One sub-genre of our beloved horror genre that I just can’t find much interest in is the whole witch-themed group out there. I’m sure I’m not the only one either considering we don’t see many witch-filled flicks nowadays. But that’s not going to stop James Duff from trying to get a witchy project off the ground!
According to acclaimed genre author Anne Rice’s Facebook page “The Closer” co-creator James Duff is working hard at getting a television show off the ground based on Rice’s Mayfair Witches saga, which consists of the novels THE WITCHING HOUR, LASHER and TALTOS. Don’t take my word for it though, scope out what Rice had to say:
“Yes, James Duff is certainly trying to do this, and I’m totally behind him on it and want to see it sail.”
Now just because Mr. Duff is trying doesn’t mean this thing will see the light of day. Like I was saying before, the whole witch sub-genre isn’t exactly a big seller so Duff will really have to sell this one to see anything happen.
While the ‘Mayfair Witches’ saga spans across all three novels I’m going to go ahead and tap you all with the rundown for the first book, THE WITCHING HOUR. Check it:
The first in the Mayfair Witches series, The Witching Hour introduces the fictional Mayfair family of New Orleans, generations of male and female witches. This is a tight-knit and deeply connected family, where a death of one strengthens the others with his/her knowledge. One Mayfair witch per generation is also designated to receive the powers of “the man,” known as Lasher. Lasher gives the witches gifts, excites them, and protects them. Unsure as to exactly what this spirit is, the Mayfair clan knows him variously as a protector, a god-like figure, a sexual being, and the image of death. Lasher’s current witch is Deirdre, who lies catatonic from psycological shock treatments.
Deirdre’s daughter, Rowan, has been spirited away from this “evil” and has happily become a neurosurgeon and has an uncanny gift to see the intent behind the facade. Rowan also has a gift few doctors possess–she can heal cells. Yet, though she uses it to save lives, she also fears that she has caused several deaths. She rescues Michael from drowning. Michael then develops some extraordinary powers that compel him to seek New Orleans and to seek Rowan. He finds both and pulls the tale closer together by meeting people connected to the Mayfair family who now fear Rowan because she is the first Mayfair who can kill without Lasher’s help.
Michael dives into learning the history of the Mayfair witches: Deborah, Charlotte, Mary Beth, Stella, Antha, and many others across hundreds of years and three continents. When Michael looks up from his reading, he learns that Rowan has come to New Orleans to attend her mother’s funeral. Rowan learns of her family history, her ancestral home in shambles, and Lasher waiting for the next one. Rowan dedicates herself to stopping Lasher’s reign. Michael, too, has his own mission, but it is foggy and unclear to him. But Lasher is seductively powerful, and Rowan’s gifts offer him the opportunity to achieve his ultimate goal.
So what do you guys think? The Mayfair Witches sound like something you can get behind? Be sure to spit some bullets below and let us know as we wait for more updates from this potential project.
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