After multiple offers from other corporations, an agreement is reached on where this anticipated series will land. AMC acquires rights to Vampire Chronicles and Mayfair Witches through agreement with author Anne Rice, according to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. These rights have been highly sought after with this intellectual property includes 18 titles between the two book series, with endless opportunity for developing series and film surrounding this work. Her previous works have been successful in this way as well, attracting film adaptations with her novels creating a widespread fan base.
Anne Rice is an accomplished author having written more than 30 novels, her first Interview with the Vampire was published in 1976 and became one of bestselling novels worldwide. While this opportunity with AMC will be the first time her novels are adapted for television, Interview with a Vampire was adapted into a feature film in 1994 including Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Kirsten Dunst (Jumanji) and Antonio Banderas (Dolittle); along with the film Queen of the Damned, in 2002.
“It’s always been my dream to see the worlds of my two biggest series united under a single roof so that filmmakers could explore the expansive and interconnected universe of my vampires and witches,” Anne Rice told Variety. “That dream is now a reality, and the result is one of the most significant and thrilling deals of my long career.”
Rice and her son and also best-selling author, Christopher Rice (The Vines, The Snow Garden) have working for this television series for years now with multiple negotiations with platforms such as Paramount TV and Anonymous Content and Hulu, but neither could move forward with the project. Now, through the AMC studio banners, the Rice team will be executive producers of all TV and film projects that result from the agreement along with the help of Rolin Jones (Friday Night Lights).
“There is no shortage of content in today’s competitive environment, but proven IP that has captivated millions of fans around the world is something very special and rare, and that is what Anne Rice has created,” said Sarah Barnett, president of AMC Networks Entertainment Group and AMC Studios, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “These remarkable stories and characters are massive in their appeal, and we are privileged to take over stewardship of these legendary works and collaborate with a talent like Rolin Jones to find ways for new generations of fans to experience these worlds.”
Production or a release date surrounding the new series have not been announced.