Interview with the Vampire star Jacob Anderson revealed the show's vampires “weren't supposed to hiss” originally.
But the iconic sound was incorporated into the series when the 33-year-old made an unexpected discovery whilst filming.
During a recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Anderson explained the noise was “not intentional.”
The Game of Thrones alum recalled: “When we were shooting, we were trying to figure out how you reveal teeth in a good way and I figured out one day that the best way to do it was to do like a cat sound.”
Related: ‘Magnum P.I.' Cast Reacts & Breaks Silence To Show Ending After Season 5 Finale
Anderson mimicked the hiss and shared that “everybody else got on board.”
“And they used it,” he said.
“Now the vampires hiss. They weren't supposed to hiss.”
In the series, Anderson plays Louis de Pointe du Lac, a vampire who opts to share his life story with a journalist.
His character embarks on an erotic romance with hedonistic vampire Lestat, played by Sam Reid.
The Doctor Who actor described their relationship as a “really intense love affair that destroys both of their lives.”
He also divulged in the differences between this characterisation of Louis to the one previously portrayed by Brad Pitt in the 1994 film of the same name.
Related: David Tennant ‘delighted' to host 2024 BAFTAs
“He's a brothel owner in 1910s New Orleans. He's a closeted Black Creole man and he's kind of trying to escape his life.
“He hates it. He kinda hates himself and finds a way out when he meets Lestat de Lioncourt,” added Anderson.
Tom Cruise played the role of Lestat opposite Pitt.
Both adaptations are based on Anne Rice's debut novel.
Anderson explained that showrunner Rolin Jones managed to “bring things in from later books” included within Rice's book series The Vampires Chronicles.
Related: John Ridley on his cancelled ‘Eternals' TV show: “My version was so *ucking weird”
The AMC series, which aired in 2022, has embraced the queer elements of Rice's work whilst exploring themes of race and abuse – the film only alludes to the queer connotations.
Fans and critics have praised the show for its writing and performances among other elements.
Interview with the Vampire season two is set to air in 2024.