The Secret Order’ is Anything but Immortal on Rotten Tomatoes

Fans of Anne Rice‘s Immortal Universe on AMC have been eagerly anticipating the latest spinoff in the shared universe, but as it gets closer to its premiere date, Talamasca: The Secret Order has been receiving mixed reviews from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The spinoff marks the third series in the franchise, which began with Interview with the Vampire in 2022, and expanded with Mayfair Witches the following year.

Set to premiere on AMC this Sunday, October 26, 2025, Talamasca: The Secret Order won’t be adapting any of Rice’s novels per se, but rather take elements from each to create its own thing. Fans will note that the organization is peppered throughout the late author’s work, so there will be an obvious connection to the other two series. However, as a standalone entity, Talamasca: The Secret Order has thus far failed to unite critics. Debuting with a 67% on Rotten Tomatoes, Gavin Baker-Whitelaw from TV Guide calls the new spinoff “visually and narratively unmemorable,” adding:

Lyvie Scott from Inverse also wasn’t too impressed with AMC’s latest, writing: “There’s a promising — even interesting — show lurking in the shadows, but waiting for that show to manifest itself just doesn’t seem worth it.” The news isn’t all bad for Talamasca: The Secret Order, however, as juxtaposed against the negative are some positive ones to combat the darkness. Leah Marilla Thomas from The Mary Sue notes that it’s “a worthy Immortal Universe diversion,” while Hunter Ingram from AV Club adds:

“AMC’s choice to diverge from Rice’s bibliography to give the shadow lurkers and their bureaucratic bosses their own moment in the sun (so to speak) is a bold move — and one that mostly pays off in this roguish, paranoia-laced thriller.”

What Is ‘Talamasca: The Secret Order’ About?

Starring Nicholas Denton, Céline Buckens, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, William Fichtner, and Elizabeth McGovern, Talamasca: The Secret Order focuses on the group created by Rice that is tasked with observing and documenting the supernatural world all around us. It’s already come into play in both Mayfair Witches and Interview with the Vampire Season 2, but here it’s front and center to recruit a new member into its ranks:

“Talamsca: The Secret Order follows Guy Anatole (Denton), who is fresh out of law school and positioned for a bright future at a white-shoe firm in New York. He is approached and recruited by a mysterious woman who is a senior member of the Talamasca, a secretive organization devoted to surveilling the supernatural. As Guy is drawn further into this unknown world, he realizes he’s been enlisted for a singular and perilous purpose: to go undercover into the Talamasca’s London Motherhouse and unmask an agent who may be working with dangerous forces to bring down the entire organization from within, threatening the safety of the entire mortal world.”

Called an “absorbing spy-esque thriller” by Tara Bennett from IGN Movies, Kaiya Shunyata from RogerEbert.com notes that “If the series continues, it can provide actors like Fichtner and Denton with material that enhances their captivating performances.” Meanwhile, Carly Lane from Collider also had nothing but good things to say about the new horror series, adding:

“It expands the world to a more exciting degree, but it’s also an entertaining place for fans to spend their time while they’re patiently waiting for another season of the vampires’ drama to drop.”

Look for the first episode of Talamasca: The Secret Order to hit AMC on October 26, with the remaining five airing weekly until its conclusion. The series will also be streaming on AMC+.