Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Kavyan Novak, Natasia Demetriou, Matt Berry, Harvey Guillen, Mark Proksch, Doug Jones, Beanie Feldstein, Gloria Laino, Jake McDorman, Anthony Atamanuik, Alexandra Henrikson,  Kristen Schaal,  Nick Kroll, Taika Waititi, Ari Barker, Jemaine Clement, Tilda Swinton, Jessica B. Hill, Evan Rachel Wood, Danny Trejo, Wesley Snipes, Dave Bautista.

To take one of the great cult films of the last ten years and give it the extra time required on television to flesh out the enormity of the project could be considered a brave step, a leap that many fail to see as a potential pitfall as the characters are too imbedded in the public’s mind, and the love that they have garnered is one of trust. It is though, a step that justifies its own rewards for the mockumentary, one that carries on the excellent work established in 2014 by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi as What We Do In The Shadows transfers its considerable skill to cinema’s younger sibling and gives the fans something insightful to dig their teeth into.

The success of the film was undoubted, the understated way in which appeared in cinemas proving to be one that created a dynamic buzz of the old school kind, that of word of discerning mouth rather than fanfare and the elaboration, the big deal often loses out in terms of favour of the honest endeavour when thought of outside the amount of money taken at the box office.

The respect shown to the film transfers easily to the small screen and with ten episodes in which to truly explore the nature of the subject, and to open up the remains of the main character’s back stories, it is a test that is surpassed when viewed against other series that have tried the mockumentary style. The success of the programme also hangs on the shoulders of two of the most important factors that any television programme should be attaining, a writing team that cares, and a cast that embodies the nature of the series. Without either of these a series just becomes routine, the need to fill up space and to avoid dead air reduced to game shows and shows that are more in keeping with the determination to dismiss enjoyment from life.

In Kavyan Novak, Natasia Demetriou, Matt Berry, Harvey Guillen and Mark Proksch portrayals of vampires and familiars living on Staten Island, What We Do In The Shadows is given a huge sense of gravitas, exploration and self-effacement that dodges the need to feel unwashed and disturbing and across the board is an endearing look at a comedy genre that often struggles with the concept of not reducing itself to appealing to cringe and embarrassing squirming on behalf of the audience.

A heartfelt appeal of television comedy that works comfortably, one that offers fascinating attraction in an age where television comedy is enjoying a renaissance.

Ian D. Hall