Interview with the Vampire (TV series)
Interview with the Vampire is an American gothic horror television series created by Rolin Jones for AMC and AMC+, loosely based on Anne Rice's 1976 novel of the same name from The Vampire Chronicles.[1] The series premiered on October 2, 2022, and centers on the vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac, who in 2022 lives in Dubai and recounts his epic tale of love, bloodlust, and immortality to journalist Daniel Molloy, beginning with his transformation by the charismatic vampire Lestat de Lioncourt in early 20th-century New Orleans and their unconventional family with the child vampire Claudia.[2][3] The show stars Jacob Anderson as Louis de Pointe du Lac, Sam Reid as Lestat de Lioncourt, Delainey Hayles as Claudia (replacing Bailey Bass from season 1), and Eric Bogosian as Daniel Molloy, with supporting roles including Assad Zaman as Armand and Ben Daniels as Santiago in later seasons.[1][4] Season 1, which aired from October to November 2022, explores Louis and Lestat's tumultuous relationship and the creation of their vampire coven in New Orleans, while season 2, premiering in May 2024, follows Louis and Claudia's journey to Europe in search of other vampires, delving into the Théâtre des Vampires and deeper lore from Rice's universe.[2][3] On June 26, 2024, AMC renewed the series for a third season, set to premiere in 2026 and subtitled The Vampire Lestat, which will shift focus to Lestat's perspective and adapt elements from Rice's 1985 novel The Vampire Lestat, featuring the core cast alongside new additions.[5][4] Critically acclaimed for its lush production design, emotional depth, and bold reinterpretation of Rice's material—including expansions on queer themes and racial dynamics—the series holds a 98% approval rating for season 1 and 100% for season 2 on Rotten Tomatoes.[2][1] It has been praised for blending horror with intimate character drama, amassing an IMDb rating of 7.5/10 from over 35,000 users, and serves as the flagship of AMC's "Immortal Universe," which has expanded to include spin-off series such as Mayfair Witches and Talamasca: The Secret Order.[3][6]Overview
Premise
Interview with the Vampire is a gothic horror television series that reimagines Anne Rice's seminal novel through a modern lens, centering on the vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac as he recounts his immortal existence to journalist Daniel Molloy.[7] Set in 2022 Dubai, the story begins with Louis, now residing in a luxurious penthouse, inviting the skeptical Molloy to hear his tale of transformation and eternal life.[2] This framing device establishes the series' exploration of memory, truth, and the burdens of immortality, with Louis reflecting on his human origins in early 20th-century New Orleans.[8] The narrative employs a non-linear structure, interweaving present-day dialogues in Dubai with vivid flashbacks to pivotal historical events in Louis's undead journey.[8] These flashbacks detail Louis's turning by the charismatic vampire Lestat de Lioncourt, their tumultuous relationship marked by passion and conflict, and the introduction of Claudia, a young vampire who joins their coven-like family.[2] Through these arcs, the series delves into themes of love, loss, and the psychological toll of vampirism, as Louis navigates encounters with other immortals and the societal constraints of his era.[3] At its core, the premise draws from Rice's first two novels—Interview with the Vampire and The Vampire Lestat—while incorporating expansions to deepen character dynamics and historical contexts, creating a broader tapestry of vampire lore without adhering strictly to the source material's timeline.[9] This adaptation maintains the foundational elements of Rice's universe, emphasizing the interview as a confessional mechanism that reveals the complexities of eternal relationships and moral ambiguities in the supernatural world.[8]Themes and adaptations
The AMC series Interview with the Vampire explores queer identity through the explicit romantic and sexual bond between Louis de Pointe du Lac and Lestat de Lioncourt, set against the backdrop of early 20th-century New Orleans, where Louis grapples with societal repression of his sexuality.[10] This relationship intersects with racial dynamics, as Louis's portrayal as a Black man highlights the persistent barriers of segregation and racism in immortality, amplifying his isolation and the power imbalances with the white Lestat, who exhibits a form of failed saviorism.[11] Toxic relationships form a core motif, depicted in the dysfunctional "vampire family" dynamics that curdle from passion into manipulation and disappointment, particularly in the trio involving their fledgling Claudia.[11] The passage of time underscores these themes, spanning from the 1910s Jim Crow South to a mid-pandemic Dubai in 2022, where Louis's recounting to journalist Daniel Molloy reveals centuries of evolving trauma and societal change.[11] The series adapts Anne Rice's novels Interview with the Vampire (1976) and elements from The Vampire Lestat (1985) by modernizing key aspects, such as reimagining Louis as a Black gay businessman and saloon owner in 1910s New Orleans, rather than a white Creole plantation owner from 1791 Louisiana, to emphasize racial and queer intersections in his immortal existence.[12] Claudia is similarly race-bent as a Black child vampire, forging a deeper cultural bond with Louis that critiques historical subjugation, with terms like "fledgling" evoking slavery's legacy.[12] The frame narrative shifts to a contemporary Dubai penthouse interview with an older Daniel Molloy, conducted decades after an initial 1970s encounter, allowing for expanded reflections on time and memory absent in the source material.[13] Stylistically, the series blends gothic horror with melodrama in a "gothic domestic soap" format, using ornate period costumes to evoke the opulence and constraints of early 20th-century Southern society, while cinematography employs hot lighting and cavernous sets to heighten emotional intensity and atmospheric dread.[11][10] Compared to the 1994 film adaptation, the series delves deeper into internal monologues through the interactive framing device of Louis's interviews with Daniel, who challenges inconsistencies and uncovers repressed memories, such as Louis's trauma and consent issues in his turning.[14] It expands ensemble dynamics by giving Daniel a more substantive role with personal queer history and investigative agency, contrasting the film's more passive journalist and limited focus on the central duo's gothic romance, while foregrounding racial critiques absent in the earlier version's 18th-century white-centric setting.[14][11]Cast and characters
Main
Jacob Anderson portrays Louis de Pointe du Lac, the brooding protagonist of the series who was turned into a vampire in 1910 New Orleans and grapples with existential questions about immortality and morality throughout his eternal life.[15] Anderson's casting as the titular vampire was announced on August 25, 2021.[15] Louis serves as the narrative's central figure, recounting his experiences to interviewer Daniel Molloy while navigating his complex relationships within his vampire coven. Sam Reid stars as Lestat de Lioncourt, the seductive and charismatic yet abusive vampire who turns Louis into one of his kind and becomes the dysfunctional patriarch of their makeshift family.[16] Reid was cast in the role on August 13, 2021.[16] Lestat's larger-than-life personality and manipulative tendencies drive much of the emotional tension, positioning him as both a magnetic antagonist and a pivotal influence on Louis's transformation and worldview. Bailey Bass played Claudia, the eternally youthful vampire daughter turned by Lestat at age 14 to join the family unit, embodying the rebellious child archetype trapped in adolescence amid her parents' volatile dynamic.[17] Bass's casting was revealed on October 5, 2021.[17] For season 2, the role was recast with Delainey Hayles due to a variety of unforeseen circumstances that prevented Bass from returning.[18] Hayles joined the production in March 2023, continuing Claudia's portrayal as the defiant offspring whose frustrations with her immortal limitations strain the coven's bonds.[18] Eric Bogosian portrays Daniel Molloy, the investigative journalist who interviews Louis in 2022 Dubai, revealing a complex history with the vampires including his own transformation. Bogosian's casting was announced on March 17, 2022.[19] Assad Zaman depicts Rashid, Louis's devoted human companion in the present-day Dubai storyline, who is later revealed to be the ancient vampire Armand, Louis's lover with a centuries-old history of trauma and control.[20] Zaman was announced for the dual role on March 4, 2022.[20] This layered character underscores the series' exploration of deception and enduring romantic entanglements within the vampire world, bridging Louis's past and present narratives.Recurring
The recurring cast of Interview with the Vampire features supporting actors who portray family members, lovers, and coven affiliates, appearing in multiple episodes to deepen the series' exploration of human-vampire tensions and ensemble dynamics. These roles often highlight brief but impactful arcs that intersect with the protagonists' journeys, such as familial loss or coven rivalries. In season 1, Louis de Pointe du Lac's human family provides crucial context for his transformation and lingering guilt. Steven Norfleet plays Paul de Pointe du Lac, Louis' devout brother whose mental health struggles and tragic suicide in 1915 prompt Louis to seek immortality from Lestat. [21] Kalyne Coleman portrays Grace de Pointe du Lac, Louis' pragmatic sister who embodies the familial responsibilities he abandons after turning. [21] Rae Dawn Chong recurs as Florence de Pointe du Lac, Louis' widowed mother, whose interactions in early episodes underscore the racial and social pressures of 1910s New Orleans. [21] Additionally, Maura Grace Athari appears as Antoinette Brown, the jazz singer who becomes Lestat's human companion and later a vampire, fueling conflicts within the core vampire household across several episodes. [21] Luke Brandon Field provides continuity as the young Daniel Molloy, depicting the journalist's 1970s encounters with Louis and Armand in flashback sequences that span both seasons and reveal Daniel's early immersion in the vampire world. [22] Season 2 introduces key coven figures from the Théâtre des Vampires in 1940s Paris, expanding the supernatural ensemble. Ben Daniels stars as Santiago (born Francis), the theatrical coven's ambitious director and enforcer, whose suspicion toward newcomers Louis and Claudia drives antagonistic plotlines; Daniels was cast in the series regular role in March 2023. [23] Roxane Duran plays Madeleine Eparvier, a resilient dressmaker who forms a romantic bond with Claudia, offering a poignant human perspective on love amid the coven's dangers in the season's latter half. [24]Season 3
For season 3, subtitled The Vampire Lestat and set to premiere in 2026, several new cast members were announced in 2025. At San Diego Comic-Con on July 26, 2025, the following additions were revealed: Jennifer Ehle as Gabrielle, Lestat's mother; Christopher Heyerdahl as Marius, an ancient vampire mentor; Damien Atkins as Magnus, Lestat's maker; Ella Ballentine as Baby Jenks, a fledgling vampire; and Jeanine Serrallés as Christine, a coven member.[25] Additional cast announced on October 10, 2025, at New York Comic-Con include Sheila Atim as Akasha, the ancient queen; Noah Reid in an undisclosed role; Ryan Kiera Armstrong as a young vampire; Alexandra Daddario as a supporting character; and Arinzé Kene in a recurring role.[26] These performers contribute to the series' layered portrayal of vampire society, with their characters often serving as foils or emotional anchors for the leads in multi-episode arcs.Episodes
Series overview
Interview with the Vampire is an American gothic horror television series developed by Rolin Jones for AMC, based on Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles. The series was initially ordered as a seven-episode first season on June 24, 2021. It was renewed for an eight-episode second season on September 28, 2022, ahead of the first season's premiere. AMC renewed the series for a third season of six episodes on June 26, 2024, subtitled The Vampire Lestat and scheduled to premiere in 2026. Although structured around the central interview framing device, the show presents a continuous narrative across seasons, with each installment advancing the immortal lives of its vampire protagonists.) The following table provides an overview of the seasons, including episode counts and original air dates on AMC and AMC+:| Season | No. of episodes | Original release dates | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | October 2 – November 13, 2022 | AMC / AMC+ |
| 2 | 8 | May 12 – June 30, 2024 | AMC / AMC+ |
| 3 | 6 | 2026 (TBA) | AMC / AMC+ |
Season 1 (2022)
The first season of Interview with the Vampire consists of seven episodes that aired weekly on AMC and AMC+ from October 2 to November 13, 2022.[7] The narrative unfolds across dual timelines: the present day in 2022 Dubai, where the vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson) grants an interview to journalist Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian), revealing fragments of his immortal life and regrets; and flashbacks to 1910s New Orleans, where Louis, a successful Black businessman and proprietor of a brothel amid the racial tensions of the Jim Crow era, encounters the seductive vampire Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid).[27] Their intense relationship leads Louis to embrace vampirism, transforming his existence into one of eternal night, bloodlust, and moral conflict.[3] To form a vampire family, Louis and Lestat turn the precocious 14-year-old Claudia (Bailey Bass), an orphaned Black girl, granting her immortality but trapping her in a child's body, which fuels her intellectual and emotional growth alongside mounting resentment toward Lestat's possessive and abusive dominance.[28] The season explores the fraught dynamics of this makeshift coven, including Louis's struggle to reconcile his human empathy and racial identity with vampiric instincts, Claudia's quest for agency and maturity, and the couple's navigation of New Orleans' underworld, jazz scene, and encounters with older vampires who enforce rigid laws against fledglings.[29] Racial undertones permeate Louis's story, highlighting the intersections of immortality, sexuality, and segregation in early 20th-century America. The arc builds to escalating family tensions, culminating in Claudia and Louis's desperate bid to sever Lestat's influence through violence, after which Louis departs New Orleans in search of other vampires, including a figure named Armand. In the Dubai frame, the interview exposes omissions in Louis's prior accounts and hints at deeper betrayals.[28] The pilot episode, directed by Alan Taylor, establishes the series' opulent gothic tone, lush period visuals, and themes of love, power, and monstrosity through its introduction of the core vampire trio and the interview format.[30] With episodes averaging 55 minutes, the season emphasizes the origin story's emotional and psychological depths over action, using New Orleans' vibrant yet perilous setting to underscore the characters' isolation and desires.[31]Episode list
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | In Throes of Increasing Wonder... | Alan Taylor | Rolin Jones | October 2, 2022 | In 2022 Dubai, Louis begins his interview with Daniel, flashing back to 1910 New Orleans where he meets the vampire Lestat in the city's seedy underbelly, igniting a dangerous attraction.[30] |
| 2 | 2 | ...After the Phantoms of Your Former Self | Alan Taylor | Rolin Jones | October 9, 2022 | Louis grapples with his transformation into a vampire under Lestat's tutelage, learning the rules and costs of immortality while navigating his family's suspicions and his own crisis of faith.[32] |
| 3 | 3 | Is My Very Nature That of a Devil | Keith Powell | Rolin Jones & Hannah Moscovitch | October 16, 2022 | As Louis struggles to retain his humanity amid vampiric urges, tensions rise with Lestat over their lifestyle, and external threats from the city's dangers force a confrontation.[33] |
| 4 | 4 | ...The Ruthless Pursuit of Blood with All a Child's Demanding | Keith Powell | Eleanor Burgess | October 23, 2022 | Louis and Lestat turn Claudia into a vampire to join their family, but her adjustment to eternity reveals cracks in their bond as she embraces her new powers with fierce independence. |
| 5 | 5 | A Vile Hunger for Your Hammering Heart | Levan Akin | Hannah Moscovitch | October 30, 2022 | Claudia's explorations and curiosities challenge Louis and Lestat's control, igniting explosive conflicts that expose the family's fragility and Lestat's jealousy. |
| 6 | 6 | Like Angels Put in Hell by God | Levan Akin | Coline Abert | November 6, 2022 | Efforts to integrate Lestat into family life falter as his interference pushes Claudia and Louis to their limits, leading to desperate measures amid coven politics.[34] |
| 7 | 7 | The Thing Lay Still | Alexis Ostrander | Rolin Jones & Ben Philippe | November 13, 2022 | Claudia's secret plan against Lestat unfolds, testing loyalties and ending in a bloody reckoning, while the Dubai interview uncovers Louis's path forward. |
Season 2 (2024)
Season 2 continues the story from Louis de Pointe du Lac's interview with journalist Daniel Molloy in present-day Dubai, delving deeper into Louis and Claudia's post-New Orleans odyssey across Europe in the 1940s. Following their attempt to kill Lestat at the end of season 1, the duo arrives in war-ravaged Paris seeking companionship among other vampires, only to encounter the enigmatic Théâtre des Vampires, a performance troupe led by the ancient vampire Armand.[35] The season explores themes of isolation, desire, and betrayal through interwoven timelines, with the Dubai frame narrative intensifying as revelations about Louis's past and Daniel's own history unfold.[35] The plot centers on Louis and Claudia's integration into the coven at the Théâtre des Vampires, where Claudia pursues greater autonomy amid the group's rigid hierarchies and theatrical deceptions of human audiences. Armand, portrayed as a seductive and manipulative 500-year-old vampire, draws Louis into a passionate yet destructive romance that reshapes their immortal lives.[35] Meanwhile, visions and memories of Lestat haunt Louis, highlighting the enduring toxicity of their bond, while the season jumps to the 1970s to reveal Lestat's transformation into a flamboyant rock star in San Francisco, setting up further conflicts.[36] Key events include Claudia's growing disillusionment with coven life, leading to forbidden relationships and a dramatic trial before the vampire council, culminating in a fiery climax that tests loyalties and leaves Lestat's ultimate fate ambiguous.[35] The season features a recasting of Claudia, with Delainey Hayles taking over the role from Bailey Bass to reflect the character's physical maturation over the decades-spanning narrative.[18] This change expands the ensemble, introducing new recurring characters like Armand (Assad Zaman) and coven members such as Santiago (Ben Daniels) and Madeleine (Roxane Duran), who befriend Claudia and amplify the season's focus on found family and coven dynamics.[35]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 1 | What Can the Damned Really Say to the Damned? | Craig Zisk | Hannah Moscovitch | May 12, 2024 | 64 min |
| 9 | 2 | Do You Know What It Means to Be Loved by Death | Levan Akin | Jonathan Ceniceroz & Shane Munson | May 19, 2024 | 55 min |
| 10 | 3 | No Pain | Levan Akin | Heather Bellson | May 26, 2024 | 58 min |
| 11 | 4 | I Want You More Than Anything in the World | Levan Akin | Coline Abert & A. Zell Williams | June 2, 2024 | 60 min |
| 12 | 5 | Don't Be Afraid, Just Start the Tape | Craig Zisk | Jonathan Ceniceroz & Hannah Moscovitch | June 9, 2024 | 56 min |
| 13 | 6 | Like the Light by Which God Made the World Before He Made Light | Emma Freeman | Hannah Moscovitch & Shane Munson | June 16, 2024 | 59 min |
| 14 | 7 | I Could Not Prevent It | Emma Freeman | Kevin Hanna & Rolin Jones | June 23, 2024 | 61 min |
| 15 | 8 | And That's the End of It. There's Nothing Else | Levan Akin | Rolin Jones | June 30, 2024 | 67 min |
Season 3 (2026)
The third season of Interview with the Vampire, retitled Anne Rice's The Vampire Lestat, was renewed by AMC on June 26, 2024, ahead of the second season's premiere.[5] The season consists of six episodes and is scheduled to premiere in 2026 on AMC and AMC+.[38] At San Diego Comic-Con in July 2025, the title change was announced, shifting focus to Lestat as the central protagonist, adapting elements from Anne Rice's second novel in The Vampire Chronicles series.[25] The plot centers on Lestat's perspective, exploring his origins from 18th-century France through his experiences in 19th-century America, retelling events from prior seasons while incorporating crossovers with Louis and other characters.[25] Teasers revealed at Comic-Con depicted Lestat in a rockstar persona, alongside tense interactions including a confrontation between Louis and Lestat, and discussions about the consequences of Louis's published memoir from season 2.[25] Principal photography began on June 20, 2025, in Toronto, Canada, and wrapped on October 24, 2025, with no further updates on the premiere date as of November 2025.[39][40] Sam Reid reprises his role as Lestat de Lioncourt in a lead capacity, with returning cast members including Jacob Anderson as Louis de Pointe du Lac, Delainey Hayles as Claudia, and Assad Zaman as Armand.[25] New additions announced at Comic-Con include Jennifer Ehle as Lestat's mother Gabrielle, Damien Atkins as the ancient vampire Magnus who turns Lestat, Christopher Heyerdahl as Marius, Jeanine Serralles as Christine Claire, and Ella Ballentine as Baby Jenks.[25] Further casting expansions were revealed in October 2025, including Sheila Atim in a recurring role.[26]Production
Development
In May 2020, AMC Networks acquired the rights to Anne Rice's expansive literary catalog, including the 18 titles comprising The Vampire Chronicles and The Lives of the Mayfair Witches, with plans to develop prestige television adaptations.[41] This acquisition followed the stalled development of a film reboot at Universal Pictures, directed by Josh Boone, which had been announced in 2016 but ultimately did not materialize due to creative and logistical hurdles.[42] AMC greenlit Interview with the Vampire as an ongoing series in June 2021, positioning it as the flagship of a shared "Immortal Universe" to adapt the full scope of Rice's interconnected vampire lore beyond a single installment.[43] Rolin Jones was appointed showrunner, drawing on his prior work in prestige dramas, while Mark Johnson, an Oscar winner known for Breaking Bad, was hired to oversee the broader franchise development.[44] The initial order was for eight episodes in the first season, emphasizing a serialized narrative that expands on the 1976 novel's themes of immortality and desire. In September 2022, ahead of the series premiere, AMC renewed it for an eight-episode second season, reflecting early confidence in its potential.[45] The series faced minimal disruptions following Anne Rice's death on December 11, 2021, as rights had been secured prior and her son, Christopher Rice, endorsed the adaptations while serving as an executive producer. In June 2024, AMC announced a third-season renewal just before the second-season finale, continuing the momentum of the Immortal Universe, which now includes spin-offs like Mayfair Witches. In July 2025, at San Diego Comic-Con, the third season was retitled Anne Rice's The Vampire Lestat to align with its focus on the second novel in the chronicles.[46][47]Writing
The writing for the AMC television series Interview with the Vampire was spearheaded by showrunner and head writer Rolin Jones, who developed the project based on Anne Rice's novel of the same name.[48] The writing staff included acclaimed playwright Hannah Moscovitch as a key contributor and co-executive producer, alongside other writers drawn from theater backgrounds to capture the gothic, dialogue-heavy essence of Rice's work.[49] For season 1, the scripts were fully completed prior to the start of filming in 2022, allowing for a structured adaptation that split the events of Rice's first Vampire Chronicles novel across eight episodes while incorporating a modern framing device with the interview format.[50] The writing process emphasized non-linear episode drafting to align with the nonlinear timelines in Rice's books, enabling writers to weave flashbacks and present-day sequences seamlessly.[50] In season 2, which aired in 2024, the scripts expanded on elements from the latter half of the novel, including greater focus on Armand's backstory and the Théâtre des Vampires as a central setting, while adapting post-Anne Rice's passing in 2021 under oversight from her estate and son Christopher Rice, who served as an executive producer.[49] These expansions involved fleshing out minor book characters like Santiago into more prominent roles to heighten dramatic tension.[50] For season 3, announced in 2024 and slated for 2026 under the subtitle The Vampire Lestat, the outline draws directly from Rice's second novel in the series, shifting the narrative perspective to Lestat while continuing the interview bookends.[51] Episodes across seasons typically run 50 to 60 minutes and are structured around the recurring interview framework, with Louis recounting his story to journalist Daniel Molloy, punctuated by present-day developments in Dubai.[50] Scripts underwent revisions to address sensitivity around queer and racial themes, such as refining the depiction of Claudia's arc to balance emotional depth with historical context without gratuitous elements.[50] Jones shared early drafts with lead actors like Jacob Anderson and Sam Reid for feedback, incorporating their insights to refine character motivations.[49] Unique aspects of the writing included allowances for limited improvisation during rehearsals, leveraging the cast's theater training to enhance dialogue delivery, particularly in theatrical sequences like the season 2 trial scenes.[49] Post-production tweaks were applied to season 2 for pacing, such as adjusting sound design and editing in key scenes like the hurricane reunion to amplify emotional impact and maintain narrative flow.[50]Casting
Casting for the AMC series Interview with the Vampire commenced in 2021, with announcements for the lead roles highlighting a deliberate emphasis on chemistry and authenticity. Sam Reid was cast as Lestat de Lioncourt in July 2021, followed by Jacob Anderson—recognized from his role in Game of Thrones—as Louis de Pointe du Lac in August 2021, after the pair underwent chemistry reads to ensure their dynamic captured the central romantic tension. Bailey Bass joined as Claudia in October 2021, selected for her vibrant portrayal of the character's precocious vitality as a young vampire trapped in adolescence.[52][53] Challenges arose with recasting for season 2, primarily due to time constraints and actor availability. Bailey Bass departed the role of Claudia citing "a variety of unforeseen circumstances," often attributed to her aging out of the teenage appearance required for the eternally youthful vampire, compounded by scheduling conflicts from her commitments to the Avatar sequels. Delainey Hayles was announced as her replacement in March 2023, taking on Claudia for both present-day scenes and 1920s flashbacks to maintain narrative continuity.[18][54] For season 2, additional casting focused on expanding the Théâtre des Vampires ensemble, with Ben Daniels secured as the antagonistic Santiago in March 2023 through a targeted audition process that emphasized his theatrical intensity. Returning cast members like Anderson and Reid were reconfirmed, while season 3—retitled The Vampire Lestat—saw returns for core actors including Reid, Anderson, Delainey Hayles as Claudia (in flashback or visionary sequences), and Assad Zaman, alongside new additions announced at New York Comic Con on October 10, 2025, such as Sheila Atim as Akasha.[23][26] The production prioritized diversity in casting to reflect the story's themes of otherness, selecting actors of color for lead roles like Anderson's Louis—a Black queer man navigating 1910s New Orleans—and Bass/Hayles' Claudia, while favoring queer performers such as Reid and Zaman for authentic depictions of immortal relationships. These choices, negotiated with AMC Studios, aligned with showrunner Rolin Jones' vision to amplify the source material's queer and racial undertones without backlash, distinguishing it from more contentious adaptations.[55]Filming
Principal photography for the first season of Interview with the Vampire primarily took place in New Orleans, Louisiana, from December 2021 to May 2022, chosen to capture the authentic early 20th-century atmosphere central to the story's setting.[57] The pilot episode was filmed earlier that summer in New Orleans, directed by Alan Taylor.[58] Interiors depicting the present-day Dubai sequences were constructed on soundstages, allowing for controlled environments to portray the luxurious apartment where Louis recounts his story.[59] For season two, production shifted internationally, with filming in Prague, Czech Republic, from April to November 2023, utilizing Barrandov Studios and city locations to represent the Théâtre des Vampires in 1920s Paris.[60] The shoot returned to New Orleans for additional scenes, maintaining continuity with the series' origins.[61] Extended COVID-19 protocols, including testing and masking requirements, contributed to a prolonged schedule amid ongoing health concerns.[62] The 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike halted filming in July, delaying post-production until the labor dispute resolved.[62] Season three began principal photography in Toronto, Canada, on June 20, 2025, focusing on historical settings in France and America, and wrapped on October 24, 2025. Season 3 consists of 6 episodes.[63][64] Soundstages were extensively used to build period-accurate sets, accommodating the season's expansive narrative scope. Across all seasons, night shoots were a staple to evoke the nocturnal vampire aesthetic, often spanning multiple consecutive nights for key sequences like action and horror elements.[65] The production allocated significant budget toward practical effects, including makeup and prosthetics by artists like Howard Berger, to achieve visceral, on-set transformations without heavy reliance on CGI.[66] Casting changes, such as recasting Claudia after season one, briefly adjusted shoot schedules to accommodate new actors' availability.Design and music
The production design for Interview with the Vampire was led by Mara LePere-Schloop, who crafted immersive sets that evoke the gothic opulence of Anne Rice's world. For the first season, set in early 20th-century New Orleans, LePere-Schloop designed lavish mansions inspired by the city's historic Storyville district, incorporating period-appropriate details like ornate ironwork and dimly lit interiors to heighten the series' sensual and decadent atmosphere.[67] In the second season, the Théâtre des Vampires was constructed as a multi-level, raw-brick theater space using practical elements such as repurposed industrial platforms and sacrilegious statues, enhanced with projection mapping to create illusory backdrops that blur the line between performance and reality.[68] The design emphasized practical effects for bloodletting scenes, with special makeup artist Howard Berger developing viscous, realistic blood formulas and prosthetics for wounds, prioritizing tactile authenticity over digital enhancements to immerse viewers in the vampires' visceral existence.[69] Costume designer Carol Cutshall drew from historical references to outfit the characters in period attire that mirrors their emotional and immortal arcs across the early 1900s. In seasons one and two, spanning the 1910s and 1920s, costumes featured tailored suits for Louis with subtle aging fabrics to reflect his inner turmoil, while Lestat's wardrobe evolved from flamboyant velvet ensembles to sharper modernist silhouettes, underscoring his charismatic reinvention.[70] Cutshall incorporated diverse influences, such as Jazz Age silhouettes for Claudia's youthful rebellion and European opulence for the Parisian coven, using custom-dyed silks and leathers to convey sensuality and otherworldliness. For the upcoming third season, previews indicate a shift to 18th-century French Rococo styles, with powdered wigs, brocades, and corseted gowns tailored for Lestat's origin story in pre-Revolutionary France, blending historical accuracy with vampiric extravagance.[71] Visual effects were employed sparingly to maintain a grounded horror aesthetic, with companies like DNEG handling key sequences such as vampire transformations. DNEG's work focused on subtle enhancements for moments like fang extensions and rapid healing, using motion capture and matte paintings to integrate seamlessly with live-action footage.[72] Lighting design complemented these effects, with cinematographers such as Jesse M. Feldman employing chiaroscuro techniques—deep shadows and ethereal glows from candlelight and moonlight—to symbolize the vampires' eternal yet isolated immortality, often avoiding heavy CGI in favor of practical sources like fog machines and colored gels.[73] The series' music, composed by Daniel Hart, weaves a lush, orchestral score that amplifies Rice's themes of eroticism and melancholy. Hart's soundtracks for seasons one and two feature strings and percussion evoking New Orleans jazz and European classical motifs, with recurring themes like the haunting "Come to Me" underscoring intimate vampire bonds through swelling, sensual melodies performed by a 49-piece Viennese orchestra.[74] Original songs integrate narrative elements, such as ethereal ballads reflecting Lestat's charisma, while the score's dynamic shifts—from dissonant stings during feeds to lyrical interludes—mirror the characters' dual natures of beauty and savagery. For season three, Hart has teased rock-infused tracks for Lestat's modern persona, including the single "Long Face," blending glam elements with gothic undertones to echo Rice's portrayal of vampiric allure.[75]Release
Distribution
The series premiered in the United States on AMC and the streaming service AMC+ on October 2, 2022, with the first season consisting of seven weekly episodes.[3] The second season followed a similar broadcast model, debuting on AMC and AMC+ on May 12, 2024, also spanning eight episodes released weekly.[76] The third season is scheduled for release in 2026 exclusively on AMC and AMC+, continuing the pattern of linear television airing alongside on-demand streaming availability.[4] Internationally, the series became available through a global rollout of AMC+ starting in late 2022, enabling access in multiple territories including Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific regions shortly after its U.S. debut.[77] In the United Kingdom, BBC acquired the rights in September 2023, airing the first season on BBC Two with episodes available on BBC iPlayer for on-demand viewing. Season 2 aired on BBC Two starting August 1, 2024, with episodes available on BBC iPlayer.[78][79] Australian audiences accessed the series via the streaming platform Stan, with both seasons made available following their U.S. premieres.[80] Home media releases for the series have been handled by RLJE Films in North America. The first season was issued on Blu-ray and DVD on September 26, 2023, featuring all episodes along with bonus content such as behind-the-scenes featurettes. The second season followed on October 8, 2024, in both formats, while a combined Season 1 and 2 box set was released on October 7, 2024, emphasizing the series' streaming-first origins with digital purchase options integrated.[81] Episodes were distributed in a weekly format on AMC for traditional television viewers, while AMC+ offered immediate streaming access to new installments upon airing, allowing for partial binge-watching; full seasons became available for complete binges post-finale. Production timelines adhered closely to planned schedules, with no significant distribution delays reported beyond industry-wide disruptions from the 2023 writers' and actors' strikes, which postponed Season 2's premiere from an initial 2023 target.[7]Marketing
The marketing campaign for the first season of Interview with the Vampire began building anticipation with the debut of an exclusive trailer at San Diego Comic-Con in 2022, showcasing the series' gothic horror elements and romantic entanglements between the immortal characters.[82] Subsequent trailers released in September 2022 further emphasized the lush, atmospheric visuals and themes of eternal love and torment, drawing viewers into the seductive world of vampires Louis, Lestat, and Claudia.[83] Promotional posters featured striking imagery with blood motifs, such as dripping crimson accents symbolizing the vampires' predatory nature and emotional intensity, which helped establish the series' dark, romantic aesthetic across social media and print media.[84] For the second season, marketing shifted focus to the narrative's expansion into 1940s Paris and the recasting of Claudia with Delainey Hayles, using teasers and panels at San Diego Comic-Con 2023 to highlight these changes and introduce the Théâtre des Vampires storyline. The Comic-Con panel featured cast members including Jacob Anderson, Sam Reid, and Hayles, who discussed the season's exploration of Louis's European adventures and the evolving coven dynamics, generating buzz through live audience interactions and exclusive footage.[85] Trailers released during the event underscored the opulent Parisian setting and interpersonal tensions, while character-specific posters depicted the leads in period attire amid shadowy, theatrical backdrops to evoke the season's blend of glamour and horror.[86] Season 3's promotional efforts escalated with October 2025 announcements confirming the season's rebranding as The Vampire Lestat and its focus on Lestat's backstory, including his rise as a rock star in a modern reinterpretation.[87] Following the filming wrap in October 2025, Lestat-centric teasers debuted at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, featuring Sam Reid in electrifying performances that teased the season's musical elements and Lestat's charismatic dominance. An extended first look was released in October 2025, and a new teaser titled "The Lamp and the Fern" debuted on November 7, 2025, building excitement for the 2026 premiere.[88][89][90] These promotions, including behind-the-scenes glimpses shared on official channels, positioned the season as a bold evolution in the Immortal Universe.[64] Broader marketing strategies across seasons included cross-promotions with the related series Mayfair Witches, such as bundled merchandise offerings and joint announcements under the Anne Rice Immortal Universe banner to leverage shared fanbases.[91] Official merchandise encompassed vinyl soundtracks composed by Daniel Hart, with Season 1's release in 2022 featuring original scores and a vocal track performed by Reid, while Season 2's 2024 edition expanded with 34 tracks capturing the Parisian intrigue.[92] Efforts also emphasized the series' queer representation through targeted promotions on platforms like AMC+, highlighting the central romantic and identity themes in trailers and social media campaigns to engage LGBTQ+ audiences.[93]Reception
Critical response
The AMC series Interview with the Vampire has received widespread critical acclaim for its adaptation of Anne Rice's novel, earning a 98% Tomatometer score for season 1 based on 83 reviews and a 100% score for season 2 from 77 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.[31][94] On Metacritic, season 1 holds an 80/100 score from 30 critics, while season 2 scores 89/100 from 14 reviews, reflecting an overall average of approximately 83/100 across both seasons.[95][96] Critics have praised the series for its sophisticated writing, standout performances, and unflinching exploration of queer themes, positioning it as a bold reinvention of the vampire genre that elevates horror television through emotional depth and visual splendor.[31][97][98] Season 1 garnered acclaim for its emotional intimacy and the palpable chemistry between leads Jacob Anderson as Louis de Pointe du Lac and Sam Reid as Lestat de Lioncourt, which critics described as sizzling and central to the show's homoerotic core.[99][100] Reviewers highlighted the season's faithful yet expansive take on Rice's gothic opus, blending sensuality, horror, and humor with breathtaking aesthetics and strong character development.[31] Some noted minor pacing issues due to its seven-episode structure, which occasionally strained the narrative between intimate family dynamics and broader world-building.[101] In season 2, critics lauded the bolder visuals and new Parisian settings, which amplified the series' extravagant, unabashedly queer storytelling and vivid characterizations.[94] Delainey Hayles' performance as Claudia was particularly celebrated for its grace and emotional range, bringing fresh intensity to the character's tragic arc as a vampire eternally trapped in a child's body.[102][103] However, a few critiques pointed to a rushed finale, where key deaths and revelations felt compressed, potentially due to uncertainty over renewal.[104][105] Across both seasons, reviewers frequently compared the series favorably to Rice's original work, noting how it honors the source material while making explicit the subtext of queer desire and racial dynamics in vampiric immortality.[95][106] The show has been credited with revitalizing the horror genre by intertwining violence with eroticism and intersectional perspectives on race and sexuality, drawing diverse critical voices that appreciate its messy, thrilling allegory for marginalized experiences.[107][100][98]Viewership
The first season of Interview with the Vampire premiered on October 2, 2022, drawing 1.2 million total viewers across AMC and AMC+ in live-plus-three-day metrics, marking the network's strongest premiere for a new series since 2017.[108] The season averaged 490,000 viewers per episode in live-plus-same-day measurements, with the series topping charts as the #1 new program on AMC+ during its run.[109] This performance contributed to a significant boost in streaming engagement, as the premiere episode drove AMC+ to its highest single-day viewership at the time.[110] Season 2, which aired from May to June 2024, experienced a decline in linear television viewership amid industry-wide shifts toward streaming. The premiere episode garnered 166,000 viewers and a 0.04 rating in the 18-49 demographic in live-plus-same-day data, representing a notable drop from season 1's averages.[111] Despite the dip in traditional metrics, the season maintained strong retention on AMC+, buoyed by its dedicated fanbase, and subsequent episodes showed modest week-over-week growth, such as the finale reaching 291,000 viewers.[112]| Season | Premiere Viewers (Live+3 where noted) | Average Viewers per Episode (Live+SD) | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (2022) | 1.2 million | 490,000 | #1 new series on AMC+; boosted platform streaming highs.[108][109] |
| 2 (2024) | 166,000 | Not fully reported (episodes ranged 166,000–291,000) | Linear decline offset by streaming retention.[111][112] |
Accolades
Interview with the Vampire has received recognition from various awards bodies, particularly for its gothic horror elements, LGBTQ+ representation, and technical achievements, accumulating over 40 nominations and several wins across its first two seasons as of 2025.[114] The series earned acclaim in genre-specific categories like the Saturn Awards and Dorian TV Awards, while also securing nods from mainstream outlets such as the Critics Choice Awards and Primetime Emmys, though it has yet to win major acting or series honors at the latter. Season 3 accolades remain pending, with production ongoing for a 2026 release.Season 1 (2022)
The first season garnered nominations highlighting its debut impact in drama and horror genres. At the 34th GLAAD Media Awards in 2023, it was nominated for Outstanding New TV Series, celebrating its positive portrayal of LGBTQ+ themes.[115] In the 3rd Critics Choice Super Awards (2023), the series received three nominations: Best Horror Series, Best Actor in a Horror Series for Jacob Anderson as Louis de Pointe du Lac, and Best Villain in a Series for Sam Reid as Lestat de Lioncourt.[116] It also earned a nomination for Best Horror Television Series at the 51st Saturn Awards. Technical aspects were noted in a nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Drama at the 2023 TCA Awards.[117]Season 2 (2024)
Season 2 built on prior momentum, securing multiple wins in horror and LGBTQ+-focused awards. The series won Best Horror Television Series at the 52nd Saturn Awards in 2025, recognizing its elevated storytelling and production values.[118] At the 2024 Dorian TV Awards, presented by GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics, it claimed three honors: TV Drama of the Year, LGBTQ Show of the Year, and Genre Show of the Year (tied), underscoring its cultural resonance.[119] For acting, Delainey Hayles received a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series as Claudia.[114] In mainstream awards, the 30th Critics Choice Awards (2025) nominated the series for Best Drama Series and Sam Reid for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.[120] At the 36th GLAAD Media Awards (2025), it was nominated for Outstanding Drama Series.[121]Technical and Other Categories
Technical nominations dominated the series' 2025 Primetime Emmy submissions, with the show entering 24 categories for Season 2 but securing two: Outstanding Period or Fantasy/Sci-Fi Hairstyling for the episode "No Pain" and Outstanding Period or Fantasy/Sci-Fi Makeup (Non-Prosthetic) for "Do You Know What It Means to Be Loved by Death." Additional nods include visual effects and score in various genre awards, contributing to the series' total of over 15 major nominations across acting, technical, and overall categories.[122]| Award Body | Year | Category | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLAAD Media Awards | 2023 | Outstanding New TV Series | Nomination | Season 1[115] |
| GLAAD Media Awards | 2025 | Outstanding Drama Series | Nomination | Season 2[121] |
| Critics Choice Super Awards | 2023 | Best Horror Series | Nomination | Season 1[116] |
| Critics Choice Awards | 2025 | Best Drama Series | Nomination | Season 2[120] |
| Saturn Awards | 2025 | Best Horror Television Series | Win | Season 2[118] |
| Dorian TV Awards | 2024 | TV Drama of the Year | Win | Season 2[119] |
| Primetime Emmys | 2025 | Outstanding Period or Fantasy/Sci-Fi Hairstyling | Win | Season 2, Episode: "No Pain"[122] |
| Primetime Emmys | 2025 | Outstanding Period or Fantasy/Sci-Fi Makeup (Non-Prosthetic) | Win | Season 2, Episode: "Do You Know What It Means to Be Loved by Death"[122] |