SDCC 2025 was big for fans of Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe. AMC took over Ballroom 20 with not one but two highly anticipated shows. The upcoming Talamasca: The Secret Order premiered a teaser trailer and some exciting casting news. Meanwhile, the highly anticipated third season to Interview with the Vampire is getting a rockin’ makeover.

Talamasca: The Secret Order

The newest addition to the Immortal Universe is coming sooner rather than later. October 26, 2025, to be exact. Talamasca: The Secret Order cast members Nicholas Denton, Celine Buckens, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, and William Fichtner, alongside the executive producers and showrunners, talked all about what fans can expect from the series. The Talamasca is a common thread in Anne Rice’s universes, including Interview with the Vampire. It is the secret society whose mission is to track and contain supernatural beings, including but not limited to vampires. Daniel Molloy’s character, in particular, has had brief on-screen run-ins and correspondence with its members. But while this elusive society has flown under the radar so far, now the spotlight has been turned.

Nicholas Denton heads the series as Guy Anatole, a man with special abilities of his own who enters as the Talamasca’s newest recruit. Helen, played by Elizabeth McGovern, brings him into the fold and forces him to choose where his loyalties lie. Can the Talamasca be trusted? Are they orchestrators of peace or chaos? These are all questions the show seems ready to explore. Along the way, fans will also meet Maisie Richardson-Sellers’s character, Olive, an elite spy, Celine Buckens as Doris, and William Fitchner as Jasper.

A Human Take on the Immortal Universe

What makes Talamasca so unique is that unlike IWTV and Mayfair Witches, AMC isn’t directly adapting one of Rice’s novel. Instead, they are pulling from many of her stories and tying everything together in a way that underscores the entire universe she created. Showrunner John Lee Hancock describes the series as “a spy show.” He found that the lack of direct source material gave the team more creative freedom. But even with the supernatural aspects, this show is distinctly human. William Fitchner said the characters were what drew him in.

Among the amazing cast members playing these nuanced characters, was one surprise. Familiar face, Eric Bogosian showed up to the panel to announce that Daniel Molloy will cross over into the Talamasca world. Molloy’s connection to the Talamasca has been ongoing. They played a big role in his revelations at the end of IWTV season two. But Bogosian teased that those previous interactions only scratched the surface. Daniel’s involvement with the organization will grow far deeper.

Check out the SDCC teaser here:

The Vampire Lestat

Now, the moment fans have been waiting for: Interview with the Vampire returns to SDCC, but with a twist. The third season is not only getting a perspective shift but a name change to go along with it. AMC offered fans an exclusive backstage peak at the new season at SDCC. That sneak peak ended with the show’s name in bold, glittering letters: The Vampire Lestat. Based on Anne Rice’s second novel in the Vampire Chronicles series, the show will be pivoting from Louis’s perspective to Lestat’s as he takes on new life as a modern-day rockstar. Composer Daniel Hart was instrumental in the making of the music for this season. The songs are so important that many of the scenes were built around them. The cast and creators teased lots of music at the con and even revealed a line of Lestat-inspired electric guitars, playfully called the Lestrat.

Lestat’s music becomes an outlet for him and is very fitting for such a beautifully chaotic character. Sam Reid explained that Lestat’s rockstar persona is a way of “hiding in plain sight,” as he did during his time with Théâtre des Vampires. Fans will be glad to know that Lestat won’t be alone in his chaos. Jacob Anderson will still play a vital role as Louis. However, the specifics of his involvement, particularly his relationship with Lestat, are still mostly under wraps. Reid and Anderson agreed there’s still love between them, however. And Sam Reid left a particularly provoking comment: “You can’t get everything you want all the time, at least at the beginning.”

Daniel Molloy, played by Eric Bogosian, will also make a return. This time, he’s adjusting since the events of the second season. His newfound fledgling status should complicate and already complicated documentary-making process. And there might be a good amount of bowling involved also. Fan favorites Assad Zaman as Armand and Delainey Hayles as Claudia (most likely) will also be returning.

Major Casting Announcements

The tone of the IWTV, or The Vampire Lestat, may be taking a turn, but not everything will be modern. Lestat’s childhood and human life will be pivotal storylines woven throughout the show. Fans will oscillate between the present and the 1700s, diving deeper into Lestat’s complicated history and getting to know the figures of his past.

Fans of Anne Rice’s books have been anticipating some of these new characters that will be joining. Well, SDCC did not disappoint. Here are the new, and old, faces you’ll be seeing on your screen soon.

  • Gabriella de Lioncourt, known as Gabrielle in the books, will be played by Jennifer Ehle. As Lestat’s mother, her role cannot be understated. The two have a complicated and often-times twisted relationship that shapes much of who the character is.
  • Magnus, Lestat’s infamous maker, will be played by Damien Atkins. Magnus was mentioned in previous seasons as causing much of Lestat’s trauma. Seeing this come to life on screen should be equal parts horrifying and enlightening.
  • Marius de Romanus, played by Christopher Heyerdahl will be the second infamous maker to appear. This is the man who turned Armand. He plays a vital role in both his and Lestat’s lives, tying these two characters together further. Heyerdahl is no stranger to vampire roles. His knack for portraying monstrous personalities makes his performance is one to look forward to.
  • Baby Jenks will be interpreted by Ella Ballentine. She is a character from Queen of the Damned who’s role in season three isn’t fully known just yet. But it’s clear the writers are pulling in even more from Rice’s later novels.
  • Christine Claire, played by Jeanine Serralles, rounds out the new cast members as Lestat’s lawyer. Good luck to this woman. She’ll need it.

What’s Next

One character still remaining a mystery is the all-powerful Akasha. It’s likely that she’ll play a part in the third season. After all, Baby Jenks is present and Lestat’s past is central to the story. But who will step into her shoes is a mystery that might not be revealed until the show releases.

The highlight of this panel is unfortunately one that’s not publicly available just yet. SDCC shared an exclusive teaser of The Vampire Lestat from those scenes that have already been filmed. Based on fan reactions and spoilers, the show will blend the lighthearted with the serious. Some potential threads are familial trauma, drugs and music, and even divorce? Real or metaphorical divorce, we don’t know. What we do know is this season is shaping up to be just as wonderful, chaotic, and dreadful as Lestat is.

Watch the first behind-the-scenes look at The Vampire Lestat here: