There is a paradox in the Interview with a Vampire series: it is cheesy until it can’t be anymore, but it works perfectly, maintaining its connection with the books, presenting a well-tuned cast, and amusing us with its cheesiness and exaggerations.

Much of the series’ charm lies in the excellent choice of casting Sam Reid as Lestat, alongside Jacob Anderson as Louis, also wonderful. The ‘liberties’ taken with the original don’t hurt anything, such as changing the story to the beginning of the 20th century as well as making Louis (and Claudia) black instead of white. With all this, showrunner Rolin Jones managed to revive a franchise that seemed elusive in cinema or TV, exploring to the full the homoerotic relationship between the two vampires, something that in the 1994 film is only hinted at, and giving more space to other bloodsuckers.

The first season ends with the “murder” of Lestat, with Louis and Claudia fleeing to Europe. To overcome the absence of the main star of the story, there are several delusions or flashbacks, reinforcing the connection and guilt between Louis and Lestat. The murderous duo’s journey passes through the World War, Germany, and finally, Paris, where they arrive at the Théâtre des Vampires, a Parisian troupe that is actually a cover for a nocturnal clan led by Armand (Assad Zaman). Switching between the present day, where Louis and Armand are (still) giving an interview to journalist Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian), we learn about the trajectory of vampires over the centuries.

For those who know the story, there is anxiety about the slowness of what we know will happen – Lestat’s great revenge – and how, but this is positive. Interview with the Vampire didn’t become such a success for nothing.

One of the fun parts is seeing the Théâtre des Vampires in a kind of Cabaret or Rocky Horror Show. And when it comes to the “final” judgment, we are laughing, crying, and afraid. Delaine Hayles, in place of Bailey Bass, brought maturity and energy to Claudia that made her more tragic, irritating, and terrifying. But who stands out this time is Ben Daniels with the ambitious and dangerous Santiago. The British actor, with all the exaggerations of the franchise, is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the season.

The conclusion of the season leaves us literally where The Vampire Lestat begins, in other words, the basis for a lively third season. It’s going to be hard to wait that long!

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