The brilliance that is What We Do in The Shadows is just being discovered by audiences, and with FX renewing the show for season 3, it has quickly become FX's most important show.
Until recently, What We Do in The Shadows has been largely overlooked. It is a spinoff of the 2014 mockumentary-style movie by the same name from Jemaine Clement, of Flight of the Conchords fame, and Taika Waititi, from Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit. Although both starred in the movie, the FX television series uses different actors in a broader range of situations. Nevertheless, the general premise is the same.
What We Do in The Shadows is about a group of vampires living as roommates in a house as they try to adapt to the modern world. At first mention, a vampire parody show may sound a little cheesy, but such a concept is almost expected by fans of Clement and Waititi. Nevertheless, the FX show pulls it off. Season 1, which premiered in early 2019, was pretty good, but the show has really taken off in season 2, and word is quickly spreading about how hilarious and well-done What We Do in The Shadows really is. So much so, that it has become FX's most important show, surpassing even American Horror Story as their top contender. This is due to a number of reasons, and it's not just because it has been renewed for a season 3.
Why What We Do In The Shadows Is FX's Most Important Show
Even before season 2 of What We Do in The Shadows comes to a close, FX has already renewed the series for a third season. According to a recent FX press release, ratings are up 25% from last year, averaging 3.2 million viewers. This makes the series one of the most popular shows on FX in terms of viewership, behind American Horror Story by only a slim margin. Of course, AHS has a long history and an established audience, but What We Do In The Shadows is still more important for a couple of reasons.
For starters, it has better critical reception. AHS over the years has been hit or miss with critics, with some seasons performing better than others, while What We Do In The Shadows is currently receiving rave reviews. And as far as audiences are concerned, the show keeps getting better and better.
Another reason has to do with money. It's true, American Horror Story has been renewed for an additional 3 seasons. Nonetheless, it remains an expensive show to produce, with a massive budget. What We Do In The Shadows, on the other hand, takes place largely inside of a single house, with a limited cast and few special effects or expensive costumes to worry about. It's simple, easy to produce, and, most importantly, cheap. In fact, it may just be the perfect show during the current pandemic as it's mostly about a group stuck inside a house, just like many people are these days.