The Originals

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***The Originals*** is *The Vampire Diaries* spin-off series which is produced by The CW. The twentieth episode of the fourth season, namely called *The Originals*, served as a backdoor pilot. The series was green-lit on April 26, 2013. It was announced by Julie Plec on July 20, 2017, that season five would serve as the series' final season.

The series mainly stars Joseph Morgan as Klaus Mikaelson, Daniel Gillies as Elijah Mikaelson, Claire Holt as Rebekah Mikaelson, Hailee Steinfeld as Athena Mikaelson, Nina Dobrev as Alex Gilbert, Adelaide Kane as Ariana Gilbert, Phoebe Tonkin as Hayley Marshall, Victoria Justice as Arielle Labonair, and Charles Michael Davis as Marcel Gerard.

## Summaries

*The Originals* centers around Niklaus Mikaelson and the Original Family of vampires, as he makes his returns to the supernatural crucible that is the French Quarter of New Orleans, a town he helped build centuries ago, and is reunited with his diabolical former apprentice Marcel. The show will happen to feature two new characters who are witches, as well as a human female named Camille who is a psychology student fascinated by the study of Human Behavior. Cami is allured to the aberration of the French Quarter, resolute on answering the unanswerable question - what makes someone evil?

Starring in the pilot episode of "The Originals" is two-time Teen Choice Award nominee Joseph Morgan, who will continue his "The Vampire Diaries" role of Niklaus Mikaelson. Morgan is an English actor who studied at the "Central School of Speech and Drama" in London, UK. Among his film credits are "Alexander" starring Angelina Jolie and Colin Farrell, and "Immortals" starring opposite Henry Cavill. Nina Dobrev will also star in "The Originals" playing as the tribrid Alex Gilbert, a character that was introduced in season one of "The Vampire Diaries".

Also joining the cast is 'Saving Hope' star Daniel Gillies as Klaus' older brother Elijah, who was the first original to appear on 'The Vampire Diaries'. Gillies starred in Spider-Man 2 opposite to Tobey Maguire, his film credits also include 'Uncross the Stars' with Ron Perlman, 'Captivity' and 'Broken Kingdom' , which he also directed and starred along with his wife Rachael Leigh Cook. Gillies TV work includes 'Into the West', 'The Vampire Diaries' and 'Saving Hope' which he will remain a regular on even if 'The Originals' gets picked up. Claire Holt will also be reprising her role as Klaus and Elijah's sister, Rebekah Mikaelson.

"The Vampire Diaries" showrunner Julie Plec will executive produce "The Originals" and serve as head writer. Plec developed "Diaries" along with Kevin Williamson, who will not be involved with "Originals". Leslie Morgenstein will executive produce for Alloy Entertainment. Morgenstein is also currently executive producer of the hit ABC Family series "Pretty Little Liars". Senior vice president of television for Alloy Entertainment, Gina Girolamo, will also executive produce. Michael Narducci will serve as the show's producer.

**Official Summary**

**SYNOPSIS for THE ORIGINALS**

**Fall 2013:** ***Tuesdays (8:00-9:00 pm ET) on The CW!***

Family is power. The Original Vampire family swore it to each other a thousand years ago. They pledged to remain together, always and forever. Now, centuries have passed and the bonds of family are broken. Time, tragedy, and hunger for power have torn The Original Family apart.

When Niklaus Mikaelson, the Original Vampire-Werewolf Hybrid, receives a mysterious tip that a plot is brewing against him in the supernatural melting pot that is known as the French Quarter of New Orleans, he returns to the city his family helped build. Klaus’ questions lead him to a reunion with his diabolical former protégé, Marcel, a charismatic vampire who has total control over the human and supernatural inhabitants of New Orleans. Determined to help his brother find redemption, Elijah follows Klaus and soon learns that the tribrid Alex has also come to the French Quarter searching for clues to her family history, and has fallen into the hands of a powerful witch named Sophie.

Tensions between the town’s supernatural factions are nearing a breaking point as Marcel commands his devoted followers and rules with absolute power. For Klaus, the thought of answering to his powerful protégé is unthinkable, and he vows to reclaim what was once his — the power, the city, and his family. While they wait to see if their sister Rebekah will leave Mystic Falls and join them, Klaus and Elijah form an uneasy alliance with the witches to ensure that New Orleans will be ruled by THE ORIGINALS once again.

IMDB Summary

A spin-off from The Vampire Diaries and set in New Orleans, The Originals centers on the Mikaelson siblings, otherwise known as the world's original vampires: Klaus (Joseph Morgan), Elijah (Daniel Gillies), Athena (Hailee Steinfeld), and Rebekah (Claire Holt). Now Klaus must take down his protégé, Marcel (Charles Michael Davis), who is now in charge of New Orleans, in order to re-take his city, as he originally built New Orleans. Klaus departed from the city after being chased down by his father Mikael, while it was being constructed and Marcel took charge. As Klaus has returned after many years, his ego has provoked him to become the king of the city. "Every King needs an heir" says Klaus, accepting the unborn children. The child is a first to be born to a hybrid (part vampire, part werewolf) and a tribrid (Alex).

## Main Cast and Characters

* Joseph Morgan as Klaus Mikaelson
* Daniel Gillies as Elijah Mikaelson
* Claire Holt as Rebekah Mikaelson
* Hailee Steinfeld as Athena Mikaelson
* Nina Dobrev as Alex Gilbert/Katerina Petrova
* Adelaide Kane as Ariana Gilbert
* Phoebe Tonkin as Hayley Marshall
* Victoria Justice as Arielle Labonair
* Charles Michael Davis as Marcel Gerard
* Steven Krueger as Josh Rosza
* Paul Wesley as Stefan Salvatore
* Leah Pipes as Camille O'Connell
* Danielle Campbell as Davina Claire
* Yusuf Gatewood as Vincent Griffith/Finn Mikaelson
* Riley Voelkel as Freya Mikaelson
* Alexander Calvert as Jack Mikaelson
* Danielle Rose Russell as Hope Mikaelson
* Sarah Jeffery as Artemis Mikaelson
* Noah Centineo as Jax Salvatore
* Ariana Grande as Nina Salvatore
* Selena Gomez as Lily Salvatore
* Daniella Pineda as Sophie Deveraux