It’s actually kinda wild when you think about it. Most sitcoms about supernatural monsters eventually run out of steam because the gimmick wears thin, but the cast of What We Do in the Shadows managed to take a silly premise about vampires living in Staten Island and turn it into a masterclass in character acting. Honestly, if you swapped these actors out for anyone else, the show probably would’ve folded after season one.
The chemistry isn’t just good; it’s chaotic. You’ve got these performers who come from such different backgrounds—British high-concept comedy, American improv, and even professional drollery—clashing in a way that feels like a genuine family dinner gone wrong. Every single week.
Kayvan Novak as Nandor the Relentless
Kayvan Novak is basically the heart of the house, even if Nandor would never admit it. Before he was a 700-year-old vampire obsessed with glitter and the 1992 Dream Team, Novak was a legend in the UK for his prank call show Fonejacker. You can see that DNA in his performance. The way he manipulates his voice to sound simultaneously terrifying and like a confused toddler is a specific skill set most actors can't touch.
He brings a weird vulnerability to a guy who used to pillage entire villages.
Nandor’s dynamic with the rest of the cast of What We Do in the Shadows hinges on his status as the "leader" who nobody actually respects. It’s a tough needle to thread. If he were too cool, the jokes wouldn't land. If he were too pathetic, you wouldn't believe he was an ancient warrior. Novak finds that middle ground where he’s just a lonely guy who happens to sleep in a coffin and loves the "The Big Bang Theory" for some reason.
Matt Berry and the Laszlo Cravensworth Energy
Is there anyone on television who enjoys saying words more than Matt Berry? Probably not.
Berry plays Laszlo Cravensworth, and he treats every sentence like a five-course meal he’s trying to swallow all at once. His delivery is iconic. Whether he’s shouting about "Bat!" or explaining the intricate details of his topiary garden (which is mostly just vulvas), he brings a theatricality that anchors the show's absurdity.
The interesting thing about Matt Berry joining the cast of What We Do in the Shadows is that he was already a cult icon from IT Crowd and Toast of London. He didn't change his style for the show; the show bent itself to fit his rhythm. His relationship with Nadja, played by Natasia Demetriou, is easily one of the most stable and yet completely unhinged marriages on TV. They actually seem to like each other, which is a rarity in comedy.
Natasia Demetriou: The Underrated MVP
Natasia Demetriou is the secret weapon. Period.
📖 Related: Alfonso Cuarón: Why the Harry Potter 3 Director Changed the Wizarding World Forever
As Nadja, she has to play the straight man and the lunatic at the same time. Her facial expressions when Nandor says something stupid are worth the price of admission alone. Before the show, she was doing sketch comedy with her brother Jamie Demetriou (of Stath Lets Flats fame), and that background in quick-hit character work shows.
She isn't just "the girl" in the group. She’s often the most competent, the most cruel, and the most hilariously dramatic. When she’s screaming at her ghost-self trapped in a doll, you forget you’re watching a person talk to a prop. That’s pure talent.
Mark Proksch and the Genius of the Energy Vampire
We all know a Colin Robinson. That’s why Mark Proksch is so brilliant.
Proksch’s rise to the cast of What We Do in the Shadows is a great story in itself. He basically trolled local news stations for years as "K-Strass," a fake yo-yo master who couldn't actually do any tricks. That commitment to being incredibly awkward and boring is exactly what makes Colin Robinson work.
He drains people by talking.
It’s a meta-commentary on office culture. Proksch plays it so straight that you almost forget he’s a supernatural being. He’s just a guy in a beige cardigan talking about the history of salt. The show took a massive risk in later seasons with his character’s "evolution" (no spoilers, but the baby thing was a lot), and Proksch handled the physical comedy of that transition with a level of commitment that most dramatic actors would find exhausting.
Harvey Guillén and the Heart of the Show
Then there’s Guillermo de la Cruz.
Harvey Guillén is the only one who really grounds the series. While the rest of the cast of What We Do in the Shadows are playing caricatures of monsters, Guillén is playing a human with a very real, very sad dream: he wants to be a vampire.
👉 See also: Why the Cast of Hold Your Breath 2024 Makes This Dust Bowl Horror Actually Work
Guillén’s performance has changed the most over the years. He started as a timid familiar and turned into a badass Van Helsing descendant who can wipe out a room full of vampires in seconds. The stunts he performs are actually impressive, but it’s his "Can you believe these idiots?" looks into the camera that make him the audience surrogate.
- He represents the struggle of the modern intern.
- His chemistry with Kayvan Novak is the backbone of the entire plot.
- He brings a much-needed emotional weight to the slapstick.
Supporting Players and Guest Stars
The show also thrives on its recurring characters. You have Kristen Schaal as The Guide, who shifted from a guest spot to a series regular because she fit the vibe so well. Her chaotic energy perfectly counters the vampires' arrogance.
And we have to talk about the guest stars. The "Trial" episode in season one featured:
- Tilda Swinton
- Wesley Snipes
- Danny Trejo
- Paul Reubens
- Evan Rachel Wood
The fact that the show could pull those names speaks to the respect the industry has for the core cast of What We Do in the Shadows. People want to play in this sandbox because the regulars make it look like so much fun.
The Improv Factor
One thing people often miss is how much of the show is improvised. The scripts are tight, but showrunners like Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi (who obviously created the original film) encourage the actors to riff.
This is why the dialogue feels so natural despite the ridiculous costumes. When Laszlo and Nandor are bickering, half of those insults are being cooked up on the spot. You can't fake that kind of timing. It requires a level of trust that only comes when a cast has spent years together in a cramped house in Toronto (where they actually film).
The production design helps, too. The house is a real, functional set with hidden rooms and dusty corners. It allows the actors to actually inhabit the space. They aren't just standing in front of a green screen; they're tripping over "ancient" artifacts and slamming real wooden doors.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think the show is just a parody of Twilight or Interview with the Vampire. It’s not. It’s a workplace comedy.
✨ Don't miss: Is Steven Weber Leaving Chicago Med? What Really Happened With Dean Archer
The vampires happen to be the coworkers, and the "work" is just staying alive (or undead) in a world that has moved past them. The cast of What We Do in the Shadows treats the supernatural elements as chores. Cleaning up a pile of bones is just like taking out the trash. That mundane approach to the macabre is why it stays funny.
Practical Insights for Fans and Creators
If you’re looking to dive deeper into why this ensemble works, pay attention to the silence. Some of the funniest moments in the show happen when no one is talking. It’s the way Mark Proksch stares at a wall or the way Natasia Demetriou adjusts her sleeves.
For those interested in the craft:
- Study the background acting. Even when they aren't the focus of a scene, the cast is always "on."
- Watch the original 2014 movie. Compare how the TV cast differs from the original trio of Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, and Jonny Brugh. The TV show leaned harder into the "found family" trope.
- Check out their previous work. Seeing Matt Berry in Snuff Box or Harvey Guillén in The Magicians shows you exactly what they brought to the table for this specific project.
The show is heading toward its final curtain, and while the writing has been stellar, it’s the faces on the screen we’re going to miss. They took a niche mockumentary and turned it into a cultural touchstone for horror-comedy.
To truly appreciate the series, rewatch the first season after seeing where the characters end up. The growth—especially for Guillermo and Nandor—is a testament to the actors' ability to play the long game. They didn't just give us funny voices; they gave us people we actually care about, even if they do occasionally eat the neighbors.
Follow the careers of these five main actors closely as the show wraps up. The "Shadows" effect usually means they'll be popping up in major franchises and prestige dramas for years to come. Guillén is already doing major voice work and film roles, and Novak’s range suggests he could easily lead a dramatic thriller if he wanted to.
Don't just move on once the series finale airs. Go back and look at the "Jackie Daytona" episode (Season 2, Episode 6) and observe how the entire ensemble supports a solo detour. That's the mark of a legendary cast. They know when to lead and when to let their costar have the "regular human bartender" spotlight.