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We are starved for new 'Shadownhunters' content, so we’ve decided to deep dive into all things Matthew Daddario. Enter our giveaway now!

Why we’ll always love Matthew Daddario in ‘Shadowhunters’

Matthew Daddario of Freeform’s Shadowhunters has a fixed place in our hearts. He’s the reason why we HAD to get tickets to the Heroes of the Shadow World convention and one of the reasons we fight so hard to keep Shadowhunters on the air. 

Serving as the very definition of tall, dark, and handsome, Matthew Daddario is one star we can’t get enough of. 

While there’s always the first three seasons, We are starved for new Shadownhunters content, so we’ve decided to deep dive into all things Matthew Daddario, Malec, and Alec Lightwood.

Malec

We had no idea we could be so invested in someone else’s romance, but Malec brought out the very best in both Magnus (Harry Shum Jr.) and Alec (Matthew Daddario). From the very first time they caught sight of each other, fighting The Circle, there was definitely special chemistry that we couldn’t wait to develop. 

Shadowhunters S1 gave us a delicious slow-build for Magnus and Alec’s relationship, even while we endured the roller coaster that was Alec’s almost-marriage to Lydia (Stephanie Bennett), which led to an amazing first kiss between the Shadowhunter and the High Warlock. 

Their first I love you’s were equally epic, as Alec (and all of us) feared the worst when they were separated on a mission. 

While we’ve obviously spent a lot of time analyzing some of the best action-packed moments with the couple, we love the moments where the two’s scorching-hot electricity takes the stage even more. 

Alec’s character growth

Easily one of the most interesting characters on Shadowhunters, Alec Lightwood’s growth over the first three seasons created the deep and complicated demon hunter we know and love. Alec was introduced to Shadowhunters as a brooding sidekick to Jace (Dominic Sherwood), but by the end of season 1, we were asking “Jace who?”

Alec’s growth requires him to come to grips with his true self, and admit his love for Magnus despite the fact that’s frowned upon in the Shadowhunter world, and could lead to him being disowned by his family. 

Serious and cautious, Alex is the ultimate rule-follower. His loyalty to the Clave and his friends is one of the driving forces of his character, the few times he’s willing to break a rule is out of his need to protect those around him. 

While his inner conflict between who he is and who he feels he has to be lead him to come off as harsh and blunt, his relationship with Magnus shows his softer and caring side. Daddario’s portrayal of Alec’s contrasting sides is so perfectly believable we forget we’re watching a show. 

Alec’s realistic journey

Alec’s struggle to come out was a huge part of Shadowhunters S1, and it was beautifully raw without being melodramatic. While Alec’s parents have a hard time with Malec initially, the challenge is deeper than their queer son. It’s also that their queer Shadowhunter son is also in love with a warlock. 

We were relieved when Alec’s parents saw the drastic difference in his happiness, eventually leading to their acceptance of Alec and his relationship. While there is still a struggle for his father to completely embrace Alec’s life as a whole, his mother forms the bridge between the two, embracing Malec completely.

One of our greatest loves of Malec is that it reflects a realistic relationship, even in a fantasy world. Alec’s acceptance of all aspects of himself transform him into a happier, confident man. Magnus and Alec have their ups and downs but their love brings them back together. Alec’s struggle for acceptance never feels over the top, or sensational, it feels completely real.

Shirtless Shadowhunters moments

We’re going to take a quick break from pontificating on all things Alec Lightwood/Matthew Daddario to highlight one of the most impactful parts of the show: Shirtless Alec Lightwood. 

Lucky us, there have been quite a few opportunities to see this fine specimen of man without his shirt, as he couldn’t possibly wear one all the time. . .

The best big brother

Izzy and Alec are totally sibling goals. From their snarky I love you’s to their willingness to protect each other, Izzy and Alec’s relationship is everything we want in a sibling. The two easily predict each other’s reactions and they know just what buttons to push to aggravate each other. Even when Izzy says, “Believe me, there have been many times where I wanted to kill Alec.” we know it comes from a place of love.

Always willing to step in to deflect their parents’ judgment, Alec happily praises Izzy in front of his mom to keep Maryse (Nicola Correia-Damude) proud. Meanwhile, when their dad tries to blame Alec for all of the “unsanctioned missions”, Izzy steps in to defend her big bro. 

The entire ordeal of Izzy’s trial solidified our love for the duo, where they proved their bond was the deepest of all. There’s nothing that compares with the way they communicate just by looking at each other.

Malec

Did we mention just how much we love Malec? It was so long ago we forgot. 

When Magnus detailed what falling in love with Alec felt like, we understood, because when we see Alec, we feel the same: loss of breath when that person is in the room (or on the screen), a rapidly beating heart, and tingling skin. 

Magnus’s impassioned speech was the dawn of Malec but it also echoed what we felt watching the two fall in love. We’ve been breathless and tingly ever since.

We can’t get enough of the sparks between the two, as their chemistry envelops any scene they’re in. We are all-in on Malec.

Enter our special giveaway!

Do you love Matthew Daddario/Alec Lightwood so much it hurts? Would you love nothing more than to meet Matthew Daddario himself, for a photo op and a chat session? Then waste no time entering to win our giveaway to do just that. 

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Comments
  • Could not agree more with this article! Suffering from sever Malec withdrawals here, waaaaaah :( Also Matthew and Harry seem to be such awesome people in real life as well as on-screen – we are truly blessed to have them as actors!

    January 13, 2020
  • No other show portrays positive representation of the LGBTQ community the was Shadowhunters does.

    January 14, 2020
  • No other show portrays positive representation of the LGBTQ+ community the way Shadowhunters does. Matt, Harry and the rest of the cast are amazingly talented. You are 100% correct in saying that we actually forget we’re watching a show.

    January 14, 2020
  • Alec’s character growth is one of my favorite things about the show and Matt’s performance has always been standout and so nuanced! Love Alec and Matt so much!♥️

    January 14, 2020
  • Alec is a character I related to a lot. When I read the books I was sad about his small role and always wished I’d get to know more about him.

    Matt portrays Alec so well, it’s insane. I honestly don’t think that anyone else would’ve done Alec justice, in my eyes.

    Shadowhunters as a show is so important, not just because it’s a great show but also because of its massive representation. From POCs to LGBTQA+ characters, it covers a wide range and does it so well.

    January 14, 2020
  • Hi Film Daily! I would love to win this amazing prize. You guys are seriously so awesome, thank you for this ?

    January 16, 2020
  • Malec is my all-time favorite couple because they were portrayed so realistic. Even with their fights, it showed a couple getting to know each other and being willing to put in the effort to build their relationship. Alec getting jealous of Magnus’ momentos is very real as this is his first relationship and he is completely in the dark of how he should react and what is a reasonable response to an immortal lover who loved others so much that he needs something to remember them by. The way they apologize when they are wrong and the way they put the other’s happiness before their own. Absolutely brilliant.

    July 26, 2020

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