The overarching antagonist ofAnne Rice’sMayfair Witches, Lasher is the show’s most mysterious and dangerous entity. Played by Jack Huston, Lasher is a charming but villainous force in the show’s first season. As the show progresses, his machinations come more into the light, as well as his deep history with theMayfair Witchescharactersthat stretches back to the earliest days of their magical line.
Lasher’s powers and plans prove to be a driving force in the season, especially once he finds Rowan and begins to manipulate her for his own goals. This ends up being the key to the ending ofMayfair Witchesseason 1, which ultimately gives Rowan everything he wanted and set up the demon for a more ambitiousMayfair Witchesseason 2. Here’s how Lasher plays into the history of the Mayfair Witches and how his schemes impact the AMC adaptation of Anne Rice’s novels.
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Lasher Is A Shape-Shifting Spirit Linked To The Mayfair Witches
Lasher’s Plans For Rowan Started Before She Was Even Born
A mysterious demon with plans to manipulate the prophesied 13th Witch, Lasher is a dangerous entity at the core ofMayfair Witchesand the primary threat of the series. Lasher’s ultimate mission is to gain control of a physical body, allowing him to break loose into the physical world. Although his initial scheme is stalled by Carlotta stealing an infant Rowan away from Deirdre, a stroke of luck removes the necklace that binds him to her and left him powerless for years. This gives Lasher a fresh chance to reenter the worldand manipulate Rowan, who is secretly descended from a long line of witches.
Much of season 1 ofMayfair Witchesis focused onLasher’s attempts to manipulate Rowan, using his shapeshifting abilities to trick and isolate the doctor. His ultimate plan is to take control of the baby that she’s pregnant with at the Witching Hour. His plans take Rowan on an increasingly dark path and highlights the malevolent potential of the demonic manipulator. However, he’s not just a random demon who decided to target her and her family for the sake of it. Lasher’s history with the Mayfair Witches goes back centuries, and plays heavily into the lore of the series.
Lasher Is The Source Of The Witch Powers
The Mayfair Witches Got Their Powers From Lasher’s Teachings
One of the big reveals ofMayfair Witchesseason 1 centers around Lasher’s history with the Witches. The sixth episode of the season, “Transference,” shifted the focus back to the 17th century and revealedLasher’s role in the origins of Suzanne,the first witch in the family line. Accused of making a deal with the devil, Suzanne only survives her planned execution thanks to the intervention of Lasher. The demon ensured her survival and made her “his witch” so her family could eventually fulfill the prophecy of the thirteenth witch. This up the titular line of witches that carries on to the present day.
This makes Lasher one of the most important figures in the lore ofWitches of Mayfair. His plans resulted in a the legacy of witches that played out over the course of centuries. Without him, the entire series would haven’t come to pass, as Suzanne would have died at the hands of Witchhunters in Scotland.Lasher was the one who empowered the Witches in the first placeand gave them a chance to flourish, out of a desire to realize a prophecy that could change his entire existence.
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How Lasher Connects To The 13th Mayfair Witch Prophecy
Lasher’s Waited A Long Time To Control The 13th Witch
One of the biggest plot points inMayfair Witchesis the prophecy of a thirteenth witch, who turns out to be Rowan. This is whyLasher spends much of season 1 trying to manipulate Rowanfor his own cause, steadily winning her over and convincing her to embrace a darker path. His manipulations steadily win out, with the season finale “What Rough Beast” pushing Rowan further into his grasp. By manipulating Rowan and turning himself into her only true resource and confidant, he’s able to convince her to let him kill enemies like Keith and further influence her.
By the end of the season,Lasher’s efforts have paid off. After bringing Rowan to Suzanne’s cottage and revealing her full potential, Lasher is able to possess the child Rowan conceived with Ciprien to enter the mortal realm. This all sets up a dramaticseason 2 ofMayfair Witches, with Rowan dedicated to protecting her newborn son. Season 2 ofAnne Rice’sMayfair Witcheswill delve further into Rowan’s fate going forward, and will certainly delve further into Lasher’s plans now that he’s realized a prophecy and gained a full body.
Mayfair Witches
Cast
Mayfair Witches follows a young neurosurgeon who discovers her unexpected lineage as the heir to a powerful family of witches. As she navigates her emerging magical abilities, she confronts a dark force that has plagued her family through the generations. Created by Esta Spalding and Michelle Ashford.
