What happened to the stars of the CW sensation after leaving Mystic Falls.

Where is the Vampire Diaries cast now? Catch up with the stars 17 years later

What happened to the stars of the CW sensation after leaving Mystic Falls.

By Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel is a news writer at **. He began writing for EW in 2022.

EW's editorial guidelines

and Kevin Jacobsen

September 10, 2026 3:35 p.m. ET

Leave a Comment

Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore, Nina Dobrev as Elena Gilbert, and Paul Wesley as Stefan Salvatore on ‘The Vampire Diaries’. Credit:

Bob Mahoney/The CW

It was *The Summer I Turned Pretty* of its time — but with a whole lot more neck biting. *The Vampire Diaries* lured viewers to The CW on Sept. 10, 2009, and kept them entertained through eight seasons of love triangles and supernatural threats. As Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) found herself torn between Salvatore brothers Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder), the show’s lore expanded further and further, eventually serving as the foundation for an entire television franchise.

While the core three of Dobrev, Wesley, and Somerhalder all had television experience before their stint on *TVD*, it was this series with which they would become most closely associated. Each has led a fascinating career since the show’s conclusion, as have their myriad supporting castmates. Now, in honor of the 17th anniversary of its series premiere, we’re looking back on the cast of *The Vampire Diaries* and delving into where they are now.

Nina Dobrev (Elena Gilbert/Katerina Petrova)

Nina Dobrev as Elena Gilbert on ‘The Vampire Diaries’; Nina Dobrev attends the 2024 ‘Vanity Fair’ Oscar after-party arrivals at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 10, 2024.

Annette Brown/The CW; Robert Smith/Patrick McMullan via Getty

The actress behind the show’s primary protagonist already had considerable TV experience before she arrived, died, and was resurrected in Mystic Falls, spending four seasons on *Degrassi: The Next Generation* as Mia.

Nina Dobrev played supporting roles in several movies during her time on *The Vampire Diaries*, including the coming-of-age drama *The Perks of Being a Wallflower *(2012), the buddy romp *Let’s Be Cops* (2014), and the horror comedy *The Final Girls *(2015). The Canadian actress left *The Vampire Diaries* after season 6, with her character written into a magical sleep intended to last for decades until she reunited with Damon in the 2017 series finale.

“I always knew I wanted Elena’s story to be a six-season adventure, and within those six years I got the journey of a lifetime,” Dobrev wrote in a 2015 Instagram post announcing her departure. “Elena fell in love not once, but twice, with two epic soulmates, and I myself made some of the best friends I’ll ever know and built an extended family I will love forever.”

After leaving her most iconic role, Dobrev acted in several films, including the Vin Diesel vehicle *XXX: The Return of Xander Cage* (2017), the sci-fi/horror remake *Flatliners *(2017), Christian Western *Redeeming Love *(2022), and the romantic comedies *Crash Pad* (2017) and *Love Hard *(2021). She also played the lead role on the CBS sitcom *Fam*, which ran for one season in 2019 before being canceled. Her recent work includes the crime caper *The Out-Laws* (2023) and the action thriller *The Get Out* (2026).

Dobrev notably dated her *Vampire Diaries* costar Ian Somerhalder from 2010 to 2013. She was engaged to Olympic snowboarder Shaun White in 2024, though they separated a year later.

Paul Wesley (Stefan Salvatore/Silas)

Paul Wesley as Stefan Salvatore on ‘The Vampire Diaries’; Paul Wesley attends the 2024 French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France, on May 28, 2024.

Bob Mahoney/The CW; Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty

The actor who played Elena’s original love interest was no stranger to teen dramas when he enlisted as the series’ main bloodsucker — Paul Wesley had already appeared on shows like *The O.C.* and *Smallville*. While playing Stefan, the kind-hearted “Ripper of Monterey” who struggles to reconcile his compassionate nature with his bloodlust, Wesley acted in smaller films like *Beneath the Blue *(2010), *Amira & Sam *(2014), and *Before I Disappear *(2014). The actor also directed five episodes of *TVD* beginning in the fifth season, later helming episodes of *Shadowhunters*, *Batwoman*, and other TV shows after the series came to a close.

After *The Vampire Diaries*, Wesley played two separate roles in Kevin Williamson’s thriller series *Tell Me a Story*, which aired on CBS All Access from 2018 to 2020. He currently appears as a younger version of James T. Kirk on *Star Trek: Strange New Worlds* on Paramount+, and executive produced and starred in the horror film *History of Evil *(2024). And though it’s been years since he bid Stefan goodbye, Wesley has forged a collaboration with costar and onscreen brother Ian Somerhalder through their alcohol brand, Brother’s Bond Bourbon.

Wesley was previously married to *One Tree Hill *actress Torrey DeVitto from 2011 to 2013 and to Ines de Ramon from 2019 to 2024. He married model Natalie Kuckenburg in 2026.

Ian Somerhalder (Damon Salvatore)

Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore on ‘The Vampire Diaries’; Ian Somerhalder attends the Los Angeles special screening of ‘Common Ground’ at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Jan. 11, 2024.

Bob Mahoney/The CW; Amy Sussman/Getty

Ian Somerhalder, who expertly transitioned from antagonist to romantic rival on *The Vampire Diaries*, first made waves in season 1 of *Lost*. While appearing on *TVD* as Damon, the aloof vampire with a dark side who eventually wins Elena’s heart, Somerhalder appeared in a handful of smaller-scale films, including *The Anomaly *(2014).

Somerhalder directed one episode in each of *The Vampire Diaries*’ final three seasons. And he didn’t stray too far from the monster that made him a household name, as his next big project — the short-lived sci-fi Netflix series *V Wars *— featured him as a scientist who battles an outbreak that transforms people into vampires. *V Wars*, which aired in 2019, remains his most recent acting credit.

Somerhalder dated his onscreen love interest Nina Dobrev from 2010 to 2013 before his 2015 wedding to Nikki Reed, who is *also *best known for playing a vampire: Rosalie in the *Twilight *franchise. He and Reed have two children together.

Kat Graham (Bonnie Bennett)

Kat Graham as Bonnie Bennett on ‘The Vampire Diaries’; Kat Graham attends the 30th anniversary ACE Awards at the Pierre Hotel in New York City, on May 7, 2024.

Bob Mahoney/The CW; Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Kat Graham played Elena’s best friend and crafty witch, Bonnie. After Nina Dobrev’s departure in 2015, she became one of the female leads for the final two seasons.

Graham got her start as a child star in some of the most popular kid and teen programs while recording and performing music. Since her time on *The Vampire Diaries* came to an end, Graham has worked in films, most notably as Jada Pinkett in the Tupac biopic *All Eyez on Me* (2017) and action movies *How It Ends *(2018) and *Cut Throat City* (2020).

She also had more lighthearted starring roles in the Netflix original comedies *The Holiday Calendar *(2018) and *Operation Christmas Drop *(2020), along with voice work as April O’Neil in *Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* and as Rhythm & Blues on the animated series *Trolls: TrollsTopia*. Fans of *The Masked Singer* may recognize her as “Robo Girl” in season 8.

Graham married Bryant Wood in 2023 and the couple welcomed a son in March 2026.

Candice King (Caroline Forbes)

Candice King as Caroline Forbes on ‘The Vampire Diaries’; Candice King attends ‘The Time Is Now: Reinstate the Assault Weapons Ban’ event at the Hamilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 23, 2024.

Bob Mahoney/The CW; Paul Morigi/Getty

Candice King played Elena’s close friend, Caroline. She goes through one of the most dramatic arcs in the show, going from an insecure teenager to a confident vampire at the center of several love triangles.

Before becoming an actress, King was focused on her music career. She later pivoted to acting, landing her big break with *The Vampire Diaries*.

King didn’t put her character to rest once the show ended in 2017, reprising the role in a few episodes of spinoffs *The Originals* and *Legacies*. King has since appeared in *After We Collided *(2020), as Reba McEntire’s daughter in *Christmas in Tune *(2021), and in the title role in *Suitcase Killer: The Melanie McGuire Story *(2022). She also had a main role in the Prime Video psychological thriller series *We Were Liars*.

King was married to the Fray’s Joe King from 2014 to 2022. In 2026, she married actor Steven Krueger, who played Joshua Rosza on *The Originals*. She has two children with King and a third with Krueger.

Zach Roerig (Matt Donovan)

Zach Roerig as Matt Donovan on ‘The Vampire Diaries’; Zach Roerig attends the 2017 Los Angeles Film Festival premiere of ‘The Year of Spectacular Men’ at ArcLight Santa Monica in Santa Monica, Calif., on June 16, 2017.

Quantrell Colbert/The CW; Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

Zach Roerig played Matt Donovan, the show’s most prominent human (and later the sheriff of Mystic Falls). Before *The Vampire Diaries*, Roerig had a multi-year stint on the soap opera *As the World Turns* as Casey Hughes,* *along with multiple episodes of *One Life to Live* and *Friday Night Lights*. Just before *TVD *ended, he also popped up in the horror sequel *Rings* (2017).

But fans hadn’t seen the last of Elena’s childhood best friend and one-time lover; Roerig returned as Matt in an episode of *The Originals* and two episodes of* Legacies*. He later played a young version of Ed Harris’ character in the war drama *The Last Full Measure *(2019), was in the core cast of USA’s short-lived teen drama *Dare Me*, and played Sergeant Knox on the Netflix military dramedy *Boots*.

Roerig dated his *Vampire Diaries* costar Arielle Kebbel from 2025 to 2026.

Michael Trevino (Tyler Lockwood)

Michael Trevino as Tyler Lockwood on ‘The Vampire Diaries’; Michael Trevino attends the Barbara Berlanti Heroes Gala benefiting F--- Cancer at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif., on Oct. 1, 2022.

Quantrell Colbert/The CW; Charley Gallay/Getty

Michael Trevino played the series’ troubled bully and foremost werewolf, Tyler, a character who endured curses, possession, and transformation into a hybrid. The actor’s first major role came in the Disney Channel Original Movie *Cow Belles*, starring the pop duo Aly & AJ, followed by appearances on various CBS procedurals, plus multi-episode arcs on *90210* and *Cane*. During his tenure as Tyler on *The Vampire Diaries*, he also played a supporting role in *The Factory *(2012), a crime thriller starring John Cusack.

Like many of his costars, Trevino revived his *TVD* character in two episodes of *The Originals*. His most prominent (and recent) post–*Vampire Diaries* project was another CW production, *Roswell, New Mexico*, a sci-fi series where he was a main cast member for all four seasons.

Trevino has a son with model Bregje Heinen, his wife since 2025.

Today will be different: An oral history of 'The Vampire Diaries' pilot

Paul Wesley says ‘Vampire Diaries’ is similar to new show with Nina Dobrev

Steven R. McQueen (Jeremy Gilbert)

Steven R. McQueen as Jeremy Gilbert on ‘The Vampire Diaries’; Steven R. McQueen attends the Thirst Project’s 10th annual Thirst Gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Sept. 28, 2019.

Quantrell D. Colbert/The CW; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

The grandson of legendary star Steve McQueen, Steven R. McQueen played Elena’s brother and vampire hunter Jeremy before departing with Dobrev at the end of season 6. (Like her, he returned for the series finale.) Before *The Vampire Diaries, *his first recurring role was on *Everwood* as a queer teen coming to terms with his sexuality, followed by episodes of *Numb3rs*, *Without a Trace*, and *CSI: Miami*. McQueen also appeared in the Disney Channel Original Movie *Minutemen* (2008).

After leaving *TVD*, McQueen joined the primary cast of *Chicago Fire* as Jimmy Borrelli, while also appearing on *Chicago P.D. *in a few crossover episodes. He reprised his role as Jeremy in one episode of *Legacies* and played the romantic lead in the Hallmark movie *Home by Spring *(2018). As of now, McQueen’s sole theatrical film credit remains the remake *Piranha 3D *(2010), a *Jaws*-inspired horror satire with Adam Scott and Elisabeth Shue.

Sara Canning (Jenna Sommers)

Sara Canning as Jenna Sommers on ‘The Vampire Diaries’; Sara Canning attends the screening of ‘The Burning Season’ during the Glasgow Film Festival 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland, on March 3, 2024.

Bob Mahoney/The CW; Euan Cherry/Getty

The Gilberts’ aunt and guardian only lasted two full seasons on *The Vampire Diaries*, though she returned for three more episodes later on. Given that actress Sara Canning isn’t significantly older than the characters in her care, the show relied on makeup and her acting chops to convince audiences of the age gap.

After leaving her full-time role in the series in 2011, the actress got a fresh start by playing a dinosaur hunter in *Primeval: New World* for one season and, through motion capture, portraying a chimpanzee in *War for the Planet of the Apes* (2017). Canning has kept herself busy after *TVD* — including roles in TV movies like *The Christmas Yule Blog* (2020) on Lifetime and *Love Amongst the Stars* (2022) on Hallmark — but she’s best known for playing a doctor on the short-lived medical drama *Remedy *and as Jacquelyn Scieszka on Netflix’s adaptation of *A Series of Unfortunate Events*. She’s since appeared on numerous other TV series, including in a recurring role in season 7 of *Virgin River*.

Kayla Ewell (Vicki Donovan)

Kayla Ewell as Vicki Donovan on ‘The Vampire Diaries’; Kayla Ewell attends ‘An Unforgettable Evening’ benefiting the Women’s Cancer Research Fund at Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, Calif., on April 10, 2024.

Quantrell Colbert/The CW; Phillip Faraone/Getty

Kayla Ewell had a short but vital tenure on the first season of *The Vampire Diaries* as Vicki, the first human we see transform into a vampire after Damon attacks her in the pilot. Before her brief stint on the series, Ewell had already appeared in more than 100 episodes of the soap opera *The Bold and the Beautiful*, had a recurring role on *Freaks and Geeks* as Sam’s crush Maureen, plus credits for *The O.C.*, *Veronica Mars*, *Entourage*, and the Lindsay Lohan movie *Just My Luck* (2006).

Since leaving *The Vampire Diaries*, Ewell’s career has mostly consisted of one-off TV episodes and made-for-TV movies on Lifetime. Fans may also have seen her on *House*, *Franklin & Bash*, *Lucifer*, *Batwoman*, *The Rookie*, and *9-1-1*. Her most prominent recent project is *Roswell, New Mexico*, in which she acted alongside fellow *Vampire Diaries *star Michael Trevino.

In 2015, Ewell married actor Tanner Novlan, who also starred on *Roswell, New Mexico*.

Joseph Morgan (Klaus Mikaelson)

Joseph Morgan as Klaus Mikaelson on ‘The Vampire Diaries’; Joseph Morgan at the Mercy for Animals 25th Anniversary Gala held at Rolling Greens in Los Angeles, Calif., on April 20, 2024.

Quantrell D. Colbert/The CW; Tommaso Boddi/Variety via Getty

As Klaus Mikaelson, Joseph Morgan was the original hybrid (both vampire and werewolf) who wreaked havoc on the citizens of Mystic Falls and grew to be the primary villain of *The Vampire Diaries*. Before joining the series in season 2, the actor had appeared in several period action films, including *Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World* (2003), *Alexander* (2004), and *Immortals *(2011).

Soon after getting cast as Klaus in 2011, Morgan began dating costar Persia White, who played Bonnie’s mother, Abby Bennett. The couple married in 2014 while still acting in the show.

After *The Vampire Diaries *ended, Morgan continued his perilous reign as the central characters of the spinoff series *The Originals* and guest-starred in season 4 of *Legacies*. He’s since enjoyed a steady stream of small-screen projects, with roles on *Animal Kingdom*, *Brave New World*, and the DC superhero show *Titans*, before joining the cast of *Halo* in season 2.

Daniel Gillies (Elijah Mikaelson)

Daniel Gillies as Elijah Mikaelson on ‘The Vampire Diaries’; Daniel Gillies speaks onstage at The CW presentation of ‘Sight Unseen’ during the 2024 TCA Winter Press Tour at the Langham Huntington, Pasadena in Pasadena, Calif., on Feb. 15, 2024.

The CW; Leon Bennett/Getty

The kindest and most honorable of the Mikaelson trio, Daniel Gillies’ Elijah was a recurring character in seasons 2 through 5 of *The Vampire Diaries* before leading the spinoff *The Originals*. While starring on *TVD*, he also was a regular on the supernatural medical drama *Saving Hope*. The actor’s most prominent pre-*Vampire* credit is playing John Jameson — hero astronaut and, yes, son of the famed J. Jonah Jameson — in *Spider-Man 2* (2004), followed by appearances on *NCIS* and *True Blood*.

Gillies directed two episodes of *The Originals* in seasons 4 and 5. He then took on a recurring role on *Virgin River* before starring on the Australian journalism drama *The Newsreader* and Canadian crime thriller *Sight Unseen*. On the big screen, Gillies appeared in the Australian sci-fi film *Occupation: Rainfall* (2020) and led the 2021 thriller *Coming Home in the Dark* in his native New Zealand.

Gillies was married to actress Rachael Leigh Cook from 2004 to 2021. He is now in a relationship with cellist Julia Misaki.

Claire Holt (Rebekah Mikaelson)

Claire Holt as Rebekah Mikaelson on ‘The Vampire Diaries’; Claire Holt attends a premiere for Peacock’s ‘Based on a True Story’ at Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, Calif., on June 1, 2023.

Bob Mahoney/The CW; Momodu Mansaray/FilmMagic

A vital force in the third and fourth seasons of *The Vampire Diaries*, Claire Holt’s Rebekah Mikaelson was one of the original vampires in the show’s universe before leading the aptly titled spinoff *The Originals*. Holt was previously a regular for teen programming, playing the young mermaid Emma on *H2O: Just Add Water*, along with roles on *Pretty Little Liars* and in *Mean Girls 2 *(2011).

After season 1 of *The Originals*, Holt switched from a main role to a frequent special guest for the remaining four seasons from 2014 to 2018. During that time, she was also a core cast member of NBC’s period crime series *Aquarius* and starred in the 2017 shark thriller *47 Meters Down *opposite Mandy Moore. Since then, the Australian actress has kept a relatively low profile, though she did appear as Rebekah in two episodes of *Legacies* during season 4.

Holt was married to producer Matt Kaplan from 2016 to 2017. She later wed Andrew Joblon in 2018.

Matthew Davis (Alaric Saltzman)

Matthew Davis as Alaric Saltzman on ‘The Vampire Diaries’; Matthew Davis in the TVLine Portrait Studio at Comic-Con in San Diego, Calif., on July 19, 2019.

Bob Mahoney/The CW; Michael Buckner/TVLine/Penske Media via Getty

A vampire hunter initially disguised as a history teacher, Matthew Davis’ Alaric came to Mystic Falls to avenge the death of his wife and quickly became entangled in the town’s supernatural shenanigans. Alaric appeared throughout *The Vampire Diaries *and guest-starred in the final two seasons of *The Originals* before becoming a regular on the spinoff *Legacies*.

Before he was tracking down bloodsuckers, Davis rose to stardom as Elle Woods’ ex-boyfriend Warner in the smash-hit *Legally Blonde* (2001), along with an appearance in *Pearl Harbor* (2001) and a major role on the ABC dramedy *What About Brian*.

His major screen credits outside the *Vampire Diaries *universe have been the Hallmark movie *Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses *(2019) and NBC’s *Grosse Point Garden Society*.

Davis married actress Kiley Casciano in 2018.

Michael Malarkey (Enzo St. John)

Michael Malarkey as Enzo St. John on ‘The Vampire Diaries’; Michael Malarkey speaks onstage during HISTORY’s ‘Project Blue Book’ season 2 screening, panel, and reception at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Dec. 4, 2019.

The CW; Michael Kovac/Getty

Damon and fellow vampire Enzo go back...*way *back. Audiences first met Michael Malarkey’s Enzo St. John — who shared a cell with Damon during his imprisonment by the Augustine Society — in season 5, and he soon became a series regular. Prior to playing the “Augustine Vampire,” Malarkey’s most significant projects were English theater productions, playing Elvis Presley in *Million Dollar Quartet* and the titular character in *The Great Gatsby*.

After the conclusion of *The Vampire Diaries *in 2017, Malarkey became a main cast member of the History Channel’s drama *Project Blue Book *based on the U.S. Air Force’s UFO investigation, along with a recurring role on the Crackle crime series *The Oath*. The actor has also appeared in episodes of *Westworld*, *Quantum Leap*, *Big Sky*, and *Law & Order: Organized Crime* while pursuing a music career, having released two albums in 2017 and 2020.

Malarkey married actress Nadine Lewington in 2009.

- Celebrities & Creators

- Where Are They Now

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW Where”