Kat Graham Reveals Surprising Bonds with Vampire Diaries Co-Stars!

The Vampire Diaries family will always be bound by blood.

Actress Kat Graham, known for her role as Bonnie Bennett in the vampire-themed series, recently spoke about the strong ties she maintains with her former costars, Nina Dobrev (Elena Gilbert/Katherine Pierce) and Candice King (Caroline Forbes).

Indeed, simply because I may not often witness it, doesn’t imply that it’s non-existent – much like the subtle workings of magic. As a lifestyle enthusiast, I encourage everyone to keep an open mind and appreciate the unseen connections that shape our lives.

In a private conversation with TopMob News, Kat shared, “People may not realize this, but even though you only see us when there are many children with phones, it feels as if we’ve never actually left the group.

She went on to say, “I’ve been incredibly lucky to collaborate with some truly exceptional women.

Among the fantastic ladies is Meagan Tandy, who stars alongside her in the latest Tyler Perry movie titled Duplicity. Kat reminisced, “We filmed this project in 2023, but when I’m with these amazing women again, it feels like we were just together yesterday; it’s such a blast!

Initially, Kat expressed her deep affection for anything related to Tyler Perry. Regarding the upcoming movie ‘Duplicity’ on Prime Video from March 20, she remarked that it was special because her character fights for legal justice over the death of her best friend’s husband. Moreover, during auditions, this role seemed like a perfect fit as Kat aims to portray characters often overlooked by the audience or women who are finding their voice.

Speaking about the movie, she mentioned that the initial phase felt like a beautiful dream – something she deeply appreciates. After all, not every actor encounters a pleasant set experience.

The 35-year-old went on to say, “I’ve heard some frightening experiences, but thankfully none of that has happened to me. I’ve been fortunate enough to be surrounded by incredible women, with whom I’ve shared not just belongings like earrings and makeup, but also experiences like sleepovers and living together. I feel truly blessed for these strong, inspiring women in my life.

Looking back on more than a decade since “The Vampire Diaries” premiered in 2009, I find myself still captivated by the cultural sensation that this series became – and continues to be – for countless fans like me.

She recalled, ‘When I initially secured the show, I was surprised to find paparazzi waiting at our hotel during filming of the pilot in Vancouver, given the books’ already established popularity. This puzzlement persists even now, sixteen years later, as I still find myself asking, “How is that possible?”‘

Because in the years since, the fandom has only grown—often with Kat herself.

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but express my heartfelt gratitude: “From 10-year-old kids to women in their 70s, they’ve been nothing short of a priceless blessing. They’ve guided me through the labyrinth of young womanhood and, in many ways, shaped my identity as a Black girl. Moreover, it’s been truly inspiring to witness the surge of Gen Z fandom surrounding me.

She went on to say, “I’m joining them, and they’re thrilled! Yet, there are moments that still take me by surprise.

As a passionate fan, I invite you to join me on a walk down memory lane as we uncover some intriguing mysteries from the captivating world of The Vampire Diaries. Let’s delve in together!

It’s surprising to know that The CW initially aimed for “The Vampire Diaries” to be a showcase for Jessica Simpson’s younger sister, Ashlee Simpson. However, after discovering Nina Dobrev, the network ultimately cast Ashlee on their reboot of “Melrose Place.

Rumor has it, following her stint on “High School Musical,” Ashley Tisdale was given an opportunity to play Elena as well, but she declined this offer to appear instead in “Hellcats,” a series that only ran for a single season on The CW.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it like this: “In the competitive world of Hollywood auditions, it seemed as if half the industry was vying for the roles we ultimately landed. Somehow, I managed to hit the mark, and here I am. Each episode brought new insights about our characters, and gradually, we shaped and developed these extraordinary, remarkable personas.

As a devoted fan, it’s challenging to envision anyone else embodying the intricate character that Elena eventually transformed into, a role in which Nina excelled by portraying not only Elena but also Katherine Pierce, Amalia Giroux, and Tatia Petrova throughout her six-season tenure. Interestingly enough, this star, renowned for her performance on Degrassi at the time, didn’t leave a lasting impression on the showrunners during her initial audition.

In a conversation with EW, co-creator Julie Plec shared an amusing anecdote about Nina’s initial impact. “Nina didn’t stand out when we first met her,” she said. “In fact, none of us could recall our first encounter with her. But then, through her persistence and determination, she told the casting directors and her agents that she was unwell on the day of audition and hadn’t given her best performance. She re-recorded herself for the role, and her submission was so enchanting and fitting that she essentially secured the part from that very moment.

Following the revelation that Nina would portray Elena on the show, enthusiasts of the initial book series expressed their anger because she didn’t possess Elena’s iconic blond hair and blue eyes as described in the books.

Among the alterations made when transferring the story from page to screen were swapping Elena’s 4-year-old sister Margaret for a troubled teen brother named Jeremy (played by Steven R. McQueen). Additionally, Elena’s aunt was renamed Jenna instead of Judith, Matt’s last name was changed from Honeycutt to Donovan, and he is no longer related to Vicki, who is now his sister in the series. Furthermore, Caroline was transformed into a close friend of Elena rather than an adversary.

Once they had chosen their main female character, it wasn’t simple to find the other two men for the crucial love triangle in TVD.

Julie clarified that they extensively searched for the right fit, mentioning that Nina had numerous chemistry tests with various actors.

Among the actors who tried out for multiple roles, including some who ended up playing dual characters, were Zach Roerig (who eventually played Matt Donovan), Michael Trevino (who secured the role of Tyler Lockwood), Nathaniel Buzolic (later chosen as Kol), and David Gallagher from “7th Heaven”. Julie commented about Gallagher, “He made a strong impression initially…but his association with ‘7th Heaven’ makes me wonder if he’ll ever be able to break free from that.” However, she eventually cast him as a werewolf following his performance in “Super 8.

And then, finally, they found their guys: Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder.

As for my experience, I noticed Paul Wesley and Ian joining the audition process a bit later on. I remember Paul trying out an impressive 15 times before he got the part. On the other hand, Ian seemed to have materialized unexpectedly.

In one of the chemistry reads, Paul was the only one who didn’t overdo it or try to catch my attention outside of filming moments. He stood out from the rest of the male actors I worked with, which is amusing now since I was the one he initially read for in the role of Damon! As Nina shared with Entertainment Weekly, “The only one who wasn’t trying too hard and didn’t speak to me at any point unless we were shooting, was Paul Wesley—so it’s ironic that he did exactly what was needed.

Prior to securing the part of Damon, Ian had harbored a strong desire to be cast in HBO’s True Blood. He even tried out for the role of Jason Stackhouse.

During a recent Q&A about the role that eventually went to Ryan Kwanten on True Blood, I shared my experience: “I tried out for the show, but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to persuade Alan Ball that I was the right fit for the part.” I must admit, I was disappointed when I didn’t get the role and couldn’t bring myself to watch True Blood until now.

In an intriguing turn of events, I discovered on “Watch What Happens Live” that another performer attempted to undermine me during the audition phase, a surprising revelation indeed.

In the final episode of the program, a fellow entered who attempted to act all casual and somewhat tried to intimidate me, but I quickly put an end to it. I asserted, ‘Not a chance, buddy—this is my part,’ he reminisced. And then, I stepped in and took control of the situation.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d say, “Indeed, you might have come across him. To be frank, I can’t recall his name at the moment.

On September 10, the long-awaited series premiere was about to start, when it became public knowledge that Nina and her fellow actors Sara Canning, Candice Accola, and Kayla Ewell, along with renowned celebrity photographer Tyler Shields, were arrested in Georgia on charges of disorderly conduct. This incident occurred when they were accused of distracting drivers during a photo shoot on the highway.

Once everyone complied and settled the fine, they were freed by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.

Much like onscreen, love was blossoming on the set throughout its eight-season run.

Paul had a long-term romance with Phoebe Tonkin, previously a guest star on TVD and later the lead in The Originals, following his separation from wife Torrey DeVitto, who portrayed Meredith Fell in season three. After a short stint with Steven, Candice was in a two-year relationship with Zach.

Joseph Morgan and Persia White developed a romantic connection while working together on the set during season three, eventually getting married in July 2014.

And then, of course, there’s the biggest IRL TVD relationship…

Fans of Delena (Delena being a portmanteau of Delena’s co-stars’ names) were overjoyed when it was disclosed that they were dating off-screen, but their relationship ended in 2013 after spending three years together…right around the time that Damon and Elena were ultimately reunited on the show.

However, it was evident that any speculation about tension between them was unfounded, as the previous pair playfully bantered about their split during their acceptance speech for the 2014 People’s Choice Award in the category of Best Chemistry.

In response to Nina discussing their breakup during their shared presentation, Ian countered, “Surprisingly, our fictional selves are still together on the show.” To which Nina replied, “Thankfully, there’s no discomfort…Fortunately, we have great chemistry!

And after Ian’s April 2015 wedding to Nikki Reed, Nina had nothing but kind words to say.

Nina replied to the Watch What Happens Live viewer, saying she found nothing strange about being friends with her ex and his spouse. “I think it’s wonderful,” she said. “Why shouldn’t everyone be able to maintain friendships like that?

During the making of our favorite new TV couple in their debut season, I found myself utterly captivated, but little did I know that behind the scenes, Nina and Paul were as distant as day and night for a good five months! Nina herself confessed this intriguing tidbit later on.

She acknowledged on the Directionally Challenged podcast in 2019 that she held a deep respect for Paul Wesley, but didn’t care for him personally. Many viewers would approach her after their show aired, asking if they were dating off-screen because of the strong chemistry they displayed. She now understands that there’s a thin boundary between love and hate, and the intense dislike she felt towards him was so pronounced it seemed like affection.

In time, they resolved their disputes. Notably, Nina shared that Paul has become one of her closest friends.

She commented, “We reached a satisfactory point, and it worked out well for us. Among all, I interact with him the most and spend the most time with him these days. We’ve grown particularly close; we frequently socialize, are great friends, and I adore his spouse. It’s amusing to see how much has transformed in our relationship.

In the first season, Kevin confessed to TopMob News that he was eager beyond belief, almost to the point of desperation, for Taylor Swift to appear as a vampire in the show.

He remarked, “She would be sensational, akin to Kirsten Dunst from ‘Interview with the Vampire’ era! Goodness gracious, let me tell you, I am putting in all my effort to secure her. If I could, I’d go to any lengths to have her on our program!

In truth, he actually thought about her while developing and selecting Arielle Kebbel for the part of Stefan’s best friend Lexi. This role later became a favorite among fans.

But alas, Kevin admitted she was “too big” for the show.

Despite their dislike for stunt casting, Julie harbored a desire for Joshua Jackson (better known as Pacey Witter) to become part of the show.

She mentioned that the success of our show is likely due to the fact that we don’t typically rely on high-profile actors for roles (often referred to as ‘stunt casting’). However, if a well-known TV star who fits our vision becomes available, then… she added with a laugh, “I often tease that my secret wish would be to have Joshua Jackson in the cast, reprising his role of Pacey from ‘Dawson’s Creek’, but this time in Mystic Falls.

As an ardent fan, if I had been given the chance, I would have loved nothing more than stepping into the shoes of the Original vampire Klaus – a role so coveted that over 200 actors auditioned for it before the relatively unknown Joseph snatched up the wicked part that kick-started the hit spinoff, “The Originals.” If my luck had been different and I’d landed the role, it probably wouldn’t have lasted beyond a single season, as originally planned, before Joseph’s captivating performance made it impossible to write him off.

In an interesting move that could be considered a form of star casting, the makers of “The Vampire Diaries” sought actress Sarah Michelle Gellar, famous for her role in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, to portray Rose – a vampire who formed a bond with Damon.

According to Kevin, initially he and his aspirational ideas had hoped to cast Sarah Michelle Gellar as Rose. However, she graciously declined our offer. If anyone qualified for a ‘dream casting’, it would have been her.

The Walking Dead star Lauren Cohan nabbed the vampire part instead.

As an ardent follower, I’ve grown accustomed to the revolving door of actors in The Vampire Diaries, what with all the on-screen demises and miraculous resurrections. But Nina’s shocking revelation that she was departing the show after season six left me utterly stunned.

The actor shared on Instagram that they had long envisioned Elena’s tale as a six-season journey, and over those six years, they experienced an incredible voyage.

Julie also expressed a statement. “Bidding farewell to Nina is both delightful and sorrowful,” she remarked. “We’ll surely miss Nina and the numerous characters she portrayed, but we are eagerly anticipating the thrilling and crazy task of carrying on to narrate tales about our Salvatore Brothers and our talented cast.

The series went on for two more seasons without Nina, who returned for the series finale.

In the second season, Kevin and Julie made a significant decision about their relationship while they were having dinner at a food court, a choice that likely would have displeased fans of both “Delena” and “Stelaena”.

In Julie’s words to EW, she shared that both brothers should perish for their sister’s sake and then exist as spirits, observing her as she journeyed towards the sunset to build her life. Perhaps she might marry Matt Donovan or pursue a career as a doctor, but those brothers would always be together, watching over her.

However, as the series progressed and the love triangle underwent a significant transformation, their ultimate goal or outcome changed dramatically. (Apologies, Matt!)

Following Nina’s departure and Stefan’s love story with Caroline, as well as Julie and Kevin’s return to script the final episode after their exit at the conclusion of season two, they deliberated over two possible endings for the series.

As I shared with Entertainment Weekly, there were two significant decisions on the table: one concluding the season flawlessly, and another wrapping up the entire series. Just like the intense debates we had about ending Damon’s storyline, we deliberated just as much about Stefan’s fate. For a considerable period, it seemed that the decision would go against our initial plans.

As a lifestyle expert, I find myself reflecting on the poignant decisions made in our beloved TV dramas. In the captivating world of “The Vampire Diaries,” Stefan made the selfless choice to sacrifice himself, thereby granting Damon the opportunity to experience his human life with Elena. And after skillfully resolving one of television’s iconic love triangles on “Dawson’s Creek,” Kevin confessed to feeling conflicted about who Elena ultimately chose in the series finale.

Kevin openly confessed his preference for Stefan and Elena ending up together, much like how he rooted for Dawson in the Dawson-Joey-Pacey love triangle. He expressed that if given the chance, their story would have had a different conclusion in another world. Unfortunately, due to not having Elena available during the last season, we weren’t able to portray their reunion on screen.

“Hello, brother.”

In the opening scene of the first episode, Damon’s initial dialogue ended up being the last words spoken in the entire series. This was when the Salvatore brothers were brought back together following Damon’s death as a human, marking a heartfelt and cyclical conclusion for both the show and their relationship. However, this particular line was actually intended to be something entirely different during the initial scriptwriting process.

According to Kevin, he shared with EW that the initial phrase was, “It seems they have hero-like hair in heaven.” Then, there was a hug, he added.

2025-03-19 23:19

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