Sam Reid Teases Wild Rock Star Era for Lestat in ‘Interview With the Vampire’ Season 3

Fans of AMC’s ‘Interview With the Vampire’ have been eagerly awaiting news about the show’s third season, and this week, Sam Reid—who plays the charismatic vampire Lestat de Lioncourt—offered an exciting glimpse into what lies ahead. Speaking with media as production on the new season began, Reid shared that viewers can expect to see Lestat stepping into the spotlight as a globe-trotting rock star, a storyline adapted from Anne Rice’s celebrated second novel, ‘The Vampire Lestat’ .

“It’s pretty wild, I’ve got to say,” Reid admitted. “I can’t really believe we’re doing it. Sometimes I’m like, ‘What the hell?!’” The first images released show Reid’s Lestat on stage, shirtless and soaking up adoration in true rock god fashion—while another shot captures him in a reflective moment, hinting at the season’s emotional range .

Season three marks a dramatic pivot for the series, shifting focus from Louis du Pointe de Lac’s journey to Lestat’s flamboyant, rebellious transformation. Showrunner Rolin Jones and Sam Reid collaborated with composer Daniel Hart to create original music for the season—even before the scripts were finalized. “There’s something inherently vampiric about rock music,” Reid said, “and that’s not really necessarily what is the flavor of the month at the moment in terms of what is desirable in music. Because I think at the end of the day, Lestat is a musician that writes from personal experience” .

This new direction is a natural extension of the show’s reputation for queer storytelling and its embrace of LGBTQ+ identities. The complex, romantic relationship between Lestat and Louis has been a central thread since the series debuted, resonating with LGBTQ+ viewers for its authentic exploration of love, desire, and difference . The upcoming season’s focus on Lestat’s self-reinvention as a musician underscores themes of chosen family, self-expression, and the search for belonging—concepts deeply familiar to many in the LGBTQ+ community.

Alongside Reid, the main cast returns: Jacob Anderson as Louis, Assad Zaman as Armand, Eric Bogosian as Daniel Molloy, and Delainey Hayles as Claudia . According to the production team, season three will not only chronicle Lestat’s rise as a rock star but also delve deeper into the dynamics between these characters as they grapple with fame, immortality, and their evolving relationships.

Reid and his fellow actors have expressed their hope that the new season will be embraced by the show’s passionate fanbase, especially those who have found representation and affirmation in its bold depiction of queer love. “I hope people are happy. You know that some people are never going to be happy, but all we can do is approach it with love and care, which we are. There’s a lot of love and care being put into it,” Reid said .

As anticipation builds for the premiere of ‘Interview With the Vampire’ season three, due in 2026 on AMC and AMC+ , LGBTQ+ audiences and allies can look forward to a season that continues to push boundaries. The series remains one of the few high-profile genre shows to place queer narratives—and queer actors—at its heart.

The decision to highlight Lestat’s transformation into a rock icon serves as a powerful metaphor for queer self-actualization. In a media landscape where LGBTQ+ representation is still contested in some quarters, ‘Interview With the Vampire’ stands out for its commitment to telling stories that are unapologetically bold, romantic, and inclusive .

With production in full swing and the creative team promising a season filled with music, spectacle, and emotional depth, the series looks set to deliver another chapter that will resonate deeply—especially for viewers who see themselves reflected in its immortal, complex protagonists.