AMC launched a series version of Anne Rice’s Interview With The Vampire as the cornerstone of what they hope will become a franchise for them. The show garnered good reviews and a devoted fan base, but faced changes at the end of the first season when one of its main characters, Lestat de Lioncourt, was killed. Additionally, Bailey Bass had to leave the series, and Delainey Hayles became the new Claudia. Questions arose about how the show would hold up in the face of these changes.
The series opens with Louis de Pointe du Lac talking to journalist Daniel Malloy about his erratic dreams and flipping through Claudia’s diary, who claims she does not dream. Louis continues to tell his story to Daniel, now joined by Armand, who is revealed to be a vampire and Louis’ longtime companion. Despite Armand insisting that everything he says should be off the record, Daniel is disdainful and disregards Armand’s statements. The group is accompanied by “Real Rashid”, who Daniel refers to mockingly.
The story follows Louis and Claudia as they travel in Romania after killing Lestat. They search for Old World vampires, hoping to find others to relate to. Romania is believed to be vampire country, but they encounter only annoyed Russian soldiers. They meet a woman who leads them to a shelter where people hide from soldiers. After Claudia witnesses a vampire attacking soldiers, they set out to find it. Louis struggles with visions of Lestat and tries to navigate the truth with Daniel in the 21st century.
While Season 2 introduces Delainey Hayles as the new Claudia, questions arise about how the loss of Lestat will impact the story. Louis still sees visions of Lestat taunting him, but Armand’s presence may replace some of the passion from their relationship. The segments with Bogosian as Daniel provide a modern framework for the story but may offer diminishing returns. Despite the changes, the story of Louis and Claudia remains compelling enough to keep viewers engaged.
Overall, Interview With The Vampire provides a fresh take on Anne Rice’s novels, straying from the previous film adaptation. Delainey Hayles shines as the new Claudia, showcasing a more mature and determined version of the character. The series continues to explore the complexities of the vampire world and the relationships between the characters. While there may be uncertainty surrounding the changes in the show, the strong performances and intriguing narrative make it worth streaming for fans of the genre.
