Interview With the Vampire returns this year with a righteously different perspective in season 3. Here’s everything we know about The Vampire Lestat.
I don’t know about you guys, but I am super thirsty for the new season of Interview With the Vampire, especially after that gorgeously grotesque Shakespearean tragedy that was season 2. Season 3 is set to see a lot of changes as it shifts in perspective and finally gives us the story of Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid), with, of course, some mouth-watering subplots. Break out your leather pants, heavy eye makeup, and hair-teasing tools, because you’re going to need them.
Here’s everything we know about The Vampire Lestat.
Why Interview With the Vampire Rebranded
We’ve spent two delicious seasons lapping up the story and perspective of Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson, of Game of Thrones) via his interview with journalist Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian, of Law & Order: Criminal Intent). Season 3’s narrative shift to Lestat’s side of the story is so significant, it demands a rebranding of the show. But that’s not the only reason: The Vampire Lestat is also the name of author Anne Rice’s 1985 novel—the second in her Vampire Chronicles book series, on which the series is based. So, there you have it.
The Plot of The Vampire Lestat
Season 3 of the blood-thirsty supernatural saga will chronicle the brooding vampire’s rise to rock stardom, picking up right after Molloy publishes his book, which has become a trashy bestseller. Resentful about his superficial portrayal, Lestat writhes inside to tell his side of this Gothic love story; so, he starts a rock band and sets out on a tour, literally and figuratively picking up the mic.
This is important because up until now, we’ve only seen him as he exists through other peoples’ eyes, in other peoples’ minds, except for the season 2 finale where he reunited with Louis—that was authentic. Finally, we’re getting the chance to immerse in Lestat’s truth, and you can bank on a heavy dose of drama queen as we get acquainted with the unhinged, hedonistic glory of the blonde bloodsucker’s rockstar lifestyle.
Considering all the pent-up emotions eating away at him, it’s no wonder he chooses to express them through the power of rock music. From glitter and crowd surfing to all-out diva behavior, we’ll be embarking on a wildly authentic ride. Where in the first two seasons, Louis was quietly unpacking something in telling his story, here, in season 3, Lestat will do the opposite and expose his story publicly, through literal amplification systems. This is key because it won’t just be the first time we’re getting his side of the story; it’ll also be the first time we’re getting a different rendering of Louis, as he exists through Lestat’s eyes.
The Cast of The Vampire Lestat
You’ll be glad to know that, in addition to Reid’s return as Lestat, Jacob Anderson is returning as Louis, Eric Bogosian as Daniel Molloy, Assad Zaman as Armand, and—wait for it—Delainey Hayles as Louis and Lestat’s daughter, Claudia. Yes, I know she died at the end of last season, but this is fiction, and anything can happen.
The Vampire Lestat will also see plenty of newcomers to the cast—the most anticipated being Akasha, Queen of the Damned, who will be played by Sheila Atim, of The Woman King. Additionally, Christopher Heyerdahl, of Hell on Wheels, will star as Roman vampire Marius, Jennifer Ehle, of Lioness, as Lestat’s mother Gabriella, and Damien Atkins, of Slings and Arrows, as Magnus, a key figure from Lestat’s past. Additionally, Jeanine Serralles, of Apples Never Fall, and Ella Ballentine, of Anne of Green Gables, star as Christine Claire and Baby Jenks, respectively.
October 2025 saw a second wave of cast additions announced, led by Schitt’s Creek’s Noah Reid, who will play Larry. Also joining are Sarah Swire, of The Boys, as TC, Seamus Patterson, of Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities, as Alex, and Ryan Kattner, of Destroy All Neighbors, as Salamander.
*FUN FACT:
Ryan Kattner is the frontman of experimental rock band Man Man, and he also works as the music supervisor on Interview With the Vampire.
Everything We Know About the Music
Expect the music to be passionate and introspective, deeply personal, and full of intense conflicting emotions. While the new season isn’t a musical in the traditional sense, it will feature a hefty load of rock tunes and singing from our titular vamp. Composer Daniel Hart, who also composed seasons 1 and 2, penned not just the tunes but also the orchestral originals you’ll hear, which will be meticulously and intentionally placed into the blood-soaked drama.
Before there were scripts, there was music, and that meant working out the character Lestat’s arcs through the songs, which Reid called an adventure in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. He and Hart worked closely together on approaching his character through the music as opposed to approaching the music through his character.
About the process, showrunner Rolin Jones said, “we would build scenes and story arcs around songs that Daniel wrote and said, ‘I think Lestat would have sang this’ … He’s on a rock tour, so songs will be sung. A lot of them are [performed on camera], and then a lot of them are tied to memories that we have, and sometimes we get super weird with them. And sometimes they’re wallpaper, too, for storytelling.”
In other words, pay attention to the music, and know that when you hear the featured tunes, you can take comfort in knowing you’re hearing Reid’s actual voice, without autotuning. The actor took vocal lessons in preparation for the role and sings several songs, including the single Long Face, written by Daniel Hart, as well as a Chappell Roan-inspired tune. He also took violin lessons for the role.
What About Molloy and Armand?
As excited as fans are about Lestat’s turn in the spotlight, we can’t help but wonder about what will happen with the arcs of Daniel Molloy and of Armand, Louis’ former lover who was exposed in the season 2 finale for directing the jaw-dropping production that ended with Claudia’s death.
Molloy is a newly turned vampire, but where will this lead? As an aging man, with his morality issue no longer a factor, it’ll be interesting to see what he does with his new abilities, as well as what he’ll disregard. Likewise, now that Armand is exposed as a traitor, where does that leave him? Don’t worry, we’re set to find out.
Showrunner Rolin Jones told TV Guide that there will clearly be seeds between Armand and Daniel before referring to the standalone chapter from “Queen of the Damned” called “The Devil’s Minion,” which focuses on the two vampires.
“We will do our version [of the chapter], because it’s a hotsh— part that was written. We obviously have a different timeline and things. But we will honor that the way that we do it, which will feel spiritually right.”
The Release Date of The Vampire Lestat
While many sources list the release date of the Emmy-nominated series as April 2026, AMC’s recent official announcement suggests otherwise. We now know that “the fan-favorite series starring Sam Reid as the world’s first truly immortal rockstar” will premiere in summer 2026 on AMC and AMC+. In the meantime, while you wait, I recommend a rewatch of Interview With the Vampire seasons 1 and 2.