Román Zaragoza on being a second-generation actor and his connection to the paranormal

You play Sasappis on the CBS show Ghosts. How did you come across that casting opportunity, and what drew you to your role as Sasappis?

Yeah. When I was living in Oregon during the pandemic, I was trying to just get by, [and] I was unemployed. I actually ended up going back to school because I never finished my degree. I took like three years off to work at this Shakespeare festival in Oregon called the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. I went back to school during the pandemic. And then it was [around] October. I was in my first of two semesters to finish University, and I got this casting for this new show called Ghosts for CBS [as] a character named Sasappis. And I was like, ‘All right, cool. It’s just another audition. Let’s do it. Let’s see what happens.’ It’s still the pandemic. I don’t know how they’re shooting right now. I don’t know how anyone’s doing anything right now. I ended up doing a Zoom audition with the casting director, and then I had another Zoom call back, and a few days later, I was on set in [Los Angeles] shooting the pilot. It was very quick. It was pretty wild. I’ve tested for pilots in the past, and it’s always an insane process with testing, and you have to see the executives, and you gotta do this thing, and you gotta do that thing [but] this one was very quick. They were under a really strict deadline and had to make a decision quick, so I was just in the right place [at the] right time. I was able to get into this project, which was such a dream. I love this show and the character, and I remember when I auditioned for it, the character, you know, [since], It’s a 1500s Lenape man, I was expecting them to be like, ‘You have to use an accent.’ Or something of that nature, and I was gonna be so annoyed about that. But no, they didn’t want that. They wanted me to use my normal voice, and they wanted to see someone play the character very [sarcastically], like how I play them. I’m just really excited that we’ve seen the evolution of who Sas is, and I’m just very honored to get to play him.

Yeah, ‘cause you guys are on your third season right now.

That’s right. Yeah, we’re going back for season three soon, and I’m very excited. Right now, we’re a little halted because of the writer strike and now soon-to-be [potential] SAG strike. We’re staying strong, and we’ll be back one day.

If Sasappis was never a ghost, if his role was completely different, and he was still alive in the present day. What do you think his life would be like?

That’s a great question. I constantly think about that. We’ve been seeing this evolution of who Sas is in his afterlife because who he was when he was alive was a very different person. He was shy, but he had ambitions, and he wanted Shiki to love him. He wanted to be loved. I have this idea that maybe he became a respected storyteller in the community. He maybe was able to get Shiki to fall for him, and maybe they created a beautiful family, and maybe he became a respected person in the community. I think that’s all he wanted was to really be kind of like his father in the community, someone who’s really respected and loved, and to live a life that his family is proud of. I think that is what he wants and what he wanted, and so to see the difference [of] who he has become as a ghost in his afterlife is [great and] really fun to play. There’s a lot to play with.

I feel like it’s always cool to see the personality evolution in characters when they start out one way, and then you’re kinda like the proud father at the end, like, “Oh my god, you did it!”

Now, I got to ask, what are your personal views on ghosts and the paranormal?

Yeah, so I grew up being very, very connected to ghosts and my grandfather [whose name I bear]. I’m technically Román Zaragoza the third, but it skipped a generation because my dad is Gregory, so my grandfather was Román, and my great-grandfather was Román senior.  I remember my mom would tell me that I would point to a corner and say, ‘Oh, there’s grandfather. There’s grandpa. Abuelito.’ And they would always be creeped out. They’re like, ‘What, this kid can see his grandfather? This is wild.’ I felt very connected to ghosts and to my ancestors at a young age. I think I have felt that connection as I grow, but [I] really felt very, very, very connected to it when I was a kid.

I think it’s such an interesting perspective to kind of think about the afterlife ‘cause nobody knows what that is. I think it’s something we always wonder about. Even one of my best friends, she would share that same kind of connection you do. She’s like, “As a child, I would see things and point stuff out, and nobody else would see it.” I definitely believe there’s something beyond the physical form, so it’s always interesting to hear different people’s perspective on it.

Yeah, I think that’s the fun part about our show, is it kind of talks about this topic [that] we don’t really talk about a lot in our society, about death, and about the afterlife. And it’s like, “Well, what if it’s like this? What if it’s bizarre and crazy? And you are now living with [ghosts]?”

What if there are fifteen people in the room with you right now, and you don’t know it?

Exactly, I think it’s really fun to think about, and I’m just happy that this show can bring some light to a rather dark topic.

Now, if you were to go ghost hunting with your fellow cast members, I’m curious, who would be the leader? Who would you have as ghost bait? And who do you think is more than likely to get possessed?

Oh, good question. You know, it’s funny that I think about [how] we did an escape room once, and I was like, ‘Okay, who’s gonna become the leader?’ You know, there’s always someone that takes charge and becomes the leader. But I was really impressed. Everyone was a leader at a moment. But hmm! It’s a really good question. I feel like Richie is a good leader or Rose, I feel like Rose would definitely be our leader. We definitely look to Rose. She’s our leader all the time. I’m gonna say Rose [is our leader], And then our bait, let’s put Asher [and] Devan as our bait, and then possessed, that’s a great question.

There’s always someone who gets possessed in those adventures.

That’s very true, maybe Sheila. I feel like Sheila would go wandering and then would get possessed.

You’ll have to prepare for your future ghost-hunting adventure with some nice sage and holy water.

Exactly, you gotta be ready.