Summary

• Interview with the Vampire season 2 continues to be a clever adaptation that keeps viewers engaged with twists that enrich the story.
• Fantastic performances from both the new and returning cast work to expand the world.
• Louis and Armand's romance adds depth, while Claudia's journey becomes more tragic.

Interview with the Vampire season 2 returns us to Anne Rice’s world of bloodthirsty vampires with an entry that’s as seductive and horrifying as its first. Having already established its premise of the nearly 200-year-old vampire, Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson), retelling his undead life’s story to journalist Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian), season 2 digs deeper into how these memories can be misleading. It also examines a new relationship for Louis that, while not nearly as toxic as the one with Lestat (Sam Reid), keeps the series’ romantic undertones as well as its tinge of danger.

After killing their maker (unsuccessfully and unbeknownst to them) in the season 1 finale, Interview with the Vampire season 2 finds Louis and Claudia (Delainey Hayles) arriving in Europe in search of other vampires, eventually landing in Paris. There, they encounter the Théâtre des Vampires – a famed theater company comprised of vampires who use their outlandish, bloody plays as a cover for their nightly kills. Claudia hopes this coven can finally fulfill her need to belong, but Louis is less convinced. Still, he finds himself enthralled by the coven’s leader, Armand (Assad Zaman).

In the present day, Armand is revealed to be Louis’ current lover, having previously adopted the ruse of being his servant Rashid in season 1. That twist of Rashid actually being Armand has a profound effect on Daniel, making him question whether all he re from Louis’ and his first interview in 1973 is entirely real. This questioning of if memories can be trusted becomes a throughline for season 2, ultimately leading Louis to also wonder whether his recollections of the past have been manipulated, and if so, by whom?

Interview With The Vampire Season 2 Continues To Smartly Adapt Rice’s Novels

Building off season 1’s book changes, the show keeps audiences guessing

Billed as both an adaptation and sequel to Rice’s first Vampire Chronicles novel, season 2 continues as an intriguing take on the story, weaving in elements of later novels as well as its namesake, along with new developments introduced in season 1. The biggest of these is Louis and Armand’s romantic relationship which, while based on events in the novels, is given greater prominence in the series. Their romance is central to season 2, depicted in both the past and present, and it helps Louis to begin moving on from Lestat and become more comfortable with his vampirism.

While it may not have the same ion that came with Louis and Lestat’s tempestuous love affair, [Louis and Armand's relationship] can still feel at times achingly romantic, tense, or even dangerous.

Anderson and Zaman are excellent in their roles, and they do justice to both phases of their relationship – the early courtship and the established, long-term couple. While it may not have the same ion that came with Louis and Lestat’s tempestuous love affair, it is still at times achingly romantic, tense, or even dangerous. How Bogosian’s Daniel reacts to this relationship is even more interesting, as it finds him now interviewing two vampires and needing to determine whose truth he actually believes.

Claudia’s journey in season 2 is even more captivating, as she finds herself among a whole community of vampires. Yet, tragedy looms over everything; in part because of her eternal teenage appearance, but also because of the high standards she sets for those around her. Taking over for season 1’s Bailey Bass, Hayles easily slides into the role, and wonderfully captures her delight at a fresh start as well as her anger when things begin going awry. Those familiar with Claudia’s fate know what’s to come, but the series is sending her down a path that feels even more devastating.

New Cast Combine With Returning Players For A Great Ensemble

Though it’s a shame Sam Reid’s most excellent Lestat has a limited role

Returning stars Anderson, Bogosian, Zaman, and Reid are ed by new cast for Interview with the Vampire season 2, and the additions are all excellent in working to expand the world. As already mentioned, Hayles takes over for Bass as Claudia and the transition is nearly seamless, with Hayles honoring the work Bass did in season 1 while still making the role very much her own. Though not a true newcomer, Zaman has a lot more to do as Armand, playing up both the character’s charm and a more ruthless side.

Roxane Duran s the series as Madeleine, a Parisian woman who Claudia takes interest in, and including another prominent woman among the cast is a boon for both Claudia’s character and the series. Duran’s role is another fascinating change from the books, but one that’s most welcomed. Of the new cast, though, Ben Daniels’ Santiago, the lead actor of Théâtre des Vampires, is an obvious standout. An antagonist for Louis, Claudia, and even Armand, Santiago is just the sort of villain season 2 needs considering Lestat isn’t nearly as present as he was in season 1.

And speaking of Lestat, it’s certainly understandable why the unforgettable vampire is so absent considering his near demise at the end of Interview with the Vampire season 1, but it’s hard to argue that viewers won’t miss him. Thankfully, the series manages to regularly inject Reid’s Lestat into the action through flashbacks and Louis being haunted by his memory. That Lestat has such a hold on Louis isn’t good for him, of course, but it certainly helps the show maintain some of Anderson and Reid’s electric chemistry.

At its center is another heart-wrenching performance from Anderson as Louis, effortlessly bringing viewers along in his journey to come to with both his past and present.

Interview with the Vampire season 2 is an excellent continuation of one of AMC’s best shows. As an adaptation, it builds on the foundation set by Rice’s novels and adds in interesting twists and turns to keep those familiar with the story engaged. The post-WWII Parisian setting allows the show to be jubilant one moment and then terrifying the next, with the new cast helping to flesh out the city’s atmosphere. And at its center is another heart-wrenching performance from Anderson as Louis, effortlessly bringing viewers along in his journey to come to with both his past and present.

Interview with the Vampire season 2 premieres on AMC May 12 at 9pm ET.