Lawyer with Psychic Abilities Joins Secretive Talamasca Society in AMC's Supernatural Thriller

In AMC's latest addition to the Immortal Universe based on the works of Anne Rice, "Talamasca: The Secret Order" introduces a new protagonist, Guy Anatole (Nicholas Denton), a lawyer with the unusual ability to read other people's thoughts. Anatole has long been haunted by questions about his past and the disappearance of his mother, and when he is approached by the enigmatic Helen (Elizabeth McGovern), he finds himself drawn into the world of the Talamasca - an all-knowing society that claims to be the puppet masters of the supernatural realm.

The Talamasca wants Anatole to join their ranks as they navigate the shadowy world of vampires, witches, and other mystical beings that populate Rice's interconnected universe. Showrunner John Lee Hancock has crafted a conspiracy-laden thriller that blends the procedural elements of a case-of-the-week format with the grand, existential themes that defined Rice's novels. While the series features enough Easter eggs to satisfy hardcore fans, it also remains accessible to new viewers, recontextualizing the author's ideas for the 21st century.

As Anatole navigates his uneasy alliance with the Talamasca and its enigmatic members, including the alluring but dangerous Jasper (William Fichter), the series sparks to life, capturing the theatricality and tangled dynamics that were hallmarks of Rice's work. With a thoroughly game cast and a confident grasp of the source material's tone and themes, "Talamasca: The Secret Order" represents a strong step forward for AMC's efforts to expand the Immortal Universe.