All good things, even for immortal beings, must draw to a close. For the beloved Staten Island vampires in What We Do In the Shadows, the beginning of the end is upon us with the premiere of the final season. While the news of its conclusion may bring a pang of sadness to fans, the initial episodes of this farewell season reassure us that the series retains its sharp comedic edge.
Awards Radar had the privilege of engaging in conversation with the talented cast – Matt Berry, the Emmy-nominated actor for his role in 2024, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, and Kayvan Novak – alongside the insightful EP/Writers Paul Sims, Sam Johnson, and Sarah Naftalis. This meeting took place during New York Comic Con, offering a unique opportunity to connect with the individuals behind our favorite vampires, albeit in contemporary attire rather than their signature lavish costumes. Their humor and fondness for the series were as vibrant as ever, as they reminisced about the journey of this cherished show.
With an impressive 29 Emmy nominations, including Matt Berry’s groundbreaking acting nomination in the previous season, Shadows has consistently been hailed as one of the funniest shows on television, a status it maintains even as it enters its final chapter. Instead of delving into specific plot details for the upcoming season, our conversation with the cast and writers explored the magic behind this enduringly comedic gem, examining the elements that contribute to its unique appeal.
Our discussions traversed the entirety of the series’ run, from the cast members’ initial experiences joining the project to their reflections on the finale and the show’s broader impact. Here are some key highlights that provide a glimpse into what makes What We Do in the Shadows truly exceptional.
alt: Cast members of What We Do in the Shadows, Matt Berry, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, and Kayvan Novak, pose together at New York Comic Con, reflecting on the show’s success.
The Genesis of a Cult Hit: From Film to Series
It’s almost unimaginable to consider What We Do in the Shadows as anything but a resounding success, especially witnessing the enthusiastic crowds at NYCC, many adorned in cosplay honoring their favorite characters. Yet, those involved in the series were initially uncertain about its reception, particularly given its foundation in Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi’s 2014 cult film and the transition to a new cast of characters.
Matt Berry (Laszlo Cravensworth) reflected on the initial gamble: “It was based on a cult film that I personally loved. The idea of creating a series, especially without the original beloved characters, felt like a significant risk. Despite any outward confidence, I doubt anyone could have predicted its success, given the challenges. However, the fact that we weren’t canceled speaks volumes – something definitely clicked.”
Kayvan Novak (Nandor the Relentless) shared his excitement as a fan turned participant: “Being a genuine fan of the movie, the audition invitation was a dream come true. My excitement overshadowed any concerns about audience reception. I was simply thrilled at the prospect of entering that world. Of course, the desire to be part of it was immense, leading to the typical actor’s self-doubt. Filming the pilot, under the direction of Jemaine and Taika – the very vampires I adored – was incredibly daunting.
“Fortunately, they cast Harvey,” Novak continued, gesturing towards Guillén, “and he transformed my job into something not just easier, but immeasurably more pleasurable and wonderfully hilarious than I ever anticipated.”
Harvey Guillén (Guillermo de la Cruz) revealed the last-minute nature of his casting: “They called me on the very eve of production to offer me the role. ‘Fitting on Tuesday, filming on Wednesday,’ they said. It was incredibly rapid. My primary concern was establishing character chemistry.
“Meeting Kayvan instantly dissolved that stress,” Guillén admitted. “I thought, ‘Thank goodness,’ because it could have gone horribly wrong. It has been an absolute joy ever since. We are acutely aware of our good fortune, which makes us savor every moment even more, especially now knowing its approaching end.”
Mark Proksch (Colin Robinson) humorously touched on the unique nature of his character’s reception: “In the first season, I was genuinely worried about being disliked, about my character being genuinely irritating. I didn’t want to be the uncool element in a cool show. Luckily, that concern faded as the character developed. But honestly, it’s surreal when you start a show thinking, ‘This is wild, it’s fun, but surely no season two,’ and then you get season two, then season three. The truly bizarre moment is when you receive photos of friends dressed as your character for Halloween – people you didn’t even know were fans. It’s a level of surreal appreciation that’s hard to fully process.”
alt: Harvey Guillén and Kayvan Novak in conversation at New York Comic Con, highlighting their on-screen and off-screen chemistry that has been crucial to the success of What We Do in the Shadows.
The Organic Evolution of Character Development
Renowned for their inventive characters and comedic scenarios, the writing team behind What We Do in the Shadows often draws inspiration directly from the actors themselves, blurring the lines between performance and personality.
Paul Simms (Executive Producer/Writer) explained the collaborative character creation process: “The characters evolved in diverse ways. Nadja’s (Natasia Demetriou) backstory, for instance – being from a small Mediterranean island and a village girl – originated from an improvised joke during her audition, about chasing snakes out of her village. It wasn’t pre-planned. From that seed, we developed her Mediterranean origins and her early vampire transformation.
“Nandor’s core persona was more defined initially, but even then, casting profoundly shaped him. He was always conceived as a warrior, but it was Kayvan’s casting that cemented him as a Persian warrior from the ancient Alconadar civilization. We frequently incorporate or exaggerate aspects of the actors’ personalities into their characters.”
Sam Johnson (Executive Producer/Writer) emphasized the richness of immortal character histories: “Unlike typical shows where character development is somewhat finite, with characters who have lived for centuries, the well of experiences is virtually bottomless.”
Sarah Naftalis (Executive Producer/Writer) added to the sentiment: “It’s incredibly liberating creatively. With most characters, you’re limited to perhaps 40 or 50 years of life experience. But with vampires, we can invent entire backstories stretching back centuries. It’s far more creatively stimulating to write for characters with such expansive histories.”
alt: Executive Producers and Writers Paul Simms, Sam Johnson, and Sarah Naftalis at NYCC, discussing the collaborative writing process and character development in What We Do in the Shadows.
Paul Simms further illustrated the organic growth of characters and storylines: “Conversely, some elements intended as standalone jokes evolved into significant recurring themes. Colin Robinson, for example, was initially conceived as a one-off gag in the pilot – ‘Wouldn’t it be funny if these vampires had an energy vampire roommate?’ But Mark’s comedic brilliance was undeniable, so he became a recurring character by episode two and three, eventually becoming a full cast member.
“The Nadja doll is another example. It emerged from an episode where Nadja’s ghost required a vessel, leading to the creation of the doll. We never envisioned the doll as a permanent character, but when something resonates, you naturally keep exploring it.”
Immersing in the Character: Beyond Costumes and Lines
A recurring theme throughout our conversations with the Shadows team was the critical role of the writers in the show’s triumph, alongside a less frequently acknowledged element – the profound influence of production design and costumes in realizing this fantastical world and its inhabitants. During our discussion, I remarked to Mark and Matt how embodying these characters must feel like childhood play – donning a cowboy hat and boots and instantly transforming into John Wayne. The actors elaborated on how the experience transcends even that.
Mark Proksch expanded on the analogy: “Imagine not just putting on the cowboy costume, but having an entire Old West town constructed around you. That’s akin to what they’ve done for us. Sets weren’t just superficial facades; they were layered with authentic details – piles of bones and refuse, even more bones and refuse beneath that.
“This authenticity permeates the performances. The same applies to the wardrobe. And then, interacting with each other in that environment elevates it further.”
Matt Berry underscored the intentionality behind the show’s aesthetic: “It’s all meticulously designed. The show is visually rich. I consistently praise the sets, but they are integral to how we inhabit this world. If the environment lacked that level of detail, portraying these characters would be significantly harder – the detailed sets and costumes are indispensable.
“These two elements are often overlooked in discussions about the show’s success. The sets are among the finest I’ve ever worked on, and the costumes are of equally exceptional quality.”
Harvey Guillén described the evolution of his portrayal: “Our voices and mannerisms have subtly shifted since the pilot, reflecting our ongoing discovery of these characters. I had barely 48 hours to define Guillermo’s initial choices, which would set the tone for the character.
“Even seemingly minor decisions, like wearing a long-sleeved shirt with a sweater vest, Harry Potter glasses with the lenses popped out, and a specific middle-part hairstyle, were choices Taika embraced. These audition choices were then integrated into the character’s actual design. Who could imagine that audition choices could dictate seven years of your life?”
alt: Mark Proksch and Matt Berry at New York Comic Con, emphasizing the vital role of set design and costumes in shaping their performances in What We Do in the Shadows.
Glimpses into the Final Season: What Awaits
Kayvan Novak offered a tease of Nandor’s arc in the final season: “Guillermo is attempting to move forward with his life independently of Nandor. When such a profoundly dysfunctional relationship nears its end, Nandor has to invent a reason to remain in Guillermo’s orbit because, for the first time in their dynamic, Guillermo doesn’t actually need Nandor.
“He finally became a vampire, then immediately regretted it. So, the question becomes, where do they go from there? Having Guillermo venture outside the house and into the real world, and observing how that impacts Nandor, is explored in a hilarious way, allowing me to portray Nandor in a slightly different light, even briefly as a janitor in Guillermo’s office building.”
Mark Proksch hinted at a standout Colin Robinson moment: “I believe my favorite Colin Robinson scene is coming up this season. There’s a scene where you gain significant insight into Colin’s perspective on the house and his housemates. That’s all I can reveal. He provides quite detailed visuals, which I think perfectly encapsulates Colin Robinson.
“Colin is adaptable to almost any scenario, acting as a kind of grounding force or counterpoint to the other, more overtly vampiric, characters. I feel like that dynamic really clicked this season. I’m thoroughly enjoying it.”
alt: Kayvan Novak shares insights about Nandor’s storyline in the final season of What We Do in the Shadows at New York Comic Con, teasing the evolving relationship with Guillermo.
The Enduring Legacy of Jackie Daytona
The Season 2 episode ‘On the Run,’ featuring the iconic Jackie Daytona persona, is widely considered a television masterpiece. In this episode, Laszlo, evading a 200-year-old debt to Mark Hamill, adopts the guise of “regular human bartender” in a small-town bar, complete with jeans and a toothpick.
Paul Simms reminisced about the comedic genius of the Jackie Daytona concept: “There were two script moments that triggered my loudest laughs. One was in America Sawyer’s episode, the home renovation show parody where the hosts are instantly killed by Nadja upon entering the house. The other was Stephanie Robinson’s creation – Laszlo transforming into Jackie Daytona, his disguise being simply a pair of blue jeans. That just cracked me up.
“The abrupt shift in our documentary style, suddenly becoming a documentary about a struggling Pennsylvania coal town and this charismatic stranger uplifting the community – it was brilliant.”
Matt Berry acknowledged the brilliance of the writing: “The toothpick joke is just phenomenal. It’s one of the best jokes ever written. A lot of the character work was inherently there in that single joke. It was a privilege to play that role. I’m genuinely thrilled people responded to it so positively because, in the moment of filming, you never know if it will land or fall flat. Thankfully, it resonated.”
Despite the moderator at the NYCC panel praising the producers for resisting the urge to overuse Jackie Daytona, Paul Simms offered a glimmer of hope for a possible return: “However, as we reach the final season, you do consider giving the audience another taste of what they adore. I’m not making promises, but we’ll see.”
Saying Farewell: Ending on a High Note
The announcement of the sixth season as the final season of Shadows surprised many, prompting questions of “Why?” While a single answer may not fully satisfy fans, the cast and producers appear at peace with the decision. Nevertheless, anticipation remains high for these concluding episodes.
Sam Johnson offered a concise preview of the final season: “Expect murder, mayhem, and a surprising amount of office-related scenarios.”
Matt Berry expressed his satisfaction with the timing: “I believe it’s ending at the right moment. It’s better to conclude while people are still invested and enthusiastic. You don’t want to overstay your welcome and risk audience resentment. I’m content with the work we’ve done and how it’s concluding. I think viewers will find it satisfying. I’m looking forward to it.”
Paul Simms concluded with high praise for the finale: “Without revealing specifics, I believe our final episode is among our very best. It will be deeply satisfying for long-time viewers. Even for newcomers, it will be funny and full of surprises. It’s our crowning achievement, our pinnacle.”
The 11-episode final season of What We Do In the Shadows airs new episodes every Monday on FX and streams the next day on Hulu.
alt: The cast of What We Do in the Shadows on stage at New York Comic Con, engaging with fans and discussing the final season of the beloved vampire comedy.
alt: Matt Berry in character as Laszlo Cravensworth, known for his flamboyant style and comedic timing in What We Do in the Shadows.
alt: Kayvan Novak portraying Nandor the Relentless, the ancient warrior vampire struggling with modern life in What We Do in the Shadows.
alt: Mark Proksch as Colin Robinson, the energy vampire, a unique and subtly hilarious character from What We Do in the Shadows.
alt: Harvey Guillén playing Guillermo de la Cruz, the long-suffering familiar with vampire-slaying aspirations in What We Do in the Shadows.
alt: Promotional image for What We Do in the Shadows featuring the main vampire cast and Guillermo, highlighting the ensemble’s comedic chemistry.
alt: The What We Do in the Shadows writing team, Paul Simms, Sam Johnson, and Sarah Naftalis, responsible for the show’s distinctive humor and engaging storylines.
