After six seasons and 61 episodes, FX’s What We Do in the Shadows concluded on its own terms, delivering a message that even when things change, they somehow remain the same. Life at the “Vampire Residence” in Staten Island, New York, is as unchanging as its creaky Victorian floorboards and dusty tapestries.
Guillermo de la Cruz (Harvey Guillén), the loyal familiar-turned-bodyguard-turned-private equity worker, never fully embraces life as a vampire. The household’s countless goodbyes and dramatic moments across the series always circle back to the same place—chaotic adventures, petty arguments, and absurd life-or-death predicaments. The Emmy-winning comedy wrapped up its sixth season by embracing the cyclical nature of life, especially for beings who’ve lived hundreds of years.
“For these vampires, nothing will ever truly change,” explains Mark Proksch, who plays energy vampire Colin Robinson. “A hundred years from now, they’ll still be in the same house, repeating the same antics they’ve been doing for centuries. It’s oddly comforting.”
Proksch describes the show as a “hard, silly, stupid comedy” that doesn’t preach or delve into heavy introspection. “It’s just there to make you laugh,” he says.
A Five-Minute Idea That Became a Cult Classic
Created by Taika Waititi, the show evolved from what he once called a “five-minute idea” into six successful seasons and a movie. It followed four vampire roommates—played by Proksch, Kayvan Novak, Natasia Demetriou, and Matt Berry—and their human familiar Guillermo as they navigated human norms with immortal absurdity. Kristen Schaal, playing The Guide, joined as a recurring character who remains on the fringes of their dysfunctional family.
Over its run, the series welcomed guest stars like Nick Kroll, Tilda Swinton, Wesley Snipes, and Mark Hamill, adding to its quirky charm.
Guillén’s Guillermo serves as the audience’s grounding force, often breaking the fourth wall with knowing glances. In the finale, his mortality becomes central, as he struggles to accept the documentary-style conceit—and thus the show—is ending. While his vampire roommates seamlessly return to their undead routines, Guillermo fears losing the most meaningful chapter of his life.
Reflecting on the series’ impact, Guillén acknowledges how deeply it resonated with fans. “We’ve heard from people at Comic Cons that this show helped them through tough times, whether it was the pandemic or personal challenges,” he shares. What We Do in the Shadows may feature ancient vampires with violent tendencies, but its heartwarming humor created a rare kind of escapism.
A Perfect Goodbye
The pandemic played a unique role in the show’s popularity, with season two debuting in April 2020 when lockdowns had just begun. The vampires’ ludicrous antics provided a much-needed distraction from reality.
Despite its critical acclaim and 29 Emmy nominations, the series won just one award—for outstanding costumes in 2022. Still, showrunner Paul Simms believed it was best to end the series while it was at its peak. “Better to go out too soon than too late,” he said at New York Comic Con in October.
Kristen Schaal reflected on the gift of knowing the show’s end was near. “It allowed us to cherish every moment on set, from the costumes to the camaraderie,” she says. Saying goodbye, however, wasn’t easy.
For the cast, leaving behind the immersive world of What We Do in the Shadows felt bittersweet. “There’s a strong sense memory tied to this show,” says Novak, who played Nandor the Relentless. “The accents, the makeup, the sets—it all becomes part of you.”
Guillén feels similarly, describing the show as a “perfect package” that avoided overstaying its welcome. “We left the story on a high note, something fans can look back on fondly,” he says.
A Hope for the Future
While the series finale ties up the story neatly, the cast isn’t ruling out revisiting these beloved characters someday. “Who knows? Maybe we’ll drop by the old house again,” says Guillén. “We’d love to return, even for a quick visit.”
For now, the cast and crew are content with the legacy they’ve built—a silly, heartfelt comedy that brought joy to audiences for six seasons. Whether it’s goodbye or simply “see you later,” What We Do in the Shadows leaves fans with a lasting gift: laughter, escape, and the comfort of knowing that even for vampires, some things never change.