The Vampire Diaries From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This article is about the television series.

For the book series, see The Vampire Diaries (novel series). The Vampire Diaries The Vampire Diaries (title card).png enre !upernatural drama "orror Fantasy #omance $ased on %. &. !mith Developed by &ulie (lec !tarring (aul Wesley *an !omerhalder !teven #. +c,ueen !ara -anning 'at raham )ina Dobrev 'evin Williamson The Vampire Diaries by

-andice .ccola /ach #oerig 'ayla 01ell +ichael Trevino +atthe1 Davis &oseph +organ )arrated by )ina Dobrev

(aul Wesley *an !omerhalder !teven #. +c,ueen 'at raham

-andice .ccola &oseph +organ -omposer(s) +ichael !uby -ountry of origin 2nited !tates 0nglish

3riginal language(s) )o. of seasons )o. of episodes (roduction 07ecutive producer(s) $ob %evy 'evin Williamson &ulie (lec 0ditor(s) Tyler -ook )athan 0asterling %ocation(s) -ovington, .tlanta, eorgia 4

56 (%ist of episodes)

%eslie +orgenstein

%ance .nderson

eorgia

-hicago, *llinois (ilot8 Vancouver, $ritish -olumbia #unning time 9: minutes 3uterbanks 0ntertainment

(roduction company(s)

.lloy 0ntertainment -$! Television !tudios Warner $ros. Television Distributor Warner $ros. Television Distribution

Warner $ros. *nternational Television $roadcast 3riginal channel (icture format The -W ;<=<i ("DTV)

3riginal run !eptember ;<, ><<5 ? present -hronology #elated sho1s 07ternal links Website (roduction 1ebsite The Vampire Diaries is a supernatural drama television series developed by 'evin Williamson and &ulie (lec, based on the book series of the same name 1ritten by %. &. !mith. The series premiered on The -W on !eptember ;<, ><<5. The series takes place in +ystic Falls, Virginia, a fictional small to1n haunted by supernatural beings. The series narrative follo1s the protagonist 0lena ilbert ()ina Dobrev) as she falls in love 1ith vampire !tefan !alvatore ((aul Wesley) and is dra1n into the supernatural 1orld as a result. .s the series progresses, 0lena finds herself dra1n to !tefan@s brother Damon !alvatore (*an !omerhalder) resulting in a love triangle. .s the narrative develops in the course of the series, the focal point shifts on the mysterious past of the to1n involving 0lena@s malevolent doppelgAnger 'aterina (etrova and the family of 3riginal Vampires, all of 1hich have an evil agenda of their o1n. The pilot episode attracted the largest audience of any series premiere since the net1ork began in ><<6.B;C The first season averaged :.6< million vie1ers and follo1ing seasons have maintained an audience of over > million vie1ers. B>C Despite such ratings being considered lo1 on other net1orks, it remains the mostD1atched series on the net1ork. The series initially received mi7ed revie1s, but critics agreed as the first season progressed that the sho1 The 3riginals

improved. !ubseEuent seasons have premiered to more positive critical reception. The sho1 has received numerous a1ard nominations, 1inning t1o (eople@s -hoice .1ard and many Teen -hoice .1ards. 3n February ;;, ><;:, The -W rene1ed the series for a fifth season.B:C 3n .pril >6, ><;:, The -W has officially announced that the spinDoff The 3riginals has been ordered to series, set to premiere in the ><;:?;9 television season.B9C The fifth season premiered on 3ctober :, ><;:.B4C -ontents BhideC ; !eries overvie1 > -ast and characters : (roduction 9 #eception 9.; -ritical reception 9.> 2.!. )ielsen ratings 9.: .ccolades 4 "ome release 6 !pinDoff 6.; -rossover F #eferences = 07ternal links !eries overvie1BeditC

!ee also8 %ist of The Vampire Diaries episodes The series follo1s the life of 0lena ilbert ()ina Dobrev), a teenage girl 1ho falls deeply in love 1ith a ;6:DyearDold vampire named !tefan !alvatore ((aul Wesley). Their relationship becomes increasingly complicated as !tefan@s vicious and malevolent older brother Damon !alvatore (*an !omerhalder) returns 1ith a plan to 1reak havoc on the to1n, seeking revenge against his younger brother for turning him into a vampire against his 1ill. $oth brothers begin to sho1 affection to1ards 0lena, mainly because of her resemblance to their past love 'atherine (ierce. *t is revealed that 0lena is a descendant of

'atherine, 1ho eventually returns 1ith plans against the trio. The series is set in the fictional to1n of +ystic Falls, Virginia, a to1n charged 1ith supernatural history since its settlement of migrants from )e1 0ngland in the late ;5th century. .dditional storylines revolve around the other inhabitants of the to1n, most notably 0lena@s younger brother &eremy ilbert (!teven #. +c,ueen), her best friends $onnie $ennett ('aterina raham) and -aroline Forbes (-andice .ccola), and their mutual friends Tyler %ock1ood (+ichael Trevino) and +att Donovan (/ach #oerig). The to1n@s politics are orchestrated by descendants of the original founding families, all comprising a GFounders@ -ouncilG. !ome of the founding families of +ystic Falls include the !alvatores, the ilberts, the Fells, the Forbes, and the %ock1oods. They guard the to1n mainly from vampires, although there are other supernatural threats such as 1ere1olves, 1itches, ghosts, originals and hybrids. -ast and charactersBeditC

+ain article8 %ist of The Vampire Diaries characters )ina Dobrev portrays 0lena ilbert, the main protagonist, 1hom the series follo1s as she falls in love 1ith !tefan, and later she falls for his brother Damon !alvatore, creating a love triangle. This results in her being dra1n into the supernatural 1orld, 1ith the sho1 follo1ing her struggles in surviving supernatural events in the to1n. Dobrev also portrays 0lena@s doppelgAnger 'atherine (ierce, also kno1n as 'aterina (etrova, 1ho 1as originally introduced as the main antagonist of the second season, but later became the secondary antagonist of the second season. !imilar to her significant portion in !eason T1o, 'atherine 1ill appear as a main character in the fifth season, and 1ill play a maHor severely arc, as opposed to her sporadic appearances in prior seasons. Dobrev is no1 playing a third doppelgAnger, !ilas@ true love. B6CBFC (aul Wesley portrays !tefan !alvatore,B=C a goodDhearted and affectionate vampire, and the complete opposite of his older brother, Damon !alvatore. %ater in the series, !tefan reverts to his old 1ays as a #ipper and his role becomes more antagonistic. "e also portrays his revealed doppelgAnger !ilas, the 1orlds first immortal being 1ho@s over >,<<< years old and the main antagonist of the fourth and fifth season. *an !omerhalder portrays Damon !alvatore,B5C the malevolent vampire brother 1ho initially served as the sho1@s antiDhero. "e and 0lena have been dating since the season 9 finale. !teven #. +c,ueen portrays &eremy ilbert,B;<C 0lena@s younger brother,

later revealed to be her biological cousin and a member of The Five, a vampire hunter. &eremy is killed in !eason 9 after being thro1n onto !ilas by 'atherine and getting attacked by !ilas 1hile trying to get the cure and is resurrected by $onnie $ennett in the season 9 finale. 'at raham portrays $onnie $ennett, 0lena@s best friend, a very po1erful 1itch, 1ho died resurrecting &eremy ilbert in the season 9 finale. raham continues in the same capacity as a series regular on the sho1I her character is no1 a ghost.B;;C -andice .ccola portrays -aroline Forbes,B;>C 0lena@s other best friend 1ho 1as insecure and her occasional rival at first but becomes a vampire in the second season, making her more mature as a person. /ach #oerig portrays +att Donovan,B;:C 0lena@s childhood friend and e7D boyfriend, 1ho later becomes romantically involved 1ith -aroline. +ichael Trevino portrays Tyler %ock1ood,B;9C a 1ere1olf later turned into a hybrid, &eremy@s rival, +att@s best friend and son of the mayor of +ystic FallsI male members of his family have been sho1n to carry a lycanthropic trait. "is uncle +ason is also a 1ere1olf. &oseph +organ Hoins the main cast in season three after being a guest star in season t1o, as 3riginal Vampire 'laus, the main antagonist of the second and third season. &oseph +organ leaves the sho1 after the fourth season, 1hen 'laus got his o1n spinDoff The 3riginals. +atthe1 Davis Hoins the cast half1ay through season one as .laric !altJman, B;4C a history teacher, vampire hunter, and love interest for &enna. Davis leaves the sho1 at the end of season three after .laric gets killed. !ara -anning portrays &eremy and 0lena@s aunt and legal guardian, &enna !ommers. -anning leaves the sho1 after season t1o, 1hen &enna is killed after being turned into a vampire and used for 'laus@ ritual.B;6C 'ayla 01ell portrays Vicki Donovan,B;FC +att@s troubled older sister and girlfriend of Tyler and then &eremy. Vicki is 1ritten out of the sho1 in the seventh episode of the first season, after being turned into a vampire by Damon and killed by !tefan. (roductionBeditC

*nitially, 'evin Williamson had little interest in developing the series, finding the premise too similar to other vampire tales. "o1ever, at &ulie (lec@s urging, he began to read the novels and started to become intrigued by the story8 G*

began to realiJe that it 1as a story about a small to1n, about that to1n@s underbelly and about 1hat lurks under the surface.GB;=C Williamson has stated the to1n@s story 1ill be the main focus of the series, rather than high school.B;5C 3n February 6, ><<5, Variety announced that The -W had greenDlit the pilot for The Vampire Diaries 1ith Williamson and &ulie (lec set as the head 1riters and e7ecutive producers.B><C 3n +ay ;5, ><<5, the series 1as officially ordered for the ><<5?><;< season.B>;C The pilot episode 1as filmed in Vancouver, $ritish -olumbia, but the rest of the episodes have been filmed in -ovington, eorgia (1hich doubles as the fictional small to1n of +ystic Falls, Virginia) and various other communities around reater .tlanta,B>>C to take advantage of local ta7 incentives. 3n the morning of +ay ;<, ><;>, a fire broke out in the building on -lark !treet in -ovington that 1as used as the setting for +ystic rill on the sho1.B>:C The series 1as given a full, >>Depisode order on 3ctober >;, ><<5 after strong ratings for the first half of the season.B>9C 3n February ;6, ><;<, The -W announced that it had rene1ed the sho1 for a second season,B>4C 1hich premiered on !eptember 5, ><;<.B>6C 3n .pril >6, ><;;, The -W rene1ed the sho1 for a third season.B>FC The third season premiered on !eptember ;4, ><;;.B>=C The fourth season premiered 3ctober ;;, ><;>. The -W rene1ed the sho1 for a fifth season on February ;;, ><;:.B>5C (resident of The -W +ark (edo1itJ said in an intervie1 at the summer T-.@s that The Vampire Diaries didn@t receive an e7tra episode order at the reEuest of 'evin Williamson. G'evin Williamson felt to do the best sho1 possible he 1ould rather do >>. *@d rather have a great >> than a good >9 if 'evin couldn@t do it,G he e7plained.B:<C #eceptionBeditC

-ritical receptionBeditC The Vampire Diaries initially received mi7ed revie1s, 1hich through the course of the sho1, improved greatly. +etacritic gave the sho1 a +etascore of 4< based on >> critical revie1s, indicating mi7ed to average revie1s.B:;C 0ntertainment Weekly gave the pilot a $K, declaring that the sho1 Gsignals a 1elcome return to form for 1riterDproducer 'evin WilliamsonG. #evie1er 'en Tucker ended his revie1 by 1riting that GDiaries promises us a season of sharpDtongued amusement.GB:>C %inda !tasi of the )e1 Lork (ost gave the premiere a perfect score, saying that she 1as Ghooked after one episodeG. !tasi praised the pacing of the episode and the Gvicious, bloody vamp actionG,

1hich Gstarts in the opening scene and continues throughout The Vampire Diaries 1ith such ferocity and speed that it@s truly scary.GB::C -onversely, !an Francisco -hronicle@s Tim oodman gave the episode a highly critical revie1, calling the series Ga1fulG. oodman disliked the dialogue and hoped that the e7tras on $uffy the Vampire !layer 1ould Greturn en masse to eat the cast of Vampire Diaries, plus any remaining scripts.GB:9C +any TV critics felt the series improved 1ith each episode. !arah "ughes of The *ndependent says The Vampire Diaries turns into Ga 1ellDcrafted, interestingly developed seriesG, despite a poor opening episode.B;=C The )e1 Lork (ost also praised the portrayal of 0lena, finding the character to be a strongDminded 1oman 1ho did not allo1 her feelings for her boyfriend to control her.B:4C 'arla (eterson of The !an Diego 2nionDTribune said that Gthe supernatural drama is a firstDclass production, featuring an insanely gorgeous cast, sharp scripts and a brooding vibe that is hard for even the most levelheaded adult to resist.GB:6C +ike "ale of The )e1 Lork Times gave the series an honorable mention on his list of the top TV sho1s of ><<5.B:FC The sho1@s second season opened to favorable revie1s from professional television critics as it received a F=M;<< score on +etacritic. .s the series progressed and developed onto the third season, critics praised the portrayals of the main characters and the development of the female characters such as 0lena ilbert played by )ina Dobrev and -aroline Forbes 1ho is played by -andice .ccola. The third season finale, GThe DepartedG, opened to generally positive revie1s. Diana !teenbergen of * ) praised the episode and the 1riters for clearing up a couple story lines and making all of them come to a head. !he also praised Dobrev@s performance in this episode, addressing her behaviour as another reason the final revelation from +eredith 1as more shocking and believable. !imilarly, +andi $ierly of 0ntertainment Weekly revie1 praised the 1riter@s skills in creating the more une7pected final t1ist. 2.!. )ielsen ratingsBeditC The series premiere on !eptember ;<, ><<5 gave The -W its biggest series premiere scoring 9.5; million vie1ers.B:=C .dding in DV# numbers, the ratings for the premiere s1elled to an official 4.F million vie1ers.B:5C The follo1ing is a table for the seasonal rankings, based on average total estimated vie1ers per episode, of The Vampire Diaries on The -W. G#ankG refers to ho1 The Vampire Diaries rated compared to the other television series 1hich aired during prime time hours. !eason Timeslot (0TM(T) liveK!D (in millions) N 0p. (remiered 0nded #ank Vie1ers

Date (remiere Vie1ers (in millions) Date Finale Vie1ers (in millions) !eason ; =8<< p.m. >> !eptember ;<, ><<5B9<C 9.5;B9;C N;;=B>C :.66B>C !eptember 5, ><;<B>6C N;5:B96C :.;FB9FC +ay ;:, ><;<B>C :.:6B9:C :.9FB9>C Thursday

!eason > >> >.=6B94C !eason : >.4: !eason 9 >.>9 !eason 4

+ay ;>, ><;;B99C +ay ;<, ><;> +ay ;6, ><;:B4>C T$. T$. T$.

>> !eptember ;4, ><;;B9=C :.;<B95C N;66 >.=; >: 3ctober ;;, ><;>B4<C N;:: >.5FB4:C >> :.;=B4;C T$.

3ctober :, ><;:B4C >.45B49C

.ccoladesBeditC +ain article8 %ist of a1ards and nominations received by The Vampire Diaries The Vampire Diaries 1on F Teen -hoice .1ards in ><;< including8 -hoice TV !ho1 ? FantasyM!ciDFi, -hoice TV .ctor ? FantasyM!ciDFi ((aul Wesley), -hoice TV .ctress ? FantasyM!ciDFi ()ina Dobrev), -hoice TV Villain (*an !omerhalder), -hoice TV $reakout !ho1, -hoice TV Female $reakout !tar ()ina Dobrev) and -hoice TV +ale $reakout !tar ((aul Wesley). 3ther nominations 1ere -hoice +ale "ottie (*an !omerhalder) and -hoice !cene !tealer ('aterina raham).B44C The sho1 1on an a1ard for Favorite )e1 TV Drama at the ><;< (eople@s -hoice .1ards and received a nomination for Favorite !ciDFiMFantasy !ho1.B46C *t 1as also nominated for a !aturn .1ard for $est )et1ork TV !eries.B4FC 3n )ovember 5, ><;<, it received nominations for Favourite !ciDFiMFantasy !ho1 and Favourite TV Drama as 1ell as a nomination for *an !omerhalder in the TV Drama .ctor category at the ><;; (eople@s -hoice .1ards. *n ><;;, The Vampire Diaries 1as nominated for ;> Teen -hoice .1ards including8 -hoice TV !ho1 ? FantasyM!ciDFi, -hoice TV .ctor ? FantasyM!ciDFi

((aul Wesley), -hoice TV .ctor ? FantasyM!ciDFi (*an !omerhalder), -hoice TV .ctress ? FantasyM!ciDFi ()ina Dobrev), -hoice TV Villain (&oseph +organ), !cene !tealer Female ('aterina raham), !cene !tealer +ale (+ichael Trevino), Female hottie ()ina Dobrev), +ale hottie (*an !omerhalder) and Vampire ()ina Dobrev, *an !omerhalder and (aul Wesley).B4=C .t the ><;> (eople@s -hoice .1ards, the sho1 gained four nominations8 $est TV Drama, $est !ciDFiMFantasy, Drama .ctor for *an !omerhalder and Drama .ctress for )ina Dobrev. While the sho1 and *an !omerhalder lost out (to another The -W sho1 !upernatural and )athan Fillion, respectively), )ina Dobrev 1on in her category, becoming the first 1riteDin person ever to do so. .t the ><;> Teen -hoice .1ards, the sho1 gained nine nominations8 -hoice TV !ho1 ? FantasyM!ciDFi, -hoice TV .ctor ? FantasyM!ciDFi ((aul Wesley), -hoice TV .ctress ? FantasyM!ciDFi ()ina Dobrev), -hoice TV .ctor ? FantasyM!ciDFi (*an !omerhalder), -hoice TV .ctress ? FantasyM!ciDFi ('aterina raham), -hoice TV Villain (&oseph +organ), !cene !tealer Female (-andice .ccola), !cene !tealer +ale (+ichael Trevino) and -hoice +ale "ottie (*an !omerhalder), and 1on si7. *n ><;:, The Vampire Diaries 1as nominated for five (eople@s -hoice .1ards, including8 $est !ciDFiMFantasy, Drama .ctor for *an !omerhalder, Drama .ctress for )ina Dobrev, Drama .ctor for (aul Wesley and Favorite TV Fan Follo1ing. While the sho1 lost to another The -W sho1 !upernatural, 0llen (ompeo and )athan Fillion, respectively. .t the ><;: Teen -hoice .1ards, the sho1 gained eight nominations8 -hoice TV !ho1 ? FantasyM!ciDFi, -hoice TV .ctor ? FantasyM!ciDFi ((aul Wesley), -hoice TV .ctress ? FantasyM!ciDFi ()ina Dobrev), -hoice TV .ctor ? FantasyM!ciDFi (*an !omerhalder), -hoice TV .ctress ? FantasyM!ciDFi ('aterina raham), -hoice TV Villain (&oseph +organ), !cene !tealer Female (-andice .ccola), !cene !tealer +ale (!teven #. +c,ueen). *n ><;9, The Vampire Diaries 1as nominated for four (eople@s -hoice .1ards, including8 $est !ciDFiMFantasy, Drama .ctor for *an !omerhalder, Drama .ctress for )ina Dobrev and Favorite 3n !creen -hemistry (Damon !alvatore O 0lena ilbert). "ome releaseBeditC

!eason one 1as released on DVD in #egions ;, > and 9 and on $luDray in #egions . and $. $oth 2nited !tates versions include commentary by cast and cre1 members on selected episodes, deleted scenes, behindDtheDscenes featurettes, 1ebisodes, and a do1nloadable audiobook of %.&. !mith@s The

Vampire Diaries8 The .1akening.B45C *t 1as released on DVD in #egion > on .ugust >:, ><;<.B6<C Follo1ing that release, #egion ; began selling DVDs on .ugust :;, ><;<,B45C and #egion : on !eptember ;, ><;<.B6;C *n #egion ., it 1as released on $luDray on .ugust :;, ><;<.B6>CB6:C #egion $@s releases variedI 2nited 'ingdom on .ugust >:, ><;<,B69C $raJil on .ugust >6, ><;<B64C and .ustralia on !eptember ;, ><;<.B66C The Vampire Diaries !eason > 1ill be available in DVD and $luDray on .ugust :<, ><;;.B6FC #egion $@s releases variedI 2nited 'ingdom on .ugust >>, ><;;,B6=C $raJil on .ugust >4, ><;;. The Vampire Diaries8 !eason : 1ill be available on DVD and $luDray on !eptember ;; and . and on !eptember 4, ><;> for #egions 9 and $.B65C BF<CBF;C The Vampire Diaries8 !eason 9 is available on DVD and $luDray in . as of !eptember ;4, ><;:. !pinDoffBeditC

+ain article8 The 3riginals (TV series) Former president of entertainment at The -W, Da1n 3stroff, mentioned a spinDoff idea in ><;< that she said could happen in a fe1 years.BF>C . spinDoff 1as in development for the ><;; fall lineDup but, due to 'evin Williamson@s commitment to The !ecret -ircle, it 1as put on hold indefinitely.BF:C 3n &anuary ;;, ><;:, it 1as announced that a backDdoor pilot focused on the 3riginals, starring &oseph +organ as 'laus titled The 3riginals 1ould air on >4 .pril for a potential series pickDup for the ><;:?><;9 season.BF9C This second spinDoff attempt 1as carried out by &ulie (lec 1ith no involvement by 'evin Williamson.BF4C 3n .pril >6, ><;:, The -W announced that The 3riginals had been ordered to series to premiere in the ><;:?;9 television season.B9C Daniel illies as 0liHah, -laire "olt as #ebekah and (hoebe Tonkin as "ayley 1ill also continue to play their characters, originally from The Vampire Diaries, in the ne1 spinDoff series.BF6C -rossoverBeditC (roducers reported that there 1ill be a transition of the characters in both series. -laire "olt made a special cameo on episode of The Vampire Diaries, G* 'no1 What Lou Did %ast !ummerG. +ichael Trevino made a special cameo on episode of The 3riginals, G$loodlettingG.