Vampire Academy - General Discussion

[paulvdb]

New series on Peacock premieres September 15.

From executive producers Julie Plec & Marguerite MacIntyre comes a story of friendship, romance and danger. 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 vampire society. One as a powerful Royal, the other a half-vampire Guardian trained to protect against the savage 'Strigoi' who threaten to tear their society apart. That is, if Royal infighting doesn't do the job first.

Format: 10 x 60 min episodes.

[AnimeMania]

Vampire Academy      September 15      Peacock    10 one-hour episodes

Filmed in Spain

“Vampire Academy”, a story of romance, friendship, death, sex, and scandal, set 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. Students of St. Vladimir’s Academy “isn’t just any boarding school — it’s a hidden place where vampire royals are educated and half-human teens train to protect them from the savage “Strigoi” vampires who would like to see them destroyed.”

Based on the young adult Vampire Academy novels by Richelle Mead. The first book in the series was previously adapted into a Vampire Academy feature film in 2014. Six books were published in the series between 2007 and 2010.

Sisi Stringer plays Rose Hathaway, a teenage vampire-human hybrid known as a Dhampir, she wants to become a guardian of her best friend Lissa Dragomir, they share a psychic bond, and protect her from the Strigoi, savage vampires who kill other Vampires for their blood. Fiery and outspoken, Rose is a true fighter in spirit and in practice. She always jumps into action, and more often than not, this results in demerits. She might be the strongest fighter in her class, but her success will depend entirely on her willingness to toe the line when it counts.

Lissa Dragomir      Rose Hathaway     

Daniela Nieves plays Princess Vasilisa “Lissa” Dragomir, a benevolent Royal Moroi vampire, the last of her royal family.  Growing up the younger sister to the heir apparent, Princess Vasilisa Dragomir is a carefree, kind-hearted, royal princess coasting through her studies and happily chasing fun. Lissa is uninterested in the political machinations of the Royal Court or the hypocrisy of Moroi royal society. But with a sudden death in her family, Lissa is thrust into a role she’s neither trained for nor is emotionally equipped to handle.

Kieron Moore plays Dimitri Belikov, a Dhampir guardian that is Rose's love interest. lethal, disciplined, discreet, and totally committed to his role as bodyguard to the ruling Moroi, the “good,” mortal vampires of his world. He lives by a deep moral code, but beneath his stoic, watchful surface, there’s an expansive spirit that could threaten to expose the underlying tension between his sense of what’s right and his formal duty to the Moroi.

Andrew Liner plays Mason Ashford, Rose’s main competition in the quest to become the number one guardian-in-training. Charming, loyal and popular, Mason is Rose’s main competition in the quest to become the number one Guardian-in-training. Though their relationship is casual on her side, he is hopeful Lissa will finally look at him and see him as something more.

J. August Richards plays Victor Dashkov, a Moroi noble vampire with a heart of gold, he specializes in political strategy. Victor is a Moroi noble vampire with a heart of gold who’s highly regarded for his role as advisor and political strategist to Moroi dignitaries. He’s a fierce loyalist who uses his intelligence and influence to protect that which he values most: the well-being of his husband and two adopted daughters, as well as the betterment of his Moroi community.

Andre Dae Kim plays Christian Ozera, a Royal Moroi vampire whose parents’ societal sins make him a pariah of the school and royal court. He is searching for faith-based answers to his questions about the world. Intelligent and thoughtful, Christian is the pariah of the school and royal court, due to his parents’ unforgiveable societal sins. Well-read and hungry for knowledge, he searches for faith-based answers and discovers a kindred spirit who is also looking for the truth.

Anita-Joy Uwajeh as Tatiana Vogel, a Moroi vampire and political underdog Victor is a Moroi noble vampire with a heart of gold who’s highly regarded for his role as advisor and political strategist to Moroi dignitaries. He’s a fierce loyalist who uses his intelligence and influence to protect that which he values most: the well-being of his husband and two adopted daughters, as well as the betterment of his Moroi community.

Mia McKenna-Bruce as Mia Karp, a non-Royal student with a plan to social climb her way up the ranks. Witty, cutting, and just the right kind of ruthless when necessary, non-Royal Mia has a long-term plan to social climb her way into the ranks of royalty, with all the privilege and freedom that entails. A plan complicated by her instant chemistry with Meredith, a Guardian-in-training, as Mia struggles to reconcile her attraction to Meredith with her lowly status.

Rhian Blundell as Meredith, a smart, strong-willed Dhampir with little patience for Rose’s volatility or Mia’s elitism, a guardian-in-training who develops instant chemistry with Mia. a smart, strong-willed Dhampir who is a keen observer, which makes her an excellent strategist and a valuable asset. She has little patience for Rose’s volatility or Mia’s elitism, and regularly calls both of them out.

Jonetta Kaiser as Sonya Karp, a quiet and decidedly odd young woman who sits out on the fringe of Moroi society. Quiet, careful and decidedly odd, Sonya is not of royal bloodline and sits out on the fringe of Moroi society, preferring to spend her time in the library or her gardens. Not a person who likes a scene, nonetheless she has a quiet but profound power of her own. She is taken by surprise when a Dhampir Guardian named Mikhail shows interest in her, a relationship that will expose both the brightest and darkest parts of her heart.

[AnimeMania]

Thursday, July 21

Comic-Con: A Glimpse Into the World of Peacock Original Supernatural YA Drama Series Vampire Academy

Showrunners and executive producers Julie Plec (The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Legacies) and Marguerite MacIntyre (The Originals, Legacies) will join series regulars Sisi Stringer (Rose Hathaway), Daniela Nieves (Lissa Dragomir), Kieron Moore (Dimitri Belikov) and Andre Dae Kim (Christian Ozera) to discuss Peacock’s highly anticipated Vampire Academy, based on the international bestselling book series -- a story of friendship, romance and danger. 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 vampire society. One as a powerful Royal, the other a half-vampire Guardian trained to protect against the savage Strigoi who threaten to tear their society apart. That is if Royal infighting doesn’t do the job first. Cast will partake in a Q&A live panel and give an exclusive first look moderated by Entertainment Weekly’s Sydney Bucksbaum. The series is from Universal Television and will premiere on Peacock Sept. 15.

[Featherhat]

Is it possible to have a YA vampire series that doesn't involve Julie Plec? I actually enjoyed reading the first couple of books years ago but I'm leery of her involvement. I have seen the movie but I can't remember a thing about it. 

[AnimeMania]

I guess you could try "First Blood" on Netflix.

[paulvdb]

I assume you meant First Kill? First Blood has nothing to do with YA vampires and is also not Netflix.

[AnimeMania]

8 hours ago, paulvdb said:

I assume you meant First Kill? First Blood has nothing to do with YA vampires and is also not Netflix.

yep

[AnimeMania]

Vampire Academy series co-creator says to expect romance, friendship, and horror

I very fluffy piece. The Vampire version of Bridgerton meets Hunger Games.

"There's royal, posh, cloth-napkin vampires, and then the Strigoi, who are closer to what you might expect a rabid feral vampire from the original days would behave like. They're lurking in the shadows, so there's very much a genre tone when it comes to the Strigoi. There's some great horror eye candy in this show as well."

André Dae Kim (Christian Ozera) and Daniela Nieves (Princess Vasilisa “Lissa” Dragomir)

Sisi Stringer (Rose Hathaway) and Kieron Moore (Dimitri Belikov)

[paulvdb]

Teaser trailer:

[AnimeMania]

Peacock will release the first 4 episodes of the 10 episode TV Series "Vampire Academy" on September 15 and then release new episodes weekly every Thursday.    

Edited August 17, 2022 by AnimeMania

[AnimeMania]

Vampire Academy       September 15         Peacock     

Episodes 1-4    Titles and Descriptions

Spoiler

S01.E01: Pilot

With their lives upended by tragedy, Rose's place is uncertain as Lissa faces a new role in court.

Original Air Date: September 15 

S01.E02: Earth. Air. Water. Fire.

Lissa fears the world will learn her secret; Rose must face the consequences of her actions.

Original Air Date: September 15 

S01.E03: Death Watch

The Dominion suffers a great loss; Rose meets her match; Christian receives shocking news.

Original Air Date: September 15 

Angela Wynter as Irene Vogel

S01.E04: Benchmark

Rose faces a defining test as a Guardian; Victor offers Lissa a chance to improve the Dominion.

Original Air Date: September 15 

Max Parker as Mikhail Tanner
Jennifer Kirby as Alberta Casey  

[norcalgal]

The first four episodes were ok.  Except for the cast changes from the book (race or sexual orientation), the episodes closely follow the books. Let's see what happens by the end of the season.

I can understand why they'd adapt Mead's Vampire Academy novels, but I wish they had adapted her Dark Swan series instead. I want a paranormal urban fantasy that doesn't involve teens. 

Spoiler

It will be interesting to see what they do with the Victor Dashkov character if he remains as the white knight he appears.

I have a hard time picturing Daniela as Lissa because I still see her as her flighty, manic, over reactive character from Every Witch Way.

[AnimeMania]

S01.E05: Near Guard, Far Guard

Rose proves she’s a great leader, but at a terrible cost; Lissa takes matters into her own hands.

Premiere Date: September 22, 2022    
Joseph Ollman as Jesse Zeklos
Javier Ramos as Dean Barnes
Blake Patrick Anderson as Eddie Castile

[Quickbeam]

So far I like it far more than the one and done movie. I like the multi-racial casting. I read all the books and was sad when the movie didn’t do better. It looks good, no complaints so far. 

[AnimeMania]

S01.E06: Molinija

On the royal tour, Rose tries to find peace; Lissa seeks answers about her magic.

Premiere Date: September 29, 2022    
Julio Perillán as Stefan Carter
Anita-Joy Uwajeh as Tatiana Vogel

Edited September 29, 2022 by AnimeMania

[Quickbeam]

So far I like it far more than the one and done movie. I like the multi-racial casting. I read all the books and was sad when the movie didn’t do better. It looks good, no complaints so far. 
 

ETA: wow, that is not how I pictured Adrian at all. Not complaining just a shift in my minds eye. 

Edited September 30, 2022 by Quickbeam

[AnimeMania]

S01.E07: Beyond The Wards

Rose and Lissa's quest for answers leads them beyond the borders of the world they've always known.

Premiere Date: October 6, 2022    
Nadia Nadarajah as Abby Batista

[Quickbeam]

Nadia Nadarajah as Abby Batista…..Nadia uses British Sign Language. I’m an ASL interpreter and I was “wait a minute” until I realized it was BSL. Good for the show for using a Deaf actor. 

[AnimeMania]

S01.E08: The Trials

The fight for the throne comes to a head; Victor hides his secret; Rose investigates the enemy.

Premiere Date: October 13, 2022    
Pik-Sen Lim as Queen

[AnimeMania]

S01.E09: Darkness

The aftermath of the Trials throws the Dominion into chaos; Christian faces a horrific truth.

Premiere Date: October 20, 2022    

[paulvdb]

Tatiana being under the mask was the least surprising reveal ever. But as someone who never read the books and remembers very little from the movie I was surprised to see that Andre is alive.

[norcalgal]

On 10/20/2022 at 10:37 PM, paulvdb said:

Tatiana being under the mask was the least surprising reveal ever. But as someone who never read the books and remembers very little from the movie I was surprised to see that Andre is alive.

wrt the bolded, co-signed. 

Spoiler

And from what I recall reading the books, Andre stayed dead. I don't even know how this show will explain how he survived.  Presumably, there was a funeral and a body was buried?!?!?  Wouldn't Lissa and a revenant Rose remember seeing Andre's dead body while they awaited emergency services?!?!

  Anyhoo, this show started strong, but has been getting steadily worse. Take last week - Rose and Christian got engaged but are they no longer engaged?  And why did Rose say it'd be a marriage of convenience only?  The two already had sex. Why should their marriage (if it's still "on") be only in name?!  Lastly, there was an episode a while back where someone went through records looking for all Moroi with "enough" Dragomir blood and Christian wasn't on the list.  But miraculously last week he DID have enough Dragomir blood?!!?  Because this genre is my favorite, I'll still watch but my enjoyment level is waaay low.

[AnimeMania]

S01.E10: Ascension

(Season Finale)

The citizens of the Dominion must come together to face their greatest threat yet. 

Premiere Date: October 27, 2022    

[Impish Dragon]

On 10/21/2022 at 12:01 PM, norcalgal said:

Take last week - Rose and Christian got engaged but are they no longer engaged?  And why did Rose say it'd be a marriage of convenience only?  The two already had sex. Why should their marriage (if it's still "on") be only in name?!  Lastly, there was an episode a while back where someone went through records looking for all Moroi with "enough" Dragomir blood and Christian wasn't on the list.  But miraculously last week he DID have enough Dragomir blood?!!? 

Yeah, Lissa kept stressing it was an MOC.  I think it was a mix of it not feeling real to her, especially with Rose not being part of it, and her wanting to not pressure Christian if he didn't want a real marriage.  As to the blood, a comment was made that the list Lissa was given was of who the Royals would find it acceptable for her to marry.  The added names were "tainted" in some way.  Like Christians parents being Strogi.

Overall I liked the series.  As usual, our heroes have to make dumb choices to get the story moving.  And I don't buy the great love between Rose and Dimitri.  Still, I'd watch a second season.

[DeafAngelboy23]

On 10/7/2022 at 12:04 PM, Quickbeam said:

Nadia Nadarajah as Abby Batista…..Nadia uses British Sign Language. I’m an ASL interpreter and I was “wait a minute” until I realized it was BSL. Good for the show for using a Deaf actor. 

I knew it was BSL right away but most hearing people likely assumed that there’s only one universal sign language. 

[BetterButter]

Vampire Academy Cancelled by Peacock After One Season