TALAMASCA: THE SECRET ORDER Is Worth a Watch If You’re an IWTV Fan (Review)

by

AMC’s connected universe of Anne Rice stories is expanding with the new series, *Talamasca: The Secret Order*. Unlike previous shows, this one isn’t directly based on a specific Anne Rice novel. Instead, it tells a completely original story drawing from the worlds of *The Vampire Chronicles* and *The Lives of the Mayfair Witches*. Most of the characters are new, though a few familiar faces appear in supporting roles – including Eric Bogosian, reprising his role from *Interview with the Vampire* in the first episode. The story centers on Guy Anatole, a young man with psychic abilities (played by Nicholas Denton), and Helen (Elizabeth McGovern), an enigmatic agent of the Talamasca. But what exactly *is* the Talamasca? Here’s our review of *Talamasca: The Secret Order*.

As a longtime Anne Rice fan, I’ve always been fascinated by the Talamasca! They popped up a bit in *Interview with the Vampire*, but really became central in *Mayfair Witches*. If you’re jumping into *Talamasca: The Secret Order* without knowing much about them, be warned – it dives right into the thick of things! Basically, the Talamasca are this ancient, global order of psychic scholars – they’ve been around for a thousand years! They’re unique because they’re the only humans who *know* the supernatural is real. Seriously, they have more magical artifacts and knowledge than the Vatican! Rice first introduced them in *The Queen of the Damned*, and they were a recurring presence in both her vampire and witches stories. This show stays true to that core concept, but it really digs into the internal power struggles and politics of the order in a way her books didn’t quite explore.

The story centers around Guy Anatole (Nicholas Denton), a young man with psychic abilities and a hidden past. In New York City, he meets Helen (Elizabeth McGovern), who brings him into the Talamasca, an organization that investigates the supernatural. Helen reveals that monsters and other things people fear are actually real, and Guy’s mind-reading skills make him a valuable asset, particularly for a secret mission she assigns him. The first episode focuses on Guy discovering the existence of these supernatural beings, and features a memorable appearance by Jason Schwartzman as a vampire. This introduction to *Talamasca: The Secret Order* is enjoyable, though Guy seems to accept the reality of the supernatural a little too quickly.

Helen is explaining to Guy how the Talamasca works – it’s made up of different groups, or ‘motherhouses,’ each with their own leaders and agendas. They manage to keep the peace between each other, with the main headquarters in Amsterdam acting as the central authority. However, that peace is now broken by a huge secret the Talamasca has been hiding, and Helen needs Guy’s help to figure it out. This creates a dynamic similar to a seasoned agent training a new recruit, which is enjoyable at first. Unfortunately, as the six-episode season progresses, the increasingly complex plot starts to overshadow the characters’ growth, making things less engaging.

Unlike the novels, which focused on characters and mood over a strong storyline, this show prioritizes plot. The series centers around a quest for a powerful object that could shift control among the various branches of the Talamasca order and its immortal world. The central mystery is engaging, though occasionally complex. However, the show’s espionage aspects sometimes feel more exhausting than exciting. This could be forgiven if the characters were truly captivating, but despite strong performances, they remain distant and hard to connect with.

Elizabeth McGovern is the standout performer in this cast. After years playing the dignified Lady Grantham on *Downton Abbey*, she gets a chance to play a more mysterious and complex character, hinting at hidden depths. However, by the end, it’s disappointing that her character in *Talamasca: The Secret Order* doesn’t have a more significant role in driving the plot. We see her often lost in thought and giving orders, but not enough of her vulnerable side. She shares some strong moments with Guy early on, and the actor playing him is at his best when interacting with her. While his performance isn’t bad, he spends most of the series simply reacting to events, and after six episodes, his constant look of confusion becomes a bit tiresome.

William Fichtner plays Jasper, who essentially acts as the villain representing the Talamasca. While we won’t spoil the surprise of his true identity, let’s just say he’s incredibly ancient. There’s a disconnect, however, as Fichtner is a very modern, American actor, and he doesn’t quite embody the character as it seems to have been originally envisioned. Still, he manages to come across as genuinely dangerous and threatening, which is a positive. Unfortunately, Maisie Richardson-Sellers (known from *Legends of Tomorrow*) isn’t given much to do, which is disappointing given her talent and strong screen presence.

The show’s first season focuses on one main storyline, but it feels like an episodic format – where the characters investigate a different supernatural problem each week – might have worked better. While the big story does eventually come together in a satisfying way, it drags a bit along the way. Perhaps having the Talamasca agents tackle individual cases would have kept things more engaging.

Connections to the other shows in the *Immortal Universe* are subtle, but you can hear Lestat’s new song playing briefly in a bar—so listen out for it! *Talamasca: The Secret Order* is decent overall, and worth checking out for dedicated fans of this world. Hopefully, a second season would give the actors more to do. The Talamasca’s guiding principle is “We watch. And we are always there,” and we hope the show gives viewers more compelling reasons to keep watching along with them.

Anne Rice’s Talamasca: The Secret Order debuts its premiere episode on October 26 on AMC.

Read More

2025-10-16 10:03