Vampire Academy is a stylish new series about a school where vampires and their elite guards learn the ropes. Julie Plec, the woman behind hit series like The Vampire Diaries, The Originals and Legacies, is behind this new Peacock series geared toward young adults.
Filmed on location in Spain, the series features lavish costumes and decadent sets. It's absolute eye candy, and when paired with the show's intense story dynamics it's easy for viewers to be drawn in.
What to Watch had a chance to talk with the Vampire Academy cast and they're all very excited to introduce the series to fans.
Anita-Joy Uwajeh was excited for fans to see this world come to life, not only for existing fans but newcomers to the story. "I think it's amazing that there's going to be a group of peple and fans who will come to this fresh and be able to really see themselves in these characters and be like, 'Oh wow, I can exist in this vampire world.' [They] can be part of this world because [they see themselves] in some of these characters. I think that's such an exciting and fresh and amazing thing for people to get out of this show. So I'm pumped and can't wait for people to see it."
André Dae Kim explained that this is a whole new world for vampires on television. "We get to play within the fully vampire world. There is no human involvement. There's no hiding who we are," he said. "It's all real, which in itself allows for different kinds of stories to play out." Without the need to hide, the focus shifts to other things. "It's more other things, like relationships, politics, fighting. New things that are happening to our world. And who knows, maybe in the future there is a little bit more interaction with actual humans, but that will be different too."
J. August Richards agreed. "These are vampires in their own environment. We're not trying to hide from the human world. This is our society, our government. So it's really a unique show."
Kieron Moore talked about how the story goes beyond Rose's perspective, which is what drives the books forward. "There's something new there, something nuanced, and it's this idea that we're challenging human issues that we, as an audience, will feel hits close to home," he said. "And we're doing it through a veil of fantasy and vampires, which adds its own element of danger and sexiness and exhilaration. And for me, Julie Plec said something at Comic-Con that really stuck with me. She was like, 'I've always been entranced by vampires that are cursed to walk the earth until the end of time, and it makes me ask, who with?' And that really sticks with me."
When asked about the duality of their characters in terms of the outward appearance they project and the things they want people to see compared to the things that they want to keep hidden, the cast had a lot to say.
"There's the identity of what everyone puts on you, and then there's your own identity that you may of may not struggle with," Kim agreed. "I would say both [Christian and Dimitri] struggle with it quite a bit and that's kind of a running motif throughout the show."
"I feel like Rose does that a lot," Daniela Nieves said. "I think their whole friendship has been formed with the idea that she needs to protect [Lissa], so I think Rose has to keep a lot of information from [Lissa] to protect [her]."
Sisi Stringer agreed. "She'll do whatever she can to be there for Lissa to protect her, to make sure she's happy and safe and sane," she said. "And then there are a couple of episodes towards the end when that really switches and Rose is going through something that's quite dark, and she's not able to be there for Lissa." She notes that Lissa wants to help Rose for all the times that she has been there for Lissa. "You can see their relationship switches every now and then. And it's really interesting to watch."
"I really do think there's something for everyone. When people ask what we hope viewers take from the show, I just want them to have a good time, "Richards said. "I think it's a really good time of a show. The characters are rich and interesting. It's a unique world. I can guarantee you've never seen a world like the world of this show in terms of the costumes, the locations where we shot in Spain for seven months.... Hopefully people will really love it."
"I think that's ultimately what [showrunners] Julie and Marguerite McIntyre wanted to create," Uwajeh added. "They both have massive experience, obviously, working on these types of shows, and this was an opportunity to dive into a world that they are familiar with, but with fresh eyes and from a new angle. And I think they have very much achieved that."
Here’s everything we know about Vampire Academy season 1.
Next episode of Vampire Academy season 1
The next episode of Vampire Academy is available to stream on Thursday, October 27, and it's titled "Ascension."
Here's the episode description: "Citizens of the Dominion must come together to face their greatest threat yet. Rose and Lissa make a fateful decision."
Vampire Academy episode guide:
Vampire Academy season 1 episode 1: "Pilot"
Airdate: September 15, 2022
"After Rose and Lissa's plans for the future are upended by tragedy, a new Guardian puts Rose's job at risk. Meanwhile, Lissa comes to terms with her new role at court as danger lurks beyond the wards."
Vampire Academy season 1 episode 2: "Earth. Air. Water. Fire."
Airdate: September 15, 2022
"Lissa fears that the world will learn her secret and Rose is faced with the consequences of her actions."
Vampire Academy season 1 episode 3: "Death Watch"
Airdate: September 15, 2022
"The Dominion suffers a devastating loss, Rose finally meets her match and Christian receives some shocking news."
Vampire Academy season 1 episode 4: "Benchmark"
Airdate: September 15, 2022
"Christian receives a mysterious message. A surprise attack tests the Dhampirs. Lissa investigates the elements."
Vampire Academy season 1 episode 5: "Near Guard, Far Guard"
Airdate: September 22, 2022
"Rose proves she's a leader, but at a terrible cost. Lissa takes matters into her own hands."
Vampire Academy season 1 episode 6: "Molnija"
Airdate: September 29, 2022
"During campaign season on the Royal Tour, Rose tries to find peace. Lissa seeks answers about her magic from an unlikely source and Christian confides in a new friend."
Vampire Academy season 1 episode 7: "Beyond the Wards"
Airdate: October 6, 2022
"Rose and Lissa's quest for answers leads them beyond the borders of the world they've always known."
Vampire Academy season 1 episode 8: "The Trials"
Airdate: October 13, 2022
"The fight for the throne culminates. Victor hides his shameful secret. Rose investigates the enemy."
Vampire Academy season 1 episode 9: "Darkness"
Airdate: October 20, 2022
"The aftermath of the Trials throws the Dominion into chaos; Christian faces a horrific truth; Rose takes drastic measures for her future; a betrayal causes Lissa to face her darkness."
When is the Vampire Academy season 1 release date?
Vampire Academy season 1 premiered Thursday, September 15, in the US on Peacock. The first four episodes dropped on September 15 and then the remaining six episodes release weekly starting September 22.
The show arrives on Friday, September 16, in the UK, available exclusively on Peacock through Sky and NOW.
What is Vampire Academy season 1 about?
Here’s the description of Vampire Academy from Peacock:
"From executive producer Julie Plec comes a story of romance, friendship, death, sex and scandal. Vampire Academy is based on a series of young adult paranormal romance novels by international bestselling author Richelle Mead. 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.
"Vampire Academy is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group. Julie Plec will serve as showrunner, writer and executive producer for the series. Marguerite MacIntyre will serve along with Plec as writer, executive producer and co-showrunner. Emily Cummins, Don Murphy, Susan Montford, Deepak Nayer and Jillian DeFrehn also serve as executive producers."
Who is in Vampire Academy season 1 cast?
Vampire Academy stars Sisi Stringer (Force of Nature, Mortal Kombat) as Rose Hathaway and Daniela Nieves (Save Me, Five Points) as vampire Lissa Dragomir. Lissa is a Moroi princess and Rose is training to become a Dhampir, a guardian to the princess. Rose and Lissa are best friends but they come from very different worlds.
With so many books in the Vampire Academy series, it’s not surprising that there are lots of characters tied to the story.
Here’s a list of the Vampire Academy season 1 cast:
- Daniela Nieves as Lissa
- Sisi Stringer as Rose
- Kieron Moore (Sex Education) as Dmitri
- André Dae Kim (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds) as Christian
- Jennifer Kirby (Call the Midwife) as Alberta
- Craig Stevenson (My Lovely Neighbors) as Dane
- J. August Richards (Angel) as Victor
- Anita-Joy Uwajeh as Tatiana
- Alex Hafner (Cable Girls) as James
- Nikol Kollars (Foundation) as Moira Ozera
- Jim Sturgeon (Vigil) as Hans
- Mia McKenna-Bruce (Last Train to Christmas) as Mia
Is there a trailer for Vampire Academy season 1?
The trailer for Vampire Academy season 1 hints at the structures that govern this complex vampire society and the challenges that Rose and Lissa face moving forward.
The teaser for Vampire Academy season 1 reveals a stylish new world where the vampire elite rule.
How to watch Vampire Academy season 1
Vampire Academy season 1 streams exclusively on Peacock. You might have Peacock as part of your existing cable package, or you can subscribe to the streaming service directly. You can also subscribe to the service and access it through platforms like Roku and Fire TV.
If you’re in the UK you can watch Vampire Academy season 1 on Peacock on September 16, available through Sky and NOW.
