Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches returns for its second season, now available on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital from Acorn Media International. Following its BBC premiere, the series continues to expand Rice’s gothic universe with heightened stakes, new characters, and the kind of lush atmosphere that fans have come to expect.
Season 2 picks up with Rowan Fielding (Alexandra Daddario) navigating the horrors and responsibilities of motherhood after giving birth to the embodiment of the demonic Lasher. The twist, of course, is that Lasher grows at a terrifyingly rapid pace, his desires spiraling into chaos and threatening the Mayfair bloodline itself. As Rowan struggles with the seductive powers she gains through him, she must confront whether her gifts are worth the devastation they bring to those around her.
The returning cast is strong—Tongayi Chirisa, Harry Hamlin, and Jack Huston all reprise their roles, while new faces like Ben Feldman (Mad Men, As Above, So Below) and Alyssa Jirrels (Fatal Attraction) add fresh energy. The New Orleans setting remains a character in its own right, with its gothic architecture and rich atmosphere giving the show a seductive edge.
Critical reception has been largely positive, with outlets like TIME praising its “substance behind the gorgeous veneer” and The Wrap noting its “dramatic and sexy” appeal. Comicbook.com even called it “easily the best Anne Rice adaptation yet,” and for fans of AMC’s Interview with the Vampire, The Sun insists this series is a must-watch.
And yet, much of the conversation inevitably circles back to Alexandra Daddario. She’s become a polarizing figure—some admire her icy presence and striking screen presence, while others (myself included) struggle to fully connect. Daddario herself has pushed back on the persistent “bad actress” label, pointing to her Emmy nomination for The White Lotus as proof of her ability. She’s right, of course: a bad script or weak directing can sink even the most talented performer. But she’s also an actress who thrives when given strong material—when the writing falters, she’s not the type to elevate it single-handedly. Her infamous Texas Chainsaw 3D line, “Do your thing, cuz!” still lingers as a reminder of how unforgiving poor material can be.
Thankfully, Mayfair Witches Season 2 leans toward the better showcase of her talents. Rowan’s conflict—torn between maternal instinct, seductive power, and looming destruction—suits Daddario’s reserved intensity. She may not disappear into the role the way some fans might hope, but paired with the show’s strong supporting cast and gothic grandeur, she delivers a performance that works within the story’s heightened reality.
On Blu-ray, the season looks fantastic. The shadowy corners of New Orleans, candlelit interiors, and supernatural flourishes all benefit from crisp presentation. The set also includes solid bonus features, such as Episode Insiders, Show Me More, and the Comic-Con 2024 Panel, which give deeper context for fans eager to explore beyond the episodes
Ultimately, Mayfair Witches Season 2 is more confident, more sinister, and more spellbinding than its debut. It doubles down on the gothic melodrama that makes Anne Rice’s work so enduring while giving its cast room to explore darker emotional territory. For those already bewitched, this release is a must-own, and for the curious, it’s a reminder that AMC’s “Immortal Universe” still has plenty of dark magic left to conjure.
Jessie Hobson