From his very first moment on our screens in Talamasca: The Secret Order, William Fichtner’s character Jasper was instantly our new favorite vampire. Manipulative, sneaky, but also massively vulnerable and sincere in fascinating ways, Jasper brought a level of both sharpness and camp to the Talamasca series. We’d hazard to say that he stole every scene he was in. And so, it was our pleasure to sit down with William Fichtner in celebration of Talamasca: The Secret Order‘s finale and discuss all things Jasper, from his maker to his potential season two fate to his feelings about fellow scene-stealer Guy Anatole, played by Nicholas Denton. You can read our whole Talamasca: The Secret Order interview with William Fichtner below and get to know the vampire Jasper just a little bit better.
As I was watching the Talamasca series, I found myself curious to know about Jasper’s vampire maker. Do you know who that is?
William Fichtner: I have some ideas about it, but it’s not really been part of our journey. In episode four, Jasper explains to Guy how he came to be when he was in his youth, in that when he was in a coven, some were vampires, some were not. But a lot of times, on a first season of a show like this, you focus on the journey of the aspects that are happening in the storytelling of this. The backstory being who would’ve been that person? He refers to it. But, I don’t know, if we’re lucky enough to do a second season, maybe we find out.
As you mentioned, Jasper and Guy seem to create an immediate bond on Talamasca, and Jasper is very vulnerable with him very quickly. What draws Jasper to trust Guy and confide in him so openly?
William Fichtner: Well, I think that Jasper is in that Motherhouse, as we find out in season one, because Jasper has a problem with the Talamasca, and aspects of what they did to his life. When he meets Guy for the first time, I think Jasper just plain gets a kick out of Guy from the first time he walks into that motherhouse. And to go, “Hey, I want to talk to you,” to Jasper. It’s like, “Boy, you got to have some nerve.”
So when Jasper goes to visit him at the end of episode three and to meet him face-to-face for the first time, Jasper finds out something important. Jasper does not know who Guy is until he walks into that Motherhouse. He’s seen him before that because he was trying to listen in on him, but does he really know who this kid is? Does he know what he’s doing, what his intentions are?
But when Guy comes in and starts to tell him about the problems he has and why he’s there and his upset, Jasper’s like, “Wow, okay, we got somebody that’s very passionate about, they’re upset with the Talamasca.” Well, guess what? You have company, because I have my own upset that he eventually shares with him in episode four.
These guys have something in common.
Now, Jasper has his own agenda that never goes away, but it’s this thing about them being together; Guy could really do something for Jasper. He could help him, and that’s why he goes into the Vampire Hotel, let’s call it. But it’s all about people and what they want and who can help him get there. And Guy is one of those people for Jasper.
Now, does Jasper like Guy? I always thought he did. I always thought, you know, I think Jasper gets a kick out of the fact that this guy has enough nerve to walk in there and act the way he does. That is dangerous territory right there. Yeah, I think Jasper gets a kick out of it. I always did, as an actor thinking about it, that he has enough nerve to be who he is in that moment.
On the topic of Jasper and Guy’s relationship, I’m sure perhaps by now you’ve heard a little bit that the Talamasca fanbase is pulling for that relationship to possibly turn romantic. We call it, Gasper. Should there be more of the series, do you think Jasper could be open to that sort of evolution?
William Fichtner: I actually had this question asked to me recently, and I just said, “Wow, okay. People are looking at it that way. Wow. News to me.” Listen, where the writers choose to go with this, I don’t know. I don’t think it’s built in that it’s part of Jasper’s plate. The thought may be fueled by fans that are fans of Interview with the Vampire, which has very interesting relationships between the characters. I don’t necessarily think that’s the world of Talamasca, but other people might think that, and isn’t that the joy of watching something? Everybody can form their own opinions.
Jasper is in a bit of a bind at the end of season two of Talamasca. Do you think he’ll make the vampires, the Talamasca ask of him, and what would being forced to turn people into vampires for the Talamasca feel like to Jasper?
William Fichtner: Well, it’s a great question because the truth about it is when Jasper says to Guy earlier on, before the last episode, “How many vampires are there in the world?… Not enough.” That’s Jasper’s feeling. But that’s when Jasper is pulling the strings, doing the things that he wants.
This is not the circumstance at the end of the season; the end of the season, he’s being told, “That’s what you’re going to do exactly.” Now, is it going to go that way? I can tell you this much: when Jasper’s left alone in that room with all of those bodies lying on those gurneys, is Jasper necessarily going to go, “Okay, let’s get to work.” I’m not so sure about that. I don’t think Jasper likes being told what to do by anybody. So we shall see where that gets explored. But if we get a chance to explore it in a season two, I think it’s going to be one of the things that we’re going to have to find out right away.
Do you think Jasper has read Daniel Molloy’s Interview with the Vampire book? Did he enjoy it?
William Fichtner: [Chuckling loudly] No, I don’t think he read it.
What about the Vampire Lestat’s music? Is he a fan?
William Fichtner: Uhmmmm, no. He likes Southern Rock.
When the Talamasca turned Doris into a vampire, they found a vampire that was “just good enough.” How do you think Jasper sees himself in terms of the vampiric hierarchy on Talamasca?
William Fichtner: For lack of better words, I honestly think that Jasper is at a point in his life, with who he is, and where he’s from, that I don’t think Jasper gives a shit what anybody thinks he is. He walks his own road, and he creates his own things. He doesn’t have the sort of relationships that others might have, or want, or need.
I don’t think that’s Jasper right now at this point in his life. Was it in the past? I don’t know. Maybe we’ll find out. Maybe we’ll explore that. But right now, Jasper walks down a road that’s about as solo as you could be.
We’ll have to wait and see if Jasper can leave his lonely road. Should AMC renew Talamasca for season two, we’ll definitely hope to learn more about the vampire. We’re crossing our fingers for it. For now, the full season of Talamasca is streaming on AMC+.