Matt Berry, the charismatic star of FX's hit comedy What We Do in the Shadows, has finally received Emmy recognition for his portrayal of the eccentric vampire Laszlo Cravensworth. The mockumentary series, co-created by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, has consistently garnered critical acclaim and awards, including multiple nominations for Best Comedy Series.
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| Matt Berry as the 18th century English vampire Laszlo Cravensworth in What We Do in the Shadows. Russ Martin/FX |
While the show's writing and technical achievements have been celebrated, its talented ensemble cast has been overlooked until now.
Berry's comedic genius shines as the pansexual English dandy Laszlo, whose antics have captivated audiences for five seasons. In the upcoming sixth and final season, Laszlo navigates the aftermath of Guillermo's shocking transformation into a vampire.
The first-time Emmy nominee discusses his experience on the show, including the joys of improvisation and the challenges of mastering comedic lines filled with contemporary cultural references.
The show has been nominated for Best Comedy Series three times, but the cast has not been recognized by the Academy until now. How does it feel to finally receive this acknowledgment?
It’s an incredible honor. This recognition represents all of us as an ensemble. I’m thrilled for the show and everyone involved. Each department puts in tremendous effort, so receiving these nominations is a huge reward.
We also earned nods for sound, costumes, and set design, which is well-deserved. These elements are crucial to the show's success and are of exceptional quality.
How do elements like costumes contribute to your performance?
Costumes are certainly important, but for me, the set and its furniture play a significant role as well. They influence how you move and interact within a scene, affecting your character's actions and dialogue.
It’s a subconscious process where the setting determines how you approach and respond in a scene, shaping your character’s behavior and speech.
The show features a great comic ensemble. How do your scene partners enhance your performance?
Many scenes, especially those in the mansion, involve group interactions. With actors like Kayvan Novak and Natasia Demetriou, I know that no matter how outlandish my lines may be, they’ll always respond with something just as clever.
This dynamic is crucial, as it ensures that the scene remains engaging and fluid, making the ensemble's performance stronger.
The show features many British comedians, but it is largely written by Americans. How do the different comic sensibilities of these countries blend?
This past season included numerous American pop culture references that I’m unfamiliar with. I adapt these references to fit my own speech and style.
The show was created by two New Zealanders, whose sense of humor aligns closely with British humor, making the blend of comedic styles more natural.
Considering Laszlo wouldn't be familiar with contemporary American references, does this make your performance resemble Method acting?
Many of the mispronunciations in my performance aren’t intentional—they’re simply due to my lack of knowledge about certain references.
For instance, I’m not familiar with various sports like baseball or softball, so I just guess and deliver my lines with my own twist. It’s about putting my unique spin on things.
Laszlo is seen as one of television’s most unapologetically queer characters. How do you view this portrayal?
It’s a grand celebration. Laszlo is just joyfully continuing his long-established ways, regardless of what has changed over the centuries.
Laszlo, like the other characters, is amusingly dim-witted, which seems rare in an era dominated by antiheroes and dark comedy. What are your thoughts on this?
It’s pure escapism. Comedy today often has to tread carefully, but Laszlo, being over 300 years old, has nothing to lose.
He can be completely uninhibited, saying and doing whatever he likes without any real consequences.
