CAST

Alexandra Daddario
Tongayi Chirisa
Jack Huston
Harry Hamlin
Ben Feldman
Alyssa Jirrels

Last season

After the death of her adoptive mother, Dr. Rowan Fielding (Daddario), a brilliant neurosurgeon who discovers she’s the heir to the Mayfair family in New Orleans – a dynasty of powerful witches plagued by a demonic entity known as Lasher. As Rowan navigates her witch lineage, she is drawn into a dangerous relationship with Lasher. Despite her initial attempts to resist, Rowan ultimately succumbs to the dark pull of her destiny, culminating in her unintentional role in bringing Lasher into the world in physical form.

While the show succeeded in establishing a rich, gothic atmosphere, its writing was underwhelmed. Nevertheless, Mayfair Witches offered glimpses of brilliance, particularly in Daddario’s nuanced portrayal of Rowan and the eerie backdrop of New Orleans.

Review

The second season of Mayfair Witches kicks off with Rowan grappling with the consequences of birthing Lasher into the human realm. Determined to uncover what he truly is – a man, a monster, or something in between – Rowan’s journey in the premiere sets a much darker and more intriguing tone compared to the first season.

From the opening scenes, it’s clear that the series has embraced a more refined and confident storytelling style. The gothic visuals remain stunning, capturing the haunting beauty of New Orleans while deepening the show’s ominous atmosphere. Daddario continues to shine as Rowan, infusing her character with equal parts vulnerability and steely determination.

Lasher’s transformation from infant to adult was creepy enough at times, but storyline looks like it could be an interesting arc this season. There is a palpable tension, questions raised in this premiere that could make this season better.

A Step Up from Season 1

It’s no secret that Season 1 struggled to match the brilliance of Interview with the Vampire, another AMC adaptation of Anne Rice’s works. Where Interview dazzled with its complex characters and layered storytelling, Mayfair Witches often felt meandering and unfocused.

Thankfully, the Season 2 premiere suggests a marked improvement. The narrative feels more cohesive, the stakes higher, and the characters more engaging. The show appears to be learning from its sister series, and the result is a more polished and promising.

Room for Improvement

While the premiere shows promise, not everything is perfect. The magic powers, particularly Moira’s mind-reading glowing effects is cheesy, feels out of place, it even makes Rowan’s light flare effects of her magic look cheap. Subtlety worked wonders in Interview with the Vampire, and it’s a shame that Mayfair Witches hasn’t adopted a similar approach to its magical elements.

Final Thoughts

The Season 2 premiere of Mayfair Witches is a glimmer of hope for me who felt let down by the first season. With its darker tone, stronger narrative focus, and Daddario’s stellar performance, the show seems poised to win me back.

While it’s still too early to declare a full redemption arc, this episode lays a solid foundation for a season that could finally fulfill the potential of the show. Here’s hoping the series continues on this upward trajectory.

If you’re interested in the source material, help us by getting them from the links below: