What We Do in the Shadows (2019)

About What We Do in the Shadows

'What We Do in the Shadows' is a comedy horror television series created by Jemaine Clement. It is based on the 2014 film of the same name written by Clement and Taika Waititi. The series follows the lives of three traditional vampires, Nandor, Laszlo, and Nadja; Colin, an energy vampire; and Guillermo, Nandor’s familiar. The vampire roommates try to cope with the complexities of modern life and show a newly turned hipster some of the perks of being undead.

Making / Production

The series is filmed in Toronto, Canada. It premiered on FX on March 27, 2019 with Jemaine Clement serving as showrunner for the first season. Taika Waititi directed three episodes of the first season and Clement directed two.

Actors

• Kayvan Novak as Nandor – He plays a former soldier of the Ottoman Empire who turned into a vampire. He brings a subtlety to the role that highlights the banality of the vampire lifestyle.
• Matt Berry as Laszlo – A British vampire and husband to Nadja, Berry delivers exaggerated humor in the medieval character.
• Natasia Demetriou as Nadja – Nadja is a Romani vampire and wife to Laszlo. Demetriou gives her a fiery personality and engaging charm.
• Harvey Guillén as Guillermo – He plays the role of Nandor's human familiar who aspires to be a vampire. Guillén's performance offers comic relief and a touching pathos.
• Mark Proksch as Colin Robinson – an energy vampire who feeds on people’s enthusiasm and energy. Proksch's portrayal makes Robinson the dullest yet scariest vampire.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The series is a spin-off of the movie, 'What We Do in the Shadows' released in 2014.
• It is filmed in Toronto, though it is set in Staten Island, New York.
• Although the series is from New Zealand, its primary audience is in the United States.
• It's a mockumentary-style series, a format popularized by shows like 'The Office' and 'Parks and Recreation'.

Awards

The series has earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 2020 for Outstanding Comedy Series. The performance of Harvey Guillén as Guillermo also received critical acclaim and nominations.

Quotes

• "You were a lot like a dog. I mean, physically you were very dog-like." – Nandor.
• "I spent the entire 1980s draining the life force out of venture capitalists." – Colin Robinson.
• "We drank the blood of some people but the people were on drugs and now I’m a wizard." – Nadja.

Music, Soundtrack

• The darkly moody opening theme is "You're Dead" by Norma Tanega.
• R&B classics like "Super Freak" by Rick James perfectly fit the series' humor and setting.
• Original scores by Mark Mothersbaugh add a playful and spooky vibe to the series.