One of the first Halloweens after “What We Do in the Shadows” premiered, showrunner Paul Simms was trick-or-treating with his kids when they spotted some people dressed up as the show’s playful vampire couple, Laszlo and Nadja.
“I’d never been on a show where you saw people who loved the show so much that they were dressing up as the characters,” Simms says. “It was incredibly exciting to see these strangers who loved the show.”
Simms, along with “Shadows” cast members Matt Berry, Mark Proksch and Kristen Schaal, gathered in a suite at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront on Thursday as part of their press day and promotional festivities at Comic-Con. They will later be joined by director Kyle Newacheck as they head to their presentation in Hall H in the afternoon.
FX is going all out for “Shadows” at this year’s Comic-Con for its “farewell tour.” The acclaimed mockumentary comedy series, which earned eight Emmy nominations earlier this month, has announced that its sixth season will be its last. The exterior of the Bayfront is plastered with a giant promotional poster for “Shadows,” and just below the hotel is an activation zone that features a design that mimics the show’s vampire mansion.
Before their panel appearance, the cast and creatives head to an area where they’re greeted by fans in full cosplay despite the sweltering heat. The “Shadows” crew is then whisked off to the convention center, where they listen backstage as a packed Hall H gets a sneak peek of the Season 6 premiere. (Berry and Newacheck share a thumbs up as they hear the audience erupt into laughter after a Laszlo moment.) And after their Hall H appearance, they and the rest of their group will chat with fans — some in cosplay, some in “Shadows”-themed paraphernalia, all with excitement — while signing autographs and posing for selfies.
As for Season 6, Simms says, “It's exactly what we wanted to do.”
“We wanted to make a final season that wasn’t sentimental or trying to tie up all the loose ends,” he says. “Just do [a season] “That's super funny and it has a good ending, which we're not going to tell you about.”
Showrunner Paul Simms and actress Kristen Schaal of the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows” tour the Hilton kitchen before participating in the show’s final panel in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con.
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1. Paul Simms, executive producer and writer of the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows,” poses for a portrait at the Hilton Bayfront before participating in the show's final panel in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con. 2. The Nadja doll from the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows” sits on a table before appearing at the show’s final panel in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con.
“What We Do in the Shadows” actress Kristen Schaal speaks with director Kyle Newacheck before participating in the show’s Comic-Con panel.
Matt Berry, left, and Mark Proksch watch a special screening of the Season 6 premiere of “What We Do in the Shadows” backstage at Comic-Con.
Matt Berry sits next to Nadja's doll as they ride the bus to Comic-Con.
Mark Proksch, from left, Paul Simms, Kristen Schaal, Kyle Newacheck and Matt Berry are seen by fans and photographers as they arrive on the FX Lawn at San Diego Comic-Con.
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1. Paul Simms, executive producer and writer of the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows,” takes the stage with the Nadja doll at the show’s final panel in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con. 2. Actor Mark Proksch, who plays “Colin Robinson” on the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows,” speaks with fellow panel members before participating in the show's final panel in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con. 3. Actress Kristen Schaal, as “The Guide” on the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows,” looks up at a giant billboard covering the front of the Hilton Bayfront before participating in the show's final panel in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con.
Actress Kristen Schaal waves to a cheering crowd as she takes the stage at the show's final panel in Hall H at Comic-Con.
Kayvan Novak's character, Nandor the Relentless, appears via Zoom during the “Shadows” panel at Comic-Con. Non-Zoom panelists include Paul Simms, from left, Matt Berry, Mark Proksch, Kristen Schaal and Kyle Newacheck.
Actor Mark Proksch, left, who plays “Colin Robinson,” signs an autograph for a fan as Paul Simms, executive producer and writer, holds the Nadja doll from the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows” as they walk offstage after participating in the show's final panel.
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1. Fans listen to the final panel of FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows” at San Diego Comic-Con. 2. A fan applauds as she listens to the final panel of the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows” at San Diego Comic-Con.
Actress Kristen Schaal, right, as “The Guide,” poses for a photo with Kyle Newacheck, executive producer and director of the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows,” while signing posters for fans at San Diego Comic-Con.
Brittany Teodorski, right, of Portland, Oregon, dressed as Nandor the Relentless, receives autographs from Paul Simms, second from left, executive producer, writer, actor/writer/composer, Matt Berry, third from left, as “Laszlo,” and actor Mark Proksch, fourth from left, who portrays “Colin Robinson,” Kyle Newacheck, fifth from left, executive producer/director, and actress Kristen Schaal, as “The Guide,” in the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows” at San Diego Comic-Con.
