Dante Carrillo
The main character of the horror-comedy series *Santa Clarita Diet* is Sheila Hammond, played by Drew Barrymore. Sheila is a perky and upbeat woman who undergoes a metamorphosis, becoming undead and developing a craving for human flesh. Despite these changes, she remains a loving wife to Joel Hammond (played by Timothy Olyphant) and mother to their daughter, Abby. The series centres on the previously mundane lives of the Hammond family and how they change as they deal with Sheila's new condition and its consequences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the character | Sheila Hammond |
| Played by | Drew Barrymore |
| Occupation | Real estate agent |
| Family | Joel Hammond (husband), Abby Hammond (daughter) |
| Friends | Lisa Palmer |
| Personality | Perky, upbeat, monotonous, serious |
| Other characteristics | Undead, zombie, cannibal |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Sheila Hammond, played by Drew Barrymore, is the main character
Sheila is the central character of the show, as she undergoes a metamorphosis, becoming undead and craving human flesh. The series centres on the challenges that arise for the Hammond family as they try to help Sheila through her condition, while also dealing with neighbours and cultural norms. Barrymore's character provides many comedic moments in the show, as her serious demeanour is juxtaposed with Joel's nervous awkwardness.
The show's creator, Victor Fresco, has spoken about the message he wanted viewers to take away from the show, which is that empowerment is a good thing, but it can also lead to narcissism. He also wanted to comment on how people can act like zombies, consuming and destroying without thinking about the consequences. This is reflected in Sheila's new diet of human flesh, which sees her eating human remains made from gummy bears, dehydrated apples, beet paste, pasta, and moistened cake.
Sheila's character is described as perky and upbeat, and Barrymore was chosen for the role because the creators wanted someone who was endearing and adorable but also strong. Although Barrymore had never done television before, she loved the script and was cast as Sheila. Barrymore and Olyphant had a great relationship on and off-screen, and their chemistry added to the success of the show.
Elimination Diet: Do Doctors Acknowledge Self-Initiated Efforts?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Timothy Olyphant plays Sheila's husband, Joel Hammond
Olyphant's character, Joel, is nervous and awkward, which is hilariously strange in combination with Sheila's unending seriousness. As Joel and the family try to help Sheila with her new condition, they have to deal with neighbours and cultural norms, and get to the bottom of a potentially mythological mystery.
The show was created by Victor Fresco, who first wrote the script and then gave it to his production partners Tracy Katsky and Aaron Kaplan. They then took the script to Netflix, who agreed to produce the show if they could agree on the talent. Drew Barrymore, who plays Sheila, was at the top of their list for the role.
Olyphant was cast as Joel, and his performance has been described as "authentic", with a "very dry, wry delivery". The show's creator, Fresco, has also commented on Olyphant's ability to "play authentic" and keep his character "grounded".
Living on 1500 Calories: A Day in the Diet
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The show centres on the couple's lives in Santa Clarita, California
The Netflix original comedy-horror series Santa Clarita Diet centres on the lives of married couple Sheila and Joel Hammond, who are real estate agents in the Los Angeles suburb of Santa Clarita, California. The show follows the couple as they navigate a series of challenges and darkly comedic moments after Sheila undergoes a transformation into a zombie.
Sheila and Joel lead mundane and unfulfilling lives before Sheila's death and subsequent resurrection as a zombie. As a zombie, Sheila experiences a change in her personality, becoming more primal and impulsive, and develops a craving for human flesh. Faced with these new challenges, the couple, along with their teenage daughter Abby, must adapt to Sheila's new condition while maintaining their everyday lives in Santa Clarita.
The show explores the couple's attempts to find a cure for Sheila's condition while dealing with the consequences, including her new dietary needs and altered behaviour. To satisfy Sheila's craving for human flesh, they set out to find the worst kind of people to kill and feed to her, leading to a mix of funny and dark moments. The show also delves into the couple's interactions with their neighbours and their efforts to conform to cultural norms, all while trying to understand the cause of Sheila's transformation.
Santa Clarita Diet features a talented ensemble cast, including Drew Barrymore as Sheila Hammond and Timothy Olyphant as Joel Hammond. The show received generally positive reviews from critics, with particular praise for its engaging premise, excellent cast, and frequent laughs. However, it's important to note that the level of gore in the show may not be to everyone's taste.
The Insanity Diet: Extreme Eating or Effective Weight Loss?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Sheila becomes undead and starts craving human flesh
The Netflix horror-comedy series Santa Clarita Diet stars Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant as Sheila and Joel Hammond, a couple of real estate agents living in Santa Clarita, California. The series centres on the couple's lives, which take a turn for the worse when Sheila becomes undead and starts craving human flesh.
In the first episode, Sheila vomits a "crazy amount" and then dies, only to come back to life as a zombie with a craving for human flesh. Although it is never discovered how she became a zombie, she speculates that she may have been infected by clams she ate at a restaurant. As a zombie, Sheila's personality changes drastically, becoming more primal and impulsive. She also loses her ability to consume animal meat, as she can only eat human flesh.
Sheila's new undead state presents several challenges for the family. They must deal with their neighbours and cultural norms while also trying to find a cure for her condition. The show also explores the concept of narcissism through the lens of the undead, who, according to creator Victor Fresco, "want what they want when they want it and will do anything to just have what they want and don't care about other people's needs."
The show received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the cast, humour, and engaging premise. However, the level of gore in the show was noted as something that might not be to everyone's taste.
Eating Bread While Dieting: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The show is a comedy-horror series with a strong cast
The Netflix original series Santa Clarita Diet is a comedy-horror show with a strong cast. The series was created by Victor Fresco, who also serves as showrunner and executive producer, alongside stars Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant. The show centres on the married couple Joel and Sheila Hammond, played by Olyphant and Barrymore, respectively. Joel and Sheila are real estate agents living in the Los Angeles suburb of Santa Clarita, California, with their teenage daughter, Abby.
The show's premise revolves around Sheila's mysterious transformation into a zombie, which dramatically changes their mundane lives. As Sheila starts craving human flesh and undergoes a radical personality shift, becoming more primal and impulsive, the bewildered family seeks a cure for her condition while navigating the challenges of their new reality. The show combines elements of comedy and horror, with positive reviews praising the frequent laughs and engaging premise, while also noting that the level of gore might not be for everyone.
The cast of Santa Clarita Diet features a range of talented actors who portray the show's diverse characters. In addition to Barrymore and Olyphant, the main cast includes Liv Hewson as Abby Hammond, the couple's daughter; Skyler Gisondo as Eric Bemis, the Hammonds' neighbour and Abby's classmate; and Mary Elizabeth Ellis as Lisa Palmer, Sheila's friend and Eric's mother. The show also features notable performances by Thomas Lennon, Ramona Young, Sydney Park, Grace Zabriskie, and DeObia Oparei, among others.
The dynamic between Barrymore and Olyphant's characters, Joel and Sheila, is a highlight of the show. Their interactions are hilariously strange due to the combination of Joel's nervous awkwardness and Sheila's unending seriousness. Barrymore's portrayal of Sheila, in particular, is described as perky and upbeat, and her performance received praise for its authenticity and comedic timing. Olyphant, known for his more dramatic roles, surprised the creators with his comedic talent, delivering a grounded performance with a dry, wry sense of humour.
Santa Clarita Diet offers a unique blend of comedy and horror, with a strong cast delivering engaging performances. The show's premise, while dark and gory, is filled with funny and entertaining moments, exploring the challenges of a family dealing with an unusual and supernatural situation. The strong cast, led by Barrymore and Olyphant, brings these characters to life, creating a compelling and entertaining series that has gained a dedicated fan following.
The Caveman Diet: Eating Like Our Ancient Ancestors
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Drew Barrymore plays the main character, Sheila Hammond, in Santa Clarita Diet.
Sheila Hammond is married to Joel Hammond, played by Timothy Olyphant, and together they work as realtors in Santa Clarita, California.
Sheila Hammond becomes undead and starts craving human flesh.
Sheila and Joel's lives take a dark turn as they try to find a cure for her condition while dealing with the neighbours and cultural norms.
