Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec’s The CW hit series The Vampire Diaries dominated the supernatural television genre from its initial release in 2009 all the way to its final season in 2017. The show ran for eight seasons, telling the story of small town girl Elena Gilbert and the love triangle between her and the Salvatore brothers Stefan and Damon. If that wasn’t complicated enough, Elena and her friends learn that their hometown Mystical Falls isn’t the safe and comfortable community they thought growing up. The town's dark history that dates back to the 1800s is rooted in vampires, witches, werewolves, and other supernatural entities.
Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley, Candice King, Kat Graham, Zach Roerig, Joseph Morgan, Steven R. McQueen, Michael Trevino, and Matthew Davis star in the show as human and vampire residents of Mystic Falls. March 10, 2022 is the fifth-year anniversary of the series finale. Thanks to streaming services such as Netflix, newer audiences have been able to discover the show and enjoy it even thirteen years after the first season aired. Next, the creators of the show will be bringing a new vampire show to NBC Peacock. In the meantime, to celebrate the success of The CW series, here's a look at where the cast of The Vampire Diaries is today.
Zach Roerig (Matt Donovan)
Matt Donovan is one of The Vampire Diaries main characters we know least about today. His character portrayed by Zach Roerig is the ex-boyfriend and childhood best friend to Elena Gilbert. After Elena's parents died in a tragic car accident, she disassociated from a majority of her life, including her boyfriend Matt. Throughout the series, especially in season one, it's clear that Matt is still pining for her. Matt is one of the few characters in the show who doesn't turn into a supernatural entity and is on the show for the entirety of its eight seasons. Roerig hasn't done much acting work since The Vampire Diaries, but his impact on the show is huge.
Michael Trevino (Tyler Lockwood)
Tyler Lockwood portrayed by Michael Trevino is an angry, aggressive, and passionate teen who is the son of Mystic Falls Mayor Richard Lockwood and Carol Lockwood. At the beginning of the show, it's unclear why Tyler has so much rage inside him, but we soon learn that the Lockwoods have a secret family curse where, if they kill somebody, even by accident, they will turn into a werewolf at every full moon. Tyler has a few love interests from season to season, but his longest-lasting girlfriend is Caroline Forbes. In 2019, Trevino started playing Kyle Valenti in The CW series Roswell, New Mexico and made his directorial debut with the independent film titled Two Roads.
Matthew Davis (Alaric Saltzman)
High school history teacher by day and vampire-hunter by night, Alaric Saltzman first arrives to Mystic Falls to avenge his wife's death but soon realizes what he thinks about Damon Salvatore and other vampires in the town isn't all true. Alaric starts up a relationship with Elena and Jeremy's Aunt Jenna, and becomes a parental figure to the two teens, someone they trust and look up to. Besides his role in The Vampire Diaries, Matthew Davis is well known for his role as Warner Huntington in Legally Blonde and has recently appeared in The Vampire Diaries spinoff show Legacies since 2018.
Steven R. McQueen (Jeremy Gilbert)
Besides being Elena's little brother, one of the most apparent aspects of Steven R. McQueen's character is the devastating amount of loss he has endured at such a young age. Between the death of his parents, his girlfriend Vicki turning into a vampire, and both Aunt Jenna and Uncle John's unexpected deaths, so many loved ones have left Jeremy behind. In later seasons, Jeremy turns into a vampire hunter and somewhat of a supernatural entity. Since his days as "Little Gilbert," McQueen has been involved in Chicago Fire alongside fellow The Vampire Diaries co-star Taylor Kinney.
Joseph Morgan (Klaus Mikaelson)
Despite how hated Klaus was when his character was first introduced, Joseph Morgan is so charming and brilliant in this role, we can't help but love him by the end of the series. Klaus is one of the original vampires and is known as the biggest, baddest vampire of all time. Morgan starred in The Vampire Diaries spinoff series The Originals alongside Phoebe Tonkin, Daniel Gillies and Claire Holt, all of whom make up his family and loved ones.
Nina Dobrev (Elena Gilbert)
While she might be a little self-centered at times, there would be no The Vampire Diaries without Elena Gilbert. Nina dobrev had the incredible task of not only playing the series' leading lady, but her evil recurring doppelganger Katherine Pierce, and two other doppelgangers named Amara and Tatia. Since leaving the show at the end of its sixth season, Dobrev has done various projects, including a sitcom with Tone Belle titled FAM that ran for a season in 2019 and a few movies like Let's Be Cops, Flatliners, and most recently a Netflix original movie Love Hard. Nina Dobrev is still credited for her work on The Vampire Diaries and Elena Gilbert is her most iconic role to date.
Kat Graham (Bonnie Bennett)
Bonnie Bennett is Elena's closest friend and an extremely powerful witch. Her powers come in handy throughout the show when she is able to cast spells that keep supernatural creatures from harming the vampires and citizens of Mystic Falls. Kat Graham who plays Bonnie has a successful music career in addition to acting. Graham is focusing on being her most authentic and truest self, not letting anyone make her feel judged about who she is. Her positive messages in the media are uplifting and encouraging for young people struggling to express their own voice as well.
Candice King (Caroline Forbes)
She is annoying and oblivious at first, but makes a complete personality change after transitioning into a vampire. Caroline Forbes became a fan-favorite after letting her leadership, positivity, control, and love overshine the qualities that made audiences turn away from her in the beginning of the show. Since the end of the series, actress Candice King has grown her family, welcoming two new babies into the world, and started her own podcast called Directionally Challenged, which she co-hosts with fellow The Vampire Diaries star Kayla Ewell, who played the role of Vicki Donovan.
Paul Wesley (Stefan Salvatore)
In the beginning of the show, Stefan is referred to as "The Good Brother," a seemingly perfect boyfriend, always considerate of peoples feelings, helps others, and, most importantly in this situation, doesn't live off of human blood. Stefan was turned into a vampire in 1864 by Katherine Pierce and, between then and meeting Elena, has struggled to keep his hunger under control. When his character gets a taste of human blood, he turns into an unstoppable ripper with zero regard for human life. Paul Wesley who plays Stefan has taken an interest in directing and has tried that out a number of times. One of his most successful business endeavors has been the launch of his bourbon company Brothers Bond with his on-screen vampire brother and real-life best friend Ian Somerhalder.
Ian Somerhalder (Damon Salvatore)
Damon Salvatore might be the most beloved and favorite character in all of The Vampire Diaries. Ian Somerhalder's hilarious and charming portrayal of the impulsive and wild vampire won fans over right from the start. Elena and Damon finally get together as a couple at the end of the show's fourth season, and is one of the most encouraged TV romances from the past 20 years. The real-life relationship between Somerhalder and Dobrev made fans even more obsessed with the idea of their characters dating. Today, Somerhalder is working on building his bourbon brand with Wesley and is spending time in nature with his wife Nikki Reed and their beautiful daughter.