[Editor’s note: The following contains major spoilers for Season 6 of What We Do in the Shadows.]

After an impressive six-season run, the FX comedy series What We Do in the Shadows has concluded, marking the end of an era for fans. With the documentary crew departing, vampire roommates Nandor (Kayvan Novak), Laszlo (Matt Berry), Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), and Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch) are left to navigate life without a camera crew. Throughout this season, Nandor faced challenges when Guillermo (Harvey Guillén) chose to move out, forcing him to confront what it truly means to stand on his own two human feet. Meanwhile, The Guide (Kristen Schaal) not only forged a friendship with Jerry the Vampire, their long-lost roommate, but also received a heartfelt gesture from Cravensworth’s Monster (Andy Assaf), which allowed her to feel a sense of acceptance from the vampires she has long sought to impress. Ultimately, with the cameras gone and privacy restored, Guillermo and Nandor committed to fully embracing and deepening their friendship.

In an engaging interview with Collider, co-stars Novak and Schaal reminisced about the delightful experiences they had on set, highlighting the constant laughter that accompanied their time together. They shared vivid memories from their first collaboration, including a humorous incident involving Schaal’s vampire fangs. The conversation touched upon the bittersweet nature of bidding farewell to a series they hold dear, the unchanging essence of their characters, and the homage to The Usual Suspects. Moreover, Novak expressed his thoughts on the unresolved dynamics between Nandor and Guillermo, as well as his aspirations for potential spin-off ideas that could explore new narratives.

Collider: What are your fondest memories from your first scene together? What did you enjoy most about working alongside each other?

KRISTEN SCHAAL: I vividly recall how welcoming Kayvan was on set. He always had tea or a snack to share, making it easy to collaborate with him. His presence was like a breath of fresh air, radiating joy and enthusiasm. He genuinely seemed happy to be part of this production.

KAYVAN NOVAK: That’s absolutely true.

SCHAAL: You could always rely on him to bring a positive vibe to the set.

NOVAK: Thank you. This was truly my happy place. When I think back on working with Kristen, I remember the first season when she filmed her one episode. The schedule was quite grueling, filled with night shoots, and she was on a somewhat precarious trolley that she almost fell off. I remember the chilly outdoor shoots, transitioning indoors only to still feel cold, and waiting for her to adjust her position due to her shape-shifting abilities. Then, when she returned in Season 3, she hadn’t worn her fangs in a while, but in one scene, the fangs were too large for her mouth, making her unable to speak. They had to provide her with different fangs, and she had to do the scene again, which thankfully turned out understandable. I found that situation hilarious, even if she felt embarrassed. She was understandably frustrated, asking, “What are you doing to me? What are these ridiculous things in my mouth?”

SCHAAL: That situation was my fault. I had only filmed one episode in Season 1, and when they invited me back for Season 3 during the height of COVID, I assumed my fangs would still fit. Unfortunately, I arrived, and they didn’t provide me with my fangs until just before shooting the scene. Over the two years since my last appearance, I had several root canals, which altered the shape of my mouth, making it impossible for me to say my lines. It was an actor’s nightmare, and I’ll never forget that moment. The takeaway is that if they offer you a chance to test your prosthetics, no matter the pandemic, just go.

Bittersweet Farewell: Reflecting on Six Seasons of ‘What We Do in the Shadows’

How do you feel about reaching the end of a project like this? Was there a sense of sadness on the last day of filming, or did you feel a sense of accomplishment after completing such a long-running series? How does it feel to say goodbye after portraying a character for so long?

SCHAAL: Honestly, I find it bittersweet because I take immense pride in the quality of the show. We’re leaving it at a peak moment, which is something to be proud of. Viewers could never say, “Oh, it lost its charm, and I stopped watching.” No one ever claimed, “I stopped watching,” after any season, and that’s an incredible accomplishment. However, I feel my character still has more to offer. That’s my sentiment.

NOVAK: After each season wraps, I always experience a mix of profound pride and exhaustion. This last season felt distinct because I entered knowing it was the final one. Yet, I found myself forgetting it was the last season at times. Near the end, the reality of saying farewell to everyone started to set in. Despite the bittersweetness, there’s still a sense of achievement. To me, “going out on top” is a nebulous concept. There’s no definitive “top,” just the satisfaction of producing quality work. I believe we all felt that we delivered quality work until the very end, which is a rare accomplishment.

SCHAAL: We were fortunate to know it was the final season, allowing us to create an exceptional finale. I’ve been part of many shows where we weren’t aware it was ending, leaving us with cliffhangers, like in The Last Man [on Earth].

Kayvan Novak Reflects on the Constant Nature of ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ Characters

The series conclusion focuses on the idea that while everything stays constant, the characters have undergone some evolution. Being vampires, they sometimes forget their journey, as time has a different meaning for them. Do you believe they have learned anything significant?

NOVAK: Not really, and that’s the charm of their nature. They don’t genuinely learn; they remain consistent. If Nandor were to transform entirely from who he was in Season 2, he wouldn’t be Nandor anymore; he’d be a completely different character. There’s no need for them to change to satisfy the audience because the ensemble is what makes the show enjoyable.

It seems that Nandor has made some progress in expressing his emotions to Guillermo, which indicates some growth.

NOVAK: I’ll concede that point. I wasn’t going to kiss him, but the words served as compensation for the times he may have been unkind to Guillermo and could have handled things differently.