FX has set the premiere date for its TV adaptation of Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi’s vampire mockumentary, “What We Do in the Shadows,” and released the first trailer featuring the bloodsucking roommates at the center of the comedy series.
Based on the 2014 film of the same name from Clement and Waititi, “What We Do in the Shadows” follows the daily (or rather, nightly) lives of four vampires who’ve “lived” together for hundreds of years — in Staten Island, New York.
The show will debut Wednesday, March 27 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX, Chuck Saftler, president, program strategy and COO, FX Networks announced Monday ahead of FX’s day at Television Critics Association’s press tour.
The two-minute, 14-second trailer introduces us to the new vampire crew — seeing as Clement and Waititi, who starred in the original film alongside Jonathan Brugh, are behind the camera for this one — including self-appointed leader Nandor the Relentless (Kayvan Novak), couple Laszlo (Matt Berry) and Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), Nandor’s familiar aka servant Guillermo (Harvey Guillén), and “energy vampire” Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch).
Read the descriptions for the series’ undead household below.
The self-appointed leader of the group is “Nandor The Relentless” (Novak), a great warrior and conqueror from the Ottoman Empire, who has taken the helm of the group despite many of his Old World tactics resulting in what some might politely refer to as bupkis. Then there’s the British vampire “Laszlo” (Berry) – a bit of a rogue and a dandy and a fop, he might say. He’s a lover of mischief and a great soirée, but not as much as he loves seeing Nandor fail miserably in every attempt. And then there’s “Nadja” (Demetriou): the seductress, the temptress, the vampiric Bonnie to Laszlo’s Clyde. Her wisdom and provocative tales from times past allow us insight into the many ups and downs of living an immortal life.
Also cohabiting in the vampire household is “Guillermo” (Guillén), Nandor’s familiar (a.k.a. servant/protector during the daylight hours), who wants nothing more than to be made a real vampire just like his master. Also lurking about is “Colin Robinson” (Proksch), an energy vampire and day-walker of sorts — he feasts on humans, but not on their blood. A frequent visitor is Nadja’s new friend, “Jenna” (Beanie Feldstein), a student at a nearby community college. She loves LARPing, boys, and art history, and for some reason has been rather confused lately as to why it is she so ravenously craves the flesh of the living.
After an unexpected visit from their dark lord and leader, “Baron Afanas,” the vampires are reminded of what they were initially tasked with upon their arrival in Staten Island over a hundred years ago – total and complete domination of the New World. But what exactly is the best way to go about achieving said domination? Our vérité camera crew follows along as the vampires set out to answer this query.
Clement created the 10-episode series and executive produces alongside Waititi, Paul Simms, Scott Rudin, Garrett Basch and Eli Bush. “What We Do in the Shadows” is produced by FX Productions and stars Berry, Novak, Demetriou, Guillén and Proksch, who guest starred in the pilot before being promoted to series regular.
Watch the trailer above.
“What We Do in the Shadows” premieres March 27 at 10/9c on FX.