Immortal Universe

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Anne Rice's Immortal Universe
Created byAMC Networks
Original workInterview with the Vampire (2022)
OwnerAMC Networks
Years2022–present
Films and television
Television series
Miscellaneous
Based onThe Vampire Chronicles and Lives of the Mayfair Witches by Anne Rice

Anne Rice's Immortal Universe is an American

witches in the ancient and modern world. The franchise includes two television series, Interview with the Vampire and Mayfair Witches. A third is in development, focused on the Talamasca, a secret society
in Rice's novels who investigate the paranormal.

AMC coined the term "Immortal Universe" with the October 2022 release of its Interview with the Vampire series. Notable characters include the vampires

Ciprien Grieve
.

History

Novels from Rice's The Vampire Chronicles were previously adapted in the films Interview with the Vampire (1994) and Queen of the Damned (2002).[1][2] In August 2014, Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment acquired the motion picture rights to the entire Vampire Chronicles series, with producers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci signed to helm the potential film franchise.[3] In May 2016, it was reported that writer–director Josh Boone and Jill Killington had completed a script adapting Rice's Interview with the Vampire (1976) and its sequel, The Vampire Lestat (1985).[4][5]

In November 2016, Rice announced that the theatrical rights to her novels had reverted to her, and that she and her son, writer Christopher Rice, would be developing and executive producing a potential television series based on her works.[6] In April 2017, they teamed up with Paramount Television and Anonymous Content to develop a series,[7] and in early 2018, Bryan Fuller joined the project.[8] On July 17, 2018, it was announced that the series was in development at streaming service Hulu, and that Fuller had departed the production.[9] By December 2019, Hulu's rights had expired, and Rice was shopping a package combining film and TV rights to both The Vampire Chronicles and her related Lives of the Mayfair Witches series.[10] Rice was reportedly asking around $30 to $40 million, plus a $2.5 million buyout of Warner Bros.' rights, and the new owner would hold the rights in perpetuity, not just as an option.[10]

In May 2020, it was announced that

AMC Studios had acquired the rights to The Vampire Chronicles and Lives of the Mayfair Witches for developing film and television projects.[11] Rice and her son would serve as executive producers on any projects developed.[11] Rice said, "It's always been my dream to see the worlds of my two biggest series united under a single roof so that filmmakers could explore the expansive and interconnected universe of my vampires and witches. That dream is now a reality, and the result is one of the most significant and thrilling deals of my long career."[11] Rice died in December 2021.[12]

AMC coined the term "Immortal Universe" with the October 2022 release of its Interview with the Vampire series.[13][14] A second series, Mayfair Witches, debuted in January 2023.[15]

The studio created a custom font called Immortal Gothic for the franchise.[16][17][18]

Television series

Two television series make up the Immortal Universe franchise: Interview with the Vampire, and Mayfair Witches. All series in total amount to 15 episodes across two seasons of television.

SeriesSeasonEpisodesOriginally airedShowrunner(s)Status
First airedLast aired
Interview with the Vampire17October 2, 2022 (2022-10-02)November 13, 2022 (2022-11-13)Rolin JonesReleased
28[19]May 12, 2024 (2024-05-12)[20]TBAPost-production[21]
Mayfair Witches18January 8, 2023 (2023-01-08)February 26, 2023 (2023-02-26)Esta Spalding and Michelle AshfordReleased
28[22]2024 (2024)[22]TBAFilming[23]
Night Island16[24]TBATBAJonathan Ceniceroz[24]In development
Untitled Talamasca series1[25]TBATBATBAJohn Lee Hancock[26]

Interview with the Vampire (2022)

Main article: Interview with the Vampire (TV series)

In June 2021, it was announced that AMC had given a series order for Interview with the Vampire, a television adaptation of the first half of Rice's 1976 novel, executive produced by Rolin Jones and Mark Johnson.[27] On September 28, 2022, ahead of the series premiere, AMC renewed Interview with the Vampire for a second season which will cover the second half of the novel.[28][29] Season one premiered on AMC on October 2, 2022, with an advance release three days earlier on the network's streaming service, AMC+.[30]

The series stars

Madeleine.[38]

In the story, rakish vampire Lestat comes to 1910 New Orleans and seduces brothel owner Louis, who consents to being made a vampire himself. But Louis struggles with the killing of, and isolation from, humans that his survival now requires, and he grows apart from Lestat. Louis forms a bond with young vampire Claudia, but she proves to be impulsive and reckless, endangering their already fragile family unit.

Ancillary material to the first season of Interview with the Vampire included Obsessed with the Vampire, a digital post-show discussion about each new episode, and a podcast in which host Naomi Ekperigin is joined by the actors and writers from the series.[39][40]

Mayfair Witches (2023)

Main article: Mayfair Witches

In December 2021, it was reported that AMC had given a series order for Mayfair Witches, a television adaptation of Rice's 1990 novel

The Witching Hour, written and executive produced by Esta Spalding and Michelle Ashford, and executive produced by Mark Johnson.[41][42] The Interview with the Vampire series was already in production, but had not yet aired.[41][42] Mayfair Witches premiered on AMC and AMC+ on January 8, 2023.[15] On February 3, 2023, AMC renewed the series for a second season.[43]

The series stars Alexandra Daddario as neurosurgeon Rowan Mayfair,[44] Harry Hamlin as wealthy patriarch Cortland Mayfair,[45] Tongayi Chirisa as Talamasca agent and empath Ciprien Grieve,[46] and Jack Huston as the malevolent spirit Lasher.[47][48] Recurring roles include Annabeth Gish as Rowan's birth mother Deirdre Mayfair, Beth Grant as Rowan's great aunt Carlotta Mayfair, Erica Gimpel as Rowan's adopted mother Ellie Mayfair and Jen Richards as Cortland's daughter Jojo Mayfair.[46]

In the story, Rowan is shocked to learn she is the heiress to a dynasty of powerful witches haunted by a sinister entity called Lasher. As she uncovers the secrets of her new family and learns her true nature, she is surveilled, and soon assisted, by an agent of a mysterious organization called the Talamasca.

Future series

In April 2023, AMC announced The Night Island, a six-part short-form digital series written by Jonathan Ceniceroz. Centered on a luxury resort for vampires featured in Rice's 1988 novel The Queen of the Damned, the series will follow a pair of burglars attempting to steal a painting from the island who are unaware of the supernatural nature of its inhabitants.[24][49]

In April 2023, it was also announced that AMC was developing a third Immortal Universe series focused on the Talamasca, a secret society featured in Rice's Vampire Chronicles and Mayfair Witches series.[25][26] John Lee Hancock is attached to the project as showrunner and writer.[25][26]

References

  1. ^ Maslin, Janet (November 11, 1994). "Film Review: Interview with the Vampire; Rapture and Terror, Bound by Blood". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 14, 2010. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  2. ^ Haflidason, Almar (April 10, 2002). "Film of the Damned: The Tragedy Behind Queen of the Damned". BBC Online. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  3. ^ McNary, Dave (August 7, 2014). "Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles Takes Flight at Universal". Variety. Archived from the original on November 15, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  4. ^ Gallagher, Brian (May 5, 2016). "Interview with the Vampire Remake Script Is Finished". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on May 29, 2016. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  5. ^ Jones, Mike (May 5, 2016). "New Mutants Director Offers Interview With The Vampire Update". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  6. ^ Slead, Evan (November 26, 2016). "Anne Rice Plotting The Vampire Chronicles TV Series Adaptation". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 29, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  7. ^ Otterson, Joe (April 28, 2017). "Vampire Chronicles Series in Development at Paramount TV, Anonymous Content". Variety. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  8. ^ Brockington, Ariana (January 12, 2018). "Bryan Fuller Joins The Vampire Chronicles TV Series". Variety. Archived from the original on May 26, 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  9. ^ Petski, Denise (July 17, 2018). "Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles in the Works at Hulu". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
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  11. ^ a b c Otterson, Joe (May 13, 2020). "Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles, Lives of the Mayfair Witches Rights Land at AMC". Variety. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  12. ^ de los Reyes, Lisa (December 12, 2021). "Anne Rice, Author and Screenwriter of Interview With the Vampire, Dies at 80". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
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  21. ^ "'Interview with the Vampire', season 2, officially wraps Prague shoot". The Prague Reporter. November 28, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  22. ^ a b "AMC Networks Unveils Premiere Timing, New Castings and More for its Expanding Anne Rice Immortal Universe". AMC Networks. February 6, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  23. ^ "Mayfair Witches S2". Louisiana Entertainment. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  24. ^ a b c "AMC Networks Expands Successful Content Room Originals Strategy to All Formats and Platforms". AMC Networks. April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  25. ^ a b c White, Peter (April 19, 2023). "Anne Rice Spinoff Series about the Talamasca in the Works at AMC from John Lee Hancock". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  26. ^ a b c Otterson, Joe (April 19, 2023). "AMC to Develop Talamasca Series Set in Anne Rice Universe". Variety. Archived from the original on June 15, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  27. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (June 24, 2021). "Interview With the Vampire Series a Go at AMC". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
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  29. ^ Rice, Lynette (September 28, 2022). "Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire Renewed for Season 2 by AMC Ahead of Premiere". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  30. ^ Jirak, Jamie (September 29, 2022). "Interview with the Vampire Premiere Surprise Released Early on AMC+". Comicbook. Archived from the original on October 11, 2022. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  31. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (August 13, 2021). "Interview With The Vampire: Sam Reid to Play Lestat in AMC Series Based on Anne Rice's Book". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  32. ^ Petski, Denise (August 25, 2021). "Interview With The Vampire: Jacob Anderson to Play Louis in AMC Series Based on Anne Rice's Book". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on August 25, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  33. ^ Rice, Lynette (March 17, 2022). "Eric Bogosian joins Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire for AMC". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  34. ^ Petski, Denise (March 4, 2022). "Interview with the Vampire: Assad Zaman to Play Rashid in AMC Series Based on Anne Rice's Book". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 4, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
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  38. ^ Dela Paz, Maggie (July 28, 2023). "Interview with the Vampire Star Teases a 'New Partner' for Louis in Season 2". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  39. ^ "AMC Networks Builds on Successful Digital Originals Strategy with Full Slate of New and Returning Shows" (Press release). AMC Networks. April 6, 2022. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  40. ^ Codega, Linda (March 15, 2023). "Everything We Know About Anne Rice's Immortal Universe". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  41. ^ a b Mitovich, Matt Webb (December 1, 2021). "Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches Series Ordered at AMC, to Follow Launch of Interview With the Vampire in 2022". TVLine. Archived from the original on April 15, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  42. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (December 1, 2021). "Anne Rice's Lives of the Mayfair Witches Gets Series Order, Joins Interview with the Vampire on AMC". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 22, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  43. ^ Bell, BreAnna (February 3, 2023). "Mayfair Witches Renewed for Season 2 at AMC". Variety. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  44. ^ Otterson, Joe (March 16, 2022). "Alexandra Daddario to Star in Mayfair Witches Series at AMC (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on November 6, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  45. ^ Grobar, Matt (March 23, 2022). "Harry Hamlin Joins AMC's Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches as Series Regular, Boards Paramount & Endeavor Content's Tom Brady Pic 80 For Brady". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 19, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  46. ^ a b Rice, Lynette (April 28, 2022). "Anne Rice Projects at AMC Cast Annabeth Gish, Erica Gimpel, Jen Richards, Tongayi Chirisa & More". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 11, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  47. ^ Maas, Jennifer (May 6, 2022). "Jack Huston Joins AMC's Mayfair Witches as Lasher". Variety. Archived from the original on October 18, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  48. ^ Petski, Denise (May 6, 2022). "Jack Huston to Play Lasher in Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches for AMC". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 18, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  49. ^ Flook, Ray (May 22, 2023). "Anne Rice's Immortal Universe: AMC Invites You to Night Island". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
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