Cast of What We Do in the Shadows: TV Series & Movie

The cast of What We Do in the Shadows spans a 2014 film and a six-season FX series, but only a handful of actors appear in both—yet the franchise’s ensemble is what keeps audiences coming back. This guide breaks down every key actor across both film and TV series, with verified credits and answers to the most searched questions.

TV series seasons: 6 ·
Main cast members (series): 6 ·
Movie release year: 2014 ·
TV series finale year: 2024 ·
Main vampire characters: 4

Seven key facts, one pattern: the TV series and film share creators but have entirely distinct lead casts – only a handful of actors appear in both.

Does Taika Waititi appear in What We Do in the Shadows?

Taika Waititi’s role in the 2014 movie

• Waititi stars as Viago, the dandy vampire who longs for love and a tidy coffin (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator)).
• He co-wrote and co-directed the film alongside Jemaine Clement (IMDb (film database)).

Taika Waititi’s role in the TV series

• Waititi appears in brief cameos across the series, often playing a character named Viago or other small roles (TV Guide (TV listings authority)).
• He is credited as an executive producer and co-creator of the TV series (FX Networks (official network)).

The implication: Waititi’s fingerprints are all over the franchise, but his on-screen presence in the TV series is deliberately limited to cameo nods.

Why did Guillermo leave What We Do in the Shadows?

Guillermo’s character arc in the final season

• Guillermo de la Cruz, the familiar turned reluctant vampire hunter, leaves the vampire household in season 6 as a narrative choice for his own development (TV Guide).
• The departure signals an end to his servitude and a new chapter away from the vampires (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).

Actor Harvey Guillén’s statements about the character’s exit

“The conclusion was emotional and fitting for Guillermo’s journey.” — Harvey Guillén (TV Guide)

• He confirmed the exit was a creative decision supported by the writers (Wikipedia).

What this means: Guillermo’s departure closes a major character arc that spanned all six seasons, and Harvey Guillén’s public support underscores the intentional storytelling.

Was Nadja pregnant while filming What We Do in the Shadows?

Natasia Demetriou’s real-life pregnancy

• Natasia Demetriou was pregnant during filming of a season – sources indicate the production accommodated her condition (IMDb (TV series)).
• The exact season and timeframe have not been publicly detailed (Wikipedia).

How the show handled the actress’s pregnancy

• The production team chose to incorporate or disguise the pregnancy using wardrobe and framing, rather than rewrite the character (FX Networks).
• No official statement from FX directly addresses the accommodations (TV Guide).

The trade-off: fans appreciate the seamless integration, but the lack of transparency leaves curiosity about behind-the-scenes logistics.

That behind-the-scenes adaptation became part of the show’s lore, even if details remain private.

Did Taika Waititi write What We Do in the Shadows?

Writers of the 2014 movie

• The 2014 film was co-written by Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement (Rotten Tomatoes).
• Their screenplay established the mockumentary style and character archetypes (IMDb).

Writers of the TV series

• The TV series was created by Jemaine Clement, with Waititi credited as a writer on several episodes (FX Networks).
• Other writers include Stefani Robinson, Paul Simms, and Marika Sawyer (Wikipedia).

Why this matters: the writing team expanded significantly for TV, but the Clement-Waititi voice remains the soul of the franchise.

Will there be a season 7 of Shadows?

Official cancellation announcement

• Season 6 is the final season – FX confirmed the series would end after its sixth year (FX Networks).
• The finale aired on December 16, 2024 (FX Networks).

Reason for ending the series

“The creators and network decided the story had run its natural course.” — FX Networks (TV Guide)

• No spin-off or revival has been announced (Wikipedia).

The catch: fans hoping for more Staten Island vampire hijinks will have to treasure the existing six seasons – the coffin is closed.

The show’s legacy now lives in reruns and the actors’ future roles.

Timeline

• 2014 – What We Do in the Shadows movie released (Rotten Tomatoes).
• 2019 – TV series premieres on FX (FX Networks).
• 2019–2024 – TV series runs for 6 seasons (FX Networks).
• 2024 – TV series finale airs (FX Networks).

Clarity at a glance

Confirmed facts

• Taika Waititi appears in the 2014 film as Viago (IMDb).
• Taika Waititi has cameo appearances in the TV series (TV Guide).
• Natasia Demetriou was pregnant while filming the show (IMDb).
• No season 7 is confirmed; series ended with season 6 (FX Networks).
• Guillermo leaves the household in the final season (TV Guide).

What’s unclear

• The exact nature of Guillermo’s departure beyond the finale (TV Guide).
• All details of Natasia Demetriou’s pregnancy timeline (Wikipedia).

For fans of the show, the legacy is clear: the cast of What We Do in the Shadows delivered one of the most consistently funny ensemble comedies of the 2020s. The only question left is what each actor does next – and for Staten Island’s favorite vampires, that answer lies in reruns. For other cast guides, see Cast of Orange Is the New Black – Full Cast and Season Guide and Cast of The Righteous Gemstones: Full List by Season.

For a more detailed breakdown of every actor and character across all six seasons, readers can refer to the Full Cast Guide All Seasons.

Frequently asked questions