‘The Vampire Lestat’ Actor Explains Lestat’s Disturbing Serial Killer Behavior

Sam Reid’s Lestat may be the focus of The Vampire Lestat, but one of the show’s darkest characters is leaving a major impression on viewers. Damien Atkins, who plays Lestat’s maker Magnus, opened up about the disturbing obsession behind his character and the twisted connection he shares with the famous vampire.

The latest season explores a different side of Lestat’s story after two seasons of Interview with the Vampire. Since the story now follows Lestat’s point of view, viewers are learning more about his past, including the night Magnus changed his life forever.

Magnus was not a normal vampire. Before turning Lestat, he became obsessed with him while watching him perform as a musician. That obsession eventually led Magnus to kidnap Lestat and bring him to his hidden home. Inside, Lestat discovers that Magnus has been collecting victims who share similarities with him, revealing a disturbing pattern behind his actions.

While vampires in the world of Anne Rice are already dangerous creatures who survive by killing humans, Atkins explained that Magnus stands out because of the way he chooses his victims. During an interview with CBR, the actor described Magnus as someone with a very specific obsession. “He has quite a type,” Atkins said.

For Atkins, one of the most interesting moments came during the episode “Toronto,” when Magnus watches Lestat perform his song “The Loneliness.” The actor explained that Magnus does not simply see Lestat as someone he created. Instead, he views him as his greatest achievement.

“This feels awful to say, but because I’m being Magnus, I felt important,” Atkins said. “Here’s this rock-star god. I think Magnus can’t help but feel proud and a little bit responsible. A little bit of ownership, which is terrible, right? It’s awful.”

That feeling of ownership is exactly what Lestat struggles against. Even years later, the impact of Magnus’ actions continues to affect him. The performance becomes a powerful moment because Lestat is trying to take control of his own identity instead of being defined by the vampire who created him.

Atkins also explained that playing a character like Magnus requires finding his mindset, even when his actions are horrifying. “It’s so funny when you talk about the psychology of a character like this, because it can’t help but sound like an apologist,” the actor said. “He does awful things. I’m the one person who has to go in and find a reason to do them. When you talk about it out loud, you think, ‘Oh God, I sound like a psycho.’”

The episode also shows how deeply Magnus affected Lestat emotionally. His relationship with his maker helps explain some of Lestat’s dramatic behavior and his complicated feelings about love, loneliness, and control.

The song “The Loneliness” becomes especially important because it reflects the pain both vampires carry. Lestat understands the feeling of being isolated after losing important relationships, including his complicated connection with Louis. In many ways, the song represents Lestat finally breaking away from the loneliness Magnus forced upon him.

In Anne Rice’s original novel, Magnus’ story ends shortly after he creates Lestat, leaving behind questions about his final actions and motivations. The series adds another layer by showing how much influence he still has over Lestat’s life.

According to Atkins, Magnus may have been a monster, but he also believed Lestat was something extraordinary. That complicated relationship between creator and creation continues to shape Lestat’s journey as the vampire searches for his own identity.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!