What We Do in the Shadows (TV series)

What We Do in the Shadows (TV series)
source
Show name	What We Do in the Shadows
Genre	Comedy, Horror, Mockumentary
Based on	What We Do in the Shadows (film)
Developer	Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi
Starring	Nandor, Laszlo, Nadja, Colin Robinson, Guillermo
Country	United States
Language	English
Location	Staten Island, New York City
Runtime	22–30 minutes
Company	FX Productions
Network	FX
First aired	2019

What We Do in the Shadows (TV series) is an American mockumentary comedy-horror television series developed by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi that adapts elements from the 2014 film of the same name directed by Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement. The show premiered on FX and follows the quotidian and supernatural misadventures of vampire roommates living in Staten Island, blending influences from Monty Python, The Office (UK), Parks and Recreation, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It has spawned critical praise, awards recognition, and transmedia ties to franchises associated with New Zealand cinema, American television, and contemporary comedic horror.

Premise

The series is structured as a mockumentary inspired by documentary techniques used in This Is Spinal Tap, The Office (US), and Modern Family and centers on a household of centuries-old vampires navigating modern life in Staten Island, intersecting with figures and institutions such as local New York City residents, supernatural councils resembling those in Dracula lore, and oddities connected to Renaissance-era Europe and Ottoman Empire references. Narratives pivot between domestic farce and transnational vampire politics tied to historical personages like Vlad the Impaler in passing, while episodes deploy situational setups reminiscent of Seinfeld, Arrested Development, and Flight of the Conchords. The show foregrounds themes of immigration and assimilation echoing discourses from Ellis Island histories, and satire drawing on productions like Scream and Shaun of the Dead.

Cast and characters

Principal cast members include actors whose careers intersect with projects such as Flight of the Conchords, The Hobbit film series, Thor (film series), and What We Do in the Shadows (film). The ensemble portrays archetypes that recall figures from Count Dracula, Nosferatu, and literary traditions popularized in Bram Stoker and Anne Rice novels; recurring guest stars have credits tied to Saturday Night Live, Saturday Night Live (cast), American Horror Story, The Simpsons, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Supporting players arrive from theatrical and television institutions like Royal New Zealand Ballet, National Theatre (UK), Juilliard School, and studios including Warner Bros. and Universal Pictures contributing to cross-industry casting. Several episodes feature cameos by performers associated with Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, and The Walking Dead, reinforcing intertextual links with major television franchises.

Production

Development involved creatives from New Zealand cinema and American television practices, with executive producers tied to FX Productions, Bleecker Street, and independent film companies that collaborated on the original film. Filming leveraged locations in New York City boroughs, studio facilities used by productions like Law & Order, and postproduction houses connected to Industrial Light & Magic-adjacent visual effects teams. Creative teams included writers and directors who had credits on Community, Portlandia, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Broad City, and The Simpsons, while music and sound design drew from composers linked to The Crown and Stranger Things scoring traditions. The series navigated labor contexts involving guilds such as Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild‑American Federation of Television and Radio Artists during renewals and production scheduling.

Episodes

Episodes typically run 22–30 minutes and follow serialized and episodic structures that echo scripting strategies used in Arrested Development and The Office (US), with season arcs referencing historical events like The Spanish Armada in comedic aside and pop culture artifacts from 1980s and 1990s music scenes. Notable episodes employ narrative devices seen in Black Mirror anthology formatting, parody elements reminiscent of Scream pastiche, and mockumentary techniques comparable to This Is Spinal Tap and Best in Show. Several installments have earned nominations at ceremonies hosted by institutions such as Primetime Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Critics' Choice Television Awards.

Reception

Critics compared the series to predecessors in mockumentary and horror-comedy traditions including The Office (UK), Shaun of the Dead, Scream Queens, and the original film by Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement. Reviews from outlets aligned with cultural coverage of The New York Times, Variety (magazine), The Guardian, Entertainment Weekly, and The Hollywood Reporter highlighted ensemble performances and writing influenced by British comedy, New Zealand satire, and American sitcom pacing. Award recognition connected the show to ceremonies such as the Primetime Emmy Awards, BAFTA, and Streamy Awards, and critical discourse placed it among notable contemporary series alongside Atlanta (TV series), Better Call Saul, and Barry (TV series).

Cultural impact and legacy

The series influenced subsequent horror-comedy projects and transmedia expansions that intersect with franchises and properties like Castle Rock (TV series), Creepshow (TV series), and streaming-era programming from HBO, Netflix, and Hulu. It contributed to renewed popular interest in vampire fiction rooted in traditions from Dracula adaptations, Twilight (film series), and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, while also informing academic and fan discussions at conventions such as San Diego Comic-Con, New York Comic Con, and scholarly symposia hosted by institutions like Columbia University and University of Oxford. Merchandise and tie-ins engaged companies and retailers including Funko, Hot Topic, and boutique publishers with illustrated companion works akin to tie-ins for Doctor Who and The X-Files. The show's legacy includes influence on creators working within comedy-horror and mockumentary modes and ongoing dialogues across film and television industries involving creators from New Zealand and the United States.

Category:Television series