What Happened to the Stars of The Vampire Diaries? Where the Cast Is Now

From Mystic Falls to new movies, television shows and businesses, the stars of The Vampire Diaries have taken very different paths since the beloved supernatural series ended.

August 10, 2026: It has been nearly a decade since The Vampire Diaries said goodbye to Mystic Falls, but the show’s stars remain firmly connected to one of television’s most enduring fandoms. The CW drama premiered in 2009 and ran for eight seasons before ending in 2017, following Elena Gilbert, Stefan Salvatore, Damon Salvatore and their friends through years of romance, supernatural battles and heartbreaking losses.

For fans who watched the series week after week, it can feel like yesterday that Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder, Kat Graham and Candice King were spending their nights in Mystic Falls. Since then, however, the cast has moved into new projects, businesses and entirely different chapters of their lives.

HOLR breaks down where some of the most recognizable stars of The Vampire Diaries are now.

Nina Dobrev: From Elena Gilbert to New Projects

Nina Dobrev became the emotional center of The Vampire Diaries as Elena Gilbert, while also taking on the very different role of Katherine Pierce. Her departure before the show’s final two seasons marked a major turning point for the series.

After leaving The Vampire Diaries, Dobrev continued working across film and television. Her post-series credits include Flatliners, xXx: Return of Xander Cage, Love Hard, The Out-Laws and Reunion.

But one of her most exciting recent developments is bringing her back together with former costar Paul Wesley.

In June 2026, Dobrev and Wesley were announced as stars and executive producers of Hulu’s planned adaptation of You Deserve to Know, based on Aggie Blum Thompson’s thriller. Dobrev will play Gwen, while Wesley will portray Scott.

For longtime fans, seeing Elena and Stefan’s actors reunite—even in completely different roles—is a particularly nostalgic moment.

Paul Wesley: From Stefan Salvatore to Captain Kirk

Paul Wesley’s Stefan Salvatore was the more restrained half of the Salvatore brothers, and his complicated relationship with Elena became one of the show’s defining romances.

Since the series ended, Wesley has continued acting while also taking on work behind the camera. He appeared in Tell Me a Story and The Buccaneers, but perhaps his biggest post-Vampire Diaries role came when he stepped into the shoes of James T. Kirk in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Wesley has also remained connected to Ian Somerhalder through their business partnership. The former costars launched Brother’s Bond Bourbon, turning their on-screen brotherhood into a real-world entrepreneurial relationship.

Now, his reunion with Dobrev gives fans another reason to keep an eye on what comes next.

Ian Somerhalder: Damon Salvatore Took a Different Path

Ian Somerhalder’s Damon Salvatore became one of the most recognizable characters in the series. His complicated personality, sharp humor and relationship with Elena made him a huge fan favorite.

After The Vampire Diaries, Somerhalder starred in Netflix’s V Wars, which premiered in 2019. He also worked as a producer on the environmental documentary Kiss the Ground.

In recent years, though, Somerhalder has stepped back from acting.

His attention has increasingly shifted toward environmental work, regenerative agriculture and entrepreneurship. He continues to run Brother’s Bond Bourbon with Wesley and has also worked with his wife, Nikki Reed, on wellness and sustainability-focused ventures.

It is a noticeably different path from Mystic Falls, but Somerhalder has continued using his platform around causes and businesses that matter to him.

Candice King: Caroline Forbes Finds a New Chapter

Caroline Forbes began The Vampire Diaries as a somewhat insecure teenager and evolved into one of its strongest and most beloved characters.

Candice King remained with the series throughout its eight-season run and later reprised Caroline in The Originals and Legacies.

More recently, King appeared in Prime Video’s We Were Liars, playing Bess Sinclair. The series gave viewers an opportunity to see her in a completely different type of role, far removed from the supernatural world of Caroline Forbes.

She is also set to return for the second season, which is expected to explore more of the Sinclair family’s history.

Kat Graham: Acting, Music and More

Kat Graham’s Bonnie Bennett was one of the show’s most powerful characters. As a witch and Elena’s close friend, Bonnie repeatedly found herself at the center of Mystic Falls’ biggest supernatural conflicts.

After The Vampire Diaries, Graham continued acting while also pursuing her music career. Her credits include The Holiday Calendar, Operation Christmas Drop and Love in the Villa. She has also worked in voice acting, including roles in Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and TrollsTopia.

Graham’s career has therefore expanded beyond the role that made her famous, allowing her to work across several areas of entertainment.

Joseph Morgan: Klaus Mikaelson Became His Own Franchise

Joseph Morgan entered The Vampire Diaries as Klaus Mikaelson, one of the show’s most complicated villains.

The character became so popular that Morgan moved into the lead role when The Originals premiered. He appeared in 92 episodes of the spinoff and later made a cameo in Legacies.

Since then, Morgan has continued working in television, with credits including Animal Kingdom and Brave New World.

For fans of the original franchise, however, Klaus remains one of the clearest examples of a supporting character becoming important enough to carry an entire series.

Michael Trevino: Tyler Lockwood After Mystic Falls

Michael Trevino played Tyler Lockwood, one of Mystic Falls’ werewolves and a character whose story became increasingly connected to the supernatural world.

After The Vampire Diaries, Trevino took on the role of Kyle Valenti in Roswell, New Mexico. He has also remained connected with his former costars, with the cast reuniting for personal milestones over the years.

A 2025 cast reunion at Trevino’s wedding was one particularly sweet reminder that the relationships created during the show’s long run have continued beyond the screen.

Zach Roerig: Matt Donovan Moves Beyond Mystic Falls

Zach Roerig played Matt Donovan, one of the few major characters in Mystic Falls who remained human throughout most of the supernatural chaos.

After The Vampire Diaries, Roerig continued acting in television and film. His career has included projects such as God Friended Me and Dare Me, among other roles.

While Matt may not have had supernatural powers, his character’s ability to survive eight seasons of vampire drama became something of a running joke among fans.

The Cast May Have Left Mystic Falls, But the Fandom Stayed

One reason The Vampire Diaries continues to attract attention is that the show’s story never completely disappeared.

The original series produced two successful spinoffs—The Originals and Legacies—while the cast has continued appearing at conventions, reunions and fan events.

And now, nearly 10 years after the finale, Dobrev and Wesley are preparing to work together again.

Their new Hulu project, You Deserve to Know, isn’t a return to Mystic Falls. Instead, it puts the two actors in an entirely new story about suburban couples whose lives become entangled in a murder investigation.

Still, the reunion is a reminder of just how much the original series continues to mean to viewers.

Where Are The Vampire Diaries Stars Now?

The biggest takeaway is that there isn’t one path to life after a hit television series.

Some cast members continued acting regularly. Others moved into producing, music, business, environmental work or different creative fields. Several returned to the Vampire Diaries universe through its spinoffs, while others chose to explore completely different characters.

What they share is a connection to a show that became much bigger than its original supernatural premise.

For fans, The Vampire Diaries remains a comfort show filled with familiar faces, complicated romances and unforgettable characters. And while Mystic Falls may be fictional, the careers that came from it are very real—and still evolving.

HOLR has the latest news on where your favorite The Vampire Diaries stars are now.

FAQs

Is The Vampire Diaries cast still friends?

Several former cast members have continued to maintain friendships and reunite over the years. Cast members have also appeared together at personal events and fan gatherings.

What is Nina Dobrev doing now?

Nina Dobrev continues to work in film and television. In 2026, she was announced as a star and executive producer of Hulu’s You Deserve to Know alongside Paul Wesley.

What is Paul Wesley doing after The Vampire Diaries?

Paul Wesley continues acting and plays Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. He also co-founded Brother’s Bond Bourbon with Ian Somerhalder.

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