Harvey Guillén is ready for the unfamiliar
We met actor Harvey Guillén in San Sebastián for an intimate photoshoot and exclusive interview. He reflects on his transformative journey since starring in the hit series What We Do In The Shadows. From unexpected fame, iconic Funko Pop moments, and deep bonds with castmates to upcoming projects, Guillén opens up about embracing his comedic roots, creating impactful art, and representing queer love in Hollywood.
Interview & Photography Christian Trippe Grooming Ainhoa Eskisabel
I remember when we did a shoot in LA a few years ago you told me about this new Vampire series that was about to come out and I had no idea what you were talking about. Fast forward five years and six successful seasons, the show is coming to an end this December. How has your life changed since?
My life has changed for the better, in many ways. I think that the show was a launch pad and platform for me. I would never have guessed it would get such a following and become a fan favourite. The show opened so many other doors, and people who are fans of the show, from directors to writers, and casting directors, people have extended the invitation to work with them. So it's been a really nice journey.
At what point did you realise that this could be a very important role for you and be so significant?
I think the point that I thought, “Wow, this is kind of a major thing.”, is when somebody came and brought a doll, a Funko Pop, of me. And I thought about it. I walk by the stores that sell these all the time and there was this doll of me. They made the whole cast into Funko Pop, which is kind of funny to say, because it's just a doll. But I grew up with toys and I was like, “Wow, imagine if you're a toy.” For me, that was like, “Wow! I think this is going to be pretty big.” I think that was the moment for me when that happened.
Amazing. Obviously, you are going to miss your crew and everything. What were some real highlights and lowlights of your time at WWDITS?
Oh yeah, there’s always ups and downs. There's just such a different cast and so it’s a really combined energy. Kayvan and I are so close, because we had so many scenes together. Our chemistry is just natural, like we just blend so well together. I feel like whenever there’s something on set, really long days or whatnot, we always have each other's back. We have bonded in that way that it's forever.
There are moments where the cast doesn't necessarily see eye to eye, just because of different energies but it's something that we're so honoured to be a part of. Looking back, the good days are going to outweigh any bad day that you might have had on set or whatnot, because we've had such a great, long journey with the show. Most shows don't get past two seasons – we got six!
Do you think you would stay in touch with anyone?
I talk to Kayvan almost every day. (laughs) When we had Kristen come and join us, it was like a breath of fresh air. It was such a nice addition to the show. I bond better with people whose energy is positive and, yeah, I think we will be in touch. Until people get sick and tired (laughs), but I think we have the same dynamic now that we had during the show. It’s the same daily texts. So even without the show, the chemistry is the same.
Has Guillermo melted and blended into your personality?
I mean, I feel like I find myself being on set sometimes in other shows and movies that I do, and catching myself like, “What are you doing?” Like, I look at the camera like, straight down the barrel, and I was like “You can't do that!” Just because that's such a habit for that character. But I wish I had more of Guillermo’s qualities, he has so much patience and I don’t. (laughs) But it can be dangerous to have a lot of patience. You know that people say modesty is a virtue, but in the theater, modesty can hurt you.
Talking about Guillermo, where do you think he would travel to? Because he doesn't seem to get out of Staten Island a lot.
I think he’d would want to go somewhere that historically connects to his roots, like Van Helsing. He’d probably go to Europe trying to find out where that came from, and how that lineage came to be and how it got into his family of Mexican descent. That’s kind of a cool storyline – I think he would do that.
“I'm not a doctor. I can't give you surgery but I can distract you and give you an escape. And I think sometimes that's worth just as much.”
You told me about me about a project you are working on with Kayvan. What is it exactly?
Yeah, we're developing an app that's going to be very helpful for actors. We are really excited about announcing and launching that. He and I just really love working together, so any opportunity we get, we try to do it whenever we can. We have already worked on some projects together, voiceovers, cartoons and who knows what the future holds. You want to work with your friends – make art with your friends. We have been doing that together for the last six years. So I'm excited to do more of this – lifelong friendships!
It seems sometimes, like the world is going crazy these days. What are you most afraid of?
I'm most afraid of going back to a place that endangers anybody. Going back to a time where we put women's health, queer people, LGBTQIA and trans people at risk. Any human being put in danger is something that always worries me. It feels like we have no control now, even though we do and we live in a democracy, and we can do what we feel is right, and advocate and be supportive and vote.
“All I can do is move forward and do my best to not be defeated, and to not feel defeated, and not just for my community, but for everyone who’s potentially in danger.”
All I can do is move forward and do my best to not be defeated, and to not feel defeated, and not just for my community, but for everyone who’s potentially in danger.
Everything is just as important. How we treat people who are coming to this country for a better life. Immigrants and people who just want a better opportunity and better their lives. And I come from immigrant parents, and the idea that this country is built on that dream, it’s so weird to think of someone who's saying “Well, that's enough of those immigrants.”, like, “Aren't you an immigrant, too?”.
I think in moments of chaos, I feel as an artist, all we do now is create art, and we create art that will live forever and create art by doing a photo shoot, by doing the comedy, by making an escape for someone, because this is temporary, but creating good art is forever.
In that context, is legacy important for you? So that once you are no longer here, that there's something you leave behind in the world?
I thought about that, I was like, you know, I don't have children of my own yet, and do I want children? I feel like I am so involved in creating art constantly. And to feel like that, to me, is kind of a way of leaving a legacy. And it might not be tangible, you know, offspring that carries your name or whatnot, but what's in a name, you know? A name can be carried through what you created. I would like to think that people look at the work that I've done and say, “I always liked watching him.”, you know, “I could watch him all the time.”, you know, because I like to feel that I contribute to a quick distraction when things get scary. I'm not a doctor. I can't give you surgery but I can distract you and give you an escape. And I think sometimes that's worth just as much.
“I've used comedy as an escape. Being younger, moving around a lot when I was little, comedy was a way to make friends. People always like to hang out with someone who's funny.”
In terms of your roles in films or TV series, do you normally lean towards the comedy part, which you've done a lot, or do you see yourself doing something very different as well?
I think comedy is hard, it's hard to make someone laugh but I'm very lucky that I feel like comedy, to me, comes organically. Growing up, it might have been like a coping mechanism. You have to make light of things, because the world can get so dark sometimes. I think it was Lucille Ball who said, “The most tragic stories come from the funniest people”.
Yeah, totally. Robin Williams for example.
I think that everyone has stuff that they go through and it's how you are channeling that and how you filter it into your art. For me, I've been very much like that. I've used comedy as an escape. Being younger, moving around a lot when I was little, comedy was a way to make friends. People always like to hang out with someone who's funny.
I guess it was in me from the beginning. I remember telling my guidance counsellor “I'm going to be an actor”. And they were like, “What's your backup plan?” I was like, “Nothing”. And they're like, “You need a backup plan”. I was like, “Says who?” “You need a backup plan.”
“Failure is not an option and once you change that mindset, you'd be surprised how things change around you.”
I think I was very lucky that I stayed in a very childish mindset my whole life. So nothing scared me. So when I had people tell me, “You have to think about the future. You know, what if you fail?”, I was like, “Success is my only option.” Failure is not an option and once you change that mindset, you'd be surprised how things change around you.
Let’s talk about life after WWDITS. What can we expect from you next year?
I have been really busy since we wrapped the show earlier this year. It's been project after project, back to back. I have a couple of things coming out, some that I can’t discuss yet, and some that I'm really excited that are ready to be seen. We have Companion coming out in January, you have to check that out. It's going to be a good one and I get to be with my friends. I love working with Jack Quaid and the rest of the cast are super fun. I had a blast.
Can you tell us very quickly what Companion is about?
So, Companion is about, without giving too much away, the not so far future where people get tired of dating. You know, dating is hard and the dating apps are really hard, so people just start ordering robots for companions. And what happens when technology is intertwined too close to human emotion. And what happens when robots and machines have human emotions and those things maybe don't mix well, and all hell breaks loose. But there's a deeper, sinister plot behind it.
Are you playing a love robot?
No, I would say I play a human, but the relationship is with my partner, played by Lucas Gage. He and I had a blast doing this. And it's actually the sweetest love story.
A queer love story?
Yeah, so Lucas and I are the queer story in the actual world that we live in, and I am very proud to represent and to show queer love, even through robots.
Amazing. We can’t wait. Thank you!
Watch the trailer to Companion below and make sure to follow Harvey on Instagram to keep up with news on WWDITS and upcoming projects.
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