It has been almost half a century since the publication of “Interview with the Vampire”, which left a mark on popular culture. Anne Rice wrote the book, which became the first in a series of 12 “Vampire Chronicles” novels. “Interview” was made into a feature film in 1994 starring Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise. A loose adaptation of “Queen of the Damned”, however, was released in theaters in 2002.

A new series of “Interview with the Vampire” is now available on AMC Sunday night. Beloved characters such as Louis, Lestat, and Claudia are back, but with some updates to the stories.

Rolin Jones, executive producer and writer, said that there are books that have been “literally played in everyone’s heads a million times” and that the movie has “grafted that onto another generations of people.” He also acknowledged feeling a “push-and-pull of how to be reverent and how to make sure you’re not boring for people who already know these stories quite well.”

Jones and Mara LePere–Schloop, the production designer, spoke with CNN about how they reimagined “Interview with the Vampire” and how to keep the adaptation supernatural, sensual, and sumptuous in line with the source material.

Jones said that bringing “Interview with the Vampire” to TV required building a “universe.” He kept the other “Vampire Chronicles,” in mind as he planned everything, from character details to the larger picture. (Lestat, played in “Interview with the Vampire” by Sam Reid, was subject to some “rewriting” in later books, Jones noted – Jones started with a more fleshed-out backstory in 1985’s “The Vampire Lestat.”

The interview is set in the present. Rice also wrote the screenplay for the 1994 film. The new “Interview with the Vampire”, like the novel, is focused on Louis. He shares his story of becoming a vampire with Daniel Molloy (a young reporter who was first introduced to readers).

Jones said that while this Daniel is portrayed by Eric Bogosian as a more experienced journalist, he’s still “the same guy”. The show refers to an earlier interview between Daniel (and Louis) from the 1970s, a reference to the novel.

Jacob Anderson plays Louis. In the past, he was the plantation owner in New Orleans in late 1700s. This is when he met Lestat. Louis the new Louis, who is still susceptible to melancholy and guilt, and self-loathing at times, was a Black brothel owner in New Orleans in the early 20th century.

Jones explained that the changes were partly due to Jones wanting to concentrate on a “time period as exciting aesthetically and the 18th century without digging into a story about a plantation that nobody really wants to hear now.” Jones noted that the character’s family can still be traced back through “plantation money” and that the original occupation of the character did not come up in the novels as a point for “self-reflection”.

Claudia, who was just five years old when she was transformed into a vampire in the novel was another significant character update. However, Kirsten Dunst, 11, played her role in the film. Claudia is now 14 when she undergoes her transformation in the adaptation by AMC. However, this doesn’t make Claudia any less prepared for the internal turmoil she will experience.

In a featurette shared by the show’s Twitter account, Bailey Bass stated that this Claudia must “deal with the emotions a 19-year old, then a 30-year old, then 40 year-old, while still being stuck inside this 14-yearold young body.”

Claudia was aged because of concerns about filming scenes with more “adult” connotations. Another factor was the child labor laws.

Jones stated, “If I wanted Claudia to be on this show I would need as many hours shooting with the actor who plays that part as possible.” Jones said, “And if anyone younger than 18 was in there, I would only have limited hours.”

LePere-Schloop read Rice’s novels when she was a teenager and credits them with bringing her to New Orleans, where she has lived for the past two decades. The changes in the TV series aren’t antithetical to Rice’s work. LePere-Schloop met with the Tulane University archivist during filming Rice’s final moments.

She said that Anne was writing short stories, and other interpretations of the “Chronicles” where Louis was a man or other fluidity events. “Even in Anne’s writing, there’s a history that kind of plays with time, place, and person.”

The series was shot in New Orleans, Rice’s former home and integral part of “Interview with the Vampire.” It took a lot of research to immerse the viewer in the new setting.

LePere-Schloop stated, “We’re now discussing a period in New Orleans that has been discussed a lot but isn’t well documented in images, or hasn’t yet been captured in film, television, or both. It’s the period Storyville (the red light district).” It has had such an impact on the city’s culture.

She was a New Orleans resident and knew that the “when a place does wrong, it is heard in town.” She relied on many resources, including Richard Campanella’s expertise as a local historian.

LePere-Schloop stated that LePere-Schloop worked with him to capture the things he knew from oral stories and anecdotal tales that he had collected over time about Storyville elements.

The production used New Orleans’ real history as well as key locations within the City. It also built new sets, such as the one for Storyville, to transport viewers into Louis’ and Lestats’ world.

LePere-Schloop stated that Anne used the city for research and reference. “We were able to film at Anne’s actual townhouse to be used in the novels. We were able to film at the living museum that Anne used as inspiration for the house.

She said that creating the interior of the house on a stage was great fun.

Different design styles were used to depict the passage of time, while the vampires remained unchanged. The sets were also a reflection on the characters, from Lestat’s art from Europe that he brought to New Orleans to show the state in which the vampires live when things go wrong to the sad state their home is in.

Jones stated, “It’s an emotionally charged landscape as well as a physical one.”

LePere-Schloop wished to avoid portraying a clich? New Orleans – LePere-Schloop wanted to avoid portraying a clich? Jones said that Jones added some saturation to the final coloring process to make it feel more natural.

LePere-Schloop found a book she had read in her youth called “The Rainbow Goblins” that contained “beautiful and oversaturated illustrations” that helped her create a dynamic backdrop. She said that the world Louis and Lestat inhabit is “sexier and more vibrant” than earlier depictions of vampires on film.

Jones stated that even though there were some changes to the storylines, the interview with the vampire team didn’t ignore the source material. They reread and “seeking what was in the cracks and crevices” helped them create the show.

There are subtle references made to characters from later novels, and even a shout out to Rice’s Mayfair witches (also a subject of an upcoming AMC series). The film also features characters that didn’t appear in the film. The most important detail for diehard fans is that Lestat and Louis are lovers. This move takes Rice’s famous vampire subtext and turns it into text.

Jones stated that “Interview with the Vampire” was progressive for its time. Jones added that it was as if there had been a great romance that was never written. But we all kinda agree that it did happen.”

Jones didn’t sugarcoat the more dangerous aspects of the vampires relationship, but he saw great potential in how he could portray it in an updated version.

Jones acknowledged that Rice’s writings as well as the 1994 film, which has both fans and critics, showed that the main cast of the series “had big ghosts behind” them. He did praise Anderson, who he noted is in almost every scene, and Reid for their stamina as well as their range of performances.

What about the viewers?

“I want them to be surprised. Jones stated that those who love it and know it well should continue to watch it for seven episodes. If they are still angry, that’s fine. “But hopefully, they will find something exciting and exciting.”