Alexandra Daddario has been cast as the lead in AMC's Mayfair Witches series. Mayfair Witches is based on Anne Rice's Lives of the Mayfair Witches series of books, a trilogy that consists of The Witching Hour, Lasher, and Taltos, giving plenty of material to mine for AMC's series. The show is being written and executive produced by Esta Spalding and Michelle Ashford, with Spalding serving as showrunner.
In addition to Mayfair Witches, AMC is also in production on an adaptation of Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles, starting with Interview with the Vampire, the first in Rice's books in that series. A film version was adapted in 1994 from director Neil Jordan, which starred Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Kirsten Dunst. AMC landed the rights to both The Vampire Chronicles and Mayfair Witches in 2020, which encompasses 18 novels in total. It's expected that each season of the shows will adapt a different book, but AMC has yet to confirm if that's the case.
Now, the first casting for Mayfair Witches has been revealed (via Variety) as Alexandra Daddario takes the lead role of Rowan Mayfair, the main character in Rice's trilogy. Rowan is a neurosurgeon that discovers she is the heir to a family of witches and must grapple with her newfound power and position. Mayfair Witches has been given an 8-episode first-season order, with plans to launch the show later in 2022. Dan McDermott, president of entertainment and AMC Studios for AMC Networks, praised the casting of Daddario, saying:
Alexandra is a singular talent who has lit up the screen in everything she’s been in and we couldn’t be happier to have her on board leading the cast of a series that will be a centerpiece of an expanding Anne Rice universe on AMC+ and AMC. We found our Rowan and can’t wait for her to meet viewers later this year in a series being brilliantly conceived and led by Esta, Michelle and Mark.
Daddario has been making a name for herself steadily over the years, appearing in all manner of film and TV projects. Her most notable early work came in the form of playing Annabeth in the Percy Jackson film series, which led to a number of roles, including parts in True Detective, Hall Pass, Texas Chainsaw 3D, and American Horror Story. The actress appeared in two of Dwayne Johnson's endeavors, San Andreas and Baywatch, and most recently appeared in HBO's The White Lotus.
While Daddario has taken the lead in many of her projects, landing the role of Rowan in Mayfair Witches is a big deal for the actress. Rowan is a significant character in Rice's Lives of the Mayfair Witches trilogy and will be a key player in the events that shape the series, giving Daddario an opportunity to define herself in the role. The actress has worked steadily up the ladder to gain a part like this and her considerable talents and presence should help bring Rowan to life in Mayfair Witches in a distinct, memorable and powerful way.
Source: Variety