Television

Vampire Academy: Peacock’s queer inclusive series cancelled after one season

By Jordan Robledo

23rd January 2023

Peacock’s Vampire Academy is one of the latest LGBTQ+ inclusive TV series to get cancelled.

Back in September, the supernatural teen drama made its grand debut on the streaming service.

The show, which is based on the Richelle Mead book series, follows Dhampir Rose Hathaway (Sisi Stringer) and royal Moroi vampire Lissa Dragomir (Daniela Nieves), as they navigate friendships, relationships and supernatural threats while attending the prestigious St Vladimir’s Academy.

The synopsis reads: “As Rose trains to be a guardian, a mysterious bond develops between the two friends, and they must work together to decipher it, all while facing threats like the bloodthirsty and undead strigoi.”

Following its release on Peacock, the show received acclaim from critics and viewers, who praised the series for its campy storylines and its extensive vampire lore.

Vampire Academy also earned a large LGBTQ+ fanbase due to the show’s lesbian romance between non-royal Moroi vampire Mia Karp (Mia McKenna-Bruce) and Dhampir guardian in training Meredith (Rhian Blundell).

However despite glowing reviews from viewers and critics, Peacock announced on 20 January that St Vladimir’s Academy would officially be closing its doors.

According to Deadline, the streamer’s decision stemmed from the show not finding the “requisite audience to justify further seasons.”

Peacock

Peacock

Shortly after the news was announced, the show’s creatives and its actors took to social media to express their disappointment.

Showrunner Julie Plec tweeted: “I, too, am grump. This is a romantic, exciting, addictive show with a breakout cast, a passionate fan base and legions of story left to tell.

“Business is business, and streamers have to find what works for them, but if you’re a network with a need for a vampire show, we’re avail[able].”

Jonetta Kaiser, who played non-royal Moroi vampire Sonya Karp, echoed similar sentiments in a statement on Instagram.

Peacock

Peacock

“So Vampire Academy has been cancelled. The thing is, if you’re an actor, you know that although this is such an exciting time to be part of the industry because of all the countless streaming services… it’s also scary because most shows now get the boot after just one season,” she wrote.

“This can be a tough industry to be part of, but we all do it because we love it. Here’s to hoping it’s not totally the end, but even if it is, I’m grateful to have had the life-changing opportunity to play Sonya Karp.”

Vampire Academy wasn’t the only LGBTQ+ inclusive series to get cancelled at Peacock. In addition to the supernatural program, the mystery drama One of Us Is Lying was also given the axe after two seasons.

Here’s how fans reacted to the cancellation: