AMC has released the official trailer for The Vampire Lestat, the next chapter in Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe and the rebranded third season of Interview with the Vampire. The new series premiered in the US on Sunday, 7 June at 9/8c on AMC and AMC+, with Sam Reid returning as Lestat de Lioncourt. This time, Lestat steps into the spotlight as the world’s first immortal rock star, heading out on an electric multi-city tour while being haunted by figures from his wild and rebellious past.
The trailer features Lestat’s rendition of Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself”, giving fans a first proper taste of the show’s rock-and-roll shift. AMC has also released Lestat’s first two official rock singles, “Long Face” and “All Fall Down”, with original music and lyrics by series composer Daniel Hart and vocals performed by Reid.
Alongside Reid, The Vampire Lestat stars Jacob Anderson, Assad Zaman, Eric Bogosian, Delainey Hayles and Jennifer Ehle. The series is executive produced by Mark Johnson, creator, writer and showrunner Rolin Jones, Hannah Moscovitch, Christopher Rice and the late Anne Rice.
While Interview with the Vampire centred heavily on Louis de Pointe du Lac’s version of events, The Vampire Lestat shifts focus to Lestat as he attempts to tell his own story. According to AMC, the new season follows his rising influence over vampires and humans alike as his fame grows, while others are forced to reckon with his power during the Great Conversion, an unnatural surge in the vampire population.
UK fans will have to wait a little longer to see the new episodes. The Vampire Lestat is not currently available in the UK, but it is expected to arrive on BBC iPlayer this summer, where it will join Interview with the Vampire seasons 1 and 2. Fangs crossed we do not have too long to wait…
For CultureCues, this feels like a massive moment for Anne Rice fans. Interview with the Vampire has already built one of TV’s most devoted fandoms, and Sam Reid’s Lestat has always had the kind of dangerous charisma that practically demands centre stage. Turning him into a glam rock vampire with a multi-city tour might sound outrageous on paper, but honestly, for Lestat, it makes complete sense.
The trailer points to a more theatrical new chapter for the series, with Lestat stepping fully into the spotlight while the show keeps hold of the obsession and power games that made the first two seasons so addictive. He is back, the eyeliner is working overtime and the vampires have gone full rock star. We are seated.
The Vampire Lestat premiered in the US on AMC and AMC+ on 7 June. A UK release is expected on BBC iPlayer this summer.
Nikki Murray is a UK-based writer, screenwriter and founder & editor of CultureCues, covering film, television, music and pop culture. Her work focuses on storytelling and the moments shaping modern entertainment.