‘Mayfair Witches’ Star Alexandra Daddario on the Deadly Season 2 Finale and Wishing the Show Took Rowan’s Powers Even Farther

⚠️ WARNING: The following discussion includes spoilers from the season 2 finale of “Mayfair Witches,” currently available for streaming on AMC+. Proceed with caution if you haven’t finished watching!

This way, the information is presented in a more conversational and engaging tone while still maintaining its original intent to alert readers about potential spoilers.

In the final episode of “Mayfair Witches” Season 2 on AMC, several branches were trimmed from the Mayfair family tree, indicating that there may be further pruning to come. The series seems to suggest a continuation of internal family conflicts and potential violence.

As the curtain fell on the second season of Anne Rice’s adaptation, I, Rowan, found myself at the helm of our family, determined to shield my son, Lasher, and former lover (yes, it’s a complicated tale), from a dreadful sacrifice in exchange for Taltos powers. Alas, by the finale, poor Lasher met his end permanently, I had exacted retribution on several kin involved, and to cap it all off, I consumed a goblet brimming with blood, bestowing upon me an unbounded power that, let’s admit it, is better left untouched by mortal hands.

Daddario explains to EbMaster that she often speaks about not wanting any of this, but instead wishes to assist everyone and be an exceptional individual. However, when faced with the opportunity to truly wield power, I believe it becomes challenging to resist – and this is a struggle Rowan also faces.”

This version maintains the original meaning while using more natural and conversational language that’s easier for readers to understand.

Setting the scene aside for a moment, let me delve into the heart of this captivating tale. Rowan embarks on a perilous journey through the mystical highlands of Scotland, accompanied by her cousin Moira (Alyssa Jirrels), her romantic interest Lark (Ben Feldman), and an estranged father Cortland (Harry Hamlin). The impetus for this adventure stems from Rowan’s uncle Ian (Ian Pirie) abducting Lasher, a character revered by the Scots as Ashlar, an ancient reborn entity.

Ian devised a sinister plot to orchestrate a matrimony between Lasher and Emaleth (Henessi Schmidt), a deity, whose union was foretold in prophecy. The offspring of this union would be endowed with extraordinary powers, which could be harnessed by the Scottish Mayfairs for rituals involving the sacrifice of their blood to empower themselves with Taltos magic. Indeed, Anne Rice has a knack for creating intricate and spellbinding worlds.

In the climactic scenes of this movie, everything seemed to be unfolding smoothly. Following the turbulent wedding in the previous episode where the newlyweds came dangerously close to tearing each other apart in front of their guests, the bride scarcely had a moment’s respite before she was miraculously bearing a dozen rapidly developing offspring. However, when the Scots brutally murdered Lasher for his blood and were preparing to feast on the children, our protagonist, Rowan, quickly realized their sinister intentions. As the horrifying truth became clear, she raced against time to find Lasher’s lifeless body. Upon discovering it, her overwhelming grief triggered a surge of her burgeoning powers, allowing her to resurrect Lasher momentarily, standing united with Moira to put an end to the ritualistic slaughters. In the ensuing chaos, mother and son took down several bloodthirsty relatives, and with the aid of Ciprien (Tongayi Chirisa) and the Talamasca, they managed to escape with the children to safety.

However, once more, Lasher is slain, a development that brings joy to Cortland, now inhabited by the malevolent spirit of his deceased father, Julian (Ted Levine). He proposes a tempting offer to Rowan: to consume Lasher’s blood and share the boundless powers of the Taltos with her. This alliance would grant them the capability to resurrect the dead. Nevertheless, Rowan initially rejects this proposal, thereby making Julian an adversary. Nonetheless, she eventually succumbs to the allure of increased power, finding herself in a position where she must demonstrate her ability to wield it effectively, with Julian standing by ready to evaluate her skills.

Although Season 3 of the show has not been confirmed yet, Daddario, who played her character while pregnant with her first child, is eager to explore how Rowan uses and potentially abuses her enhanced powers. “I’d like to see Rowan become more unhinged,” she expresses her thoughts.

In the ongoing expansion of AMC’s Immortal Universe, drawn from Rice’s literature (“The Talamasca” series is set to debut later this year), Daddario expresses her views on why Rowan thrives on disorder, her desire for the show to push boundaries more intensely during this season, and her readiness for Rowan to reach a breaking point.

This season, we have really seen Rowan rise up to be the matriarch of this family. The Mayfairs orbit her in a real way. How is Rowan accepting that responsibility?

Fundamentally, it’s about a character who grapples with the dilemma: “How do you act when you possess unlimited authority? What kind of person does this power shape you into?” This woman has her fair share of imperfections, which I believe adds depth and intrigue to her role as the matriarch of the family.

At the end of this finale, she rebukes Lucien’s offer to be his partner, but she still takes the power for herself. What does Rowan want with this new power?

It seems like your desire for power might be more than just a means to help others. Your frequent denials about wanting power could suggest an internal struggle. Rowan, being a doctor, might harbor a sense of superiority or control that is driving her towards power, as evidenced by her consistent acceptance of power-related opportunities.

She tells Lark that a war is coming. It seems part of her reasoning for taking the powers is to be better equipped to face it. Does that factor into your read on it?

Indeed, during the filming of this season, I sometimes wondered if she genuinely believed what she was saying or if it was for her own gain. It seems there might have been some internal conflict, where she could be rationalizing her desire to obtain these powers rather than considering alternative, less complicated methods.

Do you like questioning her motivations as you live with the character?

During the production of this season, I was expecting a child and experienced morning sickness, which might have affected my cognitive processes. Nevertheless, I consistently aimed to portray some imperfections and humanity within the character, as it’s more engaging to avoid creating a perfect figure.

She is certainly not perfect, especially as she conceals from everyone that she is now supercharged in these powers.

Eventually, I found myself in a situation where I felt, “She seems to act freely and speak her mind without regard for consequences, using her words to rationalize her actions.” To be honest, we all can be that way at times. A bit rebellious, perhaps. However, during that time, my morning sickness was quite severe, so it’s possible I wasn’t fully lucid. Maybe the character shifted due to my persistent nausea.

She gives Lark what he wants — a magically cleaned slate free of her — but do you think it affects her that this person she has grown close to is choosing to forget her instead of standing next to her?

It seems uncertain if Rowan is inclined towards a committed relationship. Although she has feelings for him, I’ve never sensed a deep emotional bond between them. Instead, she appears captivated by Lasher and the tumultuous, intense nature of their connection. I believe it’s unlikely that she would end up with Lark, as he represents something too straightforward for her taste.

Moira has become a jolt of energy for Rowan this season, standing up to her authority and questioning her motives. Where do you think these two land now that they’ve worked together?

I believe they’re more powerful, yet I feel there were still unresolved issues. Perhaps we can tackle those at a future time. However, my favorite moments were when Alyssa navigated their relationship. I feel that at its core, when the two of them collaborate while also teasing and pushing each other, they shine the most. They seem less adversarial in these instances and are at their strongest. This dynamic was enjoyable for Rowan to witness.

What was it like to see Rowan come into this power in the finale? She is pulling lightning from the sky like Thor!

Playing an actress’s role was enjoyable, and I appreciated the chance to exhibit her strength when it mattered. Admittedly, I wished she had utilized her powers more frequently. However, at heart, exploring the character’s struggles with her powers, relationships, family dynamics, and self-identity within the world, was essential for developing a well-rounded character.

I enjoyed playing this role because it allowed me to show off my character’s strength. I wished she had used her powers more often, but understanding and portraying her inner struggles with power, relationships, family, and self was crucial for creating a deep character.

Why do you wish she would have used it more?

I find it fascinating! If granted such abilities, I’d be exploring endless possibilities. With the power to create lightning bolts at will, what else could I accomplish? The entire journey would have been about pushing the limits of my capabilities. Could I see through solid objects? Or perhaps read people’s thoughts?

For those who haven’t read Anne RIce’s books, how should the audience interpret the final scene with Lasher? She kisses him with the blood and the power, but we don’t see him come back to life.

It seems to me that what you’re witnessing is love mixed with goodbye, and I believe she understands that on this occasion, she can’t rescue him. This bond was crucial and a significant aspect of Rowan’s life. I sense it is the irresistible pull towards Lasher that she can’t break free from, making this parting particularly heartbreaking. It’s her son, someone she adored in countless ways. If you’re familiar with Anne Rice, you know that she has experienced loss in her personal life, and she poured the intensity of that grief into this narrative.

Is there something you are particularly looking forward to as Rowan steps into these new gifts and her post-Lasher life?

Admittedly, I’ve only made it through the first two books so far, but I’m eager for Rowan to show more emotional turmoil and vulnerability. I’d like to see her let go, perhaps in a way that reveals more about her character. Additionally, I find myself curious about her romantic relationships and how she handles wielding power.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

2025-03-03 06:17