The Vampire Diaries

**Type:** | Supernatural drama
Horror
Fantasy
 **Created by:** | Kevin Williamson
 **Main Cast:** | Nina Dobrev
Paul Wesley
Ian Somerhalder
Steven R. McQueen
Sara Canning
Kat Graham
Candice Accola
Zach Roerig
Michael Trevino
Matt Davis
Joseph Morgan

The series takes place in Mystic Falls, Virginia, a fictional small town haunted and surrounded by supernatural beings. The series narrative follows the protagonist Elena Gilbert as she falls in love with vampire Stefan Salvatore and is drawn into the supernatural world as a result. As the series progresses, Elena finds herself drawn to Stefan's brother Damon Salvatore resulting in a love triangle. As the narrative develops in the course of the series, the focal point shifts on the mysterious past of the town involving Elena's malevolent doppelgänger Katerina Petrova. Katerina was the love of both Damon and Stefan Salvatore many years ago. Her return, along with the family of Original Vampires, have all led to many plots against Elena and Mystic Falls.

## Summary

The series follows the life of Elena Gilbert), a teenage girl who falls deeply in love with a 163-year-old vampire named Stefan Salvatore. Their relationship becomes increasingly complicated as Stefan's vicious, malevolent and mysterious older brother Damon Salvatore returns with a plan to wreak havoc on the town, seeking revenge against his younger brother for turning him into a vampire against his will. Because Elena resembles their past love Katherine Pierce, Damon also begins to fall in love with Elena. It is revealed that Elena is a descendant of Katherine, who eventually returns with plans against the trio. Elena undergoes many hardships and deaths of close family members and loved ones throughout her high school experience.

The series is set in the fictional town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, a town charged with supernatural history since its settlement of migrants from New England in the late 19th century. Additional story lines revolve around the other inhabitants of the town, most notably Elena's younger brother Jeremy Gilbert, her best friends Bonnie Bennett and Caroline Forbes, and their mutual friends Tyler Lockwood and Matt Donovan. The town's politics are orchestrated by descendants of the original founding families, all comprising a "Founders' Council." Some of the founding families of Mystic Falls includes the Salvatores, the Gilberts, the Fells, the Forbes, and the Lockwoods. They guard the town mainly from vampires, although there are many more supernatural threats such as werewolves, witches, and ghosts.

## Characters

**Main Characters**

* **Elena Gilbert** - Elena parents died when she was 17. Years after meeting Vampire brothers she becomes one herself, despite never wanting to be one.
* **Stefan Salvatore** - The younger of the two Salvatore Brothers, born in 1846, and dated Elena.
* **Damon Salvatore** - The Older of the two Salvatore Brothers, born in 1839, and current boyfriend of Elena.
* **Niklaus Mikaelson** - An Original vampire and a werewolf, making him the Original Hybrid.
* **Jeremy Gilbert** - Younger brother of Elena, and later a Mystical Vampire Hunter.
* **Bonnie Bennett** - Best friends of Elena, and member of a which coven.
* **Caroline Forbes** - Best friends of Elena, and becomes a Vampire, after dating Damon Salvatore.

## Cast

* Nina Dobrev as Elena Gilbert
* Paul Wesley as Stefan Salvatore
* Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore
* Steven R. McQueen as Jeremy Gilbert
* Kat Graham as Bonnie Bennett
* Candice Accola as Caroline Forbes
* Joseph Morgan as Klaus Mikaelson
* Zach Roerig as Matt Donovan
* Michael Trevino as Tyler Lockwood
* Daniel Gillies as Elijah Mikaelson
* Claire Holt as Rebekah Mikaelson
* Penelope Mitchell as Liv Parker
* Rick Cosnett as Wes Maxfiel
* Nathaniel Buzolic as Kol Mikaelson
* Phoebe Tonkin as Hayley Marshall

**Guess Staring Roles**
* Eka Darville as Diego

**Crew**

* Julie Plec (Creator- 171 episodes, 2013-2017)
* Kevin Williamson (Creator- 171 episodes, 2013-2017)
* L.J. Smith (171 episodes - Writer)
* Michael Narducci (15 episodes - Writer)