AMC is building a franchise out of the Vampire Chronicles novels and the Mayfair Witch books written by Anne Rice. This franchise endeavor began with the Interview with the Vampire series (read our review HERE) and continued with the Mayfair Witches series (we reviewed that HERE) – and while both of those shows have been renewed for second seasons, AMC has also announced that they’re developing a third series based on the works of Anne Rice. But this one isn’t based on a specific novel or series of novels. Instead, this one will be “set in the world of the Talamasca, a secretive organization featured in a number of Rice’s novels“.
Deadline explains, “The Talamasca, which is otherwise known as the Order of the Talamasca, features in both Rice’s The Vampire Chronicles and Lives of the Mayfair Witches. It is a secret society set up to research, watch over and keep track of the paranormal including witches, spirits, werewolves and vampires. Rice calls them ‘psychic detectives’.“
John Lee Hancock, whose credits include The Blind Side and the Stephen King adaptation Mr. Harrigan’s Phone, is writing the Talamasca series and will be serving as showrunner.
All of AMC’s Anne Rice projects are produced by AMC Studios and executive produced by Mark Johnson.
Dan McDermott, president of entertainment and AMC Studios for AMC Networks, had this to say about the Talamasca series plans: “The enthusiastic critical and fan reception to Interview and Mayfair is a great sign of what is yet to come in this immersive universe based on the works of Anne Rice. We’re excited to be in active development of the next installment in this growing franchise, written and to be showrun by the incomparable John Lee Hancock. The Talamasca is one of the most intriguing elements of Rice’s works and a connective thread through so many of her stories, the standalone and crossover potential for this third series is immense.“
I was expecting this franchise to consist more of straightforward adaptations of Rice’s novels, so I didn’t see an Order of the Talamasca series coming. What do you think of this series idea? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
Deadline notes that “Interview with the Vampire is currently in production on its second season in Prague and Mayfair Witches is set to film its second season in New Orleans later this year.”