The series is the second adaptation of Richelle Mead's novel series, following a 2014 film, and it functions as a reboot that draws inspirations and elements from all six novels rather than adapting a single book.

In 2010, Preger Entertainment optioned the film rights to Vampire Academy, resulting in a 2014 movie based on the first book that became a box-office bomb.

After the film's failure, Preger Entertainment launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to finance a sequel based on the novel Frostbite, but it failed to reach its goal and the project was cancelled.

Julie Plec expressed her desire on Twitter as early as March 2015 to adapt the book series into a television show, years before Peacock finally greenlit the project in May 2021.

Anita-Joy Uwajeh's character Tatiana Vogel and Mia McKenna-Bruce's character Mia Karp are reimagined versions of the book characters Tatiana Ivashkov and Mia Rinaldi.

Rhian Blundell was cast as Meredith Beckham, a character who was only a minor figure in the original novels but was expanded for the series.

Filming began in September 2021 in Spain, in locations including Pamplona, Olite, Viana and Zaragoza, before also shooting in Portugal.

The series received generally positive reviews, holding a 77% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 59/100 score on Metacritic, yet Peacock still cancelled it after just one season in January 2023.