One of the first Halloweens after “What We Do in the Shadows” premiered, showrunner Paul Simms was out trick-or-treating with his kids when they saw some people dressed up as the show’s frisky vampire power couple, Laszlo and Nadja.
“I’ve never been on a show before where you see people loving the show so much that they’re dressed up like the characters,” says Simms. “It was just indescribably exciting to see these strangers that liked the show.”
Simms, along with “Shadows” cast members Matt Berry, Mark Proksch and Kristen Schaal, are gathered in a suite at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Thursday as part of their whirlwind day of press and promotional festivities at Comic-Con. They’ll be joined later by director Kyle Newacheck as they make their way towards their Hall H presentation in the afternoon.
FX is going all out for “Shadows” at Comic-Con this year for their “farewell tour.” The acclaimed mockumentary comedy series — which earned 8 Emmy nominations earlier this month — has announced its upcoming sixth season will be its last. The Bayfront’s exterior is wrapped in a giant “Shadows” promotional poster, and just below the hotel is an activation area that features one designed to look like the show’s vampire mansion.
Before their panel presentation, the cast and creatives head to an activation where they are greeted by fans in full cosplay despite the sweltering heat. The “Shadows” team is then shuttled to the convention center, where they listen in backstage as a packed Hall H are given a sneak peek at the Season 6 premiere. (Berry and Newacheck share a thumbs up when they hear the audience erupt in laughter after a Laszlo moment.) And after their Hall H presentation, they will be chatting up fans — some in cosplay, some with “Shadows”-themed paraphernalia, all with enthusiasm — as they sign autographs and pose for selfies.
As for Season 6, Simms says “it’s exactly what we wanted to do.” “We wanted to make a last season that was not sentimental or trying to tie up every loose end,” says Simms. “Just make [a season] that is super funny and at the end has a good ending, which we’re not going to tell you.”
Paul Simms, left, Executive Producer, Writer, and actor Kristen Schaal, right, as “the guide”, in the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows” are escorted through the Hilton Bayfront kitchen before participating in the show’s final panel at Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con.
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1. Paul Simms, Executive Producer, 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 at Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con. 2. Nadja’s doll, of the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows” sits on a table before appearing in the show’s final panel at Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con.
Actor Kristen Schaal, left, as “the guide”, talks with Kyle Newacheck, EP/Director of the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows” before participating in the show’s final panel at Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con.
Actor/writer/composer Matt Berry, as “Laszlo”, left, and actor Mark Proksch, who plays “Colin Robinson,” of the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows” watch a special screening of the season 6 premiere backstage before appearing in the show’s final panel at Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con.
Actor/writer/composer Matt Berry, as “Laszlo”, left, sits next to Nadja’s doll of the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows” as they arrive on the bus at to participate the show’s final panel at Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con.
From left: actor Mark Proksch, who plays “Colin Robinson,” Paul Simms, Executive Producer, Writer, actor Kristen Schaal, as “the guide”, Kyle Newacheck, EP/Director, actor/writer/composer Matt Berry, as “Laszlo” of the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows” are viewed by fans and photographers as they arrive at the FX Lawn to tour the “Shadows” activation & complete the fan interaction at San Diego Comic-Con.
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1. Paul Simms, Executive Producer, Writer of the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows” takes the stage with Nadja’s doll in the show’s final panel at Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con. 2. Actor Mark Proksch, who plays “Colin Robinson,” in the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows” talks with fellow panel members before participating in the show’s final panel at Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con. 3. Actor Kristen Schaal, as “the guide”, in the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows” looks up at a giant advertisement that covers the front of the Hilton Bayfront before participating in the show’s final panel at Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con.
Actor Kristen Schaal, as “the guide” of the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows” waves to a cheering crowd as she takes the stage in the show’s final panel at Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con.
Kayvan Novak participates entirely in character as Nandor the Relentless of the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows” while joining virtually via Zoom as he looms over the show’s San Diego Comic-Con. From left: Paul Simms, Executive Producer, Writer, actor/writer/composer Matt Berry, as “Laszlo”, actor Mark Proksch, who plays “Colin Robinson,” actor Kristen Schaal, as “the guide” Kyle Newacheck, EP/Director.
Actor Mark Proksch, left, who plays “Colin Robinson,” signs an autograph for a fan as Paul Simms, Executive Producer, Writer, holds Nadja’s doll of the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows” as they exit the stage after participating in show’s final panel.
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1. Fans listen to the final panel by the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows” at San Diego Comic-Con. 2. A fan cheers while listening to the final panel by the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows” at San Diego Comic-Con.
Actor Kristen Schaal, right, as “the guide”, poses for a photo with Kyle Newacheck, EP/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, gets 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 plays “Colin Robinson,” Kyle Newacheck, fifth from left, EP/Director, and actor Kristen Schaal, as “the guide”, of the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows” at San Diego Comic-Con.