8 Biggest Book-to-Series Changes AMC's Interview With the Vampire Made

Starring Jacob Anderson and Sam Reid as gothic immortals, the series depicts the two men throughout their lives as vampires in early 20th-century New Orleans.

The show closely follows the book it is based on written by Anne Rice. Yet some key elements have been altered for the series' adaptation to appear better for a series format. We've listed 8 of the biggest differences between the series in comparison with the novel.

The time period

Maybe the most significant difference between the books to the series is the setting of the plot itself.

Rice's original book was centered largely around the 18th century, where Reid's character Lestat operates as a Louisiana plantation owner. However, the series takes place roughly 100 years later instead.

The show's writer Rolin Jones was credited with explaining the change as a way of keeping the excitement of the book's original aesthetic, without having to include slavery as part of the show's narrative. Something they thought was no longer wanted or necessary within the story.

Louis' race

Louis de Pointe du Lac, portrayed brilliantly by Jacob Anderson, is one of the prominent characters of the show as an affluent black vampire of New Orleans. His backstory fits well with the show's new setting, an owner of several brothels within the historic district of Storyville.

Yet Louis' depiction is quite different from how he is described in Rice's novel; a white man with long shoulder-length hair.

Changing the race of Louis within the series was more appropriate for both the show's new plot and for updating the story for current audiences. Claudia, played by Bailey Bass, also does not reflect the fair-skinned golden-haired Claudia from the book. Yet that is not the most substantial difference between the two versions of that character.

Claudia is significantly older

Bailey Bass's portrayal as Claudia is a fantastic and significant part of the new show's plot. A teenage girl who joins Louis and Lestat as a vampire, she becomes a surrogate daughter to the pair. However, Claudia's age within the series is far older than her intended age in the book; which was originally written as only five years old. As she struggles to survive as an immortal child, her character wrestles with the realization that she will never reach adulthood.

The version of Claudia from the show is not entirely different, apart from being 14 years of age instead, she still faces difficulties coming to terms with her existence as a permanent teenager. Swapping her distress as an emotional child for the hardships of eternal puberty practically for the show, this was a smart decision for the character as well.

Not knowing how long the series could run, it will be significantly easier to portray the young-looking Bass as a teenager for longer than any child actor could stay looking five.

Rashid's true identity

One of the more surprising differences from the books includes the twist revealed at the end of season one's last episode – you may not want to continue reading if you want to avoid a spoiler. The character of Rashid (played by Assad Zaman), had been initially introduced as Louis's servant throughout the season. However, during a heated moment of contention in Daniel's interview session with Louis, he actually reveals himself as Armand, a 514-year-old vampire. Although the character of Armand does exist in the books, he's never present during the interview. And his story so far seems quite removed from the character's original narrative.

Lestat's death is done quite differently

Although Lestat's death still features as a big part of the book, Claudia and Louis' plan to take him out is not quite as evolved as how it is depicted in the show.

Lestat does get poisoned from 'bad' blood. But the act of the Mardi Gras ball to trick him into drinking the blood was never featured in the original novel. Unlike the book also, the pair's plan actually succeeds, but not before Louis is too compassionate to refuse to burn his body for good.

The novel instead sees Lestat return after they attempt to poison him. Alternatively, Louis does not hesitate to leave him, as the house burns down in a fire with him inside.

Lestat's creation as a vampire

Before Lestat is reunited with Louis and Claudia, after almost killing Louis in a rage years earlier, they eagerly inquire about his creation as a vampire. Interestingly, the book never reveals Lestat's history this early in the series.

But the show does offer a glimpse into Lestat's past. He tells them both of his creator Magnus, and the unfortunate tortured circumstances in which he was turned himself. This, along with details of his first love Nicki, is never shared in Rice's first book. It is interesting the series chose to reveal these details so early on.

Claudia's creation as a vampire

Unlike Lestat, Claudia's creation as a vampire is not only revealed in both the book and the series, but it features a prominent part of the narrative. The major difference between the two is how and why Claudia becomes a vampire at all.

In the series, it shows her trapped in a fire that started during a riot through New Orleans. She is just about rescued by Louis, who then begs Lestat to save her by turning her as he did for him. Not only does this contrast the book in that Louis never saved her but instead feeds on her after finding her with the corpse of her dead mother.

Lestat turns Claudia not only without the request or blessing of Louis but as a way of teasing him for his discretion.

The very existence of Antoinette

Antoinette is a recurring character throughout the season, depicted as a lounge singer that Lestat has a brief infatuation with.

However, the character barely exists in the books at all, described in the novel simply as a musician Lestat meets, and possibly turns after his attempted murder by Louis and Claudia. Thereafter little is mentioned of him going forward.

Yet in the series, Antoinette is a prominent character who is largely used by Lestat to irritate Louis. And when Louis demands he dispose of her, Lestat instead helps fake her death. Only for her to be used once again by Lestat to keep an eye on his friends. Her role in Lestat's death is never present within the book, and much of her involvement within the series is often depicted around scenes that also never appear in the original story.