If 'Interview with the Vampire' Hooked You, This Anne Rice Show Is Your Next Must-Watch

While everyone is discussing Interview with the Vampire and Mayfair Witches, another adaptation of Anne Rice's work was released – and it deserves no less attention.

Talamasca: The Secret Order offers a fresh and unexpected take on a familiar world by abandoning the books' direct adherence to the story in favor of an original plot.

What's more, this project could be the perfect entry point into Rice's world for new viewers.

What Is 'Talamasca: The Secret Order' About?

Guy Anatole is an ambitious law graduate facing financial difficulties and an uncertain future. Then, a persistent recruiter from a mysterious organization called Talamasca discovers him.

Tempted by the organization's generous offer, the young lawyer agrees to join and soon learns a shocking truth: Talamasca has been studying paranormal phenomena for centuries, including vampires, witches, and other mythical creatures.

However, instead of merely observing, Guy finds himself caught up in a complex espionage game when the New York branch assigns him to spy on their London colleagues.

'Talamasca: The Secret Order' Is a Mix of Fantasy, Drama and Spy Games

At first, Talamasca seems like a typical fantasy story involving vampires and secret societies. However, the plot quickly evolves into a suspenseful spy thriller involving corporate espionage.

The Talamasca's decentralized structure, in which different branches play their own games and plot against each other, gives the narrative a political edge.

Meanwhile, the main character navigates his own personal drama as he attempts to understand his past and determine who he can trust in this new, dangerous world.

'Talamasca' Is a Friendly Show Even for Those Who Were Never Interested in the Anne Rice Universe

Unlike many adaptations, which require viewers to have at least a skin-deep understanding of the source material, Talamasca is surprisingly accessible to new viewers.

The creators deliberately avoided overwhelming viewers with too many characters or a complex mythology. They unfold the action in the present, with minimal references to the past.

You won't need to memorize dozens of names, navigate the chronology of centuries-old events, or understand a complex hierarchy of supernatural beings. The story of Guy Anatole is a standalone story and a perfect entry point into Anne Rice's world.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Talamasca: The Secret Order'?

• Talamasca: The Secret Order has 64% from critics and 69% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 6.5/10.

Where to Watch 'Talamasca: The Secret Order'?

Talamasca: The Secret Order is available to stream on AMC+.