As all the major television and cable networks scramble to hold on to their share of the television market, many are looking to create new and compelling programming that can compete with the monster lineup being produced by Netflix on an ongoing basis. Netflix has made a major impact on the revolution that is determining how television programming will be distributed to the viewers and it has shaken up the market. The most recent network to take aggressive steps to protect its market share is FX, which recently issued a pilot production order for the series “What We Do in the Shadows.”
Two of the actors who starred in the original film is now slated as executive producers for the potential series. As of right now, the series is expected to be produced and shot in the United States. The original storyline for the series is more likely to stick with the original film’s plot, which follows the lives and movements of vampires. The sequel We’re Wolves focused more on werewolves.
It seems that there is a lot of interest in this type of content because there are rumors that a spinoff of the series is already in the works in New Zealand. The show in New Zealand is called Wellington Paranormal. This shows angle will focus on the bumbling cops, Mike and Karen, who were briefly showcased in the original film. There are so many ways that the show can be presented, there is good chance that it will franchise on multitudinous fronts.
Recent history bodes well for this type of show. It appears that vampires and werewolves are all the raves when it comes to the vaccination of humans. Well-produced and funded vampire shows like Vampire Diaries, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and others have had successful runs on television, with some building cult followings.
Another angle that adds to the show’s appeal is the comedic foundation. There is something to be said about the ability to visit the dark side and find the humor in it. It is sort of like having the best of both worlds. There is the dark, cold, and sometimes vicious side of the vampire life and then there is the comedic spin that the producers, writers, and the director are able to put on it that makes it appealing. While there is no shortage of serious shows that explore the world of vampirism from a serious perspective, being able to do so in a light sense creates distinction and expands the reach of the production.
The general consensus about the film is that it was one of the best dark comedies in recent history, and FX is hoping that the show’s producers will be able to duplicate that same type of magic with the series. The pilot order is the first step in the process of determining if the show has one it takes to hold a viewing audience for an entire season. While there are a few skeptics, the clear majority of the experts are giving this new production a fighting chance to achieve long-term success.
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