Back in 2014, during the post-Twilight YA vampire boom, Hollywood tried its hand at making a movie series out of the Vampire Academy novels by Richelle Mead, about a school where noble vampires are educated and half-human teens trained to protect them from other, meaner vampires. The movie was a flop, maybe because we were growing tired of this sh*t by then or maybe just because it wasn’t any good, or maybe both.
Both everything eventually comes back around again, and NBC’s streaming service Peacock is adapting the book series as a TV show. Here’s the official description:
"…a story of romance, friendship, death, sex, and scandal…In a world of privilege and glamour, two young women’s friendship transcends their strikingly different classes as they prepare to complete their education and enter royal vampire society. This serialized and sexy drama combines the elegance of aristocratic romance and the supernatural thrills of the vampire genre."
Per Collider, Julie Plec — who worked on The Vampire Diaries — and Marguerite MacIntyre — who worked on The Vampire Diaries spinoff Legacies — will be producing the show. That’s a lot of vampire know-how.
J.August Richard, Sisi Stringer, and more join the cast of Vampire Academy on Peacock
What’s more, TV Line has revealed the cast of the show. Check them out:
- Sisi Stringer (Mortal Kombat) is Rose Hathaway, a vampire-human hybrid known as a Dhampir. Fiery and outspoken, Rose is a true fighter in spirit and in practice.
- Daniela Nieves (Save Me) is Princess Vasilisa “Lissa” Dragomir, a Royal Moroi vampire is thrust into a new, intimidating role after a sudden death in her family.
- Andrew Liner (grown-ish) plays the charming, popular Mason Ashford, Rose’s main competition in her quest to become the number one Guardian-in-training. Why these kids would want to spend their lives protecting vampires, I’m not sure, but I’m certain the story gets into it.
- J. August Richards (Angel) is Victor Dashkov, a Moroi noble vampire highly regarded as an advisor and political strategist.
- Kieron Moore is Dimitri Belikov, a lethal, disciplined and discreet Dhampir guardian
- Andre Dae Kim (Salvation) is Christian Ozera, a Royal Moroi vampire who is a black sheep in his community on account of his parents’ bad behavior.
- Anita-Joy Uwajeh is Tatiana Vogel, a Moroi vampire who causes a stir at the royal court.
- Mia McKenna-Bruce (The Dumping Ground) is Mia Karp, a non-Royal student eager to climb the social ladder
- Rhian Blundell is Meredith, a strong-willed Dhampir who has little patience for Rose’s volatility or Mia’s elitism.
- Jonetta Kaiser (Two Sides) is Sonya Karp, who’s on the fringes of Moroi society and is surprise when a Dhampir Guardian named Mikhail shows interest in her.
There’s no word on when the new Vampire Academy series might be coming out. Funnily enough, this new show seems to be coming along right at the start of another vampire boom period:
To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.
Get HBO, Starz, Showtime and MORE for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels