What We Do in the Shadows Cast – Full Actors and Characters Guide

What We Do in the Shadows is an FX comedy-horror mockumentary series that aired from 2019 to 2024, following vampire roommates navigating modern life on Staten Island. The show stars Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, and Mark Proksch as the core undead household.

Created by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, the series adapts their 2014 New Zealand film while introducing an entirely new ensemble of characters and scenarios. The television adaptation shifts the setting from Wellington to Staten Island and expands the mythology with unique vampire subtypes and bureaucratic undead councils.

The show concluded its six-season run on December 16, 2024, maintaining a consistent primary cast throughout its entire duration while introducing guest stars and recurring characters in later seasons.

Who is in the main cast of What We Do in the Shadows TV series?

The core ensemble features five principal performers who appear across all six seasons. Kayvan Novak portrays Nandor the Relentless, a 760-year-old former Ottoman warrior who serves as the self-proclaimed leader of the household. Matt Berry plays Laszlo Cravensworth (full name Leslie), an aristocratic vampire known for his distinctive vocal delivery and theatrical disposition.

Natasia Demetriou appears as Nadja of Antipaxos, a seductive vampire originating from a Greek island who frequently interacts with her own ghost. Harvey Guillén plays Guillermo de la Cruz, Nandor’s human familiar who spends the series attempting to become a vampire himself. Mark Proksch rounds out the main household as Colin Robinson, the energy vampire who drains emotional energy through tedious conversation rather than drinking blood.

Key Insights About the Core Ensemble

• Kayvan Novak’s background in physical comedy informs Nandor’s clumsy navigation of modern American customs.
• Matt Berry previously established his distinctive voice work in series like The IT Crowd and Disenchantment.
• Harvey Guillén received Emmy recognition for his portrayal of Guillermo, the long-suffering familiar.
• Natasia Demetriou originated the character of Nadja specifically for the television adaptation; the role did not exist in the original film.
• The primary cast remained unchanged throughout the series’ six-season run, providing narrative continuity.
• All main actors contribute to the show’s mockumentary style through improvisation and direct-to-camera interviews.

Who plays key supporting characters like Colin Robinson?

Beyond the five primary household members, several performers occupy crucial recurring roles. Mark Proksch plays Colin Robinson, the energy vampire who feeds by boring others into submission. Known for his work in Better Call Saul and The Office, Proksch brings a deadpan mundanity to the character, who represents a completely original creation for the television series.

Who portrays The Guide?

Kristen Schaal appears as The Guide, a vampiric council ambassador who interacts regularly with the main household. While not always present in every episode, her character serves as a liaison to the greater vampire political structure, appearing across multiple seasons with increasing significance as the series progresses toward its conclusion.

How does the TV show cast differ from the original movie?

The television series creates entirely original characters rather than continuing the stories from the 2014 film. The movie focused on Wellington-based vampires Viago, Vladislav, Petya, and Deacon, played by Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement, Anton Yelchin, and Rhys Darby respectively. The FX adaptation shifts to Staten Island and introduces Nandor, Laszlo, Nadja, and Colin as new vampires, with Guillermo replacing the film’s familiar Jackie.

Is Taika Waititi in the TV show cast?

Taika Waititi reprises his role as Viago from the original film in several television episodes, serving as a narrative bridge between the movie and series continuities. While he and Jemaine Clement primarily serve as executive producers and co-creators, Waititi makes select appearances throughout the series run, including expectations of his presence in the final season.

Who are the new cast members in recent seasons?

The sixth and final season, which concluded December 16, 2024, introduced several new faces to the established ensemble. Mike O’Brien joined as Jerry the Vampire, a new roommate who integrates into the household dynamic. Chris Sandiford appeared as Derek, Guillermo’s sire, in a guest capacity.

Season 6 featured numerous high-profile guest stars including Steve Coogan as Lord Roderick, Laszlo’s father; Jon Glaser as a demon; Kevin Pollak as Cal Bodian; Zach Woods as Joel, an old friend of Colin; and Tim Heidecker as Jordan. Previous seasons established recurring energy vampire council members portrayed by Hannibal Buress, Aparna Nancherla, Martha Kelly (who serves as chair), Gregg Turkington, and Jo Firestone.

How has the cast evolved across all seasons?

The series maintained remarkable consistency in its primary cast while gradually expanding its universe of recurring and guest performers.

1. 2014: The original film releases featuring Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement, Anton Yelchin, and Rhys Darby as Wellington vampires.
2. March 2019: The FX series premieres with Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, and Mark Proksch forming the core Staten Island household.
3. 2021–2022: Seasons 3 and 4 expand the recurring cast with Kristen Schaal as The Guide and various energy vampire council members.
4. 2024: Season 6 introduces Mike O’Brien as Jerry the Vampire and features guest appearances by Steve Coogan, Jon Glaser, and others before the series finale on December 16, 2024.

What cast details are confirmed versus uncertain?

What is the background of the What We Do in the Shadows cast?

The ensemble brings diverse comedy backgrounds to the mockumentary format. Kayvan Novak and Natasia Demetriou have roots in British sketch and character comedy, while Matt Berry developed his distinctive vocal style through British sitcoms and animated voice work. Harvey Guillén emerged from American improv and character acting, earning critical acclaim for humanizing the familiar role. Mark Proksch contributes his experience from American workplace comedies and dramatic series like Better Call Saul.

The casting reflects the co-creators’ preference for performers capable of both scripted delivery and improvisational spontaneity, essential for the mockumentary style. This approach mirrors other successful comedy ensembles where actors contribute to writing and character development. The show’s success has cemented the cast’s association with the vampire comedy genre, similar to how Talamasca the Secret Order represents a fixed point in supernatural fiction reference points for genre enthusiasts.

Where does this cast information come from?

Primary sourcing includes official FX Networks cast listings, verified Wikipedia entries reflecting episode credits, and entertainment journalism from Screen Rant and TV Guide. Cast details regarding Season 6 additions derive from post-airing reports and official FX press materials.

The series stars Kayvan Novak as Nandor, Matt Berry as Laszlo, Natasia Demetriou as Nadja, Harvey Guillén as Guillermo, and Mark Proksch as Colin Robinson.

— TV Guide Cast Listing

Season 6 features Mike O’Brien as Jerry the Vampire and guest stars including Steve Coogan, Jon Glaser, and Kevin Pollak.

— Screen Rant Character Guide

What defines the What We Do in the Shadows ensemble?

The cast of What We Do in the Shadows distinguishes itself through six years of consistent characterization, blending British and American comedic sensibilities within a unique supernatural mockumentary framework. From Kayvan Novak’s ancient warrior navigating Costco to Harvey Guillén’s familiar achieving his vampiric destiny, the ensemble maintained narrative coherence while allowing for guest-driven expansion in its final season. For those tracking entertainment industry longevity, this sustained casting stability contrasts sharply with the frequent personnel changes seen in other long-running genre series, much like recent verified reports in Did Willie Nelson Pass Away clarified persistent rumors through factual confirmation rather than speculation.

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