The relationships between the hilarious characters in FX’s What We Do in the Shadows are a big part of what makes the mockumentary so fun to watch. These partnerships have changed throughout the seasons, with the best ones developing into deeper connections that impact the series in significant ways.
From Colin’s shocking fling with Sheila to Guillermo and Nandor’s unbreakable bond, the best relationships in the show often serve to highlight the vampires’ (and Familiar’s) motivations and characteristics. Of course, these relationships also make the series’ comical scenes possible, as the vampires wouldn’t be able to pull off their wacky antics without their friends.
Updated on August 4th, 2022, by Hannah Saab: The ongoing fourth season of What We Do in the Shadows continues to explore the messy relationships between the characters. With baby Colin growing up faster than anyone expected, Laszlo has unexpectedly stepped up to become his father figure. Other fan favorites like the Guide and Guillermo are dealing with their own complicated connections.
Baron Afanas & The Sire
Most fans likely did not expect the Baron’s storyline to go the way it did, as he’s first introduced as an intimidating ancient vampire of royal descent. This is similar to the way The Sire (also known as Goëjlrm) is initially portrayed, as he’s allegedly the oldest and most vicious vampire in the world.
These characters have taken completely different paths, however, with the Baron turning out to be a party animal and The Sire revealing himself to be a kind and misunderstood individual. It makes sense that they would put the two scariest creatures in What We Do in the Shadows together. That said, the way they end up in a rural area running an Airbnb together with their hellhound is a welcome surprise that no one saw coming.
Colin Robinson & Sheila The Siren
When Colin and Laszlo steal a boat to travel to an island that holds information about the history of energy vampires, they find something totally unexpected along the way. For Laszlo, it’s a dangerous and hideous siren, but for Colin, it’s the love of his life.
Viewers can’t be blamed for thinking Colin is simply enamored with Sheila because of her magical voice, but the vampire reveals that it’s the real deal. There’s a touching moment between the two of them when Colin tells her he knows what it’s like to be excluded. It’s an odd but sweet pairing that will hopefully be explored further in future seasons.
Colin Robinson & Evie Russell
Evie is one of WWDITS's best side characters that definitely deserves more screen time on the mockumentary. Her short-lived relationship with Colin was fascinating to watch, as it highlighted the potential of psychic vampires’ powers when combined.
The dynamic between the two characters is also interesting because of Evie’s tendency to be manipulative. The way she uses Colin to drain the office is both cruel and brilliant. As entertaining as the partnership is, it’s only right that it was cut short. That said, fans are likely still hoping for Evie to make an appearance in future episodes, even if it isn’t as a toxic partner for Colin.
Nadja Of Antipaxos & Nadja’s Ghost
It’s no secret that the Staten Island vampires can often be narcissistic, especially Nadja. This is why no one was too startled by her decision to keep her ghost around instead of finding out what her unfinished business is.
Nadja’s ghost predictably showcased all of the character’s best and worst traits, from being too dramatic to saying gut-busting comebacks. The two of them get along so well because they’re the exact same person, with the only difference being the other one is a doll. Aside from being funny, Nadja’s doll is also useful for helping the vampire realize her flaws and needs. This was highlighted when the ghost ran away after feeling neglected by her busy housemates.
Laszlo Cravensworth & Sean Rinaldi
The Superb Owl is a hilarious mistake the vampires made when their neighbor Sean invited them over for a Super Bowl party. Sean unintentionally becomes the focus of the night after Nandor and Laszlo suspect that their neighbor knows of their vampirism.
This evening is only the beginning of Sean and Laszlo’s strange but genuine friendship. Sean even invites the vampires to Las Vegas where he and Laszlo share a moving moment that proves they’ve got each other’s backs. Sean is willing to lend his credit card to the vampire with no questions asked, while Laszlo is determined to help his friend overcome his addiction to gambling. They’ve become more than just neighborly buddies throughout the years, with Laszlo even referring to Sean as his best friend in one episode.
The Guide & The Gang
Since The Guide (also known as the Floating Woman) has taken on a bigger role in seasons 3 and 4, she has reluctantly spent more time with the gang. She doesn’t shy away from letting everyone know that she isn’t too glad about her job as their guide to the Vampiric Council, as she’s far too often acting as a babysitter who’s in charge of putting out the fires that the rowdy roommates start.
She has undeniably become close friends with the vampires, whether she likes it or not. She even willingly offers to help them at times, like when she serves as a travel planner for Nandor. It’s certainly a love-hate relationship between her and the gang, which is precisely why their interactions are always ridiculously fun to watch.
Nadja Of Antipaxos & Gregor
Most viewers would agree that after everything he has been through, Gregor is a supporting character who deserves to join the WWDITS gang. His chaotic on-and-off relationship with Nadja has repeatedly gotten him in trouble, often costing him his head in the process.
Their relationship has lasted for hundreds of years, with Nadja finding ways to seek him out with every new reincarnation. Gregor’s unwavering devotion to her is both admirable and pitiful, as audiences know it always ends with a gruesome beheading. Nadja will hopefully find him again as a more impressive version of himself someday and with a name that sounds better than Jeff Suckler.
Laszlo Cravensworth & Colin Robinson
Laszlo and Colin’s friendship stole the spotlight in season 3. Laszlo was noticeably spending more time with Colin and helping him uncover more about the nature of energy vampires. Not only does Laszlo rescue him from the siren this season, but he also invites him to go anywhere he wants on his beloved jalopy, the “Stutz Laszlo.”
No one was expecting to learn that this sudden closeness was sadly triggered by the fact that Laszlo had discovered Colin’s inevitable death on his 100th birthday. His poignant speech about how much Colin means to him is actually a goodbye message, which thankfully turns out to be unnecessary. With the astounding revelation that Colin is now a helpless child, Laszlo’s friendship with him has developed more as he takes on the role of a caregiver.
Guillermo De La Cruz & Nandor The Relentless
There’s an obvious expectation that Familiars should be devoted to serving their masters and for a while, this is all Guillermo was for Nandor. However, this relationship has transformed and escalated into a close friendship.
Nandor sees Guillermo as more than just his Familiar or his bodyguard. This is apparent when he gets “vampire depression” and refuses Guillermo’s request to be turned, telling him he cares too much about him to curse him with vampirism. Of course, Guillermo’s devotion to Nandor is similarly full of love and concern. He would drop everything to follow his master around the world and risk his life to protect him from vampire assassins.
Nadja Of Antipaxos & Jenna
Jenna's life is permanently changed after she meets Nadja, who soon decides to turn her into a vampire. Jenna's rough transformation is soon complete, but she still needs Nadja to show her the ropes. As the vampire responsible for turning her, Nadja develops a connection with Jenna by mentoring her.
Their relationship shows the unique dynamic between a much older vampire and a newly turned one, with Nadja teaching Jenna all about how she should avoid sunlight, drink blood, and, of course, find her special skill. It's through their interactions that Jenna learns she has the rare power of invisibility, which Nadja is extremely proud of.
Baby Colin Robinson & Laszlo Cravensworth
In a shocking moment in the series, Laszlo risks his marriage with Nadja to stay behind and care for baby Colin. The creature that crawled out of Colin Robinson's corpse has his face attached to the body of an infant, which doesn't seem to bother Laszlo at all.
The vampire has since served as baby Colin's father figure, teaching him everything he has to know about the world and its dangers. Their relationship has changed Laszlo for the better as well, with baby Colin (now a kid) teaching him the importance of acceptance and letting someone else embrace their unique identity. It's an unexpected bond that highlights Laszlo's kindhearted nature and selflessness.
Nadja Of Antipaxos & Nandor The Relentless
There have been a lot of ups and downs in Nadja and Nandor's relationship, as the two housemates have had some major disagreements in the past. A notable fight they have happens when Nadja discovers that it was Nandor who pillaged and burned her village, which the ancient warrior just saw as another meaningless fun act from his past.
Things get even messier between the two of them when they share the leadership role in the local Vampiric Council. Nadja has to undo every single of Nandor's decisions, as they agree to lead on alternate days (they never get anything done). When they seemingly share a brief moment of honesty, Nandor asks Nadja if she thinks there's more to life than mindless killing, but she just responds by calling him pathetic.
The Guide & Guillermo De La Cruz
A bizarre, comedic, and cringe-worthy relationship has formed between the Guide and Guillermo. The most recent events in season 4 reveal that the Guide has a fascinating past full of risky actions, with one of the wildest ones being her night spent with a Van Helsing.
She realizes that she's attracted to Guillermo because of his Van Helsing heritage, which only makes the Familiar feel uncomfortable around her. A hilarious scene between them takes place when Guillermo attempts to seduce her for Nadja's nightclub, which he clearly doesn't enjoy. There will hopefully be more humorous moments featuring their gut-busting interactions.
The Gang & The Supreme Vampiric Council
It's an understatement to say that the gang has had a complicated relationship with the Vampiric Council. For the most part, the Council has tried to get the killed for their crimes against the vampiric community. Every assassin they send is killed by Guillermo, though.
Thanks to Guillermo's ruthlessness, the gang has become feared and then adored by the Council. They no longer want them dead and, in fact, ask that they become rulers. Nadja is sent to London to become part of the Supreme Vampiric Council, which is the highest honor a vampire can have. It has been a wacky back and forth, but the gang has ended up on top somehow.
Nadja Of Antipaxos & Laszlo Cravensworth
There’s no questioning that Nadja and Laszlo have the best relationship in What We Do in the Shadows. Their partnership has stood the test of time, as it has endured for centuries. Despite being together for so long, it’s obvious that they’re still completely in love with each other.
Nadja adores Laszlo, who, unlike other men who are “boiled potatoes,” is brave, caring, and attentive to her needs. Laszlo doesn’t hide the fact that Nadja is the most important person in his life, even recently revealing that he gave up his membership in a prestigious club because they made fun of his wife. Their interactions are always entertaining to watch, as they completely understand and can anticipate each other’s needs in a way that only a couple who has been together for hundreds of years can.