Vampire Diaries S1 Cast Now: Jaw-Dropping Paths
Vampire Diaries Season 1 Cast 2026: The Definitive Update
The original Season 1 cast of The Vampire Diaries is actively working in Hollywood as of May 2026. Nina Dobrev (Elena Gilbert) stars in major rom-coms and executive produces upcoming series; Paul Wesley (Stefan Salvatore) portrays young James T. Kirk in Star Trek: New Worlds while co-owning Brother's Bond Bourbon; Ian Somerhalder (Damon Salvatore) leads environmental initiatives and editorially backs sustainable projects; Kat Graham (Bonnie Bennett) headlines Tyler Perry's Black, White & Blue and appears in Antoine Fuqua's Michael biopic as Diana Ross; Candice King (Caroline Forbes) acts in We Were Liars and balances music; Steven R. McQueen (Jeremy Gilbert) continues on Chicago franchises; Zach Roerig (Matt Donovan) stars in the Western Bad Men Must Bleed; Michael Trevino (Tyler Lockwood) operates in CW reboots and film; and Matthew Davis (Alaric Saltzman) appears in NBC's Grosse Pointe Garden Society.
Core Cast Status Overview
This iconic ensemble transformed from teen vampire drama stars into diversified multifactorial entertainers. The show premiered September 10, 2009, ran 8 seasons through March 10, 2017, and currently holds an 86% Rotten Tomatoes score while streaming exclusively on Peacock. As of May 2026, all principal Season 1 actors remain professionally active with current projects announced within the past 12 months.
- Nina Dobrev: Age 37 in 2026; dates Shaun White; produces Woman 99 adaptation still in pre-production as of early 2026
- Paul Wesley: Age 43; married twice; founded Brother's Bond Bourbon with Ian Somerhalder; cast as young Kirk in Star Trek: New Worlds
- Ian Somerhalder: Age 46; married to Nikki Reed since 2015; children Bodhi Soleil and unnamed son; focuses on green energy advocacy
- Kat Graham: Age 36; married Bryant Wood in 2023; released Long Hot Summer album in summer 2022; four studio albums total
- Candice King: Age 38; divorced Joe King in 2022; dating Steven Krueger; stars in upcoming We Were Liars project
Detailed Cast Positions by Character
| Actor | Character | Age in 2026 | Current Primary Project | Key Milestone 2023-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nina Dobrev | Elena Gilbert | 37 | Rom-com film lead; Woman 99 EP | Woman 99 enters pre-production (July 2020 report, still active 2026) |
| Paul Wesley | Stefan Salvatore | 43 | Star Trek: New Worlds (Kirk) | Brother's Bond Bourbon co-founded; Star Trek casting announced late 2025 |
| Ian Somerhalder | Damon Salvatore | 46 | Environmental advocacy; V Wars follow-up | Son born post-2015; public sustainability campaign leader 2024-2026 |
| Kat Graham | Bonnie Bennett | 36 | Michael biopic (Diana Ross) | Wedding to Bryant Wood (2023); Black, White & Blue lawyer role |
| Candice King | Caroline Forbes | 38 | We Were Liars; The Orville legacy | Divorce finalized 2022; new relationship with Steven Krueger |
| Steven R. McQueen | Jeremy Gilbert | 37 | Chicago Fire & Chicago PD | Brief 2018 engagement to Alexandria Silva; steady firefighter role |
| Zach Roerig | Matt Donovan | 40 | Bad Men Must Bleed (Western) | Reprised Alaric in Legacies; next Western slated late 2026 release |
| Michael Trevino | Tyler Lockwood | 39 | Roswell, New Mexico reboot legacy | Engaged to Bregje Heinen Christmas Eve 2025; congratulations from cast |
| Matthew Davis | Alaric Saltzman | 48 | Grosse Pointe Garden Society (NBC) | DAUGHTERS Ripley (2020) & Dorothy (2022); Lifetime movie Held Hostage |
Post-Spinoff Trajectories
Many original members reprised roles in spinoffs The Originals (2013-2018) and Legacies (2018-2022), extending their franchise presence by 9 combined years. Matthew Davis prominently led Legacies as Alaric, while Cantide King, Kat Graham, Zach Roerig, and Michael Trevino made recurring appearances. This spinoff strategy kept core actors visible through 2022, smoothing transition to solo careers.
- 2017-2019: Cast reunited for spinoff pilots; Davis anchors Legacios; King/Graham/Trevino guest as vampires/werewolves
- 2020-2022: Paul Wesley & Ian Somerhalder launch Brother's Bond Bourbon; Nina Dobrev pivots to film rom-coms
- 2023-2024: Kat Graham marries Bryant Wood; Matthew Davis welcomes second daughter; Ian Somerhalder's environmental advocacy gains press
- 2025-2026: Paul Wesley cast in Star Trek: New Worlds; Kat Graham lands Diana Ross biopic role; CBS/NBC greenlight new projects for Davis & Roerig
Supporting Cast Updates
The secondary ensemble also evolved significantly. Steven R. McQueen, grandson of Bullitt legend Steve McQueen, holds steady as firefighter Jimmy Borelli on Chicago Fire and Chicago PD. Zach Roerig exits guest vampire arcs to headline Western Bad Men Must Bleed by late 2026. Michael Trevino, engaged to Dutch model Bregje Heinen in December 2025, remains active in CW universe reboots. Matthew Davis welcomed daughters Ripley (2020) and Dorothy (2022), and appears in Lifetime's Held Hostage in My House plus NBC's Grosse Pointe Garden Society.
"The Vampire Diaries perfectly reflected the hot trend of vampire melodrama that took the world by storm in the late 2000s."
This cultural impact statement from SYFY confirms why the cast's longevity matters eight years post-finale. All eight seasons remain available on Peacock, fueling renewed 2026 interest and cast interview requests.
2026 Fan Engagement Metrics
Multiple YouTube "Then and Now 2026" videos reached millions of views between January and April 2026, confirming sustained audience curiosity. The nostalgia surge includes age comparisons, career highlights, and behind-the-scenes rare facts, with fans overwhelmingly commenting Team Damon or Team Stefan preferences.
- Peak search volume: February-April 2026 (coincides with Star Trek: New Worlds promotion)
- Top trending cast member: Paul Wesley (new Star Trek role)
- Second highest interest: Kat Graham (Michael biopic casting news)
- Legacy metric: 86% Rotten Tomatoes score maintains fresh status
Final Takeaway for 2026 Viewers
The Vampire Diaries OG cast successfully transitioned from supernatural teen drama to multifaceted Hollywood professionals. As of May 2026, none have retired; all maintain active representation, current projects, and public visibility. Their career evolution illustrates effective post-franchise adaptation.
Expert answers to Vampire Diaries S1 Cast Now Jaw Dropping Paths queries
Where is Nina Dobrev now in 2026?
Nina Dobrev stars in major romantic comedies and serves as executive producer on Woman 99, a TV adaptation of Greer Macallister's novel that remains in pre-production as of early 2026. She dates former professional snowboarder Shaun White and maintains high visibility via comebacks in franchise guest spots.
What is Paul Wesley doing in 2026?
Paul Wesley portrays young James T. Kirk in the ongoing Star Trek: New Worlds series and co-owns Brother's Bond Bourbon with Ian Somerhalder. He has been married twice and continues directing assignments while expanding his alcohol brand nationally.
Is Ian Somerhalder still active in acting?
Ian Somerhalder reduced on-screen acting post-2020, focusing on environmental activism, sustainable business ventures, and select projects like V Wars follow-ups. He remains a public face for green energy campaigns and earned new praise for eco-editorial work in 2024-2026.
Where is Kat Graham now?
Kat Graham appears as Diana Ross in Antoine Fuqua's Michael Jackson biopic Michael and plays lawyer Marley Wells in Tyler Perry's Black, White & Blue. Married to business partner Bryant Wood since 2023, she released her fourth album Long Hot Summer in summer 2022 and continues music plus activism.
What is Candice King working on?
Candice King stars in upcoming We Were Liars and previously appeared in The Orville and After We Collided. Divorced from singer Joe King in 2022, she now dates actor Steven Krueger and balances acting with occasional singing releases.