Rolin Jones (Perry Mason) developed the drama and will serve as showrunner for the first season. He will executive produce with Mark Johnson, Anne Rice and Christopher Rice. AMC Studios will produce.
The cable network is planning on turning Rice's collection of novels into its latest franchise of series - with Johnson set to oversee the expansion of the universe on television. AMC Networks acquired the right to 18 of Rice's books last year.
"The challenge of adapting for television the groundbreaking and immensely compelling work of Anne Rice is both intimidating and exhilarating," said Johnson. "Having previously produced films from such singular works, I recognize both the responsibility and the obligation we owe the material. I strongly believe that with AMC and Rolin Jones we are equipped to meet this challenge and to thrill and entertain both the loyal Anne Rice fan and the viewer who is just now discovering her work."
"In 1973, a grieving mother and extraordinary writer began what would become the finest Vampire novel ever written, all respects to Mr. Stoker," added Jones. "Nearly fifty years later we know what's expected of us. We know how much this book and the ones that follow mean to their massive fan base. We feel you over our shoulders as we tend the Savage Garden. Louis and Lestat are coming out of hiding and we can't wait to reunite them with you."
"This is a day we have been looking forward to since we acquired this legendary Anne Rice collection a little more than a year ago," shared Dan McDermott, President of Original Programming, AMC Networks and AMC Studios. "This story already has millions of fans in the U.S. and around the world, we can't wait to share this new interpretation of the classic brought to life by Rolin and Mark, as we continue to work on developing the entire collection. With The Walking Dead, this Anne Rice collection and our majority stake in Agatha Christie Limited through our own Acorn TV, we are proud to have the stewardship of three unique, fan-forward and beloved franchises and universes, which we are only just beginning to explore. We are also thrilled to have Mark, a world class producer we have previously worked with on iconic series like Breaking Bad, Rectify, Halt and Catch Fire and Better Call Saul on board at the helm of our efforts to develop an entire Anne Rice universe, with significant aspirations for these beloved stories and characters."
