The Semester Is About To Begin @ "Vampire Academy"

Gabriel Byrne, Sarah Hyland, Joely Richardson and Dominic Sherwood have all joined the first film in a planned franchise based on author Richelle Mead's hit book series "Vampire Academy: Blood Sisters" says Deadline.

This first film in a potential six-part series follows 17-year-old Rose Hathaway (played by Zoey Deutch). Rose maintains a close bond with her vampire friend Lissa (Lucy Fry) and they both attend a school for vampires who are trying to retain some of their humanity.

Byrne will play Victor, one of the leaders of the Academy while Hyland (pictured) will play Natalie, Victor’s daughter and the best friend of Rose and Lissa. Richardson will play Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi Vampires. Sherwood will be playing Christian, Lissa’s love interest.

Russian star Danila Kozlovskiy will play Dimitri, a Serbian vampire assigned to look after and protect the two girls when they are away school. Olga Kurylenko will play head mistress Kirova.

Sami Gayle, Cameron Monaghan, Ashley Charles and Claire Foy also star.

"Mean Girls" director Mark Waters will call the shots using his brother Daniel Waters' ("Heathers") adapted script.

Susan Montford, Don Murphy, Deepak Nayar and Michael Preger will produce.

Production is due to start next week.