Interview with the Vampire Season 1, is the first season of an American gothic horror and vampire television series created by Rolin Jones, based on the 1976 novel of the same name by Anne Rice. It stars Sam Reid as the vampire Lestat de Lioncourt, Jacob Anderson as his lover and protégé Louis de Pointe du Lac, Bailey Bass as teenage vampire Claudia and Eric Bogosian as journalist Daniel Molloy. The series embraces the homosexual elements of Rice’s work, which are only insinuated in 1994 film adaptation of the novel. (Wikipedia)
Interview with the Vampire Season 1 only really covers the first half of Rice’s novel and this adaptation updates the narrative for modern audiences significantly. This time round, the setting is in New Orleans of the early 20th century and Louis is now an African-American. Lestat essentially remains intact, while Claudia is similarly African-American. The race-swapping is handled quite well in line with the new setting and the grace and power of the original work is undiminished and to a certain extent, embellished.
As alluded to above, the homosexual relationship between Lestat and Louis now front and centre – presumably almost thirty years on from the film adaptation has somewhat allowed that representation to be reflected. Again, this is tastefully presented and makes the story stronger in fact. It adds another edgy layer to this tale of dominion and desire.
The seven episodes move along at an appropriate pace with the characters undergoing engaging arcs that inform the story events well. Reid is an excellent Lestat – embodying his elegant beauty and predatory instincts brilliantly – while Anderson and Bass express the conflict and dichotomy present in the vampiric existence of Louis and Claudia respectively.
Interview with the Vampire Season 1 is essential viewing for vampire horror fans. Hopefully we get a second season soon. Recommended.
Watch Interview with the Vampire on Amazon.
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