Vampire Diaries boss says she would “go in a different direction” for spin-off

As a movie enthusiast who has witnessed the rise and fall of many beloved franchises over the years, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation and nostalgia upon reading about Julie Plec’s reflections on The Vampire Diaries. Having grown up with this show during its initial run, it holds a special place in my heart – much like how a certain vampire might hold onto a trinket from the past.


As a passionate fan of cinematic delights, I can’t help but reminisce about the captivating world of “The Vampire Diaries,” especially as we mark its 15th anniversary since its inception. Julie Plec, a key figure in its creation, has taken a moment to contemplate the franchise’s termination and potential ways to rekindle its magic.

The program debuted on American television channel The CW during the peak of the vampire craze, a trend fueled by works like Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series and HBO’s True Blood.

The show turned out to be a long-lasting success on the airwaves, lasting for eight seasons and giving birth to two offshoots: The Originals and Legacies. Unfortunately, the latter had its run prematurely cut short due to circumstances not within its power to control.

Previously, The CW was jointly owned by prominent media companies Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery. It also held a lucrative global distribution agreement with Netflix, which significantly contributed to the financing of many of its scripted programs.

However, once the agreement with the streamer expired and the station was acquired by Nexstar, budget constraints for scripted content significantly decreased, leading to the abrupt termination of the majority of its original shows.

Following the cancellation (alternatively, discontinuation) of Legacies right after, showrunner Julie Plec expressed surprise and disappointment over the move, labeling it as “a narrow-minded missed chance.

She expressed: “For 13 years, The Vampire Diaries series was broadcast, and I found it hard to believe the studio wouldn’t want to prolong it as long as feasible, given that we had ideas brewing for additional spin-offs and ways to continue the storyline.

The design seemed to me as if it aimed to continue for numerous years, welcoming fresh cast members from each new generation. It felt like a significant and far-reaching oversight not to capitalize on this opportunity.

Could it be possible, given the current trend of bringing back popular franchises, that the universe of The Vampire Diaries might make a comeback at some point in the future? If so, how would such a revival manifest?

Speaking up, Plec said, “I believe we can preserve the universe without needing to restart from scratch. Given a choice, I’d undoubtedly opt for a different approach.

It seems clear that these shows left a lasting impression on popular culture during their respective eras. This impact resonates with the original fanbase, who have grown older, yet continue to crave more content, as well as with new audiences who can now appreciate these classics.

She mentioned: “In my opinion, there’s often an unexplored path that could serve as a new offshoot in the storyline of The Vampire Diaries. I believe it’s all about when, where, and the right concept.

“So hopefully the stars will align and someone will do it, hopefully with me. But you never know.”

Currently, I’m deeply engrossed in the creative process of bringing the young adult novel “We Were Liars” to life on Prime Video. This gripping romantic thriller is set against the backdrop of a private island owned by a wealthy family, offering an intriguing tale that I can’t wait to share with audiences. In this endeavor, I’m fortunate to be joining forces once again with Candice King, a talented actress known for her work on “The Vampire Diaries.

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2024-09-15 13:34