Get Ready to Rock: 'The Vampire Lestat' Season 3 Unleashes Akasha and More!

Big news just dropped from the Anne Rice Immortal Universe at New York Comic Con! The next chapter of "Interview With the Vampire" is officially called "The Vampire Lestat," and it's bringing some serious rockstar energy — and the ultimate Queen of the Damned, Akasha herself!

TL;DR: Here's the Bite-Sized Breakdown of the Latest Immortal Universe News

• "Interview With the Vampire" Season 3 is now titled "The Vampire Lestat", following Anne Rice's second book in the series.
• Sheila Atim has been cast as the iconic First Vampire, Akasha, ready to shake up Lestat's rockstar era.
• Expect a wild, confident, and hallucinogenic tonal shift for the 2026 premiere, with a host of new and returning cast members joining the vampiric chaos.

Lestat's Solo Album: AMC Renames Season 3 and Sets the Stage for Chaos

Alright, fang-fans, listen up! The upcoming third season of AMC's hit series, previously known as "Interview With the Vampire," is officially getting a new title that perfectly reflects its shift in focus: "Anne Rice's The Vampire Lestat." This rename isn't just a casual tweak; it signals a deep dive into the second book of Anne Rice's iconic "Vampire Chronicles," putting our favorite Brat Prince, Lestat de Lioncourt, squarely in the spotlight.

The big reveal came straight from the New York Comic Con 2025 panel for the Immortal Universe, where executive producers and the cast teased what's to come. And what's coming? Lestat's full-blown rockstar era, baby! We're talking 1980s hedonism, a far cry from the aristocratic vibes we've seen before, but definitely embracing all the "contradictory and hallucinogenic and strange and wild" tendencies that make Lestat, well, Lestat. Showrunner Rolin Jones isn't holding back, promising a show that will "feel like Lestat just hijacked the show." Prepare for whiplash, in the best possible way!

"We are following Anne [Rice]'s lead, and we're going full throttle that way. A little bit of whiplash, a little bit of people catching up to the tone of it, but it'll be confident, and it'll be wild."

— Rolin Jones, Showrunner for 'The Vampire Lestat'

Meet the Queen: Sheila Atim Joins as the Ancient and Powerful Akasha

The most electrifying news out of NYCC? The casting of Akasha, the ancient First Vampire, often dubbed the "Queen of the Damned." Stepping into these legendary shoes is the incredible Ugandan-British actress Sheila Atim, known for her roles in "The Woman King" and "Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness." Fans will remember Akasha being name-dropped in "Interview with the Vampire" Season 2, when Lestat boldly claimed, "I have the blood of Akasha in me." Now, we finally get to meet her!

For those familiar with Anne Rice's universe (or the 2002 film "Queen of the Damned" where she was played by Aaliyah), you know just how pivotal and terrifyingly powerful Akasha is. Her arrival signals a monumental shift, promising to pull Lestat even deeper into the ancient lore of the vampires. Atim's casting is a huge win, bringing a fresh, powerful presence to a character that defines the very origin of vampirism.

Familiar Faces and New Blood: An Expanded Cast for Lestat's Wild Ride

While Lestat (Sam Reid) takes center stage, he won't be alone. Our beloved main cast is returning, ready to navigate the new, intense dynamics of Season 3. Jacob Anderson is back as Louis, Delainey Hayles as Claudia, and Assad Zaman as Armand, who, according to EP Hannah Moscovitch, is a "bad daddy" — a title Zaman seemed to quite enjoy at the panel!

But what's a rockstar without a band? Lestat is assembling a crew for his immortal tour, and we've got some awesome new additions joining the fray:

• Noah Reid ("Schitt's Creek") as Larry
• Ryan Kattner (also the show's music supervisor!) as Salamander
• Seamus Patterson ("Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities") as Alex
• Sarah Swire ("The Boys") as TC (likely "Tough Cookie" from the books, one of Lestat's bandmates)

These new musicians hint at the vibrant, chaotic energy of Lestat's 1980s rock phase. And that's not all! Earlier announcements from San Diego Comic-Con also confirmed a host of other exciting characters joining Lestat's universe:

• Jennifer Ehle ("Lioness") as Gabriella
• Ella Ballentine ("Black Conflux") as Baby Jenks
• Jeanine Serralles ("Apples Never Fall") as Christine Claire, Lestat's lawyer
• Christopher Heyerdahl ("Under the Banner of Heaven") as Marius
• Damien Atkins ("Slings & Arrows") as Magnus, Lestat's maker
• Joseph Potter as Nicki (seen in the extended trailer)
• Damon Dauno as Bruce (returning from Season 1, also seen in trailer)

It's clear the Immortal Universe is growing, bringing in key figures from Anne Rice's novels to flesh out Lestat's incredible journey.

Behind the Panels: Cast Insights and Hilarious Moments from NYCC

The NYCC panel wasn't just about casting announcements; it was a treasure trove of insights and laughs from the cast and crew. After a whirlwind trip from Toronto (Jacob Anderson, Sam Reid, and Eric Bogosian were filming until the wee hours!), the stars brought their tired but excited energy to the stage. They even debuted an extended first look at "The Vampire Lestat," showcasing first glimpses of Delainey Hayles' Claudia, Assad Zaman's Armand, Damien Atkins' Magnus, and Jennifer Ehle's fierce Gabriella. And what was that about Damon Dauno's Bruce? A surprising cameo indeed!

During a fan Q&A, cast members were asked for one-word summaries of their characters' arcs in the upcoming season:

• Assad Zaman (Armand): "hungry"
• Eric Bogosian (Daniel Molloy): "revenge"
• Jennifer Ehle (Gabriella): "manipulative"
• Jacob Anderson (Louis): "unresolved"
• Sam Reid (Lestat): "failure" (which got a hearty laugh from the crowd!)

The panel closed with Sam Reid delivering an epic line when asked which fictional characters they'd "kill or eat": "I wouldn't mind knowing what a Simpson tastes like." A perfectly Lestat-ian mic drop!

Expanding the Immortal Universe: A Look at 'Talamasca: The Secret Order'

But wait, there’s more from Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe! NYCC also spotlighted "Talamasca: The Secret Order," a companion series set to premiere its first two episodes on Sunday, October 26, on AMC and AMC+. This new show is a fascinating expansion, delving into the secretive organization responsible for monitoring and protecting the mortal world from supernatural beings like witches and vampires.

Unlike "The Vampire Lestat," "Talamasca" isn't a direct adaptation of a single book, giving showrunners John Lee Hancock and Mark Lafferty the freedom to craft their own spy-thriller narrative within Rice's rich world. The series stars Nicholas Denton as Guy Anatole, a law student who gets recruited into the mysterious order. He's joined by Elizabeth McGovern as Helen (the calm but righteous leader of the New York Motherhouse), William Fichtner as Jasper (the enigmatic head of the London Motherhouse), and a cast that includes Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Celine Buckens, and Jason Schwartzman. Plus, "Interview With the Vampire" star Eric Bogosian reprises his role as Daniel Molloy, along with Justin Kirk as Raglan James, creating cool crossover potential!

We even got a sneak peek at a scene from "Talamasca" featuring Daniel Molloy meeting with Guy Anatole, adding another layer to the intricate web of Rice's world.

What's Next for Anne Rice's Immortal Universe?

With "The Vampire Lestat" gearing up for a wild 2026 premiere and "Talamasca: The Secret Order" launching this October 26, Anne Rice's Immortal Universe on AMC is clearly in a massive growth phase. Fans have a lot to look forward to, from Lestat's "contradictory and hallucinogenic" rockstar antics and the earth-shattering arrival of Akasha, to the shadowy intrigues of the Talamasca. Get ready for more vampires, more secrets, and more gothic drama than ever before!

Frequently Asked Questions About 'The Vampire Lestat' When does "The Vampire Lestat" Season 3 premiere? "The Vampire Lestat" is slated to premiere sometime in 2026 on AMC. A specific date has not yet been announced. Where can I watch "The Vampire Lestat" when it's released? The series will air on AMC and will also be available for streaming on AMC+. Is "The Vampire Lestat" based on an Anne Rice book? Yes! Season 3, now titled "The Vampire Lestat," is directly adapting Anne Rice's second book in "The Vampire Chronicles" series, also called The Vampire Lestat. Will the original cast members return for "The Vampire Lestat"? Absolutely! Sam Reid (Lestat), Jacob Anderson (Louis), Delainey Hayles (Claudia), and Assad Zaman (Armand) are all confirmed to return, alongside Eric Bogosian as Daniel Molloy. Sources

• New York Comic Con 2025 Panels
• Official AMC Announcements
• Showrunner and Cast Interviews