Anne Rice's 'Mayfair Witches' Casts A New Light On The Original Trilogy of Novels (Review)

Rowan Fielding (Alexandra Daddario) and Lasher (Jack Huston)

From the hauntingly beautiful mind of author Anne Rice, ‘Mayfair Witches’ on AMC, gives the original novel trilogy a fresh new face. From the books, ‘Lives of The Mayfair Witches’ the list order goes: ‘The Witching Hour’, ‘Lasher’, and ‘Taltos’. Although I have not read the books myself, I did some digging into the similarities and differences between the series and the set of novels. Story lines were changed around and some crucial characters were not mentioned (at least not this season.) We were also introduced to some new characters (Ciprien Grieve) who was supposed to be based on a mix of two characters from the books, Talamasca agent Aaron Lightner, and a civilian who falls in love with Rowan (Alexandra Daddario), Michael Curry.

A little insight into the series…

Rowan Fielding is a renowned young neurosurgeon who after losing her adoptive mother to a long-time battle with cancer, is in search of finding her true self. After a slue of heated interactions leading to several of her coworkers dropping dead right before her eyes, Rowan can’t help but think that she might have something to do with it. Little does she know, she’s an heir to a family of witches, the Mayfair Witches.

WARNING: Spoilers Ahead

Deidre Mayfair (Annabeth Gish)

After Rowan was born, she was given to Ellie Mayfair (Erica Gimpel) a cousin of the Mayfair Witches, and was sworn to secrecy by Carlotta Mayfair (Beth Grant) that Rowan may never find out her true origins in hopes of protecting her from “him.” Before Ellie passed away, she made a call to the Talamasca and prompted Ciprien Grieve (Tongayi Chirisa) with the task of keeping her daughter safe. In hopes of staying under the radar, Ciprien sneakily follows Rowan around, taking photos of her and studying her behavior. Rowan catches on and continues her trek to the evergreen marshes of New Orleans.

Once Rowan realizes that Ciprien is not there to harm her, but to help her, she teams up with him and ultimately stays with him in New Orleans. Grieve knows about the horrors that have plagued the Mayfair Witches for centuries and he has to be extra cautious with his work and his meddling with “him” who we now know as Lasher (Jack Huston.) Lasher is a sultry shape-shifting entity who has been with the Mayfair Witches since the 1600s when he saved Suzanne Mayfair (the first witch) from an uncertain death by drowning.

The Mayfair Home (Inspired by Anne Rice’s home in New Orleans)

As I mentioned previously, I have not read The Mayfair Witches novel series. That being said, I truly enjoyed this adaptation. The cinematography done by Evans Brown and Joseph E. Gallagher was absolutely enchanting and one of my favorite aspects of this series. The muted blue and green hues that fill your screen set the mood from scene to scene flawlessly. The architecture itself in New Orleans is displayed in a beautiful yet dilapidated manner that takes you back to the early days of the now bustling city.

Creators Michelle Ashford and Esta Spalding took the original story by Anne Rice and made it their own. Even though others may disagree, I think it worked in their favor. Any book that has been adapted into a film will never be spot on with the likeness, and I enjoy that aspect. You still get that reminiscent feeling with some extra added pizazz. Although I feel as if the start of the series was a little slow, once it got going, it really got going.

Carlotta Mayfair (Beth Grant)

As far as casting goes, we were presented with quite a lineup of remarkable actors and actresses. Our leading ladies; Alexandra Daddario, Annabeth Gish, and Beth Grant encapsulate the personality of their characters well and make you feel as if you are part of their coven of witches. In almost every character that Beth Grant portrays, you can’t help but feel a little disdain towards them, but in a good way. When it comes to the point where you can’t separate the original actor from their character, you know they must be doing something right.

Daddario plays the perfect Rowan: intuitive, seductive, and full of light that has been dimmed for too long. Gish has played a wide variety of roles over the years, and I think this may be one of my favorites that she has done thus far. Her role as Deidre was sadly cut too short in my opinion, there was so much more she had to offer. That being said, Jack Huston in his role as Lasher was so alluring that I think even I was entranced by him. I know he is supposed to be “the bad guy” but you can’t help but feel that connection to him. Not to mention Tongayi Chirisa, for being cast as a new character that was not in the novels, was exceptional as the powerfully caring and intelligent Ciprien Grieve.

Anne Rice’s ‘Mayfair Witches’ brings life back into the stories of witchcraft and enchantment that have been told for centuries. Shortly after the first season ended last year, it was quickly announced that a second season was in the works. While Mayfair Witches only received mixed reviews from critics, AMC's renewal announcement reveals that the show became the top-ranked series to premiere on AMC+ based on viewership and was a popular cable drama. I’m curious to see if there will be a third installment to follow along the trilogy of novels. After the finale of the first season, our jaws were on the floor and we can’t wait to see what becomes of Rowan and the newly reincarnated Lasher.

You can catch up with Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches on Blu-ray as Amazon has a great deal for the complete first season for the AMC show HERE. The show is still available to stream via AMC+ as well. Either way you decide to watch, we know for sure the series will cast a spell on you.

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