“Interview with the Vampire” is a gothic horror TV series developed by Rolin Jones for AMC, based on Anne Rice’s famous book. It stars Jacob Anderson as Louis de Pointe du Lac and Sam Reid as Lestat de Lioncourt. The story starts with Louis sharing his past life and complex relationship with Lestat, a mysterious vampire. The series embraces the LGBTQ+ themes present in Rice’s novels, which were only hinted at in the 1994 film. This show is part of the “Immortal Universe,” a shared world based on Rice’s books.
Series Background
AMC ordered the series in June 2021 after buying the rights to 18 of Rice’s novels in 2020. The series premiered on October 2, 2022. The first two seasons cover the original novel “Interview with the Vampire.”
The third season of “Interview with the Vampire” was renewed in June 2024. The show will focus on the second book, The Vampire Lestat, and will film in Prague, Czech Republic and Paris, France.
Time and Setting of the Series
“Interview with the Vampire” tells the over 100-year journey of Louis de Pointe du Lac and his encounters with Lestat de Lioncourt, a mysterious French vampire. As Louis tells his life story to journalist Daniel Molloy, we see his time as a human and his transformation into a vampire. The show’s events span many years and different locations.
Filming Locations for the First Season
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
The first season’s main filming happened in New Orleans. The production started in late 2021, from December to April 2022. The production designer, Mara LePere-Schloop, recreated the old Storyville district by building around 40 period buildings on a backlot at The Ranch Studios in Chalmette. This setup was used for Iberville and Liberty Street scenes from October 2021 to January 2022.
Key New Orleans Landmarks
Gallier Hall – 545 St. Charles Ave: Gallier Hall is a grand building on Lafayette Square in Downtown New Orleans. For over 100 years, it was New Orleans City Hall. This lovely building is named after its architect, James Gallier, Sr., who also designed the famous Pontalba Apartments. Many important guests have visited Gallier Hall over the years. Presidents like Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, and Harding, as well as the King and Queen of Spain, have all been here. It’s also where people like Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Mardi Gras World founder Blaine Kern were honored after their deaths.
Saenger Theatre – 1111 Canal St: The Saenger Theatre brings the spirit of the Roaring 20s into today’s world. It was damaged by Hurricane Katrina but was restored to its original elegant design. The theater looks like an Italian Baroque courtyard, with statues of Greek and Roman gods, a starry ceiling, and projections of moving clouds.
Latrobe’s – 403 Royal St: Latrobe’s on Royal was once the Louisiana State Bank. Its fame comes from its designer, Benjamin Henry Latrobe, known as the “Father of American Architecture.” Latrobe designed important buildings like the US Capitol and parts of the White House. The elegance of Latrobe’s fits perfectly with the historic and mysterious vibe of the show, making it a key filming spot.
Pirate’s Alley: Pirate’s Alley is a short, cobblestone path between St. Louis Cathedral and the Cabildo in the French Quarter. It’s full of legends and ghost stories. It’s said that pirates often walked through here on their way to prison.
Ursuline Convent – 1100 Chartres St: The Old Ursuline Convent, completed in 1752, is the oldest building in the Mississippi River Valley. It’s an excellent example of French colonial architecture in the US. Walking through it is like traveling back in time. The convent is famous for the tale of the Casket Girls, which involves vampires, making it a perfect filming location for “Interview with the Vampire.”
Beauregard-Keyes House – 1113 Chartres St: Across from the Ursuline Convent, the Beauregard-Keyes House is a beautiful manor built in 1826. Confederate General P. G. T. Beauregard lived here after the Civil War. Frances Parkinson Keyes later restored it and established a foundation to maintain it as a museum.
Hermann-Grima House – 820 St. Louis St: The Hermann-Grima House showcases Federalist architecture with Creole influences. Built in the 1830s, it features a carriage house and an open-hearth kitchen. It offers a glimpse into the lives of both the wealthy and enslaved people of the era.
Gallier House – 1132 Royal St: Designed by James Gallier, Jr. in 1861, this townhouse has iconic Paris green wrought iron accents and innovative designs. It represents the architectural beauty of New Orleans.
Okay Bar – 1700 Port St: Okay Bar is a cozy New Orleans dive bar with a spacious backyard. It hosts food pop-ups, DJ events, and markets, offering a true snapshot of modern New Orleans life.
St. Maurice Church – 612 St. Maurice St: Completed in 1857, this deconsecrated church in the Lower Ninth Ward has domed ceilings, intricate moldings, and stained-glass windows. It’s perfect for the classic vampire aesthetic.
Masonic Cemetery – 400 City Park Ave: This cemetery, bought by the Free Masons in 1856, is one of New Orleans’ iconic above-ground cemeteries. It has unique and elaborate tombs with Masonic symbols.
Derbès Mansion – 2257 Bayou Rd: Located on historic Bayou Road, Derbès Mansion reflects the elegance of mid-19th Century New Orleans. Its primary owner, Nicolas Benachi, added unique design choices. It sits among other grand mansions owned by the city’s Creole gentry.
Filming Locations for the Second Season
Prague, Czech Republic
The second season started filming on April 3, 2023, and was expected to end by August 31. Most of the shooting took place in Prague, which was used to represent Paris. Important filming was done at Barrandov Studios in Prague.
Paris, France, and New Orleans, USA
Additional filming for the second season also occurred in Paris and New Orleans. Craig Zisk was one of the directors for this season.
Impact of Strikes on Filming
Despite the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike in 2023, AMC confirmed on May 3 that the series’ schedule would not be disrupted since the scripts were already written, though rewriting was not allowed. However, filming had to be stopped in July due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Filming resumed on October 2 after a 10-week break when AMC Networks reached an interim agreement with the union, and the WGA strike ended.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Interview with the Vampire
Q: Where was “Interview with the Vampire” filmed?
A: “Interview with the Vampire” was primarily filmed in New Orleans, Louisiana, for its first season. Key locations included Gallier Hall, the Saenger Theatre, Latrobe’s, Pirate’s Alley, the Old Ursuline Convent, the Beauregard-Keyes House, and the Hermann-Grima House. For the second season, filming expanded to Prague, Czech Republic, which stood in for Paris, France. Additional scenes were shot at Barrandov Studios in Prague, and also in New Orleans and Paris.
Q: When did filming for the first season of “Interview with the Vampire” take place?
A: Filming for the first season of “Interview with the Vampire” began in late 2021 and continued from December 2021 to April 2022. During this period, the production team captured the essence of New Orleans by building period-accurate facades and utilizing various historic landmarks.
Q: When was the second season of “Interview with the Vampire” filmed?
A: The second season of “Interview with the Vampire” started filming on April 3, 2023, and was scheduled to wrap up by August 31, 2023. Most of the filming took place in Prague, with additional scenes in Paris and New Orleans. Despite interruptions due to industry strikes, filming resumed and continued after a hiatus, finishing on October 2, 2023.
Q: When did “Interview with the Vampire” first premiere?
A: The series “Interview with the Vampire” premiered on October 2, 2022, with the first two seasons cover the eponymous novel, on AMC Networks. It introduced audiences to the rich, gothic world of Anne Rice’s famous vampire characters and their haunting tales.
Q: What is the release date for the third season of “Interview with the Vampire”?
A: The third season of “Interview with the Vampire,” is scheduled to premiere in early 2025.
