Warning: This post contains spoilers for What We Do in the Shadows season 6, episode 9.What We Do in the Shadows' final season features a majorTrue Bloodcameo, and one of the stars breaks down how it happened. TheFX show, based on the 2014 mockumentary film by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, continues to mix absurd comedy with vampire lore. Starring Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Mark Proksch, Harvey Guillén, and Doug Jones, the show follows the misadventures of vampire roommates in Staten Island.
In an interview withScreen Rant,Jones, who plays the narcissistic and ancient vampire Baron Afanas,shared his excitement aboutAlexander Skarsgård’s surprise appearance in episode 9 of the FX comedy’s final season. Skarsgård, known for his brooding role as the vampire Eric Northman in HBO’s fantasy drama seriesTrue Blood, appeared among the New York vampires summoned by the Baron, making for a brief comedic moment. Here’s what Jones had to say about that day on set:
Yeah, I have been a fan of the entire Skarsgård family forever. So, with Alexander, it was like, ‘Oh, I’ve never met him before,’ and I was tickled pink that we were going to get a pretty stormy vampire to show up in our goofy comedy show. ‘Perfect, this is great.’
And when he walked onto the set, he was, like, 6'5", he’s a little taller than me, and strappingly handsome, and everybody’s going like, ‘[In awe] Oh.’ Buthe pulled the funny out in a way that we did not expect,I didn’t expect. So, getting to banter back and forth with him was delicious for me.
And they encouraged all of us to go off script, so when you throw in bits and asides that are working are funny, and he was full of them. I don’t know that it all made it to the screen, what he threw in there, but it was all very funny. And we had an arena full of background actors that all knew who he was.And no one, from that crowd, knew he was coming that day.Everyone was so excited to have him.
Skarsgård also shared a tongue-in-cheek PR statement, adding to the fun surrounding his cameo:
What Skarsgård’s Cameo In What We Do In The Shadows Means
How The True Blood Vampire Brings Meta-Humor To Shadows
Skarsgård’s hilarious cameo as a stormy vampireadds a layer of meta-humortoWhat We Do in the Shadows, referencing his iconic roleas Eric from HBO’sTrue Blood. InTrue Blood, Skarsgård portrayed a powerful Vampire Sheriff who navigated political intrigue and supernatural drama in a darkly seductive portrayal that became a defining role of his career. His surprise appearance onWhat We Do in the Shadowsbridges the gap between HBO’s dramatic, gothic portrayal of vampires and the absurd, everyday misadventures that define the FX series.
With an impressive filmography that spans drama, action, and comedy, Skarsgård’s guest spot reinforces the show’s ability to attract award-winning talent and seamlessly integrate them into its quirky vampire world.
Skarsgård is no stranger to transformative rolesacross genres. BeyondTrue Blood, his standout performances include HBO’sBig Little Lies,The Northman, andDiary of a Teenage Girl.Jones' comments emphasize how Skarsgård’s performance brought unexpected humor to the set, merging his commanding presence with the vampire TV show’s trademark absurdity. Despite his intimidating stature and the cold seriousness of his past roles, Jones praised Skarsgård for his comedic timing, improvisational skills, and his ability to commit to the bit.
The playful statement Skarsgård added aligns perfectly with the show’s tone, demonstrating how seamlessly his appearance fits intoWhat We Do in the Shadows' cast of zany characters. With an impressive filmography that spans drama, action, and comedy,Skarsgård’s guest spot reinforces the show’s ability to attract award-winning talentand seamlessly integrate them into its quirky vampire world.
Our Take On Skarsgård In What We Do In The Shadows
Skarsgård’s Cameo Perfectly Parodies His Vampire Legacy
Skarsgård’s cameo is a perfect blend of homage and hilarity asa showcase of the actor’s comedic chops with a nod to his vampire legacyinTrue Blood. His ability to balance his dramatic presence with offbeat humor made him an ideal guest forWhat We Do in the Shadows. Jones' enthusiasm for working with Skarsgård is infectious, and the unscripted banter added an extra layer of charm to the episode. Skarsgård’s presence in the arena elevated the episode, delighting fans and creating a standout moment forWhat We Do in the Shadowsseason 6. TheTrue Bloodactor’s unexpected appearance ensures this episode will remain a highlight of the season.
What We Do in the Shadows
Cast
What We Do in the Shadows, released in 2019, is a mockumentary series exploring the nightly lives of a group of centuries-old vampires residing in Staten Island. The comedic show delves into their interactions with each other and the modern world, providing a humorous take on the vampire genre.
