Jeffrey Salazar
Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror-comedy series created by Victor Fresco for Netflix. The show centres on married couple Joel and Sheila Hammond, whose lives are upended when Sheila becomes a zombie. The series received positive reviews for its cast, frequent laughs, and engaging premise. Alan Tudyk, along with Nathan Fillion, joined the cast in Season 3, playing the character Gary, who was previously played by Fillion in Season 2.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Show Name | Santa Clarita Diet |
| Genre | Horror Sitcom |
| Streaming Platform | Netflix |
| Number of Seasons | 3 |
| Alan Tudyk's Character | Gary |
| Other Actors Playing Gary | Nathan Fillion |
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What You'll Learn
Alan Tudyk replaced Nathan Fillion as Gary in Season 3
Alan Tudyk replaced Nathan Fillion as Gary West in Season 3 of Santa Clarita Diet. Gary is a minor character on the show and a realtor and Sheila and Joel's co-worker/competitor. In the narrative, he is killed and eaten by Sheila, who does not kill his brain, and so he becomes undead. His head is kept in the basement by the other characters.
The reason for the change in actor was not explicitly stated, but showrunner Victor Fresco said:
> "We couldn’t get Nathan back, so our choices were get rid of that character or recast, and we just loved that character."
Fillion was also starring in The Rookie on ABC at the time, which may have been the reason for his unavailability.
The change in actor was explained in the show by the fact that Gary is a zombie, and zombies deteriorate if they don't get the serum. The other characters forgot to give him the serum, so his appearance changed.
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The show centres on a husband and wife real estate team
The show Santa Clarita Diet centres on a husband and wife real estate team, Joel and Sheila Hammond, whose lives are turned upside down when Sheila begins to exhibit zombie-like symptoms. As they grapple with her newfound cravings for human flesh and her altered personality, they must also navigate the challenges of their profession, which often requires them to put on a facade of "forced friendliness". The show explores the couple's efforts to find a cure for Sheila's condition while also dealing with the consequences and changes it brings to their once mundane lives.
The choice to make the Hammonds realtors was a deliberate one by creator Victor Fresco, who explained that it "gets them out into the world" and allows for interactions with a variety of people. This provides a diverse range of opportunities for story development and comedic situations. The setting of Santa Clarita, a place known for its middle-class residents, also adds to the dynamic of the show, offering a unique backdrop to the horror-comedy.
The show stars Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant in the lead roles, with Barrymore also serving as an executive producer. The first season, consisting of 10 episodes, premiered on Netflix on February 3, 2017, and received positive reviews from critics. The website Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 78% approval rating, with an average score of 7.20/10. Metacritic, another review aggregator, reported "generally favourable reviews" with a score of 67 out of 100 based on 30 critics.
The second season premiered on March 23, 2018, and maintained the positive momentum with an 89% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The critical consensus praised the show's ability to blend comedy and gore, with a particular highlight being the chemistry between Barrymore and Olyphant. The show also received some criticism for its advertising in Germany, with posters depicting a human finger sliced like a currywurst, a popular German fast food dish.
Santa Clarita Diet also features an interesting casting choice for the character Gary, who is portrayed by both Nathan Fillion and Alan Tudyk. The change in actors between seasons was explained in the show's narrative as a result of Gary's zombie nature, where a lack of serum causes deterioration. Despite the physical change in actors, the show provided a clever and believable reason for the difference, adding a unique layer to the story.
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Santa Clarita was chosen for its middle-class residents
Santa Clarita, California, was chosen as the setting for the Netflix horror-comedy series *Santa Clarita Diet* because of its middle-class residents. The show's creator, Victor Fresco, drew from his own experience growing up in the San Fernando Valley.
The series centres on Sheila and Joel Hammond, a married couple who work as real estate agents. Their mundane lives are turned upside down when Sheila begins to exhibit signs of becoming a zombie. She develops a craving for human flesh and experiences violent mood swings due to her altered personality. As they try to hide Sheila's condition and search for a cure, they must also navigate their interactions with neighbours and cultural norms.
The choice of setting in Santa Clarita was intentional, reflecting the typical suburban environment associated with middle-class residents. The Hammonds' profession as realtors further emphasises this aspect, as it allows them to interact with various characters and explore different locations within the community.
The juxtaposition of the mundane, suburban setting with the fantastical elements of zombies and cannibalism creates a unique blend of horror and comedy that has received positive reviews from critics and fans alike. The show has been praised for its excellent cast, frequent laughs, and engaging premise, although the level of gore might not be to everyone's taste.
The choice of Santa Clarita as the setting for *Santa Clarita Diet* helped to establish a sense of normalcy before introducing the supernatural elements, enhancing the show's comedic and horror aspects.
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The first season received generally positive reviews
Alan Tudyk joined the cast of Santa Clarita Diet in season 3, replacing Nathan Fillion in the role of Gary.
Reviews for the first season of the show were generally positive. One review called it a "perfect mix of ridiculous and hilarious", with another praising it as "hilarious" and "super good". The show's premise was described as "weird", with one review noting that the combination of story and tone might be "too much" or "too mismatched" for some viewers. However, the show's peculiar sense of humour was also highlighted as a positive, with one review noting that it made the series stand out.
The cast was also praised, with one review highlighting the "killer dynamic" on display and the commitment to the style of comedy. The acting was described as "pretty awesome", and the characters were deemed "likable".
Some reviews noted that the first season relied heavily on the shock value of Sheila's transformation, and that while the second season took too long to explore new plot points, the introduction of intriguing mythology and fun mini-missions kept viewers engaged.
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The show's advertising sparked criticism in Germany
Alan Tudyk did appear in *Santa Clarita Diet*, but only in season 3. He replaced Nathan Fillion in the role of Gary.
Netflix's billboard advertising campaign for *Santa Clarita Diet* received criticism in Germany. The billboard featured a dismembered, cut-up finger drowned in ketchup and curry powder, in the style of a German currywurst dish. The advertisement was considered offensive and disgusting by a portion of the German public, who complained to the country's advertising regulator, Deutscher Werberat. Over 50 complaints were made about the campaign, with people stating that it was "offensive to children and young people, fear-evoking, and disgusting". Netflix took immediate action and pulled the controversial campaign in Germany.
The show itself stars Drew Barrymore as a flesh-eating zombie. To promote the show, Netflix also set up currywurst stands around Berlin. The show's advertising campaign was considered to be a "cute cannibal marketing strategy" by the Berliner Tagesspiegel.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Alan Tudyk plays the character Gary in season 3 of Santa Clarita Diet.
Alan Tudyk replaced Nathan Fillion, who played Gary in previous seasons.
It is likely that Nathan Fillion was replaced because he was busy with another show.
Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror sitcom about a wife and husband, Sheila and Joel Hammond, who are realtors. Their lives change dramatically when Sheila starts showing symptoms of becoming a zombie, such as craving human flesh and having a more primal and impulsive personality.
The show received generally positive reviews from critics, with an approval rating of 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 67 out of 100 on Metacritic for its first season. The second season also received positive reviews, with an approval rating of 89%.
