Lin-Manuel Miranda reprising his most famous role on Mary Holland’s Ghosts character Patience was an unpredictable addition to the show’s lineup for the first three episodes of season 4.

While some Ghosts season 4 ing characters like Bela remain underused, the series still has room to introduce more one-off guest stars. TVLine broke the news that The Conners star Nat Faxon would appear as Isaac’s nemesis Alexander Hamilton in a flashback later in season 4, a surprise that left some viewers understandably dismayed. Series star Utkarsh Ambudkar previously worked with Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda onstage and itted that he repeatedly asked the playwright to reprise his role as the founding father, so Miranda’s Saturday Night Live appearance made his refusal doubly disappointing.

Lin-Manuel Miranda Was The Perfect Alexander Hamilton For Ghosts Season 4

The Hamilton Star Previously Acted Alongside Ghosts’ Utkarsh Ambudkar

Lin-Manuel Miranda is best known as the writer and star of Hamilton, a hit Broadway musical based on the life and work of the eponymous American politician. The musical was a sensation throughout the 2010s and Ambudkar appeared as Aaron Burr in an early Vassar Workshop production of the show. Ambudkar was later replaced by Leslie Odom Jr but remained close with Miranda. Thus, after Ghosts established a running joke about Isaac’s one-sided rivalry with Hamilton, Ambudkar told an audience at San Diego Comic-Con that he asked Miranda to reprise the role “Several times.”

Ghosts season 4's Hamilton flashback cast Faxon in the role, despite Hamilton’s popularity meaning that Miranda is the actor most viewers associate with the political figure.

Sadly, Miranda turned down the opportunity. Ghosts season 4's Hamilton flashback cast Faxon in the role, despite Hamilton’s popularity meaning that Miranda is the actor most viewers associate with the political figure. Hamilton’s time in the pop culture spotlight may have faded, but the play remains Miranda’s most popular work by a stretch and his most recognizable role as an actor. As such, it would make sense for him to nostalgically revisit the part for a fun cameo, which is exactly what Miranda did for another US comedy show in January 2025.

SNL Was Able To Convince Lin-Manuel Miranda To Play Hamilton Again

Miranda Reprised His Broadway Role In A Season 50 Cold Open

Miranda appeared in the cold open of January 25’s Saturday Night Live episode, where he reprised the role of Hamilton. Before this, the last time Miranda played the role was in his final show on July 9, 2016. Ghosts season 4’s story could have seen him revive the character but, evidently, this was not as appealing as playing the part in Timothee Chalamet’s Saturday Night Live episode. In the cold open, Miranda rapped about America’s history before he was interrupted and silenced by the show’s parody of US President Donald Trump.

Miranda remained frozen for the remainder of the cold open as Trump detailed his plans for America throughout his ensuing term. The president also joked about how much both viewers and Miranda alike wanted the playwright to do more rapping in his appearance before the end of the cold open. The brief cameo was no longer than Ghosts season 4’s flashback appearance would have been, meaning it was unlikely to be a more substantial professional commitment. That said, there are a few reasons why Miranda may have chosen to play Hamilton on Saturday Night Live over Ghosts season 4.

Why Lin-Manuel Miranda Is More Inclined To Play Hamilton In SNL Than In Ghosts

The Hamilton Actor May Have Been Tempted By The Part’s Brevity

While Ghosts season 4’s best stories have highlighted the show’s existing characters, it is hard to overstate how well a Miranda cameo would have fit in the show’s universe. Ambudkar’s history with Miranda is a fun link between the stars and the years that the series spent setting up Isaac’s rivalry with Hamilton could have perfectly paid off with the revelation that Miranda was playing him. However, there are at least two reasons why Miranda may have chosen Saturday Night Live over the sitcom.

Miranda’s Saturday Night Live role is a one-off cameo that is unlikely to result in later appearances, whereas establishing him as a character in the world of Ghosts could have meant future comebacks. Playing Hamilton on Saturday Night Live was also a fun way to remind viewers about Miranda’s relevance years after Hamilton ended, whereas playing the character in Ghosts may have felt like a betrayal of the original Broadway play’s darker tone and more serious approach. As such, while it might be disappointing for viewers, Lin-Manuel Miranda playing Hamilton on Saturday Night Live after turning down Ghosts does add up.

Sources: TVLine