Interview with the Vampire Season 2 takes us to post-World War II Paris, after a short stint in Romania during the first episode, where Louis and Claudia continue their journey.
Firstly I will say that although it definitely helps to have seen Season 1 (which is based on the New Orleans section of the book, our review here), it is not absolutely necessary.
However, like this second season, the setting of the first is magnificent. So if you’re into historical, prewar Louisiana, good and bad, then I do recommend it (and tolerate Louis and Lestat’s crazy relationship along the way).
I will quite happily confess that I don’t much care for Anne Rice’s writing. I have read Interview with the Vampire, Queen of the Damned and The Vampire Armand, and didn’t much enjoy any of them. I started watching this show, because the setting and costumes looked amazing, and they did not disappoint.
For me, the highlight of Season 1 was definitely Bailey Bass as Claudia (although there was no bad acting in sight from any of the cast, on the contrary). So I was a little apprehensive when she was replaced this season by Delainey Hayles. It turns out I had nothing to worry about. Although they are different actresses, Hayles still knocks it out of the park. And it would make sense that after the events of Season 1, Claudia wouldn’t be quite the same anyway, and her evolution is portrayed masterfully. Just like every other character.
Season 2 smoothly takes off where the show left off, and then explodes into something bigger and better. The Theatre des Vampires is delightfully decadent, the Parisian setting melancholic and hopeful at the same time. The fashions are fantastic and the acting, as it was in Season 1, one of the best you’ll see on television.
There is quite a bit of time-skipping between the past retelling of events for the interview and the contemporary Dubai setting in which it takes place. But it works. It never feels forced or jumbled, and instead very natural and well-played.
Most of the characters are aged up, sometimes quite significantly, but they still make it work. Same goes for characters changing ethnicity. This can be attributed to both good writing and good acting. Several of the characters might not (at all) look like they were initially written, but the portrayal is nevertheless exquisitely on point.
Not just upcoming events in this show were woven in masterfully, but also the Talamasca (who is getting their own spin-off soon) makes a fitting appearance.
There are a lot of hard themes in this show, where characters cope with various kinds of trauma, but it’s not all doom and gloom. There is a lot of hope among the pain, intrigue, plotting and even humor. I would 100 percent recommend this show, even if you’re not into vampires.
Despite this raving review, it may be the last time we visit this show on Never Was Magazine, as the upcoming Season 3 will feature Lestat’s rockstar era, combining both The Vampire Lestat and Queen of the Damned. And while it looks like an absolute blast and a hoot, glam rock isn’t quite the premise of this publication. Should the showrunners decide to include enough fitting historical background, though, I shall be back with more Vampire Chronicles.
I know the show can be tricky to watch outside of North America. Rejoice, however, as from this month, AMC Immortal (Interview with the Vampire and Mayfair Witches) will come to Netflix America, which is a little easier to access using a VPN service. Putting this excellent show somewhat closer in reach of viewers in Europe and the rest of the world.
