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When it comes to blending comedy, horror, and real-life paranormal investigations, Ghosting is unlike anything else on television. The CBC series follows co-hosts Luke Hutchie and Matthew Finlan as they travel across Canada, exploring eerie locations alongside special guests—many of whom are no strangers to the horror genre. But unlike traditional ghost-hunting shows, Ghosting thrives on its unpredictability, humor, and genuine camaraderie, making each episode as entertaining as it is chilling.

Now in its second season, Ghosting has expanded its scope, taking viewers to even more spine-tingling destinations while raising the stakes for both its hosts and guests. With new twists, bigger scares, and plenty of unexpected moments—some thrilling, some hilarious—Luke and Matthew continue to push the boundaries of what a paranormal series can be.

Pop Culturalist caught up with Luke Hutchie to talk about Ghosting’s evolution, the most unforgettable moments from Season 2, and which Canadian actors he hopes to bring into the supernatural spotlight next.

PC: Ghosting is such a departure from what audiences typically expect from CBC—what inspired the series?
Luke: Matt and I really wanted to create a show that celebrates Canadian talent and represents Canada as it is today. With the success of CBC shows like Schitt’s Creek, the world got a peek behind the curtain, so to speak, at Canadian talent. Ghosting blends comedy with the paranormal genre while representing Canada in a way that has never been done before. We explore parts of the country most people never see, truly showcasing Canada in a fresh and exciting way that we hope audiences enjoy.

PC: Ghosting feels both familiar and refreshing. What do you think sets this series apart, and was striking that balance something you and Matthew were mindful of while creating the show?
Luke: I think the key to this show is that Matthew and I have no idea what we’re doing. [laughs] It may seem like we have a plan, but, just like our guests, we’re experiencing these locations for the first time. The dynamic of actors known for horror movies being placed in real-life scary situations is such a funny tie-in—it’s almost so ridiculous that it just works. I wouldn’t call the show a parody because we’re genuinely trying to determine whether the ghost stories tied to these places are true and, therefore, if they’re actually haunted. But we definitely go into each investigation without any idea of what to expect. The relationships between us and our guests are real, and I think that authenticity comes through in the show. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, which allows people to feel like they’re part of the investigation rather than just watching it.

PC: It’s difficult to push boundaries in the first season of any show, but after a successful debut, how does Season 2 expand and elevate everything you and Matthew created?
Luke: We’ve wanted to travel across the country since Season 1, and we finally made it happen! Visiting every corner of Canada was a huge milestone, allowing us to explore incredible locations like the Bell Island Mines and the Caribou Hotel in the Yukon. Given the vast distance we covered, we truly showcased a wide range of the country, and we hope people enjoy the journey as much as we did.

This season, we also introduced some new elements to the show, like “First Impressions,” where guests find out their location for the first time. They never knew in Season 1 either, but for some reason, we just didn’t film it—silly us! I think this addition really helps establish the guests’ perspectives and allows the dynamic between Matt, the guest, and me to drive each episode.

PC: Season 2 features such a star-studded lineup—do you have a favorite behind-the-scenes moment with one of your guests? Was there anyone who surprised you in an unexpected way?
Luke: I absolutely loved the Yukon with Joel Oulette! Whitehorse was incredible, and we made so many friends—so much so that we even ended up at a local house party the night before we left. That entire week of filming felt like a dream, and I’ll always remember the Yukon.

Another unforgettable moment, which actually made it into the show, happened during Humberly González’s episode—we got attacked by a bat while filming! At the time, I was screaming, but looking back, it was so funny and completely unexpected. That’s what happens when you’re in a hundred-year-old house!

Filming the show feels a lot like being on tour. We don’t stay in any one city for long, but we’re always with the same group of people, and it’s just an amazing time.

PC: The guests this season already have a reference point for the show. How did you and Matthew raise the stakes to keep things fresh and exciting?
Luke: For Season 2, we wanted to lean more into the scary and pull back a bit on the comedy—though you could argue we didn’t quite succeed! We did make a conscious effort not to play into the laughter as much. While our guests had some idea of what to expect after Season 1, they had no clue how much bigger the locations would be or what surprises we had in store.

I think the idea of getting on a plane without knowing where you’re going is terrifying in itself, but Joel, Percy Hynes White, Veronika Slowikowska, and Nikki Roumel all did it without hesitation. We really pushed ourselves with the locations, making sure each one felt bigger and scarier than anything they could have imagined.

PC: You’ve teased that this season pushed you in unexpected directions. What did you learn about yourself along the way? Was there a standout moment that left a lasting impact?
Luke: I learned that my great-uncle died on the Titanic! Well, I had kind of known through family whispers, but it was officially confirmed when we were in Halifax. We had dinner at the Five Fishermen Restaurant, which is not only a well-known haunted hotspot—it used to be a morgue back in the day—but also the place where my uncle’s body was brought after being recovered from the wreckage of the Titanic. Definitely not something I expected to uncover!

Getting to see so much of Canada this season was a dream in itself, and it’s an experience I will never forget!

PC: If the show gets picked up for a third season, is there a dream guest you’d love to have on?
Luke: We’ve already had so many conversations about this, but personally, I would love to have Rohan Campbell from Halloween on the show! Shannon Kook from The Conjuring, Kiana Madeira from Fear Street—there are just so many incredible Canadian actors that this show was literally made for. I really hope we get the chance to do this one more time!

To keep up Luke, follow X and Instagram. Season 2 of Ghosting with Luke Hutchie and Matthew Finlan premieres March 21st on CBC Gem.

Photo Credit: Kyle Kirkwood