It’s been a minute since Freeform pulled the plug on Shadowhunters, but honestly, the fandom is still vibrating. You see it every time a cast member posts a blurry selfie or lands a new gig—the comments section explodes. It wasn't just another YA adaptation that flickered out. The cast of shadowhunters became this weirdly specific lightning rod for a generation of fans who felt seen by the characters.
The show was based on Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments, and let’s be real, the movie version with Lily Collins didn’t exactly set the world on fire. When the TV show launched in 2016, expectations were... mixed. But the chemistry between Katherine McNamara, Dominic Sherwood, and the rest of the crew turned a campy supernatural drama into a cult obsession.
The Core Trio and the Weight of Expectations
Katherine McNamara had a massive job. Playing Clary Fray meant carrying the weight of a beloved literary heroine who is, quite frankly, a bit of a mess in the books. Kat brought this fierce, athletic energy to the role that made Clary feel less like a "girl in trouble" and more like someone who was actually going to punch a demon in the face. She’s stayed busy since, jumping into the Arrowverse and Walker: Independence, but for most of us, she’s still the girl with the flaming red hair and the Stele.
Then you’ve got Dominic Sherwood as Jace Wayland (or Herondale, or Morgenstern, depending on which episode you’re on). Jace is supposed to be the ultimate, untouchable warrior, but Dominic played him with this underlying vulnerability that kept him from being a total jerk. He’s had a quieter run lately, appearing in films like Eraser: Reborn, yet his bond with the fans remains airtight.
Alberto Rosende as Simon Lewis was the heart of the show. Seriously. His transition from the "dorky best friend" to a Daylighter vampire was the most grounded arc in a show filled with glowing swords and portals. Alberto’s later move to Chicago Fire was a huge win, but seeing him geek out as Simon is still a highlight for anyone rewatching on Hulu.
Why Magnus and Alec Changed Everything
If we’re talking about the cast of shadowhunters, we have to talk about "Malec." Harry Shum Jr. and Matthew Daddario didn't just play a couple; they created a cultural moment. Harry Shum Jr. was already a known entity from Glee, but his portrayal of Magnus Bane—the High Warlock of Brooklyn—was a masterclass in nuance. He balanced the flamboyant, glittery exterior with the weariness of an immortal who has seen too much.
Matthew Daddario’s Alec Lightwood was the perfect foil. Alec started the series as this repressed, rigid soldier, and watching him come into his own through his relationship with Magnus was arguably the best writing on the show. Their wedding in the series finale felt earned. It wasn't just fan service; it was the emotional payoff for three seasons of growth.
The impact of Shum and Daddario goes beyond the screen. They’ve been staples at conventions for years because they understood the weight of representing a queer relationship in the fantasy genre without falling into the "bury your gays" trope.
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The Supporting Players Who Stole the Show
Emeraude Toubia as Isabelle Lightwood was a revelation. In the books, Izzy is often described through the male gaze, but Emeraude made her a character defined by her loyalty and her own internal struggles with addiction (the Yin Fen plotline was dark, y'all). She’s since moved into producing and starring in shows like With Love on Amazon Prime, showing she’s got way more range than just swinging an electrum whip.
Then there’s Isaiah Mustafa as Luke Garroway. Before Shadowhunters, most people knew him as the "Old Spice Guy." He turned Luke into the steady, fatherly presence the show desperately needed amidst all the teenage angst. Watching him balance being a police detective and a werewolf alpha was some of the show's best B-plot material.
- Alan Van Sprang played Valentine Morgenstern with a chilling, Shakespearean ego.
- Will Tudor gave us a Sebastian Morgenstern that was genuinely unsettling.
- Anna Hopkins as Lilith was the terrifying mother of all demons we didn't know we needed.
The Reality of the "Shadowhunters" Cancellation
People are still salty about the cancellation. You can't mention the cast of shadowhunters without someone bringing up the #SaveShadowhunters campaign. It wasn't a ratings issue, not exactly. It was a complicated mess involving international distribution rights between Freeform, Constantin Film, and Netflix. Basically, the money dried up because the production deal collapsed behind the scenes.
The cast found out almost at the same time as the fans. It was messy. But because they were so close, they rallied to give the fans a two-part finale movie ("The Final Hunt") that tried to wrap up years of lore in a couple of hours. It was rushed? Yeah. Was it emotional? Absolutely.
Where They Are Now: 2024 and Beyond
If you're looking to follow the cast today, they’ve branched out significantly. Katherine McNamara has become a staple in the Hallmark and independent film circuit while maintaining a massive social media presence. Harry Shum Jr. is arguably the biggest breakout, landing a lead role in Grey's Anatomy and appearing in the Oscar-winning Everything Everywhere All At Once.
Matthew Daddario has been more selective, doing indie projects and focusing on his family, but he still pops up in projects like Why Women Kill. Alisha Wainwright, who played Maia Roberts, had a massive turn in Raising Dion and the film Palmer alongside Justin Timberlake.
The beauty of this specific group of actors is that they didn't just treat it like a paycheck. They still interact. They still do the "The Jace Hall" style reunions. You’ll see them in each other's Instagram comments, and it doesn't feel like a PR stunt. It feels like a group of people who survived a high-intensity fandom together.
How to Keep Up With the Cast
If you’re feeling nostalgic, you don't have to just scroll through old Tumblr tags. There are actual ways to engage with what they’re doing now.
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First, check out the Return to the Shadows podcast. It’s hosted by Katherine McNamara and Dominic Sherwood. They go through the episodes, share behind-the-scenes secrets, and bring on other cast members. It’s the closest thing we’ll ever get to a revival, and honestly, the tea they spill about the production is fascinating.
Second, keep an eye on the convention circuit. Even years later, the cast of shadowhunters headlines events like Dream It Con or various Comic-Cons. They are one of the few casts that consistently shows up for their international fanbase.
Finally, support their new ventures. Supporting Alisha Wainwright's production efforts or Harry Shum Jr.'s film roles is the best way to show the industry that "Shadowhunters fans" are a viable, loyal audience. It keeps the actors in the spotlight and ensures we see more of them in the future.
The show might be over, but the legacy of these actors is pretty much etched in stone—or at least, etched in permanent runes.