‘Talamasca: The Secret Order’: Everything You Need to Know
We watch and we are always there.
The third installment in Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe, Talamasca: The Secret Order proves just why it is the most secretive and most powerful organization that exists between the mortal and immortal plains. Starring Nicholas Denton as Guy Anatole—a recent law graduate looking for a fresh and wealthy start—and Elizabeth McGovern as Helen—a high ranking Talamasca agent who is head of the New York House—Talamasca takes limited text from The Vampire Chronicles series and creates a world that turns the audience upside down and inside out. From the series’ opening down to the very last second of the season finale, you won’t even trust yourself.
An Angel in Disguise?
Guy is recruited by Helen to go on the hunt for a book of knowledge: the 7-5-2. His unique ability at mind reading is the perfect tool to infiltrate the London House that has been compromised, and now secretly led, by the vampire Jasper (William Fichtner). In this quest, Guy discovers that Helen’s motives may not be as cut and dry as she presented, causing him to question her every word, request, and her judgement. A quick study, Guy uses what he learns to go down his own path to serve his ultimate goal.
Not Your Mama’s Vampire Chronicles
The relationship between Guy and Helen is one that hangs in the very balance and realm in which the Talamasca exists. Truth and deception. Secrecy and transparency. Knowledge and ignorance. As you watch their worlds collide, each is left wondering of the other: “can you be trusted?” In this delicate game of surveillance, everyone is both potential ally and deadly enemy. It is because of this storytelling and darkly ambiguous depiction of the secret organization that Talamasca feels remarkably distant from Interview With the Vampire—connected by a thread of cameo mentions (and a wonderful surprise for fans later on) that alert you to the existence of the critically acclaimed series while keeping them far enough on the outskirts for the youngest series to stake its claim in the immortal universe. In essence, you too will feel like a part of the secret order— watching and existing between worlds as Guy and Helen fight elusive foes to find the truth.
William Fichtner is the Perfect Vampire
The beauty of Talamasca is the inability for the viewer to distinguish friend from foe. One such creature that walks that tightrope like a gentle breeze is Jasper. Jasper is a vampire who, at first glance, searches for the 7-5-2 solely for knowledge and power. However, in his dalliance with Guy, the layers are peeled back—his motivation rooted in something so deeply human that it instantly connects us, and Guy, to his cause. As Guy continues his mission on behalf of the Talamasca, he must face the facts that maybe the vampires are the honest ones. Maybe the Talamasca is using him and he may perish for a cause that was orchestrated in the shadows, leading to his demise.
The 6-episode series expertly marries Anne Rice’s supernatural universe with darker spy and thriller elements, giving writer John Lee Hancock just enough material to craft an outline of a show and fill it with modern original content that lets the audience know that it is here to stay. Talamasca also stars an incredible ensemble cast—Maisie Richardson-Sellers (Olive), Céline Buckens (Doris), and guest stars Jason Schwartzman (Burton) with Eric Bogosian reprising his role from Interview as Daniel Malloy.
Talamasca: The Secret Order will have a 2-episode premiere Sunday, October 26 on AMC TV and AMC+ at 9/8c. Tune in weekly thereafter until the season finale.
Check out the trailer below.