The FX mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows follows a group of vampire roommates living on Staten Island. Across six seasons, the show built one of the most consistently hilarious ensembles on television. Here is a complete breakdown of the cast, from the main vampires to key guest stars and the original 2014 film cast.
Who Are the Main Cast Members of What We Do in the Shadows?
Nandor the Relentless
Laszlo Cravensworth
Nadja
Guillermo de la Cruz
- The four main vampire housemates (Nandor, Laszlo, Nadja, Colin Robinson) appear in every season.
- Harvey Guillén plays Guillermo, the only human main character and Nandor’s familiar.
- Mark Proksch portrays Colin Robinson, an energy vampire who drains people by boring them.
- Kristen Schaal joins as a main cast member from Season 3 as The Guide.
- No main cast members left or were replaced during the series run.
- The series finale (Season 6) retains the full core ensemble.
| Actor | Character | First Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| Kayvan Novak | Nandor the Relentless | Season 1, Episode 1 |
| Matt Berry | Laszlo Cravensworth | Season 1, Episode 1 |
| Natasia Demetriou | Nadja | Season 1, Episode 1 |
| Harvey Guillén | Guillermo de la Cruz | Season 1, Episode 1 |
| Mark Proksch | Colin Robinson | Season 1, Episode 1 |
| Kristen Schaal | The Guide | Season 2, Episode 1 (recurring); main from Season 3 |
What Is the Cast of the Original 2014 Movie?
The 2014 film What We Do in the Shadows was written and directed by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi. It featured a different cast of vampires living in a flat in Wellington, New Zealand.
Main Movie Cast
Jemaine Clement played Vladislav the Poker, Taika Waititi played Viago, Jonathan Brugh played Deacon, and Rhys Darby played Anton, the leader of a werewolf pack. No main actor from the film appears as a regular in the TV series.
The TV series uses an entirely new cast for the main vampire roles. The movie’s actors appear only as guest stars or cameos in the series, not as series regulars.
Movie Connections to the Series
Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement are executive producers on the TV series and appear as guest stars. Waititi reprises his film role as Viago in the series, and Clement appears in the franchise context. The series is set in the same universe but with new lead characters.
How Has the Cast Changed Across Seasons?
The core lineup remained stable from Season 1 through Season 6. The only significant cast change involved Kristen Schaal’s promotion from a recurring guest to a main cast member starting in Season 3.
Season 1 (2019)
All five main vampires plus Guillermo debut. Kristen Schaal appears as The Guide in two episodes.
Season 2 (2020)
The main cast is unchanged. The Guide becomes a recurring character. New recurring characters include the vampire Ange and the werewolf Arjan, played by Arj Barker.
Season 3 (2021)
Kristen Schaal joins the main cast. The Guide’s role expands significantly. No main cast departures.
Season 4 (2022)
Main cast remains the same. Notable cameo: Taika Waititi returns as Viago from the original film.
Season 5 (2023)
No changes to the main cast. New recurring characters include Marwa, Nandor’s wife, and Derek, a vampire hunter turned vampire played by Chris Sandiford.
Across all six seasons, the five original main actors (Novak, Berry, Demetriou, Guillén, Proksch) appear in every season. No cast member was written out or replaced.
Who Plays Nadja in What We Do in the Shadows?
Nadja of Antipaxos is played by Natasia Demetriou. She is one of the lead vampires, known for her sharp wit, chaotic energy, and complicated romantic history with Laszlo.
Other Key Character-Actor Matches
Nandor the Relentless is played by Kayvan Novak. Laszlo Cravensworth is played by Matt Berry. Guillermo de la Cruz is played by Harvey Guillén. Colin Robinson is played by Mark Proksch. The Guide is played by Kristen Schaal.
Some viewers mistakenly think Taika Waititi plays a main vampire in the series. Waititi only appears as a guest star (Viago) in a few episodes and is not part of the main cast.
Are There Any Notable Guest Stars or Recurring Characters?
The show featured a steady stream of well-known actors in guest roles. Below are some of the most prominent.
Recurring Characters
Mike O’Brien plays Jerry the Vampire, a new roommate in Season 6. Jake McDorman appears as Jeff Suckler, a reincarnation of Nadja’s former lover. Benedict Wong plays Wallace, a necromancer and salesman. Tim Heidecker appears as Jordan, a senior partner at Cannon Capital Strategies.
Franchise Returns
Taika Waititi reprises his movie role as Viago. Jemaine Clement also appears in the franchise context, including as a character in the series.
Other Notable Guests
Steve Coogan plays Lord Roderick Cravensworth, Laszlo’s father. Arj Barker plays Arjan, leader of the Staten Island Werewolf Support Group. Zach Woods plays Joel, Colin Robinson’s old work friend. Alexander Skarsgård makes a guest appearance as a vampire.
What Is the Cast of the Final Season (Season 6)?
Season 6 aired in 2024 and concluded the series. All main cast members returned: Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, and Kristen Schaal. The season also introduced several new characters and brought back guest stars from the film.
- 2019 – Season 1: Main cast debuts (Novak, Berry, Demetriou, Guillén, Proksch). Guest: Kristen Schaal.
- 2020 – Season 2: Main cast unchanged. Schaal becomes recurring. New recurring characters added.
- 2021 – Season 3: Schaal promoted to main cast.
- 2022 – Season 4: Main cast stable. Taika Waititi cameo.
- 2023 – Season 5: No cast exits. New recurring characters (Marwa, Derek).
- 2024 – Season 6 (final): All main cast return. Guest stars include Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, Mike O’Brien, Jake McDorman, Benedict Wong, and Tim Heidecker.
Is the TV Series Cast Different from the Movie Cast?
Established information
- The TV series cast is completely different from the 2014 film cast for the main vampire roles.
- The film starred Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, Jonathan Brugh, and Rhys Darby.
- Waititi and Clement appear in the series only as guest stars.
- All five TV main vampires plus Guillermo appear in every season.
- Kristen Schaal is a main cast member from Season 3 onward.
- No major cast replacements occurred.
Information that remains unclear
- There are no public reports of cast disputes or replacement plans.
- The show has no announced spin-offs featuring the same characters.
- Whether any main cast members would return for potential future projects is unconfirmed.
What Makes the TV Series Cast Distinct from the Movie?
The TV series recast the vampires with new actors to create a different comedic dynamic. Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, and Natasia Demetriou bring unique energies that separate the show from the original mockumentary film. Harvey Guillén’s character serves as the human audience surrogate, and his arc from familiar to potential vampire is a key narrative driver.
Mark Proksch’s Colin Robinson introduced a new type of vampire—the energy vampire—that did not appear in the movie. The show’s creators Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement maintain a connection to the film through occasional guest appearances, but the series stands on its own cast.
Where to Find Official Cast Information?
“A look into the nightly lives of four vampires who have lived together for centuries.”
— IMDb synopsis
Several authoritative sources provide cast details. FX Networks maintains an official cast page at fxnetworks.com. Wikipedia offers a comprehensive overview at Wikipedia. IMDb provides a full credits list at IMDb. For the movie cast, Rotten Tomatoes has a listing at Rotten Tomatoes.
Summary: What Is the Complete Cast of What We Do in the Shadows?
The main cast of the TV series consists of Kayvan Novak as Nandor, Matt Berry as Laszlo, Natasia Demetriou as Nadja, Harvey Guillén as Guillermo, Mark Proksch as Colin Robinson, and Kristen Schaal as The Guide (main from Season 3). The original 2014 movie features a separate cast including Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi. The series concluded with its sixth season in 2024, with no announced spin-offs. For related reading, see IT: Welcome to Derry – Release Date, Cast and Episodes and The Day of the Jackal (Film) – Plot Cast Remakes and Streaming Guide.
Is the cast of the TV show the same as the movie?
No. The movie features Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, Jonathan Brugh, and Rhys Darby. The TV series has a completely new cast except for guest appearances.
Who plays Guillermo in What We Do in the Shadows?
Harvey Guillén plays Guillermo de la Cruz, the human familiar to Nandor.
Why did the TV series recast the vampires?
The creators wanted a fresh take with different comedic dynamics and to expand the universe beyond the mockumentary film.
How many main cast members are there?
Five main cast members: Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, and Mark Proksch. Kristen Schaal is also considered main from season 3 onward.
Does Taika Waititi appear in the TV series?
Yes, but only as a guest star. He reprises his movie role as Viago in a few episodes.
Are there any spin-offs planned?
As of 2025, no spin-offs or sequels featuring the same cast have been announced.
Who plays Laszlo Cravensworth?
Matt Berry plays Laszlo Cravensworth.
Who plays Nandor the Relentless?
Kayvan Novak plays Nandor the Relentless.
Who plays The Guide?
Kristen Schaal plays The Guide.
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Grace Hollis is Film & Music Correspondent at CultureObserver.uk, covering film releases, music news, soundtracks and awards season.