The Vampire Diaries Cast: Post-Show Projects and Career Paths
"The Vampire Diaries" is a popular supernatural TV show based on L. J. Smith's book series. The story revolves around Elena Gilbert, who encounters vampires when she meets Stefan Salvatore, a mysterious new student at her school. As Elena falls in love with Stefan and later his brother Damon, a complex love triangle unfolds amidst supernatural beings like vampires, werewolves, witches, and humans. The show blurs the lines between species, leading to power struggles and unexpected alliances among the characters.
The main cast of "The Vampire Diaries" has continued to pursue various projects since the show ended in 2017. Nina Dobrev, who played Elena Gilbert, has transitioned to different genres, starring in films like "Love Hard" and "The Out-Laws." She also executive produced the documentary "Fin" and had a lead role in the sitcom "Fam." Paul Wesley, known for his role as Stefan Salvatore, ventured into space with "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" and appeared in TV shows like "Tell Me a Story" and "Flowers in the Attic: The Origin." Wesley also co-founded Brother's Bond Bourbon with Ian Somerhalder, who portrayed Damon Salvatore.
Ian Somerhalder's character, Damon Salvatore, undergoes significant character development throughout the series. After "TVD," Somerhalder starred in the vampire-themed series "V-Wars" and focused on nature documentaries like "Kiss the Ground" and "Common Ground." He is also involved in The Absorption Company, which develops supplements for better absorption. Candice King, who played Caroline Forbes, has appeared in book adaptations like "We Were Liars" and "After We Collided," along with TV movies and shows like "Christmas in Tune" and "The Orville."
Kat Graham portrayed Bonnie Bennett, a powerful witch and Elena's close friend. Graham has since starred in Netflix romantic comedies, animated shows like "Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," and worked on projects like "Tyler Perry's Duplicity" and the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic "Michael." Steven R. McQueen, who played Jeremy Gilbert, joined the cast of "Chicago Fire" and appeared in movies like "Home by Spring" and "Medal of Honor." Zach Roerig, known for his role as Matt Donovan, has been part of series like "Dare Me" and "Boots."
Matt Davis portrayed Alaric Saltzman, a history teacher with a deep connection to the supernatural world. Davis continued his role in the spin-off show "Legacies" and appeared in series like "Grosse Pointe Garden Society" and Hallmark's "Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses." Sara Canning, who played Aunt Jenna, has been part of shows like "Primeval: New World" and "Remedy," along with movies like "War for the Planet of the Apes" and "Superhost." Michael Trevino, known for his role as Tyler Lockwood, joined the cast of "Roswell, New Mexico" and starred in the Chinese thriller "Out of Control."
Joseph Morgan portrayed Klaus Mikaelson, an Original vampire with a complex personality. After "The Vampire Diaries," Morgan appeared in shows like "Animal Kingdom," "Brave New World," "Titans," and the "Halo" adaptation. He also directed episodes of "The Originals" and continued to showcase his acting skills in various projects. The cast of "The Vampire Diaries" has diversified their careers post-show, engaging in a wide range of projects across different genres and platforms.