When will Julie Plec's 'Vampire Academy' air on Peacock? Fans worried she'll 'find a new Bonnie to torture'

Streaming service Peacock orders a straight-to-series adaptation, with a 10-episode series to be adapted by 'Vampire Diaries' creator Julie Plec
UPDATED MAY 20, 2021
Julie Plec (Getty Images) and the covers of the 'Vampire Academy' books (Wikimedia Commons)
Julie Plec (Getty Images) and the covers of the 'Vampire Academy' books (Wikimedia Commons)

If you are a fan of the 'Vampire Diaries', you'll be glad to know that another story in the genre is getting an adaptation. 'Vampire Academy' a series of novels by Richelle Mead is getting a 10-episode series on Peacock. At the helm of the adaptation is Julie Plec, who created the TV version of Vampire Diaries'.

Plec, who has been dying to adapt 'Vampire Academy' will finally get her chance to do so. The adaption is one of the several she is helming under contract with Universal Television, owned by Comcast, who also owns Peacock. "Julie Plec created one of the biggest fan-favorite universes with ‘The Vampire Diaries’ and its spin-off series ‘The Originals’ and ‘Legacies,’ and we are excited to deliver this passionate audience a brand new story on Peacock," said Lisa Katz, President, Scripted Content, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming.

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"Julie is known for binge-able, enthralling dramas and we know VAMPIRE ACADEMY will keep Peacock viewers right on the edge of their seats," Katz added. "When I signed my new deal with Universal Television, they asked what project I had always been dying to make and my immediate answer was ‘Vampire Academy'," Plec said. According to reports, she read the novels as they released in the early 2000s, long before she began work on 'Vampire Diaries'. Here's everything we know about the show.

Julie Plec attends the 'Legacies' Press Line during Comic-Con International 2018 at Hilton Bayfront on July 21, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Getty Images)

When will 'Vampire Academy' air?

Right now, there's no air date set for the show. We do know there will be a 10-episode first season, likely followed by several more if it does well. Even before we get an air date, there's plenty of other news to look forward to. For one, the series doesn't have a director yet. Plec and Marguerite MacIntyre will serve as showrunners, writers, and executive producers. Other producers have been announced as Emily Cummins, Don Murphy, Susan Montford, Deepak Nayer and Jillian DeFrehn.

No other crew has been announced as of yet. Then there's the cast announcement. It's unclear as of now if Peacock has any actors in mind for the lead roles. Irrespective, fans can get ready for several seasons of 'Vampire Academy'. Under Plec, 'Vampire Diaries' lasted eight seasons, 'The Originals' five, and 'Legacies' has now been renewed for a fourth season. Under Plec's watchful eye, fans of the genre have been treated to a great set of shows, and it's likely she will bring the same excellence to 'Vampire Academy'.

(Actors Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder and writer/producer Julie Plec attend the "The Vampire Diaries" panel  at San Diego Convention Center on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Getty Images)

'Oh we lost' laments Twitter

While NBC believes Plec is the ideal person to oversee the development of the show, fans on Twitter have had a vastly different reaction. "Have never read Vampire Academy but my heart goes out to the fandom for getting Julie Plec Stay Strong" one person tweeted. Another said, "Vampire academy being made into a show by Julie Plec. Oh we lost"



 



 

Another user lamented, "Not Julie Plec getting her racist claws into Vampire Academy". One tweeted, "When on one hand you’d love to see a Vampire Academy tv show, but on the other, you’d rather not have problematic Julie Plec produce..."



 



 

One person said, "And apparently Julie Plec is very problematic, so I’m very wary of the Vampire Academy adaption. Do I want one? Sure! I love the books, but it’s also an older series. And I don’t trust Plec to handle characters of color well if diversity is added." Speaking on the same and recalling how a Black character 'Bonnie' from 'The Vampire Diaries' series was presented on the show: "Cancel it, I don’t want it. I just know Julie is gonna find a new Bonnie to torture."



 



 

Despite the backlash, it seems Plec has the backing of NBC. Katz added, "We are very excited to see Julie’s ambitious and creative vision of this distinct world come to life, and can’t wait to share the series with Peacock viewers. I have no doubt fans will love what she’s cooked up."

These remarks were made by the Internet and individual organizations, MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and nor does it support these claims being made on the Internet.

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