Honestly, it feels like a lifetime ago that we were all collectively losing our minds over whether Elena should be with Stefan or Damon. The Vampire Diaries didn't just define an era of the CW; it basically owned the cultural zeitgeist for a solid eight years. But then the show ended in 2017, and suddenly, the actors from Vampire Diaries were faced with the "post-supernatural" curse. It's a real thing. When you spend nearly a decade playing a brooding vampire or a doppelganger in a small town, Hollywood tends to put you in a very specific box.
Some of them leaned into the fame. Others literally ran away from it to start farms or bourbon companies.
If you’re looking for where they went, it’s not just a list of IMDB credits. It’s a study in how to survive being a teen idol. Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, and Ian Somerhalder didn't just "move on." They navigated a massive shift in how TV stars are perceived in a world that moved from cable to streaming right as they were hitting their stride.
The Nina Dobrev Exit That Changed Everything
People still talk about Nina Dobrev leaving the show in Season 6 like it was some massive betrayal, but from a career standpoint? It was a gamble that most actors from Vampire Diaries weren't ready to take yet. She wanted to prove she wasn't just Elena Gilbert (or Katherine Pierce, or Amara—man, she played a lot of people).
The transition wasn't seamless.
She did the action thing with Vin Diesel in XXX: Return of Xander Cage. She did the indie thing. Lately, though, Nina has found a weirdly successful niche in the Netflix rom-com world with movies like Love Hard. It’s smart. She’s keeping her face in front of the demographic that grew up watching her, but without the fangs. Beyond acting, she’s become a full-on entrepreneur. She launched Fresh Vine Wine with her best friend Julianne Hough. It’s a low-carb, low-calorie brand, which fits her "wellness influencer" vibe on Instagram. She basically transitioned from a TV star to a lifestyle brand, which is the most 2020s move possible.
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Ian Somerhalder and the Bourbon Pivot
Ian Somerhalder is an interesting case because he kind of... quit? Well, not entirely, but he’s very vocal about how much he prefers the quiet life now. After V-Wars (another vampire show, ironically) got canceled after one season, Ian leaned heavily into his environmental activism and his business ventures.
You can't talk about Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley without mentioning Brother’s Bond Bourbon.
Most celebrity liquors feel like a cheap cash grab. This one didn't. They spent years developing it, and it’s actually winning awards. They’ve managed to monetize their "Salvatore Brother" chemistry in a way that feels authentic to the fans but exists entirely outside of a script. Ian spends most of his time on a farm these days. He’s very into regenerative agriculture. If you follow him, you’re more likely to see a post about soil health than a red carpet photo. It’s a complete 180 from the "Sexiest Man Alive" energy he had in 2012.
The Paul Wesley Directing Shift
Paul Wesley was always the one who seemed a bit "above" the teen drama fray, even while he was in it. While some of the other actors from Vampire Diaries were chasing movie stardom, Paul was in the trenches learning how to direct. He directed episodes of TVD, then Legacies, then Roswell, New Mexico.
He’s a nerd at heart.
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Currently, he’s playing Captain Kirk in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. That’s a massive get. Taking over a role originally made famous by William Shatner is a high-pressure gig, but Paul’s dry, stoic energy fits the early Kirk perfectly. He’s managed to bridge the gap between "teen heartthrob" and "respected genre actor" better than almost anyone else in the cast.
The Supporting Cast: Who Actually Stayed Busy?
Sometimes the lead actors get all the press, but the supporting actors from Vampire Diaries are the ones popping up in every show you watch.
- Kat Graham (Bonnie Bennett): Kat was arguably the most underappreciated person on that set. Post-show, she’s been everywhere. She’s a prolific voice actor (April O'Neil in Ninja Turtles!), a UN Refugee Agency High Profile Supporter, and she still releases music. She’s maintained a level of independence that’s honestly impressive.
- Candice King (Caroline Forbes): Candice stayed in the "TVD Universe" the longest, appearing in The Originals and Legacies. She also started a very successful podcast called Directionally Challenged with fellow alum Kayla Ewell. It’s one of those "life in your 30s" shows that has a huge, loyal following.
- Joseph Morgan (Klaus Mikaelson): Joseph didn't just leave; he got his own show. The Originals was, in many ways, better written than the parent show. After that ended, he jumped into Brave New World and more recently played Brother Blood in Titans. He’s carved out a career as the "go-to guy for charismatic villains."
Why Some Actors From Vampire Diaries Struggled
It’s not all sunshine and bourbon. For every Paul Wesley, there are cast members who struggled to find their footing after Mystic Falls. This happens when a show is too successful. The audience sees you as one person.
Steven R. McQueen (Jeremy Gilbert) had a stint on Chicago Fire, but it didn't turn into a leading-man career. Michael Trevino (Tyler Lockwood) did a great job on the Roswell, New Mexico reboot, but he hasn't hit that A-list level. The reality of the industry is that being on a hit CW show is a double-edged sword. You get the money and the fan base, but you lose the "prestige" that HBO or film actors have.
There’s also the "convention circuit." A lot of these actors make a very comfortable living just traveling the world and meeting fans. It’s a lucrative bubble, but it can sometimes stop an actor from pushing for the next big role because, well, the bills are already paid.
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The Production Reality of Mystic Falls
Most fans don't realize that the actors from Vampire Diaries were filming in Covington, Georgia, for most of the year. This created a very tight-knit (and sometimes messy) environment. When you're stuck in a small town outside Atlanta for nine months a year, you either become family or you can't stand each other.
The fact that Nina and Ian dated and broke up while their characters were falling in love is legendary at this point. That kind of pressure usually destroys a production. But the cast handled it with a level of professionalism that you don't always see in young Hollywood. That's a big reason why the show lasted as long as it did.
The Legacy of the "TVD" Acting Style
There’s a specific way people acted on that show. It was fast-paced, high-stakes, and very "eyes-focused." Julie Plec, the showrunner, really pushed for that intense, emotional delivery. You can see remnants of that style in their newer projects. Even in Star Trek, Paul Wesley has that "Salvatore" intensity in his eyes. It’s a toolkit they all carry now.
What You Should Watch Next
If you want to see the best work from the actors from Vampire Diaries since the show ended, don't just look for more vampire stuff.
- Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Paramount+): This is the pinnacle of Paul Wesley's career right now.
- The Ritual (Netflix): A horror movie starring Rafe Spall, but written by Joe Barton—wait, no, let’s look at the TVD cast specifically. Watch Tell Me a Story. It’s an anthology series that featured Paul Wesley and Danielle Campbell (from The Originals). It’s dark, weird, and breaks the "teen" mold.
- Diplomats and Decisions: Actually, check out the documentary Kiss the Ground on Netflix. Ian Somerhalder produced and is featured in it. It’ll give you a way better understanding of who he is now than any scripted show could.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Creators
If you're following the careers of the actors from Vampire Diaries, the biggest takeaway is the importance of diversification. The ones who are most "successful" today (by traditional standards) are the ones who didn't just wait for the phone to ring.
- Directing is a safety net: If you're an actor, learn what happens behind the camera. Paul Wesley proved that being able to direct makes you indispensable to a studio.
- Own your brand: Ian and Nina both realized that their names were worth more than just their acting talent. By starting businesses (bourbon, wine), they gained financial independence from the "pilot season" grind.
- Don't fear the "Typecast": Instead of running away from genre fiction, Joseph Morgan and Paul Wesley leaned into it. They just moved to better or different genres like sci-fi or comic book adaptations.
The story of the Vampire Diaries cast isn't over. Most of them are only in their 30s or early 40s. We’re likely going to see a "prestige TV" era for at least one or two of them in the next five years. Until then, we’ve always got the reruns and a glass of celebrity-branded bourbon to keep us company.
To stay updated on the cast's current filming schedules:
Check the official IMDB Pro listings for upcoming production dates, as many of these actors have moved into executive producer roles which aren't always publicized on standard social media. Monitor the Paley Center for Media archives for recent panels where the creators discuss the long-term career trajectories of the ensemble. Finally, follow the Georgia Film Office news releases, as several cast members have returned to the Atlanta area to produce their own independent projects.