Matt Berry from “What We Do in the Shadows” Discusses Delivering Cultural References
FX’s mockumentary series What We Do in the Shadows, created by Jemaine Clement and based on the 2014 film directed by and starring Clement and Taika Waititi, earned its third nomination for best comedy series in July. It has gathered numerous writing and crafts honors throughout its run, concluding with its sixth season set to premiere in October. However, the Television Academy has previously overlooked its ensemble of comic performers for recognition until now.
For five seasons, Matt Berry has charmed audiences as the centuries-old vampire Laszlo Cravensworth, a pansexual English dandy. In the most recent season, he investigates the bizarre events following resident human familiar Guillermo secretly becoming a vampire. Here, the first-time Emmy nominee speaks with THR about the joys of improvising on set and learning how to deliver lines full of unfamiliar American cultural references.
The show has been nominated for best comedy series three times, but the cast has been overlooked by the Academy until now. How does it feel to earn this recognition?
It’s a huge honor. It’s an ensemble effort, so it’s on behalf of all of us. I’m happy for the show. Everyone works hard from every department, so receiving all of those nominations is thrilling. Hard work pays off in the end. We also received nominations for sound, costumes, and set design — which are all essential elements of the show held to a high standard.
How do the crafts, like costumes, play a role in your performance?
Costumes are crucial, but for me, it’s the set and furniture within it that influence how you move, sit, or enter a room and shape your character. It’s a subconscious thing that informs your character’s actions, words, and delivery.
The show also boasts a great comic ensemble. How do your scene partners boost your performance?
Most of the scenes, especially in the mansion, are group scenes. It’s natural with Kayvan and Natasia. No matter what ridiculous thing I say, they always respond, fueling the comedic energy and helping everyone in the scene.
There are a lot of British comedians on this largely American-written show. How do the countries’ different comic sensibilities blend?
In the past season, there were many American pop culture references that I didn’t comprehend. You navigate them and adapt them to your own speech patterns. The humor aligns with the creators’ New Zealand and British sensibilities.
Considering Laszlo wouldn’t know contemporary American references makes your performance almost like Method acting …
Not knowing American references leads to mispronunciations, especially with sports terms. It adds a unique twist to the performance.
I think of Laszlo as one of television’s most unapologetically queer characters.
Laszlo celebrates his uniqueness, embracing who he is for hundreds of years.
Laszlo, like the rest of the characters, is hilariously dim-witted, which feels like a rarity right now when antiheroes and dark comedy rule television.
The show offers pure escapism and allows for unfiltered comedy, a refreshing change in the current television landscape dominated by antiheroes and dark themes.
This story first appeared in an August stand-alone issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.