GHOSTS: Danielle Pinnock Previews the ‘Glitz and Glam’ of Alberta’s 1920s-Era Flashback—and the Secret the Songstress is Desperate to Keep

GHOSTS is diving into Alberta’s (Danielle Pinnock) past—in a new way—on the Thursday, October 6 episode, “Alberta’s Podcast.”

“It was really exciting to find out that Alberta was getting a flashback, because this is the first time that she’s gotten one—season 1, in the ‘Alberta’s Fan‘ episode, we did get to talk a lot about her [past], creepy Todd came in with toenails, and the back tattoo, but we never got to see [her] in the 1920s jazz club,” Pinnock explains to Give Me My Remote. “So [creators] Joe Port and Joe Wiseman, they delivered, [along with] all the writers, in such an incredible way.”

“I’m so honored that I get to pay homage to all the Black artists that came before me in this 1920s flashback,” she continues. “We are giving you glitz and glam. She’s on stage, and all the incredible Black artists that were a part of this episode just make it even more special.”

For Pinnock, who is not a trained singer, “I was definitely in singing lesson with my very dear vocal coach, Yvette Cason [to prep for the flashbacks],” she says. “She was amazing and gave me so much confidence to just do it. It’s so funny, because the showrunners were like, ‘Are you sure you never sang before, because this sounds really good?’ So, hopefully, as the season progresses, if I have to sing anymore, I’ll get better and better. But I feel very proud of the work that I’ve done on this episode.” [Editor’s note: We can confirm Pinnock sounds incredible.]

But it’s not all fun and games in “Alberta’s Podcast.” When Sam (Rose McIver) decides to pitch a podcast about Alberta’s life—and death—it’s immediately suggested Alberta superfan Todd (Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll) be brought in a as a co-host…much to the spirit’s horror.

“Well, firstly I have to say, ‘NPR watch out!'” Pinnock jokes. “Sam is coming for the murder podcast [audience]. I’m really excited that Pete, played by Richie Moriarty, was the one to suggest it, because we know that he has a big old crush on Alberta, and I’m really excited to see how that pans out for the rest of the season.”

“I think her biggest fear [with Todd’s return] was, my gosh, is he coming in with even more toenails?” she continues with a laugh. “I think that was the thing that probably freaked her out the most: She can’t just have a regular fan who has an affinity for jazz music and loves her; this man, low-key, he’s scary. He’s eBaying toenails. He has a whole back tattoo about her. It’s kind of too much.”

Things take a turn, however, when everyone realizes Alberta has her own secret she’s desperate to keep.

“I think the thing in this episode that starts making her a little leery is that, once [Todd] finds out her secret, he may not be a fan anymore,” Pinnock admits. “And Todd is really the only thing that Alberta has left. Todd, in the ‘Alberta’s Fan’ episode, helped her go viral. The world is starting to know more about her; she was a hidden figure in the 1920s—people kind of forgot about her, and the Ma Raineys and the Bessie Smiths became more famous. But there were so many other singers, as well, too. So getting this new lease on life and finding fame through social media, it’s feeding her.”

“It’s feeding her ego, it’s feeding her spirit,” she continues. “It’s making her proud. She’s able to make her family proud, even in her afterlife. But once this secret is divulged, she runs the risk of having nobody like her anymore. And I think that scares her. I love seeing that vulnerability come out with Alberta, because you know she’s such a strong, fierce mama bear in the house. And now to see her scared, it’s quite fun to play.”

And while this episode is certainly a showcase for, and insightful about, Alberta—”We really do get to peel back the layers on this incredible, delicious diva,” Pinnock gushes—the actress is also quick to point to the work of her colleagues as being memorable, as well, teasing, “There are just so many shenanigans that the women get into—not only just Alberta, but also Hetty and Flower, too.”

GHOSTS, Thursdays, 8:30/7:30c, CBS

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