Vanessa Dudley is a central character in the series Gotham Ghosts, where she plays the role of a professional skeptic. Portrayed by Nicole Shalhoub, Vanessa’s character is known for debunking paranormal myths and questioning supernatural claims on the show. Despite her skeptical nature, Vanessa’s life becomes entangled with strange and eerie events, particularly after her complicated relationship with Ben and the unsettling influence of her deceased sister, Maggie. Her character brings both intellect and mystery to the series, making her a standout figure in Gotham Ghosts.

Trivia/Facts

• Vanessa Dudley is a key character in the series Gotham Ghosts. She is portrayed as a professional skeptic who questions supernatural events on the show. Played by actress Nicole Shalhoub, Vanessa appears alongside Tony Pacuci, who is the show’s creator. Her role often involves investigating supposedly haunted locations to debunk myths.
• Vanessa first met Ben online after he posted negative comments about Gotham Ghosts, accusing it of being fake and exploiting superstitions. Intrigued by his skepticism, she invited Ben to appear as a special guest expert on an episode set in a haunted New Jersey strip club. Ben accepted the offer and found himself drawn to Vanessa. However, the episode filming took a strange turn when some crew members experienced nosebleeds, leading Ben to discover that Tony had hidden a projector behind drywall to create fake ghost effects.

• During the editing of the episode, Vanessa caught Tony manipulating Ben’s voice to make him sound weak and insecure. She was angry at this, particularly because it wasn’t the first time Tony had done this to a person of color on the show. In response, Vanessa erased the recorded dialogue to prevent the episode from being aired. When Tony threatened to fire her, Vanessa firmly told him to take the issue up with HR.
• After the filming, Vanessa wrote her phone number on Ben’s hand, but when Ben tried to call, the number never worked. Confused, he later confronted Vanessa, who revealed a strange story. Vanessa claimed that her right arm belonged to her deceased sister, Maggie, who had become protective of her. According to Vanessa, Maggie had influenced her to intentionally miswrite the number to protect Vanessa from getting close to Ben.
• Ben was torn between his skepticism and his feelings for Vanessa. He sought advice from his friend David, who reminded him that the world is full of strange things and not everything can be explained logically. Eventually, after ignoring Vanessa for a month, Ben called her to help him research a paranormal game. Though initially irritated, Vanessa helped him, leading to a strange adventure where Ben was briefly trapped in an abandoned subbasement.
• Vanessa’s complicated relationship with her deceased sister Maggie escalated when she blamed Maggie for trashing her apartment. Concerned, Ben suggested they visit a psychic to sever the connection between Vanessa and Maggie. The psychic’s session seemed successful, and Vanessa appeared more relaxed and independent afterward. However, when Ben visited her the next day, Vanessa’s behavior shifted unexpectedly.
• Vanessa revealed that she was not herself, but actually Maggie, who had taken over her body. Maggie expressed her jealousy of Vanessa’s relationship with Ben and her desire to steal him for herself. Ben was initially confused, thinking Vanessa was having a mental breakdown. His confusion turned to fear when he received a phone call from the real Vanessa, who was still on her way to the apartment.
• The situation turned terrifying when Maggie gleefully took the phone from Ben and told Vanessa about what had happened. Unable to comprehend the strange reality he was facing, Ben fled from the apartment in terror. Maggie, now in full control of Vanessa’s body, watched Ben leave with a sense of satisfaction, signaling an unsettling twist in the relationship.

Vanessa Dudley’s Relationship with Other Characters

• Vanessa and Ben: Vanessa meets Ben after he criticizes her show Gotham Ghosts. They become close, but their relationship is complicated by strange events, including Vanessa’s claim that her deceased sister Maggie controls her actions.
• Vanessa and Tony Pacuci: Vanessa works with Tony, the creator of Gotham Ghosts. She often disagrees with him, especially when he manipulates footage to make people look bad, leading to tension between them.
• Vanessa and Maggie: Vanessa has a deep connection with her deceased sister, Maggie. Maggie’s influence over Vanessa causes many strange incidents, which puts stress on Vanessa’s relationships and her own life.
• Vanessa and David: David is a friend of Ben’s, who offers advice to him about his relationship with Vanessa. He encourages Ben to understand the strange situations surrounding Vanessa, adding a supportive element to the story.