Recasts on television shows and movies happen all the time for various reasons, but the explanation behind Bailey Bass’ exit from her role as Claudia in Interview with the Vampire season 2 is a bit unclear. The AMC gothic horror television series, created by Rolin Jones, is based on Anne Rice’s 1976 book of the same name. Interview with the Vampire season 1 introduced viewers to Louis de Pointe du Lac, a vampire recounting his life story to a journalist in 2022, including his time in New Orleans in the 1910s and his encounter with Claudia, a teenage vampire.

As mentioned above, Bass originated the role of Claudia in season 1, and Delainey Hayles took over for the actress in season 2. Aside from Hayles, the cast of Interview with the Vampire season 2 includes Jacob Anderson as Louis de Pointe du Lac, Sam Reid as Lestat de Lioncourt, Eric Bogosian as Daniel Molloy, Assad Zaman as Armand, and Ben Daniels as Santiago. While most of the cast reprise their roles from the first season (or make their first appearances in the second), as the season 2 premiere stated, “The role of Claudia will now be played by Delainey Hayles.”

Bailey Bass Couldn’t Return As Claudia In Interview With The Vampire Season 2 “For A Variety Of Reasons”

Delainey Hayles Took Over For Bailey Bass In Season 2

According to Deadline, AMC claimed that the character of Claudia was recast in Interview with the Vampire season 2 because:

“Bailey Bass is a talented actor who did a remarkable job bringing the character of Claudia to life in Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire. For a variety of reasons, Delainey Hayles will appear as Claudia in season two. We are grateful for Bailey’s unforgettable performance in season one and wish her nothing but the best.”

Meanwhile, Bailey Bass’ statement on the matter read:

“Due to a variety of unforeseen circumstances I’m unable to return to Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire for the second season. Playing Claudia has been a dream role and an incredible ride. I wish Delainey the best of luck in taking over. I cannot wait to watch. I’m extremely appreciative of AMC, the producers, Jacob, Sam, the crew and, of course, the wonderful fans.”

“A variety of unforeseen circumstances” is probably the most vague explanation for an actor’s exit from a television show that one could give. However, although her initial reasoning was unclear, context clues may inform why Bass departed Interview with the Vampire on AMC. The actress previously starred as Tsireya in Avatar: The Way of Water and is expected to reprise the role in the upcoming Avatar movies. As a result, scheduling conflicts might be to blame for the recast of Claudia in Interview with the Vampire season 2, but no one could fault Bass for putting James Cameron first.

How Delainey Hayles’ Claudia Compares To Bailey Bass In Season 2

Season 2 Features A 4-Year Time Jump

Even though Claudia is played by a different actress in Interview with a Vampire season 2, her character has not changed too much. Of course, season 2 begins with a four-year time jump, and Louis and Claudia are no longer in New Orleans but in Europe, searching for other vampires. Since many years have passed between seasons 1 and 2, Claudia has undoubtedly matured, but many of her personality traits remain as Delainey Hayles takes over for Bailey Bass. However, only time will tell what’s in store for Claudia for the rest of Interview with the Vampire season 2.

Source: Deadline