Uncover the Mysterious World of Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches with New Faces

Moira Mayfair: The Outsider

24-year-old Alyssa Jirrels takes on the role of Moira Mayfair, a character inspired by Mona Mayfair from the books. Moira is the sister of Tessa (portrayed by Madison Wolf), a witch who met a tragic end during the penultimate episode of the first season. Before delving into this role, Jirrels clearly did her homework. "I read some of the second book. I watched the first season," she shared after EW's moderator and senior writer Maureen Lee Lenker asked about her preparation. She added, "It's an amazing group of people to come into as a newbie. The environment is truly fantastic, and it's a wild experience." Jirrels also noted that Moira doesn't feel welcome and is an outsider, which she skillfully utilized in her portrayal.

Exploring the nuances of Moira's character, Jirrels delved deeper into her feelings and motivations. "Moira has a lot of inner turmoil. She's trying to find her place within the Mayfair family and among the witches. Her journey is one of self-discovery and acceptance. It's been a fascinating process to bring her to life on screen," she said with a hint of excitement in her voice.

Sam "Lark" Larkin: The Outsider in a Different Sense

Ben Feldman, 44, joins the cast as Sam "Lark" Larkin, a successful CEO of a genetics startup and the former boyfriend of neuroscientist Rowan Fielding (played by Alexandra Daddario). Feldman found his role relatively easier as he didn't have to access his inner witch. "Jirrels had a harder job than me because she has connections to this world and the family's powers. I'm just a guy who showed up," he explained. His initial impressions on set were that of a curious observer, constantly asking, "What's going on?"

Feldman also shared some of the unique experiences he had while filming in New Orleans. "The location itself added a whole new dimension to the show. Being in New Orleans and experiencing its culture was a highlight. We got to explore the city and immerse ourselves in its atmosphere," he said with a smile.

Exploring New Orleans: A Cultural Delight

Just like in Interview with the Vampire, another AMC show based on an Anne Rice novel, Mayfair Witches is filmed on location in New Orleans. For Jirrels and Feldman, this was a treat. Feldman recalled, "It's very important to go out and experience the local culture. We went to drink and eat, and make memories. There was always something happening on the streets."

Jirrels added, "I was sitting in a yoga class and they were talking about all the different parades. There's the Easter Parade, the Day-Before Easter parade, the Day-After-Easter Parade, and the Tuesday-After-Easter Parade. It was quite a sight. And the parades all have unique themes, like one where they throw vegetables at you. We managed to avoid the Mardi Gras madness and instead focused on enjoying the jazz. It was a very sophisticated experience."

As fans eagerly await the return of Mayfair Witches on AMC on January 5th, they can look forward to more captivating performances and adventures in the witchy world of Anne Rice.