In a major announcement that has excited fans of gothic horror and Anne Rice’s iconic novels, AMC has officially confirmed that the next season of its Interview with the Vampire series will be titled The Vampire Lestat, shifting the focus of the story entirely to the enigmatic antihero, Lestat de Lioncourt. With production already underway and a release window set for 2026, this marks the bold next chapter in AMC’s expanding Immortal Universe.
From Interview to Icon: The Vampire Lestat Takes the Spotlight
The rebranding of the hit show from Interview with the Vampire to The Vampire Lestat isn’t just cosmetic—it signifies a major narrative shift. As revealed at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, this third season will explore the second novel in The Vampire Chronicles, focusing on Lestat’s perspective after the events depicted by Louis and journalist Daniel Molloy.
Lestat, famously played by Sam Reid, was first introduced to audiences as the dark and seductive vampire in Interview with the Vampire. Now, Reid returns as the central figure in this new season, portraying Lestat not only as a powerful immortal but also as a 20th-century rock star determined to tell his own story.
Jared Leto Vibes? Lestat Becomes a Rockstar
In a twist that has both thrilled and intrigued longtime fans, The Vampire Lestat adaptation introduces Lestat as a flamboyant musician and public figure. Tired of how others have told his story, Lestat forms a band, records music, and prepares for a public debut that shocks both the vampire and human worlds. It’s a modern update that echoes the wild energy of 1980s glam rock—and might remind fans of real-world personas like Jared Leto’s.
Showrunner Rolin Jones described the new season as “a Fellini-ass fever dream of ego, ambition, and blood,” with Lestat reclaiming his narrative through performance, spectacle, and rebellion. This is not the brooding villain of the past—but a vampire transformed by fame, trauma, and timeless hunger.
Returning Favorites and New Blood
In addition to Sam Reid, the show will bring back fan favorites including Jacob Anderson as Louis, Assad Zaman as Armand, and Eric Bogosian as journalist Daniel Molloy. Delainey Hayles, who portrayed Claudia, is also confirmed to return, despite her character’s tragic end in Season 2—likely through flashbacks, memories, or supernatural visions.
New characters entering the fray include:
- Jennifer Ehle as Gabrielle, Lestat’s mother and fellow vampire
- Christopher Heyerdahl as Marius, a centuries-old mentor
- Ella Ballentine as Baby Jenks, a punk vampire from the novel
- Jeanine Serralles as Christine Claire
- A yet-to-be-revealed actress cast as Akasha, the first vampire
This ensemble adds new layers of lore and emotional complexity, setting the stage for a deeply personal and wildly cinematic journey.
What Is The Vampire Lestat About?
The third season picks up after the events of Interview with the Vampire, with Lestat deeply wounded by betrayal and exile. The vampire we once saw as cruel and manipulative is now more introspective—and dangerous. In The Vampire Lestat adaptation, he writes his autobiography as a response to Louis’s version of their past and thrusts himself into the spotlight, both literally and figuratively.
This season will explore Lestat’s origins in 18th-century France, his transformation into a vampire, his relationship with his mother Gabrielle, and his rise as a rock icon. But underneath the glitter and gore lies a deeper exploration of power, immortality, and what it means to be truly known.
A Key Moment for AMC’s Immortal Universe
AMC has committed heavily to Anne Rice’s literary universe. With Mayfair Witches confirmed for a third season and the upcoming The Talamasca series launching in October 2025, The Vampire Lestat adaptation is set to be the flagship show in a shared universe of supernatural intrigue.
According to executive producer Mark Johnson, AMC envisions a long-term franchise involving multiple interconnected series. While a standalone Lestat spinoff isn’t planned (yet), the character’s evolving role makes him the unofficial heart of the Immortal Universe.
Fan Reactions: Hopeful and Hyped
Fans online have praised AMC for giving Lestat the spotlight, calling it a long-overdue focus on one of the most complex and charismatic characters in modern vampire fiction. Reddit threads and Twitter posts celebrate the casting, rockstar direction, and stylish reinterpretation of Rice’s original work.
“Lestat becoming a rock star is exactly the kind of chaos I signed up for. Can’t wait to see Sam Reid own this season,” wrote one fan.
When Does The Vampire Lestat Premiere?
Production for the new season began in June 2025 in Toronto, with post-production expected to run into early 2026. The series will premiere on AMC and AMC+ in mid-to-late 2026. Subscribers to AMC+ will likely get early access, as with previous seasons.
