Why Paul Wesley & Nina Dobrev Didn’t Get Along on The Vampire Diaries

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Paul Wesley and Nina Dobrev shared a very different kind of tension behind the camera.

Approximately six years following her statement about their initial friendship strains while playing romantic leads on “The Vampire Diaries,” Paul took the opportunity to address and dispel all the speculations concerning his relationship with his co-star.

In simpler terms, he emphasized that he approached his role with great care during a September 11th episode of Podcrushed podcast. Similarly, she took her role seriously too. As young actors, we all sensed that this would be something extraordinary.

“I felt an immense amount of pressure,” he continued. “Perhaps that’s why we didn’t get along.”

Recognizing that he could only share his perspective, the man, who became engaged to Natalie Kuckenburg in July, later conceded that during that period, he was so earnest that he lacked a playful attitude towards situations.

Recalling the time when Paul got engaged to Natalie Kuckenburg in July, he admitted that his seriousness about things made it hard for him to find humor in them at that moment.

Reflecting back, at age 43, I find myself reminiscing about an on-set disagreement rather than a clash of personalities off-camera. The crux of our discord lay in our contrasting approaches towards executing a scene – what she envisioned was vastly different from my vision.

At the time, we were both quite youthful. I expressed my belief that unplanned moments would lead to something magical on-screen, to which she replied that careful planning was necessary.

Due to Nina’s habit of exploring technical aspects of a scene ahead of time, while Paul preferred to approach situations differently, the two frequently found themselves in disagreement.

He jokingly remarked that it was amusing since many assumed we shared a strong connection. On our TV series, we were portrayed as a romantic duo, yet we maintained secrecy due to our extensive media engagements. Unfortunately, she and I didn’t see eye-to-eye quite often, which became quite notorious.

Once in a particular instance, the actor from Smallville recalled having a major argument on set, leading to a 30-minute pause in filming so they could both calm down.

In an unexpected twist, even as the show prospered and I grew more accustomed to my part and myself, I hadn’t grasped the concept of fame. To be honest, I didn’t appreciate it either. This might sound a bit pompous, but it’s the truth. [Paul was sharing this].

Over time, the actor became comfortable with the limelight, and his bond with Nina evolved into a genuine friendship.

He mentioned that he found it both enjoyable and challenging due to the public spotlight. This attention significantly impacted him, making him perhaps less pleasant to collaborate with during that period. Interestingly enough, they’ve since become close friends and are considering working on some projects together.

To look back at more secrets from The Vampire Diaries, keep reading…

Surprisingly enough, The CW initially intended “The Vampire Diaries” to be a breakout role for Jessica Simpson’s younger sister, Ashlee Simpson. However, upon discovering Nina Dobrev, the network ultimately decided to cast Ashlee in their reboot of “Melrose Place” instead.

It is said that after her stint on “High School Musical”, Ashley Tisdale was presented with the opportunity to play Elena, but instead chose to take the lead role in “Hellcats” which only ran for a single season on The CW.

Nina shared with TopMob News later that a significant number of Hollywood actors auditioned for the roles, making the competition fierce. Somehow, she managed to impress, securing her place. Through each episode, we uncovered and developed our characters, learning something new with every installment, ultimately shaping these extraordinary, fantastic personas.

Even though it seemed almost unthinkable that anyone else but Nina could have played the complex character that Elena eventually evolved into (having portrayed Katherine Pierce, Amalia Giroux, and Tatia Petrova during her six-season tenure), the actress, who was well-known for her role on Degrassi at the time, didn’t make a particularly strong impression on the showrunners during her initial audition.

The most humorous anecdote about Nina’s initial impact, as shared by co-creator Julie Plec with EW, is that she didn’t leave a mark at all. In fact, no one on the team could recall meeting her for the first time. However, through her determination and persistence, Nina, after admitting to being unwell during the audition and wanting the role, recorded a self-tape that was so captivating and fitting, she essentially secured the part from that moment onward.

Upon learning that Nina had been cast as Elena in the television adaptation, I, a devoted fan of the original book series, couldn’t help but feel a wave of disappointment when I realized she didn’t embody the character’s iconic golden locks and sapphire eyes as described in the novels.

One alteration from the book to the screenplay involved introducing Elena with a troubled teen brother named Jeremy, portrayed by Steven R. McQueen, instead of a 4-year-old sister named Margaret. Additionally, the name of her aunt was transformed from Judith to Jenna, Matt’s last name changed from Honeycutt to Donovan (with no relation to Vicki, who is now his sister in the series), and Caroline evolved from Elena’s adversary into a close friend.

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

Julie clarified that they meticulously searched everywhere to find the ideal fits for both Stefan and Damon. She added that Nina went through numerous reading sessions with various actors to test their on-screen chemistry.

Among the actors who auditioned for multiple roles, including some who ended up playing more than one character, were Zach Roerig, who became Matt Donovan; Michael Trevino, who landed Tyler Lockwood; Nathanial Buzolic, eventually cast as Kol; and David Gallagher, known for his role in 7th Heaven. Julie commented on Gallagher, “He left such an impression initially…but I wonder if he’ll ever be able to shake off the 7th Heaven image.” She later gave him a role as a werewolf after watching Super 8.

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

In simpler terms, Julie mentioned that Paul and Ian joined later during the casting process. Interestingly, Paul auditioned numerous times, while Ian seemed to appear unexpectedly. Meanwhile, Nina remembered Paul (who initially read for Damon) as the only one who didn’t overdo it during the chemistry reads. She expressed that he was the only one who wasn’t pushy and only interacted with her when they were filming. It’s amusing to think about how Paul followed the right approach, she added.

Prior to securing the part of Damon, Ian initially harbored a strong desire to be a part of HBO’s “True Blood.” He even auditioned for the role of Jason Stackhouse in the series.

In a Q&A session, Ian expressed that he tried out for the role in “True Blood,” but wasn’t able to persuade Alan Ball that he was the right fit for the part, which eventually went to Ryan Kwanten. He further mentioned that after not getting the role, he felt disappointed and couldn’t bring himself to watch “True Blood” until now.

Later, it was disclosed on “Watch What Happens Live” that another performer had tried to undermine Ian during the audition stage.

During the final episode of the show, a man attempted to act overconfidently and make me feel uncomfortable, as if trying to intimidate me. However, I quickly asserted myself, saying something like, “Not a chance, buddy-this is my part.” After that, I confidently stepped into the scene and delivered.

In response to being queried about whether people generally recognize his competitor, Ian said, “It’s possible you might recall his name. Unfortunately, it’s slipped my memory at the moment.

On September 10, 2009, the much-anticipated series premiere was set to air, but suddenly, news spread that Nina and her fellow actors Sara Canning, Candice Accola, Kayla Ewell, along with celebrity photographer Tyler Shields, were arrested in Georgia for causing a disturbance. They were alleged to have been disrupting drivers while they were taking photos on a highway.

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

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

For a while after his divorce from Torrey DeVitto, who was a cast member on “Meredith Fell” in season three of TVD, Paul had been dating The Originals’ main actress Phoebe Tonkin for several years. Candice and Zach were together for two years following her short-term relationship with Steven.

Joseph Morgan and Persia White developed feelings for each other while working together on the set during season three, eventually tying the knot in July 2014.

Or

In season three of their show, both Joseph Morgan and Persia White found themselves falling in love, eventually marrying in July 2014.

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

Fans of Delena (Delena being short for the characters Delena) were overjoyed when news broke that their real-life counterparts were dating. However, they separated in 2013 after three years together – a timeline mirroring the blossoming relationship between Damon and Elena on the show, which finally materialized around the same time.

However, it was evident that there were no hard feelings between the ex-pair as they playfully referenced their split during their acceptance speech for Favorite Screen Couple at the 2014 People’s Choice Awards.

In their shared talk, when Nina discussed their breakup, Ian countered by saying, “But strangely enough, our characters are still seen dating on the screen.” Nina then responded, “Thank goodness it’s not uncomfortable…I guess that’s a plus – we have good chemistry!

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

Nina replied, “I find nothing unusual about that situation at all.” In fact, she added, “It’s wonderful when people can maintain friendships like that.

During the initial season, when they were depicting a cherished new TV couple, Nina shared that she and Paul had absolutely no compatibility for the first five months of production.

She acknowledged on the “Directionally Challenged” podcast in 2019 that while she held Paul Wesley in high regard, she didn’t personally care for him. Fans often mistook their intense on-screen chemistry for a real-life romance after an episode aired, but she now understands that there is a thin boundary between love and hatred, and they actually disliked each other intensely enough that it seemed like they were in love.

In time, they managed to resolve their disagreements. It turned out that Nina considers Paul as one of her closest friends now.

She mentioned that things worked out well, and everything turned out fine for her. She spends the most time with him now, more than anyone else, and they seem to be quite close. They often spend a lot of time together, and she considers them very good friends. She also expressed her affection for his wife. It’s amusing to think about how much things have evolved between them.

An avid admirer of Taylor Swift, Kevin shared with TopMob News during season one that he was “eagerly awaiting the day when she would perform as a vampire.

He remarked, “She’d be a fantastic Kirsten Dunst, as portrayed in ‘Interview with the Vampire’. Wow, I’ve been putting in so much effort to cast her. Honestly, I’d give anything to get her on our series!

It’s worth noting that Arielle Kebbel was specifically chosen for the role of Stefan’s best friend Lexi, a character he had in mind while developing and casting the part.

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

Despite their dislike for stunt casting, Julie harbored a strong desire to bring Joshua Jackson, known as Pacey Witter, on board with the series.

She mentioned that our show performs so effectively due to the lack of stunt casting. However, if a popular television personality is readily available and we’re fond of them, then… she added. Jokingly referring to her dream cast, she said, “I often tease about my Joshua Jackson fantasy: Pacey in Mystic Falls.

In an ideal scenario, Joshua might have been cast as the central character Klaus, the Original Vampire, a role that over 200 actors auditioned for. If Joshua had landed this part, it could have been just a one-season storyline, as initially planned, but Joseph’s compelling portrayal made him impossible to write off.

The showrunners of “The Vampire Diaries” made an unusual choice in casting, inviting Sarah Michelle Gellar – renowned for her role as Buffy the Vampire Slayer – to portray Rose, a character who formed a bond with Damon.

In an interview with The New York Post, Kevin shared that initially, he and his team had hoped to cast Sarah Michelle Gellar as Rose. However, she graciously declined our offer. She was the sole exception where we would have agreed to what might be considered ‘stunt casting’.

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

Frequently, viewers of “The Vampire Diaries” were accustomed to witnessing multiple actors joining and departing the series due to numerous character deaths and resurrections. However, when Nina announced her decision to leave the show after season six, it took many fans by surprise.

As a connoisseur of life’s rich tapestry, I’ve always harbored a vision that Elena’s tale would span an epic six-season odyssey. And indeed, over those six years, I embarked on a journey beyond my wildest dreams. This is what I shared in a heartfelt Instagram post.

Besides that, Julie also made a statement expressing a mix of sadness and joy about Nina’s departure. She noted how much they will miss her and the numerous characters she portrayed, but they are eagerly anticipating the chance to keep crafting tales about their Salvatore Brothers and their 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’s conclusion as they dined in a shopping mall food court. This choice was likely to have upset followers of both Delena and Stelena, two popular ship names among viewers.

As an ardent admirer, I’d rephrase it like this: “I fervently believe that both brothers should pay the ultimate price to protect their girl. After we’ve opened the gates to the Other Side, they’ll watch from the shadows as she rides off into the sunset, living her life in ways only time will tell – perhaps marrying Matt Donovan or pursuing a career as a doctor. Either way, these brothers will stand together, forever watching over their girl.

However, as the story progressed and the love triangle underwent a significant transformation, their ultimate goal shifted dramatically. (Apologies, Matt!)

Following Nina’s departure and Stefan’s development with characters Julie and Kevin, there was a discussion between these writers regarding two possible conclusions for the series. This conversation occurred after both had left the show during the final season.

In Julie’s explanation to EW, she mentioned there were two options on the table: One that wrapped up the season flawlessly and another that concluded the entire series. She also shared that the team had as much debate about ending Damon’s character as they did about Stefan, and for quite some time, it seemed like the decision would go the other way.

As a lifestyle expert, I must share an emotional moment from the beloved TV series “Vampire Diaries”. In the end, Stefan made a selfless choice, giving Damon the opportunity to experience his human life alongside Elena. Additionally, the creator of another notable drama, “Dawson’s Creek”, Kevin, expressed his inner turmoil when deciding the romantic conclusion for Elena in their show. Both choices resonated deeply with audiences and left a lasting impact on television love triangles.

Kevin openly acknowledged his preference for Stefan and Elena being a couple, just like he rooted for Dawson in the Dawson-Joey-Pacey love triangle. He shared that if given the chance, their relationship would have been the ending in another scenario, but unfortunately, due to the lack of Elena’s character in the last season, we didn’t get to explore that storyline properly and couldn’t bring them back together.

“Hello, brother.” 

The opening remark by Damon in the debut episode turned out to be the closing statement of the series, marking the reunion of the Salvatore brothers following Damon’s human demise. This made for a touching and circular conclusion for the series, emphasizing the depth of their relationship. However, this line was originally intended to be an entirely distinct one.

Kevin shared with EW that the initial statement was, “Apparently, there’s heroic hairstyles in heaven,” he disclosed. Following this, they embraced.

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2025-09-13 23:47