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PRESS RELEASE SOURCE: AMC
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Assad Zaman (Hotel Portofino, Small Axe) has been cast in the role of “Rashid.” He joins previously announced cast, including Sam Reid (Lestat), Jacob Anderson (Louis) and Bailey Bass (Claudia). Interview with the Vampire is set to premiere on AMC+ and AMC later this year.
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Based on Anne Rice’s iconic and bestselling novel, Interview with the Vampire follows Louis de Pointe, Lestat De Lioncourt and Claudia’s epic story of love, blood and the perils of immortality. Executive produced by award-winning producer Mark Johnson (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Halt and Catch Fire, Rectify), creator and showrunner Rolin Jones (Perry Mason, Friday Night Lights), along with Christopher Rice and the late Anne Rice, the series’ first season consists of seven episodes. Acclaimed director Alan Taylor will direct the first two episodes and is also an executive producer.
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Zaman graduated with a BA in Acting from the Manchester Metropolitan School of Theatre in 2013. His theater credits include EAST IS EAST 25th Anniversary Production (National Theatre/Birmingham Re/Chichester Festival Theatre); THE WINTER’S TALE (RSC); A DOLL’S HOUSE (Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith); WHITE TEETH (Tricycle Theatre); CORIOLANUS (RSC/Barbican); SALOME (RSC); ARMS AND THE MAN (Watford Palace); A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich); EAST IS EAST NATIONAL TOUR (Jamie Lloyd Productions/ATG); BEHIND THE BEAUTIFUL FOREVERS (National Theatre, London); BEATS NORTH (Northern Stage/Curious Monkey); TYNE (Live Theatre and Theatre Royal Newcastle) and GRIMM TALES (Northern Stage). Zaman’s previous television credits include: Hotel Portofino, The Winter’s Tale, Small Axe, Our Girl, Vera, Apple Tree Yard and Cucumber, among others.
He is regularly involved with workshopping new plays, including UNTITLED DAVID EDGAR PROJECT and MOBY DICK for the RSC and CAPTAIN OF THE ENDS for the National Theatre; he can also be heard voicing Sathnam Sanghera’s critically acclaimed book, THE BOY WITH THE TOPKNOT
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Rolin Jones (“Perry Mason,” “Friday Night Lights”), who also has an overall development deal with AMC Studios, is creator, showrunner and executive producer of “Interview.” The series has been greenlit for an eight-episode first season. Johnson is also an executive producer. Anne and Christopher Rice are non-writing executive producers.
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“The challenge of adapting for television the groundbreaking and immensely compelling work of Anne Rice is both intimidating and exhilarating,” Johnson said. “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.”
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The Anne Rice catalog AMC acquired last year includes The Vampire Chronicles Series: “Interview with the Vampire,” “The Vampire Lestat,” “The Queen of the Damned,” “The Tale of the Body Thief,” “Memnoch The Devil,” “The Vampire Armand,” “Pandora,” “Vittorio the Vampire,” “Blood and Gold,” “Prince Lestat,” “Prince Lestat and the Realms of Atlantis,” and “Blood Communion: A Tale of Prince Lestat;” The Lives Of The Mayfair Witches Series: “The Witching Hour,” “Lasher,” “Taltos;” and The Vampire Chronicles/The Lives Of The Mayfair Witches- Crossover Novels: “Merrick,” “Blackwood Farm” and “Blood Canticle.”
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