You know that feeling when a character walks onto the screen and the entire vibe of a show just... shifts? That’s exactly what happened when Meg Foster showed up in New Orleans during the second season of The Originals.
Honestly, the show was already a wild ride by that point. We had ancient vampires, hybrids, and a city on the brink of a supernatural civil war. But then came Josephine LaRue.
Most fans of 80s cult cinema or classic TV recognized those eyes immediately. They’re piercing. Pale. Almost otherworldly. It’s actually kind of funny because throughout her career, Meg Foster was often asked to wear tinted contacts because directors thought her natural eye color was "too distracting" for certain roles.
In The Originals, though? Those eyes were her greatest asset.
The Quiet Power of Josephine LaRue
Josephine wasn't your typical "I’m going to throw fireballs" kind of witch. She was the Matriarch of the Treme Coven and a high-ranking leader in the coven structure of New Orleans. She was refined. She loved her music. She had this old-world elegance that made even the Mikaelson brothers—vampires who have lived for a millennium—stop and show a bit of respect.
Meg Foster brought a specific kind of gravity to the role. She played Josephine as someone who had seen it all and wasn't easily impressed by Klaus’s tantrums or Elijah’s diplomatic speeches.
In a world where everyone is constantly screaming or ripping hearts out, Josephine was the calm center. Until she wasn't.
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Why Meg Foster in The Originals Just Worked
If you've followed Meg’s career, you know she’s a veteran. From playing the original Christine Cagney in Cagney & Lacey (before Sharon Gless took over) to her iconic role as Evil-Lyn in the Masters of the Universe movie, she knows how to command a scene.
In The Originals, she acted as a bridge between the show’s younger, flashier energy and the "Old Guard" of New Orleans magic. She didn't need a lot of screen time to leave a mark.
Her introduction in episode 15, "They All Asked for You," set the tone. Elijah goes to her for help, and you can see the power dynamic immediately. She isn't scared of him. That’s a rare thing in this series.
The Tragic Fate of the Treme Matriarch
We have to talk about how it ended, because it was brutal. Even for a show like this.
Josephine was essentially a victim of the "Dahlia Problem." When Dahlia arrived in New Orleans, she didn't just want baby Hope; she wanted to dismantle everything the Mikaelsons cared about.
In season 2, episode 18, "Night Has a Thousand Eyes," we see one of the most chilling moments of the season. Dahlia uses Josephine. She heals Josephine’s hands—which had been crippled by age and perhaps some magical backfire—allowing the old witch to play her violin one last time.
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It was a beautiful, cruel moment.
Dahlia then slits Josephine's throat and uses her body as a vessel to deliver a message to the Mikaelsons. Seeing Meg Foster go from this dignified, powerful leader to a literal puppet for a greater evil was a testament to her acting. She sold the vulnerability of that moment just as well as she sold the authority in her earlier scenes.
A Masterclass in Guest Casting
Let’s be real. Guest stars on CW shows can sometimes feel like filler. They come in, say some exposition, and get killed off to raise the stakes.
But Josephine LaRue felt like a real person with a real history. You got the sense that she had a whole life in the French Quarter that existed long before Klaus ever moved back into town. That’s the "Meg Foster effect." She doesn't just play a part; she occupies the space.
Even after her character died, her presence was felt. The vacuum of leadership left in the covens after Josephine's death directly contributed to the chaos that Davina and Vincent had to deal with later on.
What This Role Taught Us About The Originals
Looking back at the series in 2026, Josephine remains one of the more grounded characters. She represented the "human" side of being a witch—the traditions, the community, and the physical toll that magic takes on a person.
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If you’re rewatching the series, pay attention to her hands. It’s a small detail, but the way Foster plays the physical limitation of her character’s body versus the sharpness of her mind is fascinating.
How to Appreciate Meg Foster's Performance Today
If you want to see the full range of what she brought to the table, here’s a quick "watch list" for her arc:
- Season 2, Episode 15: Her debut. Watch how she handles Elijah. It’s a lesson in screen presence.
- Season 2, Episode 16: "Save My Soul." This explores more of the coven politics and her role as a leader.
- Season 2, Episode 18: The finale of her arc. It’s haunting and arguably one of the most memorable character exits in the show's history.
Basically, if you haven't revisited the second season of The Originals lately, do it just for the Josephine LaRue scenes. It’s a reminder that even in a show about immortal monsters, it’s the seasoned actors who often steal the spotlight.
Next time you’re scrolling through Netflix or Max, take a second to look at those eyes. They’ve seen more history than most of the characters they’re looking at.
To get the most out of your rewatch, focus on the subtext of the coven politics during season 2. Josephine wasn't just a witch; she was a politician trying to protect her people from a storm she knew was coming. Understanding that makes her eventual sacrifice even more impactful.