“Talamasca: The Secret Order” is the newest sequence in AMC’s “Immortal Universe” sequence based mostly on the works of Anne Rice. It joins Interview with the Vampire, whose third season is scheduled to be launched in 2026, and Mayfair Witches, whose third season is scheduled to start filming subsequent 12 months. However this world did not really feel very linked, and Talamasca goals to alter that. For probably the most half, the manufacturing was successful, additional fleshing out the world of Rice’s iconic characters and shining a lightweight on a gaggle accustomed to sticking within the shadows.
The sequence stars Nicholas Denton as Man Anatole, a clairvoyant who’s initially hesitant when approached by Helen (Elizabeth McGovern), an agent of Talamasca, a secret group that displays all paranormal exercise. He solely agrees when Helen reveals that her mom is just not lifeless, as Man believed, and that she continues to be alive, and that she is going to assist him discover her in alternate for serving to him cease the vampires who’ve invaded Talamasca’s London workplace. Quickly, Man finds himself embroiled in troubling instances involving vampires, witches, and extra whereas navigating a high-stakes spy recreation.
Talamasca: Secret Command expands on AMC’s Timeless universe in fascinating methods
Whereas Interview with the Vampire and Mayfair Witches are based mostly on precise Rice novels, Talamasca is just not based mostly on any specific story. As a substitute, this work takes inspiration from the worlds of these tales, and it is a credit score to the artistic group that it really appears like a part of the identical world. It is going to be very fascinating the way it provides up. For instance, Talamasca itself is an fascinating group to study extra about. At their most simple, they spy on the supernatural world, however inside the broader group there are teams with their very own mysterious agendas.
This can be a totally partaking spy thriller with the enjoyable addition of vampires, witches, and extra thrown into the combo.
Peeling again the layers of thriller is on the coronary heart of Talamasca: The Secret Order, nearly to the purpose of overkill. First, there’s the thriller of Man’s mom, with a number of breadcrumbs sprinkled all through the sequence. Subsequent, the primary factor is to discover a e book that comprises all of the information of Talamasca. Then one other story that features Helen’s backstory – and that is a bit a lot for a six-episode sequence. Once more, the present strikes at a quick tempo and divulges come rapidly. There are some stable emotional throughlines as effectively, and so they assist hold us hooked to the twists and turns.
All in all, it is a totally partaking spy thriller, with the added enjoyable of throwing issues like vampires and witches into the combo, and the world-building is essential to the way forward for the Immortals universe. However what actually makes Talamasca a present price watching is the solid.
William Fichtner steals the present as the brand new vampire within the sequence
As a result of it isn’t based mostly on the particular content material of Rice’s e book, Talamasca takes appreciable liberties with the tales and characters which might be advised. A number of established characters from the Immortal Universe seem, together with Eric Bogosian’s Daniel Molloy and Justin Kirk’s Raglan James. Their function right here is a superb cameo, and Kirk is definitely extra of a visitor star since he seems all through the episode (which additionally occurs to be the most effective of the sequence). However they’re in any other case utterly new characters, most of whom are nice and match effectively into Rice’s world.
Dentons Man is a really succesful lead and is ready to maintain his personal in distinction to his sturdy on-screen efficiency. McGovern, maybe finest recognized for her work on Downton Abbey, shocked me as Helen. This function is tough as a result of she might be too maternal, however McGovern makes her sufficiently menacing that you have to be cautious of her, too. Jason Schwartzman solely seems briefly as a vampire, and he is lots of enjoyable. It is very surprising and his appearing right here gave me Gideon Graves vibes, however it works very effectively in establishing how fascinating and harmful this supernatural world is.
His stage of camp is completely dialed in and the present could be very boring with out it.
However no character does it higher than the vampire Jasper performed by William Fichtner. He is the whole lot you need in a vampire unhealthy man and extra. He is charming, humorous, and likewise downright scary when he must be. It is secure to say that Talamasca is a reasonably good present more often than not, however it’s an amazing present when Fichtner is on display. His stage of camp is completely dialed in and the present could be very boring with out it.
Talamasca: The Secret Order is not fairly pretty much as good as Interview with the Vampire, however that is a excessive bar for nearly any present in any style of TV. To be trustworthy, I have not seen Mayfair Witches so I can not make an actual comparability, however the consensus round it wasn’t significantly better. Talamasca appears to fall someplace in between, neither higher nor worse, however with an excellent story, good performances, and a promising premise that hints at a stronger cohesion for the Immortals universe sooner or later.
Talamasca: The Secret Order premieres October 26 on AMC and AMC+.
launch date
October 26, 2025
nicholas denton
Man Anatole
Benefits and drawbacks
An fascinating growth of the Immortal Universe. Nice performances, particularly William Fichtner as the brand new vampire.
Quite a few mysteries to be solved in a brief period of time.
