Leena Watts
Netflix's horror-comedy series Santa Clarita Diet stars Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant as Sheila and Joel Hammond, a married couple who are real estate agents. In the show, Sheila becomes a zombie and starts craving human flesh. In season 2, Sheila and Joel befriend a disembodied zombie head, which is the severed head of Gary, a realtor that Sheila ate. The role of Gary was played by Nathan Fillion in seasons 1 and 2, but in season 3, the role was recast, and Alan Tudyk stepped in.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the character | Gary West |
| Actor for the first two seasons | Nathan Fillion |
| Actor for the third season | Alan Tudyk |
| Character's profession | Realtor |
| Character's relationship with Sheila Hammond | Co-worker/competitor in the business |
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What You'll Learn
Nathan Fillion played Gary in seasons 1 and 2
Nathan Fillion played the character of Gary West in the first two seasons of the Netflix horror-comedy series Santa Clarita Diet. The show centres on husband and wife realtors, Joel and Sheila Hammond, whose lives take a dark turn when Sheila becomes a zombie and starts craving human flesh.
Gary is a realtor and the Hammonds' co-worker. He is the first person Sheila kills and eats, but he later turns into a zombie. However, only his decayed, severed head remains, and the Hammonds keep it out of guilt. In the second season, the Hammonds have to exhume Gary's body as the location where they had dumped it is about to be built on. They hear him speak from his grave, and it is revealed that he became undead because Sheila did not kill his brain. They take his head home and keep it in their basement.
Fillion's character was recast in the third season, with Alan Tudyk taking on the role of the severed head. Fillion has since appeared in other projects, including the 2021 film The Suicide Squad and the ABC series The Rookie, in which he has the lead role.
Santa Clarita Diet received generally positive reviews from critics, with the first season holding a 78% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and the second season an 89% approval rating.
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Alan Tudyk replaced Fillion in season 3
Alan Tudyk replaced Nathan Fillion in the role of Gary West in the third season of Santa Clarita Diet. Fillion played the character for the first two seasons of the show but was unavailable to return due to other projects.
Gary is a realtor and the Hammonds' co-worker. He is the first person Sheila kills and eats, and his head remains as a character in the show, kept by the Hammonds out of guilt. Tudyk's casting was a result of the show's creators' admiration for his work, particularly his voice work and comedic talent.
The show's creators explained that they did not want to write the character out, so they decided to recast the role. They justified the change in the character's appearance by explaining that, as a zombie, Gary would deteriorate without the serum, which was a clever way to explain the change in actor.
Alan Tudyk is known for his voice work and has appeared in projects such as Firefly. Fillion has also appeared in Firefly and has since appeared in projects such as The Suicide Squad and ABC's The Rookie.
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Gary's head gives Joel advice and friendship
In the American horror-comedy series Santa Clarita Diet, Gary West is a realtor and the Hammonds' co-worker. Played by Nathan Fillion in seasons 1 and 2, and by Alan Tudyk in season 3, Gary is the first person Sheila kills and eats, who later turns into a zombie. However, only his severed, decayed head remains, and the Hammonds keep it with them out of guilt.
Gary's head becomes a source of advice and friendship for Joel, Sheila's husband, as their lives take a dark turn after Sheila turns into a zombie and starts craving human flesh. Joel and Sheila, both real estate agents, must navigate their new reality while trying to find a cure for Sheila's condition and dealing with its consequences.
As a talking head, Gary's presence in the Hammond household provides a unique dynamic and a source of dark humor. While it is not explicitly stated that Gary primarily directs his advice and friendship towards Joel, it can be assumed that Joel, as part of the central married couple, would be a main recipient of any advice or friendship from Gary.
Gary's character, though initially played for laughs, could also offer moments of reflection and insight for Joel as he grapples with the challenges of having a zombie wife. Through their interactions, the show could explore themes of friendship, loyalty, and support during times of crisis.
While specific details of their relationship are not readily available, it is safe to assume that Gary's head, as a recurring character, would have had a significant impact on Joel's journey throughout the series, providing both comedic relief and emotional support as Joel navigates the challenges of having a zombie wife and the complexities of their new reality.
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The show is a horror-comedy
Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror-comedy show, with a unique premise and a lot of gore. The show centres on a husband and wife, Joel and Sheila Hammond, who are real estate agents living in Santa Clarita, California. Their lives take a dark turn when Sheila dies and becomes a zombie.
The show's blend of horror and comedy is evident in the plot points and character arcs. For example, in season 2, the character of Gary West, played by Nathan Fillion in seasons 1 and 2, returns as a disembodied head. He is kept by the Hammonds out of guilt, and he doles out valuable advice and serves as a friend to Joel. The fact that Gary is just a head is played for laughs, and Fillion himself has commented on how much fun it was to play the character.
The show's horror-comedy tone is also reflected in its advertising. The show's posters in Germany depicted a human finger sliced up like a currywurst, which led to over 50 complaints about the advertising glorifying violence and inducing fear. However, the show's blend of gore and humour was well-received by critics, with Rotten Tomatoes describing the show as having "frequent laughs, and an engaging premise – but the level of gore might not be to everyone's taste."
Overall, Santa Clarita Diet successfully combines horror and comedy to create a unique and entertaining show.
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The show is about a family
The show received positive reviews from critics, with praise for its cast, humour, and engaging premise. It blends elements of horror and comedy, and while some viewers enjoyed the gore, others found it off-putting. The show explores the family's efforts to cope with Sheila's condition and their attempts to find a cure, all while maintaining a sense of normalcy in their lives.
Sheila's transformation into a zombie brings about a radical change in her personality, making her more primal and impulsive. This creates challenges for the family as they try to keep her appetite a secret. They seek out the worst kind of people to kill for Sheila to eat, and the show follows their journey as they grapple with moral dilemmas and darkly comedic situations.
The show also delves into the relationships within the family and how they adapt to their new circumstances. For example, there is a "will they/won't they" dynamic between Abby and Eric, adding a layer of romance to the show. The Hammonds must also deal with the consequences of Sheila's actions, such as when they have to exhume Gary's body to prevent the discovery of their secret.
Overall, "Santa Clarita Diet" offers a unique take on the zombie genre by focusing on the family dynamics and the challenges they face in trying to maintain their normal lives while dealing with Sheila's undead state and insatiable hunger for human flesh.
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Frequently asked questions
Alan Tudyk.
Nathan Fillion, who played Gary West for the first two seasons.
It is unclear why the role was recast, but showrunner Victor Fresco said that since Gary was killed by a zombie, he became one too—or at least his head did.
Fillion appeared in the 2021 *Suicide Squad* sequel and currently has the lead role in ABC's *The Rookie*.
