Anne Rice: AMC “Anne Rice Universe” Closer to Reality With 2 Series, Vampire Chronicles, Mayfair Witches
Interview With A Vampire Series Scheduled For Production, Writers’ Room Opened For Lives Of The Mayfair Witches
AMC is moving forward with its plans to create an “Anne Rice Universe” suite of interconnected shows. First up is a series based on her popular Vampire Chronicles novels, scheduled to air next year, starring The Hunting’s Sam Reid as the vampire Lestat. Jacob Anderson (Game of Thrones, Doctor Who) will portray Louis.
“Anne Rice's 1976 novel "Interview With the Vampire" is almost single-handedly responsible for the image of vampires that dominates pop culture today…”—Mental Floss
The cable network has opened up a writers’ room for a planned series adapting her related Gothic horror trilogy Lives Of The Mayfair Witches.
“It’s always been my dream to see the worlds of my two biggest series united under a single roof,” the author remarked back when the deal was signed.
According to Deadline, the Interview with the Vampire television series, with eight episodes ordered for the first season, is set to begin production late 2021. The show will premiere on the network and streaming platform AMC+ in 2022.
Perry Mason showrunner Rolin Jones will serve in the same capacity for Interview with the Vampire. Jones will also serve as creator, writer and executive producer on the television reboot. Anne Rice, her son Christopher Rice. and Better Call Saul producer Mark Johnson will serve as executive producers along with Jones.
Star Sam Reid has dealt with many period-themed projects, including Belle, Hatfields and McCoys, The Astronaut Wives Club and The Drover’s Wife.
AMC gave the Interview with the Vampire reboot a straight-to-series order after acquiring the rights to 18 of Anne Rice’s books.
Meanwhile, potential companion show Lives Of The Mayfair Witches, also adapting her novels, would revolve around a young neurosurgeon who discovers she is the heir to a family of witches. As she grapples with her newfound powers, she must contend with a sinister presence which has haunted her family for generations.
Esta Spaulding and Michelle Ashford are both writers and executive producers of Lives Of The Mayfair Witches.
RELATED
Flashback: Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice (1976) - Monster Complex