Interview with the Vampire season 2: Delainey Hayles replaces Bailey Bass as Claudia

The second season of AMC’s Interview with the Vampire TV series is set to begin filming in Prague this week (before moving on to other locations like Paris and New Orleans), but before the cameras start rolling we have some unexpected casting news to report. Deadline has broken the news that Bailey Bass will not be reprising the role of teen vampire Claudia in season 2. Instead, she’s being replaced by Delainey Hayles, whose previous credits include the TV shows Too Close on ITV and Holby City on the BBC.

AMC provided the following statement: “Bailey Bass is a talented actor who did a remarkable job bringing the character of Claudia to life in Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire. For a variety of reasons, Delainey Hayles will appear as Claudia in season two. We are grateful for Bailey’s unforgettable performance in season one and wish her nothing but the best.“

Bass added: “Due to a variety of unforeseen circumstances I’m unable to return to Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire for the second season. Playing Claudia has been a dream role and an incredible ride. I wish Delainey the best of luck in taking over. I cannot wait to watch. I’m extremely appreciative of AMC, the producers, Jacob, Sam, the crew and, of course, the wonderful fans.“

Anne Rice’s novel Interview with the Vampire centers on the vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac as he relates the story of his life to a reporter, in particular how he was turned into a vampire and then mentored by Lestat de Lioncourt.

The AMC version stars Sam Reid (The Newsreader) as Lestat; Jacob Anderson (Game of Thrones) as his companion Louis de Pointe du Lac; Assad Zaman (Small Axe) as Rashid, Louis’ companion in present day; newcomer Kalyne Coleman as Louis’ sister Grace; Christian Robinson (Power Book III: Raising Kanan) as Levi, an upstanding Baptist who has won Grace’s heart; and Eric Bogosian (Talk Radio) as Daniel Molloy, an investigative journalist nearing the end of his career who’s given a second chance at the interview of a lifetime. For season 2, Ben Daniels (Foundation) joins the cast as the vampire Santiago.

Alan Taylor, who directed the Sopranos prequel The Many Saints of Newark, executive produces Interview with the Vampire and directed the first two episodes of the show. Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul producer Mark Johnson is overseeing the building of AMC’s Vampire Chronicles franchise. Rolin Jones, co-creator and showrunner on the first season of the HBO series Perry Mason, is the creator, showrunner, and writer of the Interview with the Vampire series. Jones and Johnson executive produce the show alongside Taylor. Anne Rice’s son Christopher Rice is also on board as executive producer, and Rice herself will be receiving executive producer credit as well.

Interview with the Vampire season 2 will consist of eight episodes. A premiere date has not yet been announced.

What do you think of Bailey Bass having to drop out of Interview with the Vampire and being replaced by Delainey Hayles? Share your thoughts on this news by leaving a comment below.