Guillermo's dream is finally coming true, but actor Harvey Guillén reveals the challenges associated with the fake fangs used in What We Do in the Shadows. In the upcoming Season 5, there will be a significant shift in power within the vampire household. Guillermo, tired of waiting for Nandor to fulfill his promise, turns to vampire-hunter-turned-vampire Derek for help. Alongside this, Colin Robinson ventures into politics, Nandor seeks new friendships, and Nadja explores her past. In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Harvey Guillén and Kristen Schaal discuss the upcoming season. They delve into Guillermo's transformation into a vampire and the difficulties faced with the show's fake fangs, which add an authentic touch to Guillermo's character. Read their insights below:
Harvey Guillén: I truly admire you and the other vampires for how effortlessly you adapted to having fangs. Personally, I find it challenging as if my mouth isn't sufficiently spacious. It does alter the way one pronounces words and can result in a slight lisp.
Kristen Schaal: Absolutely. And if you already have a lisp... I must say, I thought you did a great job with it. Considering it was your first time wearing fangs. [Laughs]
Harvey Guillén: That actually helped me in a way. They create custom-fitted teeth that match my existing teeth. However, there was an issue with the first mold which got damaged, causing a delay of about 20 minutes. Consequently, we couldn't use it.
I had to return to special effects with a tight deadline, and they assured me they would fix it. Unfortunately, the second attempt didn't work either, leaving me perplexed. It was like, "What?!" and they told me we would have to redo it. So, I accepted it with the realization that nothing comes easy for Guillermo's character. It brought me into that mindset and aligned perfectly with his storyline. So, I embraced the challenge.
Why Guillermo's Transformation Is A Big Deal For WWDITS Season 5
In contrast to Jackie van Beek's character in the original movie by Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement, the What We Do in the Shadows show has dedicated time to develop Guillén's Guillermo, the human familiar living among the vampires. It is revealed that Guillermo has ancestral ties to Van Helsing, and the show has even hinted at a potential romantic connection between Guillermo and Nandor. However, in season 4, Guillermo begins exploring his options in the dating scene. While the only common ground between Jackie and Guillermo is their shared frustration of not being turned into vampires, the show has shed light on Guillermo's longing for transformation.
With Guillermo taking matters into his own hands, it will be intriguing to see how this impacts his relationship with the other vampires. The trailer for What We Do in the Shadows season 5 suggests that his transformation is not immediate, as several weeks pass without him acquiring the same strengths and weaknesses as the other vampires. With Guillén confirming the existence of power instances, it raises the question of whether his hybrid abilities as a vampire hunter and his emerging vampire powers set him on a path of independence from the group.
Another question arising from Guillermo's transformation is how it will specifically impact his relationship with Nandor in the fifth season of What We Do in the Shadows. In addition to their interdependent dynamic, the expansion of the vampire realm through the Vampiric Council may lead to grave consequences if either one of them has their familiar transformed by a different individual instead of their respective master.
