It is now official that Disney is adapting the fang-friendliness world of Vampirina into a glossy live-action teen series, and it is time that film fans around the world start taking note. Today, Disney Branded Television has unveiled the trailer and poster of Vampirina: Teenage Vampire, a music-based coming-of-age film that appears to be High School Musical having a midnight date with Twilight. It starts on Disney Channel on September 12, and all episodes will be available on October 15 on Disney+ and Disney Channel On Demand.
And since it is impossible to have a Disney teen phenomenon without anthems that creep into your head, the Vampirina: Teenage Vampire Original Soundtrack just came out on October 10 with 14 new songs. The first single, a catchy anthem called S-L-A-Y, goes on streaming on September 12, and it could not be more appropriate to play it throughout your spooky season.
Out of Picture Book to Popstar in the Making.
In case the name does sound like something one has heard, that is because Vampirina (or Vee) already has a fanbase of its own. She initially appeared in the best-selling children’s books and subsequently took over the preschool screen on Disney Junior. Yet this is not the cute cartoon one. This is Vee as an adult, fumbling through the halls of a performing arts boarding school, full of angst. Imagine that Wednesday Addams changed schools to East High.
The twist? Vee has to keep her vampire secret and pursue her dream of becoming a star. To further complicate (or improve, look, chaos), her domineering father dispatches a 600-year-old ghost, Demi, to mind her. The arrangement is very classic Disney hijinks with a YA-friendly darker bite.
Meet the Cast: New Blood, New Familiar Faces.
Disney has gathered a cast that has serious range. Kenzi Richardson adds edgy appeal to Vee, and Jiwon Lee is her precocious roommate Sophie, Shaun Dixon is the enigmatic Elijah, and Milo Maharlika is the naughty ghost Demi. Faith Hedley completes the group of friends as Britney, the prodigy of the school.
To the adults, Kate Reinders (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series) and Jeff Meacham (black-ish) play the roles of the vampire father and mother of Vee, and Kim Coles (Living Single) plays the part of Dean Merriweather of Wilson Hall Academy.
And then there are the guest stars, as there could no longer be a Disney series without buzzy cameos. Mykal-Michelle Harris (Raven, Home) stars as a frenemy, “delightful and dangerous, Ruby, Jenna Davis (M3GAN) as a magnetic classmate, Megan, Baby Ariel as horror icon Millie Eyelash (yes, you read that right), and Janice LeAnn Brown crosses over to Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.
Behind the Scenes – The Disney Dream Team.
The artistic family here is elite. The show is being directed by Dan Cross and David Hoge, (Julie and the Phantoms) which is appropriate considering the musical nature of the series DNA. The brainchild of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Tim Federle is also attached, along with Bronwyn North-Reist and Meg Deloatch (Family Reunion). Those credentials are sure to get you big musical moments, schmaltzy drama, and something spooky and glittery you just can’t resist.
