Today, AMC Networks’ Anne Rice Immortal Universe invaded Comic-Con International’s Ballroom 20 with a panel for the new season of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire -- titled Anne Rice’s The Vampire Lestat --  which began production last month in Toronto.

The panel included Executive Producer Mark Johnson, who oversees the Anne Rice Immortal Universe; showrunner and Executive Producer Rolin Jones; composer Daniel Hart; and cast members Sam Reid (Lestat de Lioncourt), Jacob Anderson (Louis de Pointe du Lac) and Eric Bogosian, who discussed the new season. 

In addition to unveiling an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at The Vampire Lestat's hard-rocking new feel, the panel also revealed some exciting casting for the new season, including:

• The return of Delainey Hayles and Assad Zaman
• Jennifer Ehle (Lioness), in the role of “Gabriella”
• Ella Ballentine (Black Conflux), in the role of “Baby Jenks"
• Jeanine Serralles (Apples Never Fall), in the role of “Christine Claire”
• Christopher Heyerdahl (Under the Banner of Heaven), in the role of “Marius”
• Damien Atkins (Slings & Arrows), in the role “Magnus” 

Watch the exclusive behind-the-scenes look at The Vampire Lestat now: 
 

Also during the panel,  AMC Networks unveiled a collaboration with Fender Musical Instruments Corp., the world’s leading guitar manufacturer. Building on Fender’s legacy of innovation and history of modification, a capsule collection of four customized Player II Modified Stratocaster® guitars will be featured in the new season of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire – titled Anne Rice’s The Vampire Lestat. 

“The LeStrat” collection – a playful nod to Fender’s iconic Stratocaster® -- will go on tour with vampire and rockstar Lestat and be played throughout the music-themed season, returning next year. During the panel, composer Daniel Hart surprised attendees with a surprise musical performance of the series’ original song, “The Loneliness,” which he composed for the upcoming season. 

The custom guitars were designed and modified by Fender’s expert team along with series Production Designer Andres Cubillan. Each guitar in the collection will have a distinct design aesthetic, visually building on the previous model and – in true vampire fashion – become bloodier as the season progresses, culminating in the reveal of the hand-painted fourth guitar in the season finale.

Said Hart: “I've been playing my American Tele® through a '65 Deluxe Reverb® since I was 21 years old. Fender has been a part of my music and my life ever since, and I’m excited to see what they've cooked up for our Rock'n'Roll Vampire.”