Interview with the Vampire Season 2, much like the series’ first season, expands Louis’ story far beyond the particular collection of chapters it focuses on adapting. As far as whether or not the series continues to honor the source material goes, our answer to that question is too complex to really cover here. The short answer: Mostly yes — and in very important ways. The longer answer, though, is probably full of contradictions that we’ll get into after the episodes air.
Yes, those of us who know Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles know what to expect — for the most part. Then again, we’d be lying if we claimed nothing about the six episodes provided for review managed to shock us. Because, um…no, we did not see at least one major reveal coming. It’s possible we were in the ballpark with some of our guesses…but, uh. No. Jaw on the floor. That’s all we’re saying on that. Even trying to explain how this thing both fits, and doesn’t fit, here might give something away. Which we are not doing. So, don’t ask.
Here’s what we can, and will, tell you, though. For as much as we were looking forward to visiting the Théâtre des Vampires, and as protective as we are of that particular aspect of vampire history (if you will), this series doesn’t let us down. At all. And, as we may have slightly already given away when a recent teaser dropped, Ben Daniels deserves a standing ovation for his portrayal of Santiago. He is easily one of the most entertaining, yet sinister, parts of this new season and such a welcome addition to the cast.
As for our returning characters, including our initial coven of three…we have thoughts.
Some Interview with the Vampire Season 2 teases:
- We continue to believe that our problems with Claudia were not solely caused by acting choices. In fact, if acting at all played a role in what we considered missteps, it was a very minor one. With that being said, we very much prefer the interpretation we’ve seen so far in Season 2. Delainey Hayles seamlessly takes over the role. And yet, her portrayal of the
childteen vampire is so very different. Hayles’ Claudia is much more mature and in control. So, when she does let loose, it really lands. - If you loved Assad Zaman when he was giving “hints” of Armand, wait until you see him fully, officially take on the role. We are so very much in love…
- …and so is Louis. Even when that love, much like his other great love, is toxic AF. Except, like, this one’s messy in a wholly different sort of way.
- Speaking of: Just as Jacob Anderson and Sam Reid had phenomenal chemistry, so do Anderson and Zaman. Again, whatever you might have enjoyed about their scenes together when Armand was hiding in plain sight, wait until you see them now.
- If you enjoyed Eric Bogosian’s delivery on some of Daniel Molloy’s snark last season, wait until you see him after he realizes Louis and Armand were playing him for a fool all this time. So good.
- …and “all this time” means all this time…
- It’s probably no spoiler, given how much of a presence he has in all the promos released so far, to say Lestat is still with us. (In some form or another.) And to say that Sam Reid continues to be utterly flawless in this role is a gross understatement. But what even are words in the face of the Brat Prince?
- This doesn’t quite fit anywhere else, so just dropping it here: The first episode’s title is a personal favorite line among many, many beloved sentences from Rice.
Perhaps we’ll go ahead and leave you there. Lestat would be so very proud of us for teasing without revealing anything. (Or maybe he’d mock us for how terrible of a job we’re doing. Either way.)
We’ll see you back here for more when Interview with the Vampire Season 2 premieres on Sunday, May 12, on AMC and AMC+.
