When I was reading Amazon reviews for Todd Slavkin’s book: My Life in the Shadow World: Reflections of a Television Showrunner, I couldn’t help giggling when a reviewer mentioned that if you were buying the book to find out more about Harry Shum Jr., you would be disappointed, because the cast is barely mentioned.
So for fun, I decided to transcribe only the parts of the book where he was mentioned. Personally, although I have read all the Mortal Instruments books and its sequels/prequels, I watched the show only recently during the coronavirus pandemic after rewatching the movie adaptation of City of Bones and being curious to see how the television series differed. While I understand that there seems to have been a huge backlash against Shadowhunters showrunner Todd Slavkin after the show was cancelled (and somewhat even before then, which I don't understand, at all), I would personally recommend reading the entire book, especially as all proceeds would be going to charity. If you have a Kindle Unlimited account, you can actually read it for free. Other than some typos here and there (he only had his assistant edit the book for him), and his repeated usage of certain phrases, I found the book to be a fascinating look at how a show such as Shadowhunters was run from behind the scenes. Anyway, here is the link to the book if you want to check it out: https://smile.amazon.com/Life-Shadow-World-Reflections-Television-ebook/dp/B085KSPYL8/, and here are the mentions of Shum from the book. There are a few other mentions that I have left out because his name is mentioned only in relation to being in a group scene or showing up to an event. Unless indicated, all typos are mine. You can definitely buy the book for more mentions of Magnus.
Slavkin’s first phone call with Shum
Harry Shum Jr. was as nice as could be. I told him that my daughter was a huge Glee fan, and Mike Chang was one of her favorite characters. Her dream would come true when she was able to FaceTime with Harry at one of the many cast dinners we had in Toronto.
First cast meeting with Shum
Next up was Harry Shum, dressed head to toe in his Magnus wardrobe, eyeliner included. I was a huge fan of Harry’s from Glee and was starstruck as soon as he walked through the door. My daughter and I bonded over that show, and the character that Harry played, the perennial underdog Mike Chang, was one of our favorite characters. So of course, I took out my phone and asked for a quick selfie with me to send to my daughter. He warmly obliged. We spoke about Glee, and the huge wave he rode so successfully for so many years. I was also a fan of dance and in awe of Harry’s talent as a dancer. We wanted to use those skills with Magnus, as it was totally conceivable if not probable that Magnus Bane was a killer dancer through the centuries. Speaking of Magnus, we told Harry how much we loved his humorous side, but we yearned to go deeper with him. The fact that he’s lived for so long and experienced so much tragedy felt underexplored in season one, and because we’re both full of adolescent angst that never really went away, we wanted to lean into that much more in season two. The notion of Magnus finding the blade in 202 that his mother used to kill himself (sic) was a new idea that we loved setting up and paying off later. As funny as Magnus was, he was also the character that was the most layered due to his long and storied history. We couldn’t wait to write his journey, and Harry could clearly feel our enthusiasm. We also felt that his relationship with Alec could be explored on a deeper level. Season one was their introduction and it was full of moving movements that were my favorite scenes of that season. But the kiss at Alec’s wedding in season one, as much as I love the moment, felt like it came out of nowhere and suddenly advanced the relationship to a place that we didn’t feel was warranted. We wanted to see the awkwardness of a first date and the strange courtship that would follow from both of their perspectives. It was a relationship we were excited to write [about]. Harry felt our excitement and we felt his. It was going to be an awesome collaboration.
First cast meeting with Matthew Daddario
As we discussed with Harry, we went over our ideas about Alec’s relationship with Magnus. He liked that we were slowing things down between them and excited about their first date, but it was the first time I sensed a certain amount of skepticism. I understood completely. They had all worked hard in season one to create their juggernaut with a huge, worldwide fan base, and it was understandable for one of them to wonder if we were going to screw it up in a big way.
Meeting between Slavkin, Darren Swimmer (the other showrunner), Daddario and Shum
Matt and Harry were understably anxious moving forward in the Malec relationship. They had no idea what was going to transpire and had many questions. They wanted to meet with us the following week when we were back in Toronto, and we gladly agreed...Matt, Harry, Darren and Hastings were at a table patiently waiting for me. I apologized profusely. Matt was unshaven in a baseball cap, unrecognizable as Alec Lightwood. Harry too was low key in a t-shirt and jeans. We ordered wine and dinner and began to talk.
They too felt their first kiss put the two characters way ahead of where the relationship was really at and liked this slower approach. Now they were worried that we were going too fast. The things that were said on the first date and the idea that they would have sex in the next episode - it felt rushed to them. We understood, but we also felt in order to keep the relationship real, grounded and honest, after what these two men had gone through, they would have sex. If we dragged it out longer, it would feel contrived and unrealistic given where they were at in their lives and the way they felt about each other. They also cautioned us to avoid making choices based solely on what we thought the fans wanted most. The Malec fandom was huge and loud and full of creative people who had their own ideas of the relationship. We assured them that we would follow our own creative instincts. Writing this relationship and digging into the conflicts between these two disparate characters was one of the things that excited us most about the job.It was one of our favorite parts of the show, and we would treat it with the respect it deserved. When they brought up the idea of contributing ideas of their own, we welcomed it with open arms. Sure enough when we got back to L.A. they sent us a rewrite of the beginning of the scene in 207 when Magnus and Alec come through the doors of Magnus’ apartment carrying shopping bags after their trip to Tokyo. The fatty tuna run was all Matt and Harry.
At the 2016 New York Comic-con
I heard about Harry’s tour with Glee when they played the O2 arena in London.
Regarding Season 2 episode 8 “Love is a Devil”
Magnus was into cats in the book, and had a pet himself, but because Harry Shum is allergic, the pet cat idea was a nonstarter. But for one episode he was game, and it made sense that Magnus would act as a caretaker for all these neighborhood cats, feeding them milk.
Regarding the Magnus and Alec scene in Season 2 episode 10 “By the Light of Dawn” after the Institute attack, where they reunite
Matt and Harry were at their best and the moment is one of my favorites.
About Season 2 episode 12: “You Are Not Your Own”
Harry Shum and Alan Van Sprang were thrilled by the idea (body switching) and couldn’t wait to get in front of the camera. We suggested they each try to come to the other’s scenes in the beginning of the shoot to watch each other’s mannerisms in order to try and duplicate them in a way that would feel honest and real, and they were more than game...Alan Van Sprang as Magnus pleading with Alec to believe him gives me goosebumps every time I watch it. Harry’s use of his body and hand movements to mimic Valentine is staggeringly accurate, and both of their performances ground the show in a real way.
Regarding the dancing scene between Magnus and Dot in Season 2 Episode 13 “Those of Demon Blood”
We had wanted to take advantage of Harry’s dancing and choreography skills from the day we started, and this dance with Dot was the opportunity. We hopped on the phone with Harry and explained what we were thinking - a big band musical vibe, something uptempo that would showcase his moves. Our music supervisor Linsday found a song we liked, and we sent it over to Harry to work his magic. Days later we received a video recorded in Harry’s Toronto apartment with he and Vanessa Matsui dancing their hearts out. It blew us away. The choreography and vibe were exactly what we envisioned.
About Season 2 Episode 15 “A Problem of Memory”, where Magnus relives memories of his mother’s suicide after being tortured and finally confesses his pain to Alec
Harry and Matt, as they always do, work so well together. Alec’s helpless frustration and Harry’s (sic) pain go together like chocolate and peanut butter.
Second cast meeting with Shum
Harry strolled through the door in his jeans, T-shirt and Counting Crows baseball cap. He was nothing like Magnus Bane, which was a real testament to his tremendous acting ability. He and his wife had just returned from Iceland, and he showed us a few pics from his trip before we delved into Magnus Bane’s season 2b journey. Harry was a true artist, always eager to dig deeper. The idea of exploring Magnus’ dark side was one he immediately embraced. Like most great actors I’ve worked [with], Harry loved being able to play the many sides to his character. We told him that we wanted to use his dancing skills at some point soon but would find just the right place for it so it wouldn’t feel forced. When we mentioned the impending break-up with Alec, he smiled knowingly and wished us good luck.
Slavkin and Swimmer’s dinner with Shum
That evening we had dinner with Harry Shum at one of his favorite sushi places in Toronto, JaBistro. Harry had reached out to us in L.A. a few weeks earlier and invited us to dinner but had to cancel due to a cold. Darren and I braved the chill and walked a half mile onto a dark street, where we stepped down a flight of stairs into this cool, minimalist Japanese restaurant. Harry was there to greet us, and we had a wonderful meal, the conversation warm and carefree. Harry was always eager to use his physical prowess for his character and was thrilled when we told him how cool his battle with Iris Rouse turned out in 208. We told him there would be more of that ahead. When the bill came we offered to pay but Harry insisted it was his treat. I left thinking how blessed I was to be working with such a talented, warm-hearted human being.
Shadowhunters winning the 2017 28th annual GLAAD Media Awards for Outstanding Drama series for its first season
I was thrilled for Michael (Reisz), and Harry and Matt...Harry and Matt were flown out to L.A. from Toronto for the ceremony and gracefully accepted the award among a cheering ballroom.
Reunion scene in Season 2 Episode 20 “Beside Still Water”
The reunion between Alec and Magnus was a lovely moment executed perfectly by Harry and Matt.
Shum and Isaiah Mustafa’s visit to the writer’s offices during the hiatus
In June, Isaiah and Harry stopped by with Isaiah’s mom and countless boxes of donuts.
Third cast meeting with Shum
Harry described his recent cross-country drive from L.A. to Toronto.
At a cast dinner
Harry was sweet enough to FaceTime with my Glee-obsessed daughter for a few minutes, which made her entire year.
Being unable to make a cast dinner
Harry and Javier were shooting their warlock battle that night, so neither of them could make it.
About Magnus losing his powers’ plotline
Magnus without powers was something we had talked about for a while, and we are all excited to finally be able to write it. It would test his relationship with Alec in ways that had never been explored before and provide Harry with an opportunity to play his character in a new and exciting way.
Directorial interests of some of the cast
Harry, Alberto, Kat and Alisha were also interested in directing, and we encouraged them to sit in on any and all production meetings that they wanted to be in.
Another cast dinner
Matt Hastings soon appeared, and then the others swept in one by one, Harry the last to arrive due to a wardrobe fitting.
A memory Shum had from making the show
Harry spoke about the infamous goat baby in 205, where the prosthetic fell off the baby’s feet and everyone was dying of laughter (when we got back to L.A., we found the deleted scene and asked Freeform to release it on Twitter.)
About Season 3 Episode 16 “Stay with Me”
Magnus in the infirmary explaining to Alec how empty he is without his magic is Harry at the top of his game.
About the dancing scene between Magnus and Alec in Season 3 Episode 16 “Stay with Me”
The competitive athlete in Matt Daddario (he’s a great basketball player but hates dancing) knew if he was going to dance opposite Harry, he had to step up his game and make sure he knew his moves.
About Season 3 Episode 19 “Aku Cinta Kamu”
A vulnerable Magnus slipping into his father’s warm embrace was a moving storyline and a wonderful showcase for the electric chemistry between Harry and Jack Yang. Their father son dynamic was deliciously weird yet relatable.
In anticipation that Shadowhunters was going to be renewed for a fourth season
Harry and Isaiah had been invited [to the Freeform Upfronts in New York] and were attending, and we all assumed that the show’s pick-up would be announced then.
About wanting to use Lizzo’s Good As Hell for the wedding dance at Magnus’ and Alec’s wedding
It ended up being too expensive, but I did play it on set between takes so Anna and Harry could finally have their much talked about “dance off.” It was an amazing moment that Mike McMurray ended up filming off the monitors on his phone.
Slavkin telling the cast about how rare it is to work on a show with such a dedicated fanbase like Shadowhunters
Harry, who also worked on Glee, was fortunate to have worked on two shows like that, but I explained how rare that was.
Slavin’s directing of the last two episodes of Shadowhunters
My first day of directing was in Magnus’ apartment with Harry and Matt, when Magnus presents a wedding invitation to Alec and suggests they get married that evening...When Matt and Harry arrived to block the scene...Matt and Harry were incredibly collaborative and open to my ideas..Plates of wedding cakes suddenly appeared, Harry’s eyes lighting up as he examined the various frosty delights...Matt and Harry recognized a martini moment from season one, and I thought was great. Before the last take, I reminded them that this would be the last time they’d be in Magnus’ apartment. This was the last scene. It was an emotional moment for all of us.
Anna Hopkins convincing Slavkin to release the video of her dance-off with Shum
https://twitter.com/toddzer1/status/1023367029393424384
I showed Anna Hopkins the dance off video Mike McMurray took on set between her and Harry. She told me to put it on Twitter, but I was reluctant. Would it spoil the scene from 321. Anna was relentless, and before I knew it I hit send, a fortunate event for the fandom who got to enjoy those forty seconds of Harry and Anna on the Edom dance floor.
About Magnus’ and Alec’s wedding
None of them [the cast] had any dialogue today except for Harry and Matt...In order to manage my time and the cost of all the extras, I shot the audience and their reactions first before turning around and facing the stage, where we would shoot the vows only with Harry, Matt, Dom and Sophia. As they recited the words that Darren had so beautifully written, Harry and Matt were standing before an empty set but you’d never know watching the show. They were both totally locked in. They knew and felt how important this moment was, and both of their performances are living proof. When it was over, I embraced both of them and told them how special they were. Their performance that day was going to touch so many people.
Last day of shooting
On the last day, before the gigantic wedding reception, it was appreciation Friday for the cast, all who were there dressed to the nines for the nuptials; Kat, Dom, Alberto, Emeraude, Matt, Harry, Nicola, Paulino, Jack, Jade, Javier, David, Steve, Sydney, Jacky, Ariana. I told them of all the shows I’ve ever worked on, they were the best group of people I had ever had the pleasure of working with. There was not a bad soul among them, and that was a large part why the fans worldwide loved the show so much. They could sense how special this cast was, as I did that first time I watched on my desktop computer, after I got the call from Jenn Gerstenblatt asking if I had ever seen the show Shadowhunters.
