Showrunner Bryan Fuller (HANNIBAL, AMERICAN GODS) departed Anne Rice's upcoming TV series THE VAMPIRE CHRONICLES last May, but that doesn't seem to have slowed the series' forward momentum one bit as Hulu has put the show in development. Paramount TV and Anonymous optioned the popular 11-book series last year, with plans to bring it to the small screen. Anne Rice’s son Christopher Rice will serve as executive producer alongside Anne Rice and Anonymous Content’s David Kanter and Steve Golin.
And today we have word the show has snagged its new showrunner, Dee Johnson. Christopher Rice broke the news over on Facebook, writing:
Christopher here, with an exciting update about our show. Let me start by thanking all the supporters of our ongoing journey to bring The Vampire Chronicles to television. And let me assure you that while we’ve been fairly quiet on social media of late, all the members of Team Vampire Chronicles have been working diligently behind the scenes as our development process intensifies. Today, I’m thrilled to tell you that after an exhaustive search, we’ve joined forces with the perfect showrunner, a woman of vast experience and impeccable professionalism who brings with her a deep respect for the material,” Rice wrote. “Say hello to Dee Johnson. Dee is a wildly talented and versatile writer/producer whose credits range from critically acclaimed dramas like BOSS to network hits like NASHVILLE, to the world-building, science-fiction odyssey, MARS. An openly gay woman of color, during her extensive years on name-brand shows like E.R. and THE GOOD WIFE, Dee championed the representation of minority characters, marrying diversity to smart and compelling drama and delivering it to millions of homes around the world.”
He continued:
To The Vampire Chronicles, she brings with her a deep love of the material, a sterling reputation for professionalism and vast reservoirs of experience in all aspects of the television industry, ranging from creating worlds through green-screen to finding the perfect mix of elements needed to execute the complex visions of creators from other fields. In our first meetings with Dee, she spoke with moving eloquence and clarity about the characters and relationships that define this series, their outsider perspectives and their moral dilemmas – all the elements that make The Vampire Chronicles a probing exploration of cosmic and spiritual questions perfectly suited for adaptation in the era of peak T.V. Character and texture – those are the hallmarks of her creative approach as we chart Lestat’s origin story. Exploring the psychological complexity of our vampires, while ensuring the physical production beautifully depicts the elegant and rarefied way in which our vampires see and experience the world. The Vampire Chronicles are blessed to have added such a fine writer, accomplished producer, and loyal, steadfast creative partner.
The Vampire Chronicles began with 1976’s INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, which was turned into a popular 1994 movie starring Brad Pitt as Louis and Tom Cruise as Lestat, along with Christian Slater, Kirsten Dunst, Antonio Banderas, Thandie Newton, Stephen Rea and others.
That film followed this synopsis:
Born as an 18th-century lord, Louis (Brad Pitt) is now a bicentennial vampire, telling his story to an eager biographer (Christian Slater). Suicidal after the death of his family, he meets Lestat (Tom Cruise), a vampire who persuades him to choose immortality over death and become his companion. Eventually, gentle Louis resolves to leave his violent maker, but Lestat guilts him into staying by turning a young girl (Kirsten Dunst) — whose addition to the "family" breeds even more conflict.
I'm looking forward to this new series as I think INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE is one of the better vampire movies of all-time. While we can't expect that caliber of cast to return for this Hulu series, I have no doubt that the potential show will be able to attract some massively talented, you know, talent, both in front of and behind the camera. This could be the epic horror series we have been waiting for! We'll let you know when we hear more.