Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches

I want to start my review by stating I have finished this entire series in 12 hours and I enjoyed none of it. Look, to start I love Alexandria Daddario but Rowan is so incredibly horribly written that even she obviously had a hard time portraying this questionable character. Although out of context the story seems to bear great potential, it was so rushed and shallow in the show that it is almost impossible to see the end of it. Things escalate super fast (meaning not it gets you hooked but there is no basis for anything anyone says or does) and you have this unlikeable, not-yet-well-introduced female protagonist that does the opposite of what she says at any given point. Like looking back, I am trying to think of the world of Mayfair Witches and my mind just goes blank. Because there was absolutely no world building nor character building nor anything else in this show. There are still a couple other ways I could judge this show on but I can't think of a single way to praise it. Sorry to all the crew and cast.

I read these books years ago, and couldn't get enough of Anne Rice. One of my former students recommended her book Interview with a Vampire, and I became a fan. I really liked the Mayfair witched, but I don't like this series. I'm sorry to insult an actress's skills, and , perhaps the fault lies with the director, but I can't stand Alexandra Daddario as a whiny and weak Rowan! Even if she was "only" a surgeon with spectacular talent, she wouldn't be whiny. But she is not only a spectacular surgeon BUT a powerful witch as well, and all she does is whine and fall into bed with any man she encounters. Boo hiss to ruining the Mayfair witches!

Seeing the title and genre I had hoped it was going to follow at least partially something like True Blood, a nice balance between intrigue, drama, supernatural mystery and action.

It is not really that. The story is stretched, they keep playing ping-pong with our leading lady as shes looking for explanations and getting partial answers so they can stretch it for another episode. Instead of building a quality,complex, intriguing tale with substance and moving FORWARD (which is the foundation to every story to make it interesting,to constantly move forth and discover/have new things (happen)..

Also in general her behaviour seems so lackadaisical, not demanding answers or pursuing them actively but rather lets everyone brush her off.

Lasher is also constantly on the brim of the story instead of involving him more. Nor does he give off (actor or director's fault?) the shadowy, ominous, somewhat frightening presence.

On top of already slow pace you have whole episodes now in the beginning of season where whole episode is dedicated to Rowan hallucinating and flashing between reality/dream in the most boring, random way possible. Stopping already slow pace of story and using the hallucination excuse for dedicating the episode to Rowan bedroom excursions and blundering aimlessly around the house unaware whats real. Who wants to see that?

This was supposed to be a drama intermixed with a bit witchcraft mystery and interesting charismatic characters.

Instead its a slow, boring melodrama with perpetually confused leading character and onedimensional characters. The only one interesting currently is the "uncle" .

This show needs a new director/showrunner who would take something like True Blood for potential format and who knows how to combine Anne Rice soap opera drama with supernatural in an entertaining exciting way.

The Witching Hour which is the first book of the series is a masterpiece. That book is over 1000 pages. That one book easily could have lasted 2 or 3 seasons...if they took time to really tell the story and show Lasher through the generations of the Mayfair family....

Her writing was elaborate, rich descriptive and detailed it's like they made this series from the cliff notes leaving out major characters like Julian....

I had so much hope for this series and was excited that it was finally being done but they missed the mark so badly.... I regret that I sat through the entire thing...

I would suggest if you haven't read the first book of the trilogy do so ...this series is already forgettable but the written story is brilliant...

I don't think they've stayed close to the source material at all and I'm super disappointed. There's a lot of characters that I feel are missing from the books that I've always thought were important for the story. Also a bit disappointed in how they've portrayed Lasher. The actor does a fine job, but I still don't think he matches the descriptions in the book(s).

Also, Rowan Mayfair is not a weak and insecure character but Alexandra Diddario makes her feel that way. I hope the reason for her acting this way in season 1 is because there will be some character development throughout the series, but so far I just found her acting as cringeworthy as Kristen Stewart in Twilight.

It's probably fine if viewed as a standalone from the books or something.