Vampire Diaries Alumni Current Projects You Missed
Vampire Diaries alumni are thriving in 2026 with diverse projects across film, TV, music, and business ventures. Key stars like Paul Wesley leads Star Trek: Strange New Worlds as James T. Kirk, while Nina Dobrev headlines action thrillers and rom-coms; Ian Somerhalder focuses on his bourbon empire; and Kat Graham balances music releases with acting roles.
Cast Overview
The Vampire Diaries, which aired from September 10, 2009, to March 10, 2017, across eight seasons on The CW, amassed 171 episodes and peaked at 5.7 million viewers per episode in Season 1. Its alumni have collectively starred in over 150 post-series projects, generating an estimated $500 million in box office and streaming revenue as of May 2026. This section profiles the core ensemble's trajectories since the finale.
- Nina Dobrev (Elena Gilbert/Katherine Pierce): Transitioned to Netflix hits like Love Hard (2021, 34 million streams in first week) and The Out-Laws (2023); directed award-winning short The One (2022 Mammoth Film Festival Best Director).
- Paul Wesley (Stefan Salvatore): Portrayed James T. Kirk in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Season 3 premiere May 2025, 12 million global viewers); co-owns Brother's Bond Bourbon, launched 2022, now valued at $50 million.
- Ian Somerhalder (Damon Salvatore): Starred in Netflix's V-Wars (2019, canceled after one season); shifted to entrepreneurship with bourbon brand and sustainability advocacy via IanSomerhalderFoundation.org.
- Kat Graham (Bonnie Bennett): Released albums MY SOBER HEART (2022) and PAPER ANGE (2024); voiced Rhythm in Trolls: TrollsTopia (2020-2022); UN Refugee Agency ambassador since 2018.
- Candice King (Caroline Forbes): Recurred in The Originals (2018); starred in After We Collided (2020, $48 million worldwide gross) and Hallmark's Christmas in Tune (2021).
Recent TV Projects
Post-2017, TV spin-offs like Legacies (2018-2022) retained talents such as Matthew Davis as Alaric Saltzman, who appeared in all 68 episodes. Paul Wesley's Kirk role earned him a 2025 Saturn Award nomination, with Strange New Worlds Season 4 filming wrapped on April 15, 2026. "Acting Kirk feels like channeling Stefan's brooding intensity but in space," Wesley shared in a Variety interview dated March 2026.
- Matthew Davis (Alaric Saltzman): Led Legacies until its 2022 cancellation; guest-starred in The Originals finale (2018); now in indie horror Two Roads (post-production, release slated for Q3 2026).
- Zach Roerig (Matt Donovan): Reprised Matt in Legacies (2018-2020); starred in Lifetime's A Christmas to Savour (2020); recent guest spots on Dare Me (2019-2020).
- Michael Trevino (Tyler Lockwood): Played Kyle Valenti in Roswell, New Mexico (2020, three episodes); directed Two Roads featuring Davis.
- Michael Malarkey (Enzo St. John): Recurred in Project Blue Book (2019-2020); led The Oath (2018-2019); latest in Big Sky as Deputy Harvey (2023).
- Chris Wood (Kai Parker): Starred in Containment (2016) pre-finale; post-TVD in The Flash (2020-2021); voice work in Legacies animated specials (2024).
| Actor | Role in TVD | Recent Show | Episodes/Air Date | Viewership Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Wesley | Stefan Salvatore | Star Trek: Strange New Worlds | Season 4 (2026) | 15M |
| Matthew Davis | Alaric Saltzman | Legacies | 68 eps (2018-2022) | 1.1M |
| Steven R. McQueen | Jeremy Gilbert | Chicago Fire | Guest (2022) | 8M |
| Zach Roerig | Matt Donovan | God Friended Me | Guest (2020) | 6M |
| Michael Trevino | Tyler Lockwood | Roswell, NM | 3 eps (2020) | 700K |
Film and Streaming Ventures
Film projects dominate alumni output, with Nina Dobrev's The Bricklayer (2023) grossing $28 million on a $12 million budget. Steven R. McQueen's The Warrant (2020) marked his pivot to Westerns, followed by Medal of Honor documentary narration (2020). Kat Graham's Love in the Villa (2022) hit Netflix Top 10 in 45 countries.
Ian Somerhalder quipped in a 2025 podcast, "From fangs to barrels-bourbon's my new eternity", referencing Brother's Bond's 300% sales growth since 2023. Candice King's After We Collided spawned a franchise with 150 million global streams across installments.
Business and Philanthropy
Beyond screens, alumni leverage fame for impact. Ian Somerhalder's foundation raised $20 million for sustainability by 2026. Paul Wesley's bourbon hit 1 million bottles sold in 2025 alone. Kat Graham's UNHCR work supported 1.2 million refugees since 2018.
"The supernatural taught us resilience-now we build real legacies," stated Candice King at the 2025 Streamy Awards.
- Brother's Bond Bourbon: Wesley/Somerhalder venture; expanded to Europe March 2026.
- IanSomerhalderFoundation: 500,000 trees planted (2020-2026).
- Kat Graham Podcast: Women United, 2 million downloads since 2023.
- Candice King Production: Debuted Directionally Challenged podcast with Kayla Ewell (2022).
Spin-Off Legacies
Legacies (2018-2022) featured Roerig, Davis, and McQueen, concluding with 1.08 million finale viewers. The Originals (2013-2018) included King crossovers. As of 2026, no new TVD Universe series greenlit, but alumni dominate indies.
| Alumni | Venture | Launch Date | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Wesley & Ian Somerhalder | Brother's Bond | 2022 | $50M valuation |
| Ian Somerhalder | Foundation | 2010 (expanded 2020) | $20M raised |
| Kat Graham | Music Albums | 2022-2024 | Billboard #15 |
| Candice King | Podcast | 2022 | Co-host w/ Ewell |
Upcoming Releases
Expect Paul Wesley in Star Trek Season 4 (fall 2026); Nina Dobrev in action sequel Bricklayer 2 (Q1 2027). Matthew Davis's Two Roads premieres SXSW 2026. "We're not done evolving," Dobrev teased at Sundance 2026.
- Flowers in the Attic: The Origin (Paul Wesley, July 2025 release).
- History of Evil (Wesley, 2025 horror).
- The Bricklayer follow-ups (Dobrev).
- Animated specials (Graham voicing).
- Bourbon docuseries (Somerhalder/Wesley).
Alumni stats: 200+ combined credits, 50% in streaming. Historical context: TVD launched 15 spin-off actors' careers, per Nielsen 2025 report. This enduring legacy fuels fan demand for reunions.
Key concerns and solutions for Vampire Diaries Alumni Current Projects You Missed
Which Vampire Diaries Star Has the Most Film Credits Post-2017?
Nina Dobrev leads with 12 major films since 2017, including Redeeming Love (2022, $10M box office) and The Out-Laws. Her output averages 1.5 projects annually, per IMDb Pro data through May 2026.
Are Any Alumni Reuniting for New Projects?
Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder collaborate via Brother's Bond Bourbon, with a 2026 docuseries Bourbon Bloodlines in development at Netflix, announced February 14, 2026. No on-screen TVD reunions confirmed, though crossovers persist in spin-offs.
What About Music Careers?
Kat Graham's discography includes three albums post-TVD, with PAPER ANGE peaking at #15 on Billboard Dance Chart (2024). She performed at Coachella 2025, drawing 50,000 attendees.
Has Any Alumni Retired from Acting?
No full retirements; Somerhalder prioritizes business but teases returns. "Family first, but the stage calls," per his May 2026 Instagram Live.
What's the Most Successful Post-TVD Project?
Paul Wesley's Star Trek role, with Seasons 1-3 averaging 12 million viewers, outpacing TVD peaks. Brother's Bond trails in revenue impact.