The latest installment in AMC’s Anne Rice Immortal Universe has a fairly unique calling card: It’s not actually based on any particular work by the author at its center. Unlike its sister series, Interview with the Vampireand Mayfair Witches, which draw on events from two different series of novels, Talamasca: The Secret Order is inspired by a concept that’s heavily present in Rice’s work rather than a specific story. A daunting task, to be sure, but an exciting one—if only because it means that Talamasca is free to take its story in any direction it chooses, and give viewers plenty of surprises along the way. (After all, it’s not like any of us have read ahead for once!)
First introduced in Season 2 of Interview with the Vampire, the Talamasca are a centuries-old order of clandestine spies and scholars dedicated to the covert surveillance of the supernatural world. Their job? To protect society from the vampires, witches, demons, and other powerful creatures that exist in the world without anyone being any the wiser. (Unless they get overly involved with their subject. Looking at you, Ciprien Grieve of Mayfair Witches fame.)
The new six-part series that bears the organization’s name revolves around a young law school graduate with a special gift of his own who’s recruited to join the agency only to find himself caught up in a larger mystery.
Here’s the series’ synopsis.
This new chapter in Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe follows Guy Anatole as he joins the clandestine world of the Talamasca, an international spy agency for immortals, and uncovers his family’s hidden ties to the supernatural world.
Talamasca stars Nicholas Denton (Dangerous Liaisons), Elizabeth McGovern (Downton Abbey), William Fichtner (Heat), Maisie Richardson-Sellers (Nine Perfect Strangers), and Celine Buckens (Showtrial).
The series officially premieres on Sunday, October 26, but we’ve got an exclusive first look at the highly anticipated first episode. The clip below from the series premiere follows Helen (Elizabeth McGovern), a seasoned veteran of the Talamasca, introducing newcomer Guy Anatole (Nicholas Denton) to the organization’s New York City motherhouse and further unveiling the Talamasca’s purpose.
Talamasca: The Secret Order premieres Sunday, October 26, with two episodes on AMC and AMC+.
Lacy Baugher Milas writes about TV and Books at Paste Magazine, but loves nerding out about all sorts of pop culture. You can find her on Twitter and Bluesky at @LacyMB
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