Bustle Exclusive
The star teases a completely different show in Season 2.
In Season 1, the show introduces Louis as a century-oldvampire living in Dubai in 2022.
WithLestat disposed of (for now), the new installment sees Louis step into the spotlight.
Obviously, I know where this story goes.
It was like making a different show.
Adding to this seasons distinct feel is Andersons new co-star.
Ina last-minute casting change-up,Bailey Bassleft the series, and Hayles took over the role of Claudia.
People will see as they watch the season that she’s the hero of Season 2.
Anderson admits he enjoyed the show from the sidelines, too.
As eager as he was to mix it up in Season 2, his focus was on his work.
[But] I wasn’t involved, he admits with a laugh.
It’s kind of impossible for me to be anything but boring, plain Louis.
How did it feel to put the fangs back on for Season 2?
Putting the fangs back on was exciting.
I was a bit nervous at first, and then it just became a completely new experience.
We started with [Episode 5, which] is very different from the others.
So it was like a trial by fire.
After filming Season 2, do you still feel the same way?
No, Louis and I are as similar as we are different.
We’re constantly fighting our instincts.
There are instincts that are really important to fight against, particularly self-destructive ones.
But also it can be crippling.
It can hold you back from not accepting yourself or liking yourself.
That’s something that I certainly felt a lot as a child and a teenager.
I didn’t like myself very much.
In that sense, I felt very connected to him.
That connects to the fact that Louis cant get older, so it might feel like he cant mature.
Yeah, he’s arrested in a lot of ways.
He changes for those people.
Do you think Louis has any power?
He was controlled by Lestat, and then he also seems to be under Armands control.
He holds a lot of power.
He is aware of the hold that he has on those two vampires in those relationships.
The dynamic that he has with Armand is very interesting.
How does Season 2 change Louis' relationship with Lestat?
Lestat represents a side of Louis that he hides.
Theyre like shadow versions of each other.
Lestat is this shadow through the season like Louis imaginary friend.
How does his relationship with Armand compare?
They’re not comparable.
His relationship with Lestat is almost primal.
It’s this very passionate, fired-up, intense thing.
Because Lestat is Louis maker, it’s in the fabric of their being.
That’s a big part of why it was almost impossible for Louis to kill him.
But with Armand, Louis needs a very different energy.
And he finds that in Armand.
He settles a little bit.
The Anne Rice universe andGame of Thronesare very different.
After working on both, is there anything about them that felt similar?
I remember feeling that quite a lot with this show, too.
There’s heightened emotion, and we’re shooting these crazy things.
We’ve got fangs in and these incredible costumes.
But it still feels like this intense family drama.
Speaking ofGame of Thrones,would you ever consider returning for a spin-off?
I was happy with howGrey Worms storyconcluded.
I don’t really know what you do with him beyond that.
I generally have to understand why something’s happening to do it.
I have a lot of love for Grey Worm, but yeah, no.
This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.