Lestat de Lioncourt is the magnetic, dangerous vampire who makes and torments Louis in Interview with the Vampire — a charismatic, hedonistic, centuries-old predator whose passionate, abusive love for Louis defines them both. Seductive and cruel, brilliant and monstrous, Lestat is the great love and great torment of Louis's eternal life.
His arc charts a volatile, codependent relationship that swings between rapture and violence, as Lestat's possessiveness and the couple's adopted daughter Claudia drive their bond toward catastrophe. The series reframes him as a complex study of charm and abuse, leaving the truth of his nature filtered through Louis's unreliable memory. He is villain, lover, and enigma in equal measure.
Sam Reid gives Lestat dazzling, frightening charisma.
Key Episodes
S1 E1
In Throes of Increasing Wonder
Lestat seduces and turns Louis into a vampire.
S1 E7
The Thing Lay Still
Lestat's relationship with Louis and Claudia reaches a violent climax.
Lestat de Lioncourt is one of the central figures in Interview with the Vampire, a horror/drama series that aired on AMC from 2022-present. Within the narrative of Interview with the Vampire, Lestat de Lioncourt serves as a pivotal character whose decisions and relationships drive key story arcs throughout Seasons 1–2. The character's journey has been central to many of the show's most memorable and discussed moments.
Portrayed by Sam Reid, Lestat de Lioncourt has become one of the most recognizable characters in modern television. Sam Reid's performance brings nuance and depth to the role, creating a character that resonates with audiences on both intellectual and emotional levels. Sam Reid's work has been recognized with 1 major award, reflecting the critical acclaim their portrayal has received.
Explore More on TVCeleb
TVCeleb.com is the internet's most comprehensive resource for television character fandom, covering 215 acclaimed TV series with 722 detailed character profiles and 603 actor biographies. Our coverage spans 38 genres across 40 networks and streaming platforms, with content organized to help fans discover, explore, and engage with television from every angle.
Browse our collection by genre to find shows in your preferred category, by network to see what's available on your streaming platform, by decade to explore different eras of television history, or by curated lists that group characters by archetype and achievement. Each show page features expanded synopses, production details, and video content, while character pages include detailed arc analysis, key episodes, quotes, trivia, and fan ecosystem mapping.
Every character on TVCeleb is scored using our proprietary Fan Heat Index, which measures engagement, social activity, meme velocity, fan art density, and fandom longevity on a scale of 0 to 100. This data-driven approach provides objective insight into which characters have inspired the most passionate and active fan communities. Use the search page to find any character, show, or actor instantly, or start browsing from our homepage to discover what's trending in television fandom today.
? Frequently Asked Questions
Sam Reid plays Lestat de Lioncourt in AMC's Interview with the Vampire.
Lestat is the charismatic, dangerous vampire whose passionate, abusive love for Louis defines the series.
