
Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror-comedy series that aired from 2017 to 2019 on Netflix. The show stars Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant as Sheila and Joel Hammond, a married couple and real estate agents living in Santa Clarita, California. The show also features Liv Hewson, Skyler Gisondo, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Natalie Morales, Thomas Lennon, Ramona Young, Sydney Park, Grace Zabriskie, DeObia Oparei, Jonathan Slavin, Joel McHale, and Maggie Lawson.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Horror Sitcom |
| Streaming Platform | Netflix |
| Showrunner | Victor Fresco |
| Executive Producers | Victor Fresco, Drew Barrymore, Timothy Olyphant, Aaron Kaplan, Tracy Katsky, Chris Miller, Ember Truesdell, Ruben Fleischer |
| Main Cast | Drew Barrymore, Timothy Olyphant, Liv Hewson, Skyler Gisondo |
| Recurring Cast | Nathan Fillion, Zach Knighton, Ethan Suplee, Alan Tudyk |
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What You'll Learn

Drew Barrymore plays Sheila Hammond
Drew Barrymore stars as Sheila Hammond in the Netflix horror-comedy series Santa Clarita Diet. Barrymore's character, Sheila, is a realtor and the wife of Joel Hammond, played by Timothy Olyphant. Together, they are a married couple living and working in Santa Clarita, California. The series centres on the couple's lives, which take a dark turn when Sheila dies and becomes a zombie.
As a zombie, Sheila develops a craving for human flesh and undergoes a radical personality shift, becoming more primal and impulsive. Barrymore's character must navigate her new undead existence while trying to maintain her everyday life as a wife, mother, and real estate agent. Barrymore's performance in the show received positive reviews, with critics praising the chemistry between her and Olyphant.
The show explores the challenges faced by the Hammond family as they adjust to Sheila's new condition. They seek a cure for her zombification while dealing with the consequences, which include her unusual diet and altered behaviour. Barrymore's portrayal of Sheila captures the character's struggle between her former life and her new, uncontrollable urges.
Santa Clarita Diet was created by Victor Fresco, who chose to set the show in Santa Clarita due to its middle-class residents. The profession of realtors for the Hammonds was selected to get them out into the world and interact with various characters. Barrymore served as an executive producer for the series, showcasing her involvement behind the camera in addition to her acting role.
The first season of Santa Clarita Diet premiered on Netflix on February 3, 2017, and received generally positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. The show's blend of comedy, horror, and heart helped it stand out, and it developed a dedicated fan base. Barrymore's performance as Sheila Hammond was particularly well-received, with viewers praising her comedic timing and commitment to the unique role.
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Timothy Olyphant plays Joel Hammond
Olyphant is an American actor who made his debut in 1995 in an off-Broadway production of The Monogamist, for which he won a Theatre World Award. He then originated the role of David Sedaris in The Santaland Diaries in 1996. Olyphant's early film career included supporting villainous roles in Scream 2 (1997), Go (1999), Gone in 60 Seconds (2000), and The Girl Next Door (2004). He gained wider recognition for his portrayal of Sheriff Seth Bullock in HBO's acclaimed western series Deadwood (2004-2006) and later reprised the role in Deadwood: The Movie (2019).
Olyphant has also appeared in several notable films, including A Man Apart (2003), in which he played a drug dealer, and the horror film The Crazies (2010), where he starred as the town sheriff. He was praised for his "saturnine screen presence" and "smart, stoic and sympathetic" performance in the latter. In addition to his film roles, Olyphant has made appearances on television. In 2009, he had an arc on the FX legal thriller Damages as a love interest for Rose Byrne's character.
Santa Clarita Diet received generally positive reviews from critics, with particular praise for the chemistry between Olyphant and Barrymore. The show's blend of comedy, gore, and heart was well-received by audiences and critics alike, with many praising the performances of the lead cast and minor supporting roles. The first season holds an approval rating of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 7.85/10.
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Liv Hewson plays Abby Hammond
Liv Hewson, who uses they/them pronouns, plays Abby Hammond in the Netflix horror-comedy series Santa Clarita Diet. Abby is the 16-year-old daughter of Sheila and Joel Hammond, played by Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, respectively.
Abby is described as shy, socially awkward, and disobedient towards authoritative figures. She struggles to make friends, but has a close relationship with her neighbour, Eric Bemis, played by Skyler Gisondo. Abby and Eric have a will-they-won't-they dynamic throughout the series, with Abby eventually coming to terms with her feelings for Eric in the season 3 finale.
As the tritagonist of the series, Abby becomes an unlikely role model for young girls. In an interview with Bustle, Hewson said:
> "The journey Abby goes through, it’s one that I remember going through and I think a lot of young people can relate to, she is just trying to assert herself as an individual in a world that she doesn’t really understand yet. And I think for teenagers, that’ll happen to you at some point no matter what’s going on."
Hewson is an Australian actor who has also appeared in Before I Fall, Dramaworld, and the second season of Top of the Lake, alongside Elisabeth Moss, Gwendoline Christie, and Nicole Kidman. They have also appeared in Oscar-nominated films such as Bombshell and Let It Snow, as well as the Australian indie romance Under My Skin.
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$44.14

Skyler Gisondo plays Eric Bemis
Skyler Gisondo is an American actor known for his roles in films like Licorice Pizza, Booksmart, and Vacation. He is also known for his work in television programs like Psych, The Righteous Gemstones, and Santa Clarita Diet.
Gisondo was born on July 22, 1996, in Palm Beach County, Florida. His parents, Stacey and Ron, are ocean engineers. His last name comes from his paternal grandfather, who was Italian-American, while his other three grandparents were Jewish. He made his television debut in 2003, playing Jeffrey in the comedy-drama series Miss Match. In 2006, he made his feature film debut in the drama film Jam by Craig E. Serling.
In Santa Clarita Diet, Gisondo plays Eric Bemis, the Hammonds' neighbour, Lisa's son, and Dan's stepson. The show is an American horror-comedy that premiered on Netflix in 2017 and ended in 2019. It stars Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant as Sheila and Joel Hammond, married realtors living in Santa Clarita, California. Sheila undergoes a metamorphosis, becoming undead and craving human flesh. The show follows the family as they try to help Sheila while dealing with neighbours and cultural norms.
Gisondo's character, Eric Bemis, is a main character in the show and plays a pivotal role in the story. He is the son of Lisa Palmer (played by Mary Elizabeth Ellis) and the stepson of Dan Palmer (played by Ricardo Chavira), a sheriff's deputy. Eric's mother, Lisa, becomes romantically involved with Natalie Morales' character, Anne Garcia, a religious sheriff's deputy, after Dan goes missing.
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Natalie Morales plays Anne Garcia
Natalie Morales played Anne Garcia, a lesbian sheriff and deputy, in the Netflix series Santa Clarita Diet. Anne Garcia is a recurring character who becomes a threat to Joel and Shelia Hammond in the second season. However, after witnessing Shelia's mysterious abilities, Anne starts to believe that she was chosen by God to do his work on Earth and begins to praise her, which leads to trouble.
Anne is also shown to be in a relationship with Lisa Palmer, who mentions that Anne grows tomatoes in her garden. Natalie Morales has also appeared in the film Stuber, alongside Kumail Nanjiani and Dave Bautista. She has also had roles in the NBC sitcom Abby's and the network's comedy Sunnyside. Outside of film and television, Morales has appeared in the streaming series Justin Roiland's Solar Opposites and had a major recurring role in the second season of Dead to Me.
In addition to Morales, Santa Clarita Diet also starred Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant. The show was cancelled by Netflix, to the dismay of some fans. The show's premise centred around Sheila, played by Barrymore, who develops a craving for human flesh after eating some clams. Olyphant played her supportive husband, Joel, who comes to terms with his wife becoming undead.
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Frequently asked questions
Drew Barrymore plays Sheila Hammond, a zombie and the wife of Joel Hammond.
Timothy Olyphant plays Joel Hammond, Sheila's supportive husband.
Liv Hewson plays Abby Hammond, the daughter of Joel and Sheila.
Skyler Gisondo plays Eric Bemis, the neighbour and friend of the Hammond family.











































