As a child, I was far more familiar with the lives of the Mayfair witches than I probably should have been. But in my defense, I was utterly bewitched by anything Anne Rice wrote that I could get my hands on. So when AMC announced that New Orleans’ most magical family would be joining the Immortal Universe on the small screen, I was elated, even more so when I learned that Alexandria Daddario would be stepping into the role of protagonist Rowan.
Then life, as it tends to do, got in the way, and I never had the time to give the series the attention I wanted. Now, while preparing for my move to Tokyo, I’ve found myself with a surprising pocket of free time to simply unwind and reflect. One of the best ways to recharge felt obvious: finally sitting down to watch the first two seasons of The Mayfair Witches, now streaming on Netflix.
Like the novel, the series begins with neurosurgeon Rowan Fielding (Rowan Mayfair in the books) discovering she is the heir to an ancient New Orleans dynasty bound to a seductive and dangerous supernatural entity named Lasher. Drawn to the crumbling grandeur of the Mayfair family home, Rowan uncovers generations of secrets, manipulation, and power that have shaped the bloodline for centuries. As her abilities awaken, she must decide whether she will break Lasher’s cycle of control or become his next instrument, while her family fractures under the weight of prophecy, ambition, and fear.
My initial impression was that the series moved slowly, but in truth, so did the novel. It isn’t an instant hook so much as a gradual intoxication, and by episode three I was fully under its spell.
Season two dives deeper into the consequences of Rowan’s choices while reintroducing a grounding presence from her past, Lark (Ben Feldman), as a tether to the life she is steadily drifting away from. The nature of Lasher and the true scope of his power are explored in greater depth. He is not a simple embodiment of evil and may even be capable of great good. Themes of death, resurrection, and family come to the forefront, particularly with the arrival of a new cousin, Moira Mayfair (Alyssa Jirrels).
In my opinion, season two surpasses the first in nearly every respect. Daddario and the ensemble feel more settled into their roles, the storytelling is tighter, and the overall flow is far more confident. The magic feels natural, and intriguing. Where series like Charmed leaned into to camp magic, Mayfair is more gritty. It’s dark. It’s dangerous. It’s delicious.
My favorite character by far is JoJo (Jen Richards). As a trans woman, she offers a form of representation that feels organic rather than performative, a fully realized presence rather than a token gesture. She’s simply fantastic.
Season three is set to premiere later this year, and this time I’ll be watching from Tokyo. I can’t wait.
There will be more reviews soon so…
Stay Tuned!
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