Talamasca: The Secret Order Showrunners Reveals How Series Is Different From Other Anne Rice Shows

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The third television show in AMC Networks’ growing Anne Rice Immortal Universe is called ‘Talamasca: The Secret Order‘. This series joins the ranks of ‘Interview with the Vampire’, now known as ‘The Vampire Lestat’ in its third season, and ‘Mayfair Witches’. Fans were given a sneak peek at this new show during San Diego Comic-Con 2025 when the first trailer was unveiled. At the event, ComicBook interviewed the co-showrunners of ‘Talamasca’, John Lee Hancock and Mark Lafferty, as well as cast members Nicholas Denton (as Guy Anatole), Celine Buckens (Doris), Maisie Richardson-Sellers (Olive), and William Fichtner (Jasper) about the show. They discussed how ‘Talamasca’ differs from its predecessors.

Hancock explained, “They may share the same color palette and inhabit the same universe, but each is distinct in its own way. The Talamasca, a concept introduced by Anne Rice in her novels, doesn’t have a dedicated book to it. This gave us ample room to develop our version according to her ideas and characters associated with it. Essentially, we’ve created our own realm, while acknowledging the presence of other realms.

If you’re a fan of Anne Rice and have watched the other series, this one is definitely for you,” Lafferty continued. “However, even if you’re not a die-hard fan, you can still enjoy and understand this show on its own merit. It shares connections with the other shows but also stands independently.

Talmasca: The Secret Order Adds New Stories To Anne Rice’s Universe

Discussing whether it was harder or more liberating to develop the TV show without basing it directly on the books, the producers acknowledged that they relished the opportunity to invent new characters and narratives unbound by existing storylines. Hancock expressed that while having Anne Rice’s creation as a foundation was beneficial, he personally appreciated being able to freely create what hadn’t been developed yet. Mark can also share his thoughts on this, but for him, it was enjoyable to have the freedom to build upon what Rice had already established and bring new elements into play.

Lafferty expressed that it was extremely empowering. Moreover, it’s satisfying to realize the abundance of resources available. She has a rich collection of material to revisit whenever needed. Additionally, having Rolin Jones, who is known for creating Interview with the Vampire, and his wealth of insights, all the hard work that they put into reaching this stage was truly remarkable. However, it was also delightful to enjoy the freedom to say, “We’re not restricted by specific plot points or characters; we can forge our own path.

As a film enthusiast, I myself found it fascinating when Buckens shared that the characters they portrayed weren’t present in Rice’s books. Interestingly enough, she started reading the novels only after filming was done. She chose to keep the scripts distinct from the rest of the author’s work and instead, relied on the world Hancock and Lafferty had crafted. Lead star Denton concurred with the showrunners, expressing that this approach offered a great deal of freedom for everyone involved, primarily because it enabled us actors to contribute our own ideas about our characters. It was indeed liberating!

Denton mentioned that in previous projects, he’s worked on adaptations that feature characters from real life or books, which can be challenging for fans who are deeply invested. However, he emphasized that they were granted creative freedom by Hancock and Lafferty regarding the characters they created, allowing them to add their own touches. Denton found this process enjoyable and thrilling, and described the project as exceptionally exciting with complex characters possessing multiple dimensions.

Richardson-Sellers expressed her enthusiasm for portraying fresh characters within this well-established world, stating that the unknown elements keep things intriguing. She explained, “We receive our scripts while filming, which means we’re just as surprised by what lies ahead. So, in essence, we’re experiencing the thrill of discovery alongside you, and this unpredictability makes each interaction between characters feel fresh and lively.

Fichtner mentioned he had checked out the first two installments of Talamasca prior to encountering Hancock and Lafferty, followed by the first two seasons of Interview with the Vampire. He elaborated that this experience heightened his admiration for those early episodes of Talamasca as it offered a unique twist while retaining some eerie and captivating aspects from Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe.

The Secret Order” is categorized as a series about supernatural espionage. It comprises six episodes that focus on individuals who not only monitor but also control various supernatural beings such as vampires, witches, and other mystical creatures scattered globally.

In this rephrased version, Denton takes on the role of Guy Anatole, who is portrayed as intelligent, attractive, and seemingly ordinary, but with a unique mind. On the brink of graduating law school, he encounters a representative from the Talamasca, an enigmatic organization that monitors and safeguards us from the supernatural realm. When Guy discovers that the Talamasca has been observing him since his childhood, he becomes entangled in a world filled with secret agents and immortal beings who have so far managed to maintain a delicate equilibrium with our mortal world. However, to preserve this balance and ensure his own survival, Guy must learn to accept the shadowy, perilous aspects of his true identity.

Talamasca also stars Elizabeth McGovern (Downton Abbey) and Jason Schwartzman (Mountainhead).

Talamasca: The Secret Order debuts Sunday, October 26th, on AMC and AMC+.

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2025-08-04 19:00