Coming to terms with the modern world is hard enough for most people…especially this ‘world’ we’re currently endeavouring to live with. Doing so when you’re a vampire who has lived for hundreds of years turns out to be comedic gold. What We Do In The Shadows returns to the BBC tonight for season 2 of the comedy vampire mockumentary that introduces us to 4 vampires, and their one familiar, living together in Staten Island, New York,who have granted access to a film crew to capture their daily lives. It’s basically The Office with more blood, more animal transformations, and a darker sense of humour.
New Zealand Comedy Origins
What We Do In The Shadows was created by Jemaine Clement, one half of New Zealand comedy group Flight of the Conchords, and is based on a film of the same name that followed the lives of a group of vampires living in Wellington, New Zealand. The same premise of the show is employed in the film; a camera crew is allowed into a home to document how the vampires live day-to-day, how they toy and eventually kill their victims, and also shows how the chores get distributed amongst a group of centuries old undead housemates. The film was written, directed and starred Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, along with a collection of comedic New Zealand talent. Taika has since gone on Hollywood stardom by directing Thor: Ragnarok and being nominated for an Oscar for Jojo Rabbit.
The film version of What We Do In The Shadows is stuffed with the relaxed and quirky humour of its antipodean creators, and creates a version of the vampire lore that is both fresh and captures the familiar tropes that abound. We’re introduced to their familiars, and shown a more sardonic twist on the vampire – werewolves rivalry than has been seen in the Twilight and Underworld franchises. Fellow Flight of the Conchord alumni, Rhys Darby, plays the leader of a pack of local werewolves who engage in a bit of verbal jousting with the vampires (“We’re werewolves, not swearwolves”). The film is a hilarious and twisted take on the vampire genre that should be seen by everyone before launching into the TV series. At the time of writing the film is still available on the BBC iPlayer, and I recommend you watch it after reading this piece.
Moving To America
As we’re in the golden age of television, it was inevitable that What We Do In The Shadows would end up on the small screens. Such a move came with a switching of locations to the United States and a Gothic house in Staten Island, New York became the home to our latest heroes.
The show follows Nandor (Kayvan Novak – Fonejacker, Four Lions), Laszlo (Matt Berry – Garth Marehnghi’s Darkplace, Toast of London, The IT Crowd), and Nadja (Natasia Demetriou – Stath Lets Flats) as they attempt to navigate the American life of politics, night clubs and gaining US citizenship. Nandor is a 700+ year old vampire from the Ottomon Empire, and Laszlo and Nadja are a married couple with a
They are joined by Guillermo (Harvey Guillén), Nandor’s adoring familiar, who must carry out the cleaning, laundry (blood is a particularly tricky thing to remove), dousing and lighting of candles, and burying of dead bodies in the garden. Guillermo is the heart of the show, and particularly when he has to reconcile his desire to be a vampire with the discovery that he is distantly related to vampire-hunter Van Helsing.
The final housemate is Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch – The Office, Better Call Saul), an energy vampire who is able to go out during the day and works in a office. His vampire ability involves being able to drain people through boring or annoying them, and working in an office allows him to exploit this brilliantly.
Season 1 of the series (available on BBC iPlayer too) introduced us to these characters and offered a hilarious glimpse into the lives these characters lead. Lazslo showed us his tasteful array of topiary sculptures that just happen to resemble vulvas, and introduces us to his cursed hat that is made of skin. Nadja helps a young girl (Beanie Feldstein) explore her powers when transitioning into a vampire, and encounters a reincarnated ex-lover who now resides the human form of a local car park attendant.
Nandor holds the group together when they are visited by the Baron (Doug Jones), an grotesque ancient vampire from the Old Country who wants to know why the group haven’t taken over the entire United States. The highlight of the series comes when the Baron wants to explore the city and is taken out in a duffle coat and cap to explore the New York night life and cuisine.
As already shown, What We Do In The Shadows has been able to welcome a mix of comedic guest stars. Nick Kroll (Big Mouth) plays Simon the Devious, a vampire who rules most of Manhattan and owns a nightclub called the Sassy Cat. Anthony Atamanuik, plays a neighbour who is repeatedly hypnotised after witnessing the vampires activities.
The culmination of this guest appearances come when the gang are put on trial by the Vampiric Council for inadvertently killing the Baron. This episode welcomes the three vampires from the original film (Taika Waititi, Jonathan Brugh, and Jemaine Clement reprise their roles as Viago, Deacon, and Vladislav), along with appearances from Tilda Swinton, Evan Rachel Wood, Dave Bautista and Danny Trejo as vampires. Kristen Schaal (Flight of the Conchords, 30 Rock) also appears as The Guide in this episode. However, the best guest appearance comes in the form of Wesley Snipes as a half-vampire who appears via skype. Very appropriate in these Covid times.
It’s an amazing episode that highlights its place amongst the best of the sitcoms that have come about recently. Here’s hoping we will make a return to this council in the future.
What to expect in Season 2
Season 2 brings us more of the same hilarious madness from the gang. The series is almost finished in America, and has brought appearances form Mark Hamill, Haley Joel Osment, Benedict Wong and Craig Robinson.
Colin Robinson learns how much power can come from a promotion and discovers internet trolling. Laszlo and Nadja take to the stage after discovering that many of their songs have been ripped-off over the years. The vampires are also invited to their first Superbowl party, and also meet their match in the form of some rival witches.
Guillermo also has to deal with being asked to join a vampire hunting group whilst maintaining is role as a familiar, and learns just how good a vampire killer he really is. He also learns how to get the most out of his relationship with his master, Nandor.
The second series is probably a funnier than the first season, and has benefited from the cast being able to explore their characters more without the pressure of introducing everything. We, just like the camera crew, are coming along for the ride and it’s as hilarious as it is chilling.