History of What We Do in the Shadows in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 23, 2025

What We Do in the Shadows is a 2014 New Zealand mockumentary horror comedy film written and directed by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi. The film follows the daily lives of several vampires – Viago, Vladislav, Deacon, and Petyr – who share a flat in Wellington. A camera crew documents their struggles with modern life, including paying rent, household chores, dealing with daylight, and navigating the complexities of human interactions, all while trying to maintain their vampire identities. When they turn a young man named Nick into a vampire, he introduces them to the wonders of modern technology, which further complicates their ancient existence, leading to humorous and often absurd situations.

2005: Release of What We Do in the Shadows short film

In 2005, Waititi and Clement released What We Do in the Shadows: Interviews with Some Vampires, a short film, starring Jonny Brugh, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer and Stu Rutherford as Deacon, Nick and Stu respectively.

2005: Short Film Release

In 2005, Waititi and Clement wrote and directed What We Do In The Shadows: Interviews With Some Vampires. Jonny Brugh, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer and Stu Rutherford starred as Deacon, Nick and Stu respectively.

September 2012: Filming of What We Do in the Shadows

In September 2012, the feature film adaptation of What We Do in the Shadows was shot in Wellington. This was Waititi's first feature since Boy.

January 2014: What We Do in the Shadows Premieres at Sundance Film Festival

In January 2014, What We Do in the Shadows premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

June 2014: Vampire's Guide to Vellington promotional short film

In June 2014, Waititi created a promotional short film titled Vampire's Guide to Vellington in conjunction with Discover New Zealand, reprising his role as Viago von Blitzenberg.

August 2014: Theatrical Release of What We Do in the Shadows

On 18 August 2014, What We Do in the Shadows was theatrically released by Madman Entertainment and received critical acclaim.

November 2014: DVD and Blu-ray Release

On 26 November 2014, What We Do in the Shadows was released on DVD and Blu-ray by Weltkino Filmverleih.

2014: What We Do in the Shadows film release

In 2014, What We Do in the Shadows, a New Zealand mockumentary horror comedy film written and directed by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, was released. The film revolves around the lives of vampires sharing a flat in Wellington.

February 2015: Limited Release in New York City and Los Angeles

In February 2015, What We Do in the Shadows had a limited release in New York City and Los Angeles, followed by screenings in other major US cities.

March 2015: Regional Release in the U.S.

In March 2015, What We Do in the Shadows received a regional release in the U.S. by Unison Films, The Orchard, and Paramount Pictures in association with Funny or Die and Paladin Pictures.

September 2016: Plans for Wellington Paranormal Revealed

In September 2016, Waititi and Clement announced plans for Wellington Paranormal, a comedy series based on officers O'Leary and Minogue from the film.

May 2018: FX Orders Pilot for American TV Series

In May 2018, FX ordered a pilot for an American television series based on the film, with Clement and Waititi as executive producers.

July 2018: Wellington Paranormal Series Airs

On 11 July 2018, Wellington Paranormal first aired on TVNZ 2. Waititi and Clement were granted $1 million to produce six 30-minute episodes.

March 2019: American TV Series Premieres on FX

On 27 March 2019, the American television series based on What We Do in the Shadows premiered on FX with ten 30-minute episodes, directed by Waititi.

May 2019: Series Renewed for Second Season

In May 2019, FX renewed the American television series for a 10-episode second season that debuted in 2020.

May 2019: Waititi Discusses "We're Wolves" Film

In May 2019, Waititi mentioned that he and Jemaine Clement were pretending to make a film called "We're Wolves", which would follow the werewolves from What We Do in the Shadows.

May 2020: Series Renewed for Third Season

In May 2020, FX announced the renewal of the American television series for a third season, noting a 25 percent audience growth from season 1 to season 2.

2020: No Movement on "We're Wolves" Project

In 2020, Rhys Darby stated that there had been no further progress on the "We're Wolves" project.

2022: Waititi Expresses Continued Interest in "We're Wolves"

In 2022, Waititi stated that he, Clement, and Rhys still want to make the "We're Wolves" spinoff, emphasizing it as the only What We Do In The Shadows project he would revisit.