'It was the passing on of the stake!': Vampire Academy's Zoey Deutch thrilled to get tick of approval from Buffy star Sarah Michelle Gellar



She plays a teenage vampire slayer in new film Vampire Academy, and Zoey Deutch has been given the ‘seal of approval’ from Buffy herself.

The 19-year-old walked the red carpet at the Australian premiere of the film on Thursday night and said she was ‘excited’ to receive a message from Buffy The Vampire Slayer star Sarah Michelle Gellar.

‘She posted a picture on Twitter of her next to a stand-up poster of me, which I think is the seal of approval from the master of vampire slaying,’ she told the MailOnline.

Pretty in pink: Zoey Deutch looking chic in Dior at the Australian Vampire Academy premiere on Thursday



Slayer sisters: 'You sure u know how to use that stake?' Sarah Michelle Gellar playfully tweeted to the Vampire Academy star



Past and present: Buffy Summers from the hit TV series and Rose Hathaway from Vampire Academy



‘It was the passing on of the stake, if you will.’

The two actresses worked together on the short-lived TV series Ringer.

Like Gellar, Deutch said she was looking forward to starring in more female-led action films.

Action star: The 19-year-old says she wants to play more tough roles, pictured at the Australian Vampire Academy premiere on Thursday



Red carpet ready: Co-star Sarah Hyland and the Vampire Academy actress share a laugh at the Australian premiere on Thursday



‘It was an honour to play Rose Hathaway in Vampire Academy because she’s so passionate and fervent in her opinions and excited about life.

‘She uses humour as a means of survival as well as being this physically strong woman.

‘I don’t think I necessarily have the kind of energy or vibe to be a damsel in distress, so I’m happy to hopefully play these kinds of parts for the duration of my career.’

Femme fatale: The 19-year-old plays a sexy warrior in supernatural blockbuster Vampire Academy



Flawless complexion: The brunette looked fresh-faced at the Australian Vampire Academy premiere on Thursday



It was a bright pink and green themed premiere for the launch of Vampire Academy, with Zoey looking chic in a Christian Dior dress, Sophia Webster heels and an Edie Parker clutch.

But her best accessory was mother Lea Thompson, 52, who’s also an actress and best known for playing Michael J. Fox’ mum in Back To The Future.

‘Oh my God, she’s so good in the movie – I’m very proud,' Lea gushed.

Like mother like daughter: Lea Thompson attends the Australian premiere of her daughter's film Vampire Academy on Thursday



Flashback star: The actress at the age of 23, playing Michael J. Fox's mum in Back To The Future

‘She’s very funny and does all this great ass-kicking.

‘I think it’s amazing to see a story about two girls who take control of their own lives.’

It was Zoey’s first time in Australia, and she said she was enjoying taking in the sights with her mum whose last visit Down Under was 30-years ago.

Loyal guardian: The actress as Rose, protecting Lucy Fry's Lissa in a scene from Vampire Academy



Natural BFFs: The pair play best friends on screen and have become 'very close friends' off screen as well, pictured at the Vampire Academy Australian premiere on Thursday night



Dynamic duo: The two women and their friendship is the central story in Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series, pictured in Sydney on Thursday



The highlight of the trip was seeing a dugong at Sydney Aquarium, with the actress uploading shots of herself ‘freaking out’ about seeing the sea creature up close.

Vampire Academy is based on a best-selling series of young adult novels by Richelle Mead, with producers hoping to launch a film franchise like the Twilight and Hunger Games films.

Despite underperforming at the US box-office – it only made $3.9 in its opening weekend – fans are hopeful that if the film performs stronger when it opens internationally a sequel may be green lit.

‘I would love to come back for more,’ said Zoey of potential sequels.

