AMC Networks has officially renewed “Interview With the Vampire” for a third season, even before the Season 2 finale airs on June 30. This contemporary adaptation of Anne Rice’s gothic novel has captivated audiences with its intricate storytelling and compelling characters, including Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson), Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid), and Claudia (Delainey Hayles). The narrative unfolds through the eyes of journalist Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian), who documents their tale of love and immortality.
In the upcoming third season, the Vampire Lestat takes center stage in a unique way—by starting a band and going on tour. This season promises to introduce new characters such as Gabrielle, Nicholas, Magnus, Marius, and Those Who Must Be Kept. They will join familiar faces like Louis, Armand, Molloy, Sam, Raglan, Fareed, and others on a journey that spans space, time, and trauma. The show continues to push boundaries, offering a “sexy pilgrimage” without auto-tuning or trigger warnings, amplifying all the feels.
The series has garnered a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim, boasting a 98% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its first two seasons. The cast, including Assad Zaman, Delainey Hayles, and Ben Daniels, has been praised for their exceptional performances. Creator, writer, and showrunner Rolin Jones expressed his gratitude to the cast, crew, and fans, stating, “Thank you to the brilliant casts and crews of the first two seasons that got us to this day. Thank you to the rabid, beautifully unwell fandom that scaled the castle walls to get us to this day.”
Jones also extended his thanks to Dan McDermott and Ben Davis for providing the resources to continue dramatizing Anne Rice’s extraordinary novels. He humorously apologized to the family and friends of actor Sam Reid, who plays Lestat, for the “possession” that continues to this day, hoping that the show never gets canceled.
The series is executive produced by Mark Johnson, who oversees AMC’s Anne Rice Immortal Universe, along with Jones, Mark Taylor, Christopher Rice, and the late Anne Rice. Dan McDermott, president of entertainment and AMC Studios for AMC Networks, expressed his excitement about the show’s renewal. “When you buy the rights to 18 Anne Rice novels that have sold more than 150 million copies, in your wildest dreams you hope there’s a show as good as Interview on the other end,” he said. “What Rolin has done with these stories and characters, working so closely with Mark, as the steward of this universe, has exceeded the loftiest version of our expectations.”
Sam Reid, who plays Lestat, shared his excitement about the upcoming season in a recent interview. “Because we have [composer] Daniel Hart helming the music of the show, I’m very excited to see whatever he creates, and to be working with him on that is astonishing,” he said. Reid is particularly eager to explore the character of Gabrielle, Lestat’s mother, and the dynamic between Gabrielle, Louis, and Lestat.
Reid also discussed the impact of a major event from the penultimate episode of Season 2—the death of Claudia, played by Delainey Hayles. “Claudia is going to be the biggest mistake Lestat has ever made in his entire life,” he said. “The death of Claudia is going to be the thing that haunts him forever, and I wish that he did save her. I’m not sure if he knew that he could, but the fact that he saw her look at him with a pure connection at the end—and the two of them did share a connection at multiple times in their lives. I think he’ll never get that image [of Claudia dying] out of his head.”
Reid hinted that Claudia’s death would set up a haunting relationship between Claudia and Lestat, adding a new layer of complexity to Lestat’s character. “I think we’ve got the potential of not letting Claudia go, because Lestat has not gotten any closure there, and he has a lot to atone for. He has done some really terrible things, and I think a wonderful motivation for a character going forward is shame,” he said.
“Interview With the Vampire” is the first series in AMC’s Anne Rice Immortal Universe, which now includes three series: “Interview With the Vampire,” “Mayfair Witches,” and the recently greenlit “The Talamasca” (working title). The show’s renewal for a third season is a testament to its success and the passionate fanbase it has cultivated.
As the series continues to evolve, fans can look forward to more captivating storytelling, complex characters, and the unique blend of romance and horror that has made “Interview With the Vampire” a standout show. With its renewal, the series promises to delve deeper into the rich lore of Anne Rice’s universe, offering viewers an unforgettable experience.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter, AMC Networks
