History of What We Do in the Shadows (TV series) in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 30, 2025

What We Do in the Shadows is a comedy horror mockumentary series created by Jemaine Clement, based on the film of the same name. The show follows four vampire roommates – Nandor, Laszlo, Nadja, and Colin Robinson – living on Staten Island, New York. A documentary crew chronicles their mundane lives and interactions with the modern world, as well as their familiar, Guillermo, who secretly has vampire-killing ancestry. The series, starring Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, and Kristen Schaal, explores vampire lore with humor, showcasing their struggles to adapt to contemporary society while dealing with supernatural threats and each other's eccentricities. The show aired for six seasons from 2019 to 2024.

1966: "You're Dead" release

In 1966, Norma Tanega released the song "You're Dead". The song is used in the opening credits sequence in the original film, and the TV show.

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1994: Film Nadja

In 1994, the film Nadja was released. The character Nadja from the series was named after this film.

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2014: Release of the original film

In 2014, the New Zealand film "What We Do in the Shadows" written and directed by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, was released, which inspired the TV series.

January 22, 2018: FX Pilot Order

On January 22, 2018, FX gave the production a pilot order.

May 3, 2018: FX Series Order

On May 3, 2018, FX gave the production a series order for a first season consisting of ten episodes.

October 7, 2018: Panel at New York Comic Con

On October 7, 2018, What We Do in the Shadows held a panel at the annual New York Comic Con, moderated by Rolling Stone's Alan Sepinwall.

October 31, 2018: Teaser trailers released

On October 31, 2018, a series of teaser trailers for What We Do in the Shadows were released.

December 18, 2018: End of filming for season 1

On December 18, 2018, principal photography for the first season concluded in Toronto, Ontario.

2018: Spin-off Wellington Paranormal

In 2018, Wellington Paranormal, a spin-off television show in the franchise was released.

January 10, 2019: Another teaser trailer released

On January 10, 2019, another teaser trailer for What We Do in the Shadows was released.

February 4, 2019: Official trailer released

On February 4, 2019, the official trailer for What We Do in the Shadows was released.

March 27, 2019: First broadcast on FX

On March 27, 2019, What We Do in the Shadows, created by Jemaine Clement, was first broadcast on FX.

2019: World premiere at South by Southwest

In 2019, the world premiere of What We Do in the Shadows was screened during the South by Southwest film festival in Austin, Texas.

April 15, 2020: Season 2 premiere

On April 15, 2020, the second season of What We Do in the Shadows premiered.

May 22, 2020: Season 3 renewal

On May 22, 2020, FX renewed What We Do in the Shadows for a third season.

2020: Emmy Award nomination

In 2020, the show received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series for its second season.

February 8, 2021: Filming for season 3 began

On February 8, 2021, filming for the third season of What We Do in the Shadows began.

May 3, 2021: Filming for season 3 finished

On May 3, 2021, filming for the third season of What We Do in the Shadows finished.

August 13, 2021: Season 4 renewal

On August 13, 2021, FX renewed What We Do in the Shadows for a fourth season, ahead of the third-season premiere. It was also reported that Rudin would no longer be an executive producer.