AMC’s Mayfair Witches is an original series based on Anne Rice’s famous novel with the same title. The series follows Dr. Rowan Fielding, a brilliant neurologist who discovers that she is a member of the Mayfair family after the death of her adoptive mother.
Now claiming her identity as a Mayfair, Rowan battles through the lies, the secrets, and the manipulation that has plagued her family for generations thanks to a mysterious entity known as the Lasher.
But who is Lasher? And what role does he play in the entirety of Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches?
Not Who… But What is Lasher?
We will be talking about Lasher and the Mayfairs throughout this article while keeping spoilers at a minimum
In the original book series, Lasher is a "Taltos", a powerful and spiteful spirit, who has lived for centuries, manipulating and controlling others through his supernatural powers.
Lasher was a beautiful and charismatic figure in the novels, often emphasized y his thick, long hair and piercing eyes. He was a shape-shifter, communicating telepathically with humans, especially with the one he favors, and is known for his seductive and persuasive nature. He is very complex and bewitching, perfectly encapsulated in Rice's writing style that melded horror, the supernatural, and fantasy against the backdrop of a deeply running romance.
Throughout the novels, Lasher works tirelessly to achieve his goal of creating a new race of beings by mating with human women, and it seems his appetite for women is carried out into the series.
We meet Lasher early on in the AMC series recently released, after being introduced in the first episode. This mysterious character is portrayed as a suave young man, with a gentle manner and a handsome face, ready to fight for the love of his life, Lasher has an ulterior motive.
After several interactions, it is clear that Lasher is not human but a spirit who has been connected with the Mayfair family for many generations.
What is Lasher’s Connection to the Mayfairs?
Lasher is a powerful and ancient spirit who is the titular character in Anne Rice's second novel. He is intimately connected to the Mayfair family, first appearing to a Mayfair ancestor named Suzanne in the early 17th century. He promised Suzanne many wonderful things, such as wealth, power, and knowledge, in exchange for her loyalty and obedience. Suzanne agreed, and Lasher became her "familiar" spirit, guiding her and her descendants through the centuries, with a particular focus on one special woman in every generation.
Over time, Lasher became more powerful, and his connection to the Mayfairs grew stronger, became a kind of "patron saint" of the family, protecting its members from harm and helping them to achieve their goals. However, Lasher also had a dark side, and he was known to be jealous and possessive of the Mayfairs, often lashing out at those who threatened his hold on the family.
The novel explores Lasher's relationship with the Mayfair family in greater detail, as he becomes increasingly obsessed with one of the current Mayfair witches, a woman named Rowan, further delving into Lasher's origins and motivations, as well as his complicated connection to the Mayfair family.
AMC's series adaptation follows this storyline as well, briefly introducing the Mayfair family history and how Rowan is the one to change it all. AMC's adaptation of the novels remains faithful to Rice's work, with a potential crossover between the existing shows.
Is Lasher Immortal?
Yes, Lasher is immortal in both the novel and the series, being a powerful spirit that has existed for centuries, not aging or dying like mortals do.
Lasher's immortality is tied to his status as a spirit or familiar. In the novel, he is a supernatural entity that can inhabit and possess the bodies of the Mayfair witches, granting them power and knowledge in exchange for their loyalty and obedience.
While Lasher is immortal and powerful, he is not invincible. Though he is capable of manipulating and controlling the physical world to a certain extent, he is shown to be vulnerable to certain types of magic and the will of the Mayfair witches to who he is connected. Additionally, his connection to the Mayfair family makes him vulnerable to their emotions and desires, which can affect his behavior and actions.
Who is Jack Huston?
Jack Huston is a British actor who was born on December 7, 1982, in London, England. He hails from a family of actors with many famous members. He has, legendary director John Huston as a grandfather, beloved actress Anjelica Huston (perhaps most known for her portrayal of Morticia Addams) as an aunt, and actor/director Tony Huston as a father.
Jack Huston is best known for his roles in both film and television, having appeared in a variety of genres, most notably in drama, action, and horror projects. Some of his most memorable roles include playing Richard Harrow in the HBO series "Boardwalk Empire," Jack Kerouac in the film "Kill Your Darlings," and Judah Ben-Hur in the 2016 film "Ben-Hur."
He has also had supporting roles in several other films, including "American Hustle," "The Longest Ride," and "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies." He has been nominated for several awards for his work, including an Emmy Award for his role in "Boardwalk Empire."