Mayfair Witches, which is heading to BBC Two, is part of Anne Rice's Immortal Universe on TV, which kicked off with Interview with the Vampire.
Now we are delving into the lush mythology of Rice's witches. Rice's vampires and witches might live in the same city — New Orleans — but they have very different lives. The Mayfair witches' history goes back 13 generations and can be traced to Scotland. But their history is marred by a dark legacy that haunts the family to this day.
When neurosurgeon Rowan Mayfair discovers she has a terrifying ability, she starts searching for answers from her birth family. But she has no idea what secrets await her.
Mayfair Witches is based on Rice's The Lives of the Mayfair Witches series made up of The Witching Hour, Lasher and Taltos. Since the makers are laying the foundation for the Anne Rice Immortal Universe, it's worth mentioning that her vampires and witches interact on occasion, though those interactions mainly take place in later books in The Vampire Chronicles.
Here's everything you need to know about Mayfair Witches...
Mayfair Witches release date on BBC Two and BBCiPlayer
Mayfair Witches begins on BBC Two on Wednesday 6 December at 9 pm. Please note the whole series is available now to watch on BBC iPlayer.
In America the series has already been shown on AMC. You can watch the series now on AMC Plus.
AMC is included in most cable packages, as well as live TV streaming services like FuboTV, Sling TV and YouTube TV. If you've cut the cord you can either subscribe to AMC Plus directly or add it to an existing streaming plan through Prime Video, Apple TV Plus and Roku.
Mayfair Witches episode guide
Here's a handy guide to help you keep track of all the Mayfair Witches season 1 episodes.
Mayfair Witches season 1 episode 1: "The Witching Hour"
"Neurosurgeon Rowan Fielding has a problem -- when she gets mad, she kills with her mind; her search for answers sends her toward her secretive biological family; in New Orleans, Deirdre Mayfair is desperate to escape from her aunt's oppressive house."
Mayfair Witches season 1 episode 2: "The Dark Place"
"Wracked with grief over Ellie's death, Rowan is out of control and unfit to perform surgeries; her paranoia that someone is following her is proven true; in New Orleans, Deirdre and her mysterious companion Lasher work together to draw Rowan home."
Mayfair Witches season 1 episode 3: "Second Line"
"Rowan seeks safety in a strange city. Lasher makes contact. Cip investigates Deirdre’s murder."
Mayfair Witches season 1 episode 4: "Curiouser and Curiouser"
"At Deirdre’s funeral, Rowan is plunged into the complex world of the Mayfair family."
Mayfair Witches season 1 episode 5: "The Thrall"
"Trapped in the First Street House, Rowan and Cip must confront its many mysteries in order to escape; Rowan grapples with an inconceivable offer; Cip's sister Odette makes a horrifying discovery."
Mayfair Witches season 1 episode 6: "Transference"
"Desperate to relinquish Lasher, Rowan reaches out to her extended Mayfair family for help; Rowan must trust their unique process, a sacred ritual; Cip's search for answers takes him back to the Talamasca."
Mayfair Witches season 1 episode 7: "Tessa"
"Desperate to relinquish Lasher, Rowan reaches out to her extended Mayfair family for help; Rowan must trust their unique process, a sacred ritual; Cip's search for answers takes him back to the Talamasca."
Mayfair Witches season 1 episode 8: "What Rough Beast"
"Rowan inadvertently discovers her role in a prophecy that's held the Mayfair family for generations; Cip's investigation reaches its conclusion, uncovering secrets that could tarnish both Rowan's family and his role in the Talamasca."
Mayfair Witches cast
Alexandra Daddario (The White Lotus) brings Rowan Mayfair to life. Daddario, who took a vampiric turn in in American Horror Story: Hotel, is now playing the new Mayfair Designee. Rowan doesn't know much about her birth family, but there's something going on and she aims to figure out what it all means.
Tongayi Chirisa (iZombie) plays Ciprien, a new character to the mythology. Ciprien works for the Talamasca, a benevolent organization of scholars who study paranormal activity. He is a blend of two characters that are in the books but don't appear to be in the series: Aaron Lightener and Michael Curry. His role is to protect Rowan from her family.
Harry Hamlin (L.A. Law) brings Cortland Mayfair to life. Cortland wasn't as big of a presence in The Witching Hour as his father, Julien Mayfair, but there's no question that Hamlin's Cortland will play a larger role in the series.
Jack Huston (House of Gucci) plays the mysterious spirit Lasher, a being who has been with the Mayfair family for generations. He has his sights set on Rowan, and he won't let anyone get in his way until he has her.
Beth Grant (Dollface) is Carlotta, Rowan's evil aunt. Though she believes she's acting in everyone's best interest, Carlotta is a meddler who will stop at nothing to get what she wants.
Jen Richards (Mrs. Fletcher) is Jojo, Cortland's daughter. Since she grew up in her father's house, Jojo has her eyes wide open to Carlotta's interfering ways and she's dead-set on helping Rowan navigate the complex Mayfair family circles.
Hannah Alline (Doom Patrol) plays Suzanne, the first Mayfair witch who lived in Scotland centuries ago. Though she's long dead, her legacy lives on and understanding what happened to her helps viewers as they watch Rowan trying to find her place in the Mayfair family.
Mayfair Witches plot
Here's the official synopsis: "Based on Rice's best-selling trilogy, Lives of the Mayfair Witches, the eight-episode series focuses on an intuitive young neurosurgeon, Rowan (Daddario), who discovers that she is the unlikely heir to a family of witches. As she grapples with her newfound powers, she must contend with a sinister presence that has haunted her family for generations."
Mayfair Witches trailer
Here's the official trailer...
