Anne Rice News

AMC Networks has announced that it had greenlit a new series starring Bob Odenkirk for 2023 called Straight Man, with partners Sony Pictures’ Television TriStar TV and Gran Via. The project was announced as fast-track development earlier this month in advance of AMC Networks’ upfront event in New York City, and that turned out to be one fast track.

Produced and distributed by Boat Rocker, Orphan Black: Echoes will have a 10-episode first season. Anna Fishko (Pieces of Her, Fear the Walking Dead) is creator, writer, showrunner and executive producer with John Fawcett, the co-creator of the original series who directed 17 episodes across all five seasons, on as director and executive producer.

Aaron Zelman and Paul Lieberstein, who are adapting the project from the novel of the same name by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Russo, would serve as co-showrunners. Straight Man would be Odenkirk’s third series on AMC, following Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.

Eric Bogosian has been cast in Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire as “Daniel Molloy,” a journalist nearing the end of his career who’s given a second chance at the interview of a lifetime. Based on Anne Rice’s novel, the series follows Louis de Pointe, Lestat De Lioncourt and Claudia’s epic story of love, blood and the perils of immortality.

AMC Networks today announced that it had greenlit a new dramatic series for 2023 starring Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul), The Driver. Produced by AMC Studios, in association with A+E Studios and Thruline Entertainment, The Driver will have a six-episode first season.

AMC Networks today announced that it has greenlit a new series set in The Walking Dead Universe, starring Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.  Isle of the Dead envisions the popular Maggie and Negan characters traveling into a post-apocalyptic Manhattan long ago cut off from the mainland.

In its first three days of availability, The Walking Dead episode “No Other Way” has already become the most watched episode of any series on AMC+ to date. This week’s episode also became the #1 season launch for customer acquisition, with double-digit growth from the prior season.

AMC Networks today announced that it has greenlit two new original series for 2023, Demascus and Invitation to a Bonfire. Both shows were developed as part of AMC’s “scripts-to-series” model, which opens writers’ rooms to develop prospective series that, in success, move straight-to-series.

“Halt and Catch Fire” captures the rise of the PC era in the early 1980s, focusing on four primary characters attempting to innovate against the changing backdrop of technology and Texas’ Silicon Prairie. Starring Lee Pace as Joe MacMillan; Scoot McNairy as Gordon Clark; Kerry Bishé as Donna Clark; Mackenzie Davis as Cameron Howe.

AMC Networks today announced it has greenlit “Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches,” a new series based on the “Lives of the Mayfair Witches” trilogy, for AMC+ and AMC. The second series in an expanding Anne Rice universe, “Mayfair” will follow “Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire” with a late 2022 premiere. The first season will include eight episodes.

Zed Fest Film Festival 2021 has announced their opening night line-up. The 12th Annual Film Festival Runs November 11 Through November 13, 2021 Laemmle Noho 7, Noho Arts District, Ca.

Rolin Jones (“Perry Mason,” “Friday Night Lights”), who also has an overall development deal with AMC Studios, is creator, showrunner and executive producer of “Interview.”

Mary Fahl is an expressive, emotional singer/songwriter who first achieved fame as lead singer and co-founder of the mid-1990s NYC- based Folk-Chamber Pop group October Project.  The hallmark of their sound was Mary Fahl's awe-inspiring power vocals over gorgeous melodies played with passion and sophistication. 

Mary Fahl (formerly of October Project) will perform at the Sellersville Theater on June 8.

The Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival returns for its 35th annual celebration of contemporary literature, culture, theater, and the works of Tennessee Williams. The 2021 Festival will offer two consecutive weekends of virtual programming in March: a Writer’s Retreat followed by a weekend of traditional events presented online.

AMC Networks today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Anne Rice's major literary works, The Vampire Chronicles Series and The Lives of the Mayfair Witches Series, encompassing 18 titles, including such beloved and celebrated works as “Interview With The Vampire,” “The Vampire Lestat,” “The Queen of the Damned,” and “The Witching Hour.”

Last week the book 'Me' was released by the legend Elton John and it got me thinking about Elton's contribution to musical theatre. His music and his generous personality have touched millions. His musical fantasy movie Rocketman, that came out earlier this year, based on his life is one of the greatest, in my opinion, films ever made. He has such a passion and love for everything he does and what he has given the magical world of musical theatre is just as extraordinary.

Actor-singer-dancer-choreographer Adam Fleming became a part of Broadway history originating the roles of Sketch in Hairspray and Lucas in Bare. In 2005, he starred in David Brind and Adam Salky's acclaimed short film, Dare, about two teenage boys' tense, spark-filled encounter in a pool following high school play practice. Dare gained a cult following as part of Strand Releasing's 'Boys Life' series and ultimately achieved worldwide popularity via more than 12 Million views on Youtube. The fan fervor (and fan fiction!) eventually inspired a sequel, ten years later. The original and the sequel are now being presented together as The Dare Project and attracting new legions of fans.

Theatre Aspen announced today that three-time Emmy, two-time Golden Globe and Grammy Award winner, as well as a two-time Screen Actors Guild Award nominee, Beau Bridges, has been added to the organization's inaugural one-person show festival, Solo Flights, in Coach: An Evening with John Wooden, a new one-character play about legendary basketball coach, John Wooden, written by John Wilder. Coach: An Evening with John Wooden will open the festival on Wednesday, September 18 at 7:00pm and play an encore performance on Saturday, September 21 at 4:00pm.

Now entering its 28th year, Broadway Theatre Project (BTP) announces Ben Vereen will rejoin the visiting faculty team in 2019.  During the 28 years BTP has been educating young artists, Ben has served in a variety of capacities: as a Master Artist, Artistic Advisor to the Project, and Co-Artistic Director. BTP's faculty members in 2019 include dancers and choreographers, vocal technique teachers as well as coaches, directors, playwrights, casting directors, and talent agents and an award winning photographer. The 2019 Summer Apprenticeship program is being held June 23-July 14 on the campus of the University of South Florida. Applications and recorded auditions are due March 1st.  Requests for exceptions should be addressed to Debra McWaters, Co-Artistic Director, at 888-874-1764.