Mystic Falls isn't real, but the obsession with the people who lived there definitely is. Honestly, it’s been years since the finale aired, yet the actors of the Vampire Diaries are somehow more relevant now than they were when the show was actually on The CW. You see them everywhere. One day Paul Wesley is roasting fans on TikTok, the next Ian Somerhalder is pouring bourbon in a high-end bar, and Nina Dobrev is living her best life as a tech investor and movie producer. It’s a weirdly enduring legacy. Usually, teen drama stars fade into the "Where Are They Now?" slideshows, but this cast managed to escape the "vampire trap" that usually swallows careers whole.
They didn't just play characters; they built brands. That's the secret.
The Nina Dobrev paradox and why she left
The biggest shock in the show's history wasn't a plot twist. It was Nina Dobrev leaving at the end of Season 6. Fans were devastated. People thought the show would die immediately without Elena Gilbert. But Nina’s move was a calculated risk that actually paid off for her personal brand. She didn't want to be stuck in a coffin (literally or figuratively) for a decade. Since leaving, she’s pivoted hard. She’s done action flicks like XXX: Return of Xander Cage, rom-coms like Love Hard, and even launched a wine brand, Fresh Vine Wine, with Julianne Hough.
She proved she wasn't just a girl torn between two brothers. She was a businesswoman.
Most people don't realize how much the actors of the Vampire Diaries had to fight to be taken seriously. When you’re known for crying over a 160-year-old vampire, Hollywood casting directors tend to put you in a very specific box. Nina broke that box by leaning into lifestyle and fitness. If you look at her Instagram today, it’s less about "Delena" and more about travel, entrepreneurship, and high-fashion partnerships. She’s the blueprint for how to survive a teen phenomenon.
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Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley: From rivals to roommates
You can't talk about the Salvatore brothers without talking about Brother’s Bond Bourbon. It’s probably the most successful post-show collaboration in TV history. Instead of distancing themselves from their vampire roots, Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley leaned all the way in. They realized that the chemistry fans loved on screen could be bottled and sold. Literally.
Ian has mostly stepped away from acting to focus on environmentalism and his foundation. He’s very vocal about soil health and regenerative agriculture. It’s a far cry from Damon Salvatore’s "eat, kill, repeat" mantra. Paul, meanwhile, has moved behind the camera. He’s directed episodes of Shadowhunters, Legacies, and Roswell, New Mexico. He also stepped into the iconic shoes of James T. Kirk in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
It’s kind of hilarious. Paul was the "serious" one, and now he’s the king of deadpan Twitter humor. Ian was the "bad boy," and now he’s basically a professional farmer and bourbon aficionado. They swapped vibes.
What most fans miss about the supporting cast
While the "Big Three" get the headlines, the supporting actors of the Vampire Diaries are the ones who kept the franchise alive via the spinoffs and conventions.
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- Candice King (Caroline Forbes): She became the emotional glue of the series. Post-show, she’s stayed incredibly connected to the fandom through her podcast, Directionally Challenged, which she co-hosted with Kayla Ewell (Vicki Donovan).
- Kat Graham (Bonnie Bennett): Kat is a powerhouse. She was often underutilized in the show's writing, but she’s since become a major voice in fashion, music, and humanitarian work with the UN Refugee Agency. She’s also a frequent face in Netflix holiday movies.
- Joseph Morgan (Klaus Mikaelson): He was so good they gave him his own show, The Originals. He recently jumped into the DC Universe as Brother Blood in Titans.
The reality of the "CW Curse"
Is there a curse? Sorta. If you look at the actors of the Vampire Diaries, they all struggled with being typecast. Matt Davis (Alaric) stayed in the universe for nearly 13 years across three different shows. That’s a long time to play one guy. Michael Trevino and Zach Roerig have had steady work, but they haven't seen the "A-list" explosion some predicted.
It’s tough. When you’re on a show that runs for 171 episodes, your face becomes synonymous with a specific genre. Breaking out requires a total image overhaul.
Why the fandom won't let go
The reason these actors stay famous isn't just because of the show; it's because of the convention circuit. Creation Entertainment and other organizers still pack ballrooms in 2026 with fans willing to pay hundreds of dollars for a selfie with the cast. This direct connection to fans is something older generations of actors never had. It creates a feedback loop of relevance.
Even the minor players like Michael Malarkey (Enzo) or Claire Holt (Rebekah) have massive, dedicated followings because they engage directly with the "TVDU" community. They aren't just actors; they’re icons of a specific era of digital culture.
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What actually happened behind the scenes?
There’s always rumors. Did Ian and Nina’s real-life breakup ruin the set? According to everyone involved, not really. They remained professional, though fans spent years dissecting every frame of their scenes for "tension." The truth is usually more boring: they were young, overworked, and filming in the Georgia heat for nine months a year.
The bond among the actors of the Vampire Diaries is surprisingly tight. You’ll see them at each other's weddings, launching businesses together, and supporting each other's indie projects. It wasn't just a job; it was a decade of their lives.
How to follow their current careers
If you’re looking to support the cast today, you have to look beyond the vampire genre. Most of them have moved on to more mature or niche projects.
- Check out the "Salvatore" business empire: If you’re of age, the Brother's Bond Bourbon is actually highly rated by critics, not just fans. It’s a legitimate spirit brand.
- Watch the directing credits: Follow Paul Wesley’s work behind the camera. He has a very distinct, moody visual style that he developed while working on the show.
- Support the activism: Ian Somerhalder’s documentary Kiss the Ground is a great starting point if you want to see what he’s actually passionate about these days.
- Listen to the podcasts: Candice King and Kayla Ewell’s podcasting work offers a very honest look at life after a hit show. It’s not all red carpets; it’s a lot of "what do I do now?"
The actors of the Vampire Diaries represent a specific moment in TV history—the bridge between traditional television and the social media era. They mastered the art of staying famous long after the scripts stopped being written. Whether it's through wine, bourbon, directing, or activist work, they've proven that there is life after the undead.
To keep up with them effectively, don't just wait for them to pop up in a new Netflix series. Follow their entrepreneurial ventures and directorial debuts. That is where the real growth is happening. Many of them are now producing their own content specifically to avoid the typecasting that plagued them in the mid-2010s. Pay attention to the production credits on indie dramas; you'll likely see a familiar name from Mystic Falls in the executive producer chair.