bar where everyone hangs out, acting as the unofficial therapist for the entire cast of Not Dead Yet.
The Guest Stars: A New Ghost Every Week
The brilliance of the show's structure allowed for incredible guest stars to cycle through as ghosts.
- Martin Mull: In one of his final roles before he passed away in 2024, Mull played Monty. He was the first ghost Nell encountered, and his dry, mid-western wit set the tone for the entire series.
- Brittany Snow: She played a former high school bully who, even in death, managed to make Nell feel small.
- Rhea Perlman: The Cheers legend showed up as a ghost who refused to leave Nell alone until her story was told correctly.
- Nico Santos: Reuniting with Lauren Ash from their Superstore days, Santos played a flamboyant ghost who helped Lexi find her confidence.
The Chemistry Problem (And How They Solved It)
Most comedies take an entire season to find their rhythm. Look at The Office or Parks and Recreation—those first seasons are rough. The cast of Not Dead Yet somehow skipped that awkward phase. By the middle of Season 1, the banter between Nell, Sam, and Dennis (played by Joshua Banday) felt like people who had actually worked together for a decade.
Dennis is a standout. As the editor of the obituary section, he has to balance being Nell's boss and her friend. Banday plays him with a "constant state of mild panic" that anyone who has ever worked in a newsroom will immediately recognize. He’s the bridge between the corporate demands of Lexi and the chaotic personal life of Nell.
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Dealing with the Cancellation
When ABC announced the show wouldn't return for Season 3, the fan reaction was pretty loud. The ratings weren't terrible, but in the era of streaming and high production costs, "not terrible" isn't always enough to save a show.
The cast took to social media to share their goodbyes. Gina Rodriguez posted a heartfelt tribute to the crew, noting that the show helped her navigate her own journey into motherhood (she was pregnant during the filming of the first season). Lauren Ash and Hannah Simone also shared behind-the-scenes clips that proved the off-screen chemistry was just as strong as what we saw on camera.
What You Can Learn From the Show's Arc
Actually, there's a lot to take away from how this cast handled the material. It’s a masterclass in ensemble acting.
- Don't hog the spotlight. Rodriguez is the star, but she consistently steps back to let Glassman or Ash take the punchline.
- Lean into the "weird." The show succeeded because the actors played the ghost interactions straight. They didn't wink at the camera. To Nell, these people were really there, and the stakes felt real.
- Vulnerability is funny. The funniest moments in the show aren't the jokes; they’re the moments where characters like Lexi or Edward admit they have no idea what they're doing.
Where to See the Cast Next
If you’re missing the cast of Not Dead Yet, they haven't gone far.
Gina Rodriguez has moved back into film production and voice acting. Hannah Simone continues to be a staple in the podcasting world with her New Girl rewatch show. Rick Glassman is touring his stand-up and hosting his popular podcast, Take Your Shoes Off, which is a must-watch if you want to see his actual personality—it's remarkably similar to Edward's, but even more chaotic.
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Lauren Ash is writing and developing her own projects. She’s one of those actors who will likely land another major sitcom lead within the next year because her track record is basically spotless.
Moving Forward Without Nell Serrano
It's a bummer when a show with this much heart gets the axe. But the legacy of the cast of Not Dead Yet is the fact that they took a "ghost of the week" procedural and turned it into a genuine study of friendship and failure. It reminded us that it’s okay to be a "work in progress" well into your 30s.
If you haven't watched it yet, both seasons are still streaming on platforms like Hulu and Disney+. It’s worth a binge, if only to see Martin Mull one last time or to watch Rick Glassman explain the "correct" way to load a dishwasher.
To dig deeper into the world of TV ensembles, you should look into the production notes from the showrunners, Casey Johnson and David Windsor. They intentionally cast actors with improvisational backgrounds to keep the energy high. That’s why the dialogue feels so fast and snappy. If you're a fan of the show, go follow the actors on their personal channels—they’re all surprisingly active and often interact with the fanbase.