Actor David Dastmalchian Takes Morbid Turn with “Grave Conversations” Series

by Annika March 29, 2025

Seeing an actor eating spicy buffalo wings or on a cringe-worthy date in a chicken shop is fairly common on today’s press tours. However, witnessing actors like Jack Quaid and Kumail Nanjiani lying in caskets discussing life, death, and their own funerals? That’s new. Welcome to the world of Grave Conversations, a series hosted by David Dastmalchian, renowned for his morbid inclinations.

Actor David Dastmalchian Takes Morbid Turn with “Grave Conversations” Series

– Actor David Dastmalchian hosts a series called “Grave Conversations” where celebrities discuss life, death and their own funerals while lying in caskets provided by the show’s sponsor Titan Casket.
– The unconventional talk show, currently in its second season, combines humor and poignant reflections, aiming to engage the audience in its intimate and sometimes emotional exchanges about mortality.
– Despite Dastmalchian’s prominent roles in big-ticket films like “The Dark Knight” and “The Suicide Squad”, his work on “Grave Conversations” has generated significant viewer appreciation and recognition.

Nowadays, seeing an actor munching on spicy wings or stumbling through a date at a fast food outlet isn’t out of place; it’s part of their media rounds. What might strike you as unusual, however, is watching actors like Jack Quaid and Kumail Nanjiani lying in caskets, discussing life, death, and their own mortality. This is the daring concept behind Grave Conversations, a show hosted by actor David Dastmalchian, who is known for his fascination with all things eerie.

Dastmalchian’s vision for the show is for viewers to observe two individuals — reminiscent of children lying on a hillside, gazing at the clouds, engaged in casual talk. A theme close to his heart, having lost both his parents in recent years.

While there are elements of comedy, the show also features poignant scenes. For instance, a tearful Nanjiani reminiscing about visiting his grandparents’ tombs, or an emotional Matthew Lillard musing on death as his parents and grandparents advance in years.

Impending death is a certainty we all share, remarks Dastmalchian, it’s inevitable for each of us and those we hold dear. Despite the inherent sadness, he notes, there is also significant joy and beauty in the act of saying goodbye and honoring the departed.

Now in its sophomore season, Grave Conversations is filmed in the San Fernando Valley. For the quirky program, Dastmalchian invites people from his connections. Although, in the near future, he will have to source guests from outside his immediate circles. Recalling the charm of an old-school radio show, the series is supported by a sponsor — Titan Casket, the provider of the caskets.

In curating each episode, Dastmalchian relies heavily on a team of scriptwriters to outline potential talking points. They truly understand him and his voice, he says, lending thoughtful attention to every detail, inclusive of casket arrangements and urn placements on the set.

Besides his remarkable roles in The Dark Knight and The Suicide Squad, Dastmalchian has recently been distinguished for Grave Conversations. In an earlier instance this month, while awaiting a flight back to Los Angeles after filming Dexter: Resurrection, he was unexpectedly greeted by a fan. Instead of discussing his extensive filmography, the fan thanked him for Grave Conversations.

Reliving the encounter, Dastmalchian said: “She expressed, with deep emotion, how much Grave Conversations meant to her. In those moments, I thought to myself, ‘That’s why we do this.'”