It's been nearly nine years since The Vampire Diaries ended, but the supernatural teen drama remains a favorite among fans. The cast of TVD still frequently discuss and pay homage to the series, whether it’s with small, personal reunions, fan convention appearances or personal reflections shared to social media. It’s hard to imagine anyone else playing the show's characters. Still, I'm intriguing after learning Jason Momoa and Joe Manganiello read for one major character.

Samantha Highfill, Entertainment Weekly’s executive editor, published a book centering on The CW drama, I Was Feeling Epic: An Oral History of The Vampire Diaries. For her deep dive into the beloved series, Highfill took an introspective look at the successful series, which spawned two spinoffs and shared excellent behind-the-scenes details by way of exclusive interviews with the cast and crew. Highfill also shared some of the most surprising things she learned while writing the book, including the casting.

It's known that Paul Wesley was nearly permanently cast as Damon Salvatore, a role that ultimately went to Ian Somerhalder before Wesley nabbed the role of Stefan. However, that’s not the surprising casting choice that Highfill discovered. While chatting with co-creator Julie Plec, Highfill found out that Momoa and Manganiello actually read for the role of history teacher and vampire hunter Alaric Saltzman. Of course, the role of Saltzman ended up being played by Matt Davis, who remained with the show for much of its eight-season run.

I honestly cannot imagine either of Manganiello or Momoa portraying Alaric, and I'm actually glad the castings didn't pan out. A big reason for that is because had Momoa landed the part, there's a chance he wouldn't have gone on to play Khal Drogo in the first two seasons of Game of Thrones. For further context regarding his career around the time TVD was being developed in the late 2000s, Aquaman star was coming off his role as Ronon Dex in Stargate Atlantis. Vampire Diaries could've been a big gig for Momoa, though it could be argued that it might've shifted the trajectory of his career.

Meanwhile, years ago, Joe Manganiello was landing recurring roles in How I Met Your Mother, ‘Til Death and fellow CW drama One Tree Hill. I don’t know about you, but if I had to see Manganiello go from playing bartender and Brooke’s love interest, Owen Morello, on OTH to playing a vampire hunter on TVD, I would've felt some serious whiplash.

There's also the fact that Manganiello had a starring role on True Blood beginning in 2010. Magnaniello played Alcide Herveaux and, if he had gotten Vampire Diaries, the HBO drama series would've been without a key star. I won't lie, it is somewhat interesting to think about how Maganiello and Momoa would've approached Alaric performance-wise. Still, I'd like to think that everything ultimately worked out just fine for both actors, who've certainly had their share of success.

And, of course, Matt Davis ended up playing Alaric Saltzman quite well. Fans can watch his performance by streaming The Vampire Diaries with an HBO Max subscription. Coincidentally, the streamer also contains movies and TV shows that Momoa and Maganiello have starred in.

We're nearing the five-year anniversary of Supernatural's series finale, which capped off the show's 15-season run. Though the series ran for a whole, there were still plenty of storylines that could have and should have happened. One of those storylines I wish happened was a crossover with The Vampire Diaries, something that had been discussed in the past by both shows' creative teams. However, TVD co-creator Julie Plec shared her reason for turning it down, and I understand it.

Julie Plec Shares Her Rationale For Denying The Crossover

Throughout the two CW shows’ respective runs, fans wondered if the Winchester brothers would ever cross paths with the Salvatore siblings, especially since they were on the same network and were in the same genre. Via TV Insider, Plec shared in the new book I Was Feeling Epic: An Oral History of The Vampire Diaries that she didn’t think it made sense at the time when the network approached the creators about a crossover.

At that point, Supernatural was in its fifth season, while Vampire Diaries was just starting out and being impacted by Twilight's success. Plec admitted, however, that her tune would have changed had the request come in later:

It’s interesting to learn that Plec’s mindset changed as TVD went on, even despite initially refusing because the mythology was so different. She even admitted in 2019 that a crossover between Supernatural and Legacies could happen. That particular mashup would have been entertaining, not only because both shows were so big at the time but because they also represented two different worlds. Even the casts previously discussed the possibility of that crossover happening.

But that doesn’t mean it would have been a good idea. At the very least, a Supernatural and TVD crossover à la Legends of Tomorrow would have also been fun.

Why A Vampire Diaries/Supernatural Crossover Wouldn’t Have Worked

As a fan of both Vampire Diaries and Supernatural, I would have loved nothing more than for the two to cross paths with one another. However, aside from the fact that TVD filmed in Georgia while SPN filmed in Vancouver, mythos-wise, it would have been hard to explain some details. For instance, at the time of Supernatural’s fifth season, the series was focusing heavily on the devil and Hell and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The show was also setting up what would have been the final episodes of the series.

Additionally, Supernatural has basically every form of otherworldly creature you can think of, including actual mythological gods and the actual God. TVD, on the other hand, does have its fair share of creatures such as vampires, werewolves and witches, among a few others. However, demons and Hell weren't really tackled. The show did branch out, adding more creatures as it went on. That may or may not explain why Plec wouldn’t have minded doing a crossover towards the end. Still, she was right to decline at first.

Alas, with Supernatural done and The Vampire Diaries seemingly at an end as well now, a crossover doesn't seem to be in the cards. However, considering how beloved both shows are, it wouldn’t be surprising if they were to be revived in some way (and I don't mean as a prequel like The Winchesters) down the road.

The CW may no longer be the YA channel that everyone knew and loved, but thanks to streaming, fans are able to relive some of their favorite shows, including The Vampire Diaries. The beloved teen supernatural drama may be among the shows that lost their way towards the end, but it remains a cultural phenomenon even eight years after it ended. The series' fanbase has some famous viewers too, including Kylie Jenner, and Ian Somerhalder couldn’t help but respond when he saw that the reality star was binge-watching the show.

The entrepreneur took to her Instagram Stories (via People) to reveal that she was watching TVD. Like many, Jenner weighed in on the Team Damon and Team Stefan debate, revealing that she was, at least for the moment, leaning towards Paul Wesley’s Stefan Salvatore. She shared just how far into the eight-season series she was, and seeing that, I think it's quite possible her tune could change:

Jenner is one of the many people who are on Team Stefan, and even to this day, that debate still continues. Despite Somerhalder calling Damon one of the best-written characters, even he couldn’t help but agree with The Kardashians star.

He responded to Jenner’s Instagram Story to give his thoughts on that matter and wish her a happy birthday. He also promoted the documentary film Common Ground, which is streaming with an Amazon Prime subscription and features Somerhalder:

I love that Somerhalder didn’t need to respond to the Instagram Story, but he wanted to, further proving that no matter how much time has passed, The Vampire Diaries will always be close to his heart. And the responses didn’t stop there. Jenner reposted the actor’s reply and was as excited as ever, and I can’t blame her:

I also wouldn’t blame Kylie Jenner if this ended up pushing her to Team Damon, but she is only in Season 3, so she still has plenty of time to switch sides if that ever comes up. I think that could happen too, since Somerhalder responded to Jenner’s post one more time, writing:

While Somerhalder is still on that TVD high, it’s unknown whether the show will ever be revived. Creator Julie Plec has stated before that she has plans to keep the universe going after Legacies was canceled, so it’s possible that even if Vampire Diaries doesn’t get revived, fans could be revisiting that world eventually. Nothing is confirmed, however.

But, at least fans are able to watch the show with an HBO Max subscription, which seems to be working just fine for Jenner and probably a lot of other viewers.

It has often been said that a story, typically of the thriller variety, can live or die by the strength of its villain. However, there are many films and TV shows that like to keep the suspense high by keeping the antagonist a secret until later.

Unfortunately, this does not always result in the most satisfying or logical outcome, as the following examples will show. Also, keep in mind that there will be SPOILERS.

Aldrich Killian (Iron Man 3)

A key reason why many fans do not like Iron Man 3 is that the apparent main antagonist, The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley), is revealed to be a scapegoat imposter named Trevor Slattery. However, there are also many people, myself included, who feel the disappointing twist pales in comparison to the pitifully petty motivations of the true villain, Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce), who invents a terrorist persona to get back at Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) for ignoring him at a New Year's Eve party once. I mean, is that not the plot of The Incredibles?

The Final Five Cylons (Battlestar Galactica)

Ronald D. Moore's SyFy original version of Battlestar Galactica is considered one of the most refreshing TV reboots of all time, in spite of its lackluster finale. The sci-fi drama's long-awaited reveal that the Final Five Cylons are Saul (Michael Hogan) and Ellen Tigh (Kate Vernon), Galen Tyrol (Aaron Douglas), Samuel Anders (Michael Trucco), and Tory Foster (Rekha Sharma), who also had no recollection of their origins, left many fans disheartened.

Blofeld (Spectre)

Director Sam Mendes' second 007 adventure, 2015's Spectre, was already slightly tainted by the reveal that the events of the previous Daniel Craig-led James Bond movies were quietly orchestrated by the character's historical archenemy, Blofeld (Christoph Waltz). The absurdity only grew when the villain unveils a twist right out of the spy movie spoof, Austin Powers in Goldmember: he and Bond are half-brothers.

Colleen Wing (Iron Fist)

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe-canon series, Iron Fist, it is revealed that Danny Rand's (Finn Jones) ally, Colleen Wing (Jessica Henwick), is associated with the evil organization, The Hand. However, this twist was largely ignored very shortly afterward, making it ultimately underwhelming.

Roman Bridger (Scream 3)

Scream 3 is widely considered to be the weakest of the self-aware slasher movie franchise, and much of the concern is tied to the person behind the Ghostface mask this time, Roman Bridger (Scott Foley). Not only does the director of Stab 3 turn out to be the unknown half-brother of Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), but he claims to have been orchestrating the kills in the first two installments out of revenge against their mother, who rejected him years earlier.

Flint Marko (Spider-Man 3)

Just like in the comics, Sam Raimi's first Spider-Man movie establishes a random burglar as the one who killed Peter Parker's (Tobey Maguire) uncle, Ben (Cliff Robertson). However, Spider-Man 3 lazily retcons the incident as the fault of the otherwise sympathetic superhero movie villain, Flint Marko (Thomas Haden Church), who also happens to get thrown in a particle accelerator that turns him into Sandman.

John Connor (Terminator Genisys)

The idea of humanity's destined defender, John Connor (Jason Clarke), being turned into a cyborg was widely deemed a cheap stunt that was stupidly given away in the marketing for 2015's Terminator Genisys. However, what really makes this an objectively dumb movie twist is that, early on in the film, John's biological parents, Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke) and Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney), irreversibly transport themselves from 1984 to 2017, meaning that, based on the Terminator movies' rules of time travel, John should have never been born.

Khan (Star Trek Into Darkness)

Admittedly, the reveal in 2013's Star Trek Into Darkness that Commander John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch) is really Khan (the iconic villain originated by Ricardo Montalban) is not exactly nonsensical. However, fans of the franchise saw it coming from a mile away, so it wound up being deeply unsatisfying.

Walter Sparrow (The Number 23)

In Joel Schumacher's 2007 psychological thriller, The Number 23, family man Walter Sparrow (Jim Carrey) becomes obsessed with a disturbing book about a killer that turns out to be his own memoir, which he wrote and forgot all about after a stint in a mental institution. That is already a little far-fetched, but the most flabbergasting aspect of the twist is that his wife, Agatha (Virginia Madsen), who is fully aware of his past, is the one who buys him the book in the first place. Why would she want to conjure up those kinds of memories?

Dylan Rhodes-Shrike (Now You See Me)

One of the most notoriously illogical "the hero was the bad guy the whole time" twists comes from 2013's Now You See Me, which stars Mark Ruffalo as FBI agent Dylan Rhodes, who obsessively pursues a group of illusionist thieves who call themselves The Four Horsemen. By the end, it is revealed that he is actually part of their group and orchestrated the entire ordeal to avenge the death of his father, a magician named Lionel Shrike.

The Plants (The Happening)

Considered one of the weakest M. Night Shyamalan movie twists is the reveal that the mysterious, deadly event at the center of 2008's The Happening is being caused by a hypnotic pheromone vengefully released by the Earth's vegetation. Then again, the ridiculous plot point is among the key reasons the thriller is considered a classic of so-bad-it's-good cinema.

Alchemy (The Flash)

Tom Felton was cast as Dr. Julian Albert on The Flash at the same time the mysterious Alchemy was introduced on the Arrow-verse series. Considering the actor's reputation for villainous roles, especially Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter movies, it quickly became apparent to viewers that the historian and the masked villain (an avatar for the evil Speedster, Savitar) were one in the same.

Will Benson (I Still Know What You Did Last Summer)

In I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, Julie James' (Jennifer Love Hewitt) classmate, calling himself Will Benson (Matthew Settle), confesses that he is "Ben's son" and orchestrated this Bahamian bloodbath with his father, Ben Willis, who targeted her and her friends just a year earlier. This punny twist is exactly why I can't help but enjoy the absurd 1998 slasher sequel.

Olly (Game Of Thrones)

While the determination to avenge his parents' death was cited as a motivation, Olly's (Brenock O'Connor) villainous turn ultimately feels forced, especially when you consider how loyal and good-natured he was when first introduced on Game of Thrones.

Mac (Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull)

In 2008's Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Mac (Ray Winstone), reveals himself to be a collaborator with the bad guys, then claims to be a double agent really on the side of Indy (Harrison Ford), and then, at the end, says he actually lied about being a double agent. I am honestly more disappointed by this lazy double-twist than any of the other reasons most fans don't care for the fourth Indiana Jones film.

Gabriel (Malignant)

I think the crazy twist from the Malignant ending –Gabriel is Madison's (Annabelle Wallis) parasitic twin and has been possessing her body to commit vengeful murders – is actually pretty awesome. However, one thing I have never understood about James Wan's 2021 Giallo tribute is how Gabriel can control electricity or make telepathic phone calls.

Marie (High Tension)

With heart-stopping suspense and some unforgettable kills, High Tension is a great breakout feature from writer and director Alexandre Aja... up until the end. The 2003 French-language horror flick stabs itself in the foot by revealing that the crazed killer (Philippe Nahon) whom Marie (Cécile de France) has been trying to save her friend, Alexia (Maïwenn), from is her own dissociative identity, which feels lazily tacked on and contradictory to the entire plot.

Christina Scofield (Prison Break)

In Season 4 of Prison Break, it is revealed that Michael Scofield's (Wentworth Miller) mother, Christina (Kathleen Quinlan), is a high-ranking member of the conspiratorial society called "The Company." This entire subplot actually left critics and fans underwhelmed, believing it was a desperate attempt to keep the show going after the eponymous escape had already been achieved.

William Schenk (Spiral)

The key to a great Saw movie is not how cool the torturous traps are, but a suspenseful aura that keeps audiences on their toes, complemented by a killer twist ending. Unfortunately, most viewers were able to guess that the mysterious main villain from the franchise's ninth installment, Spiral, was the seemingly slain Det. William Schenk (Max Minghella) pretty early on.

Silas (The Vampire Diaries)

On The Vampire Diaries, when the shapeshifting Silas reveals that his true face is identical to Stefan's (Paul Wesley), fans of the CW series were not too amused.

Dr. David Callaway (Hide And Seek)

In 2005's Hide and Seek, widowed psychologist David Callaway (Robert De Niro) comes to the horrifying realization that a series of murders that his daughter, Emily (Dakota Fanning), claims are the work of her imaginary friend, Charlie, were actually committed by his own dissociative identity. No matter how well this thriller may have attempted to cover its tracks, the whole Fight Club-style, "I had no idea it was me the whole time" reveal had grown into a tired cliché by then.

Dan Humphrey (Gossip Girl)

I have a theory that the people behind Gossip Girl never had any idea what the true identity of the eponymous blogger (voiced by Kristen Bell) was going to be. So, they just said, "You know what would be crazy? What if it was Dan Humphrey?" because that would be the biggest surprise. Indeed, it was, but only because it makes absolutely no sense, given how shocked and angry Penn Badgley's character was by many of Gossip Girl's posts about him.

Yuri Komarov (A Good Day To Die Hard)

I could go on and on about why fans and critics alike despise 2013's A Good Day to Die Hard, but let's just focus on one reason for now. In a cheap plot twist, John McClane (Bruce Willis) and his CIA operative son, Jack (Jai Courtney), discover that the man they have been protecting, Yuri Komarov (Sebastian Koch), is the true enemy.

Nathan Shelley (Ted Lasso)

In the Apple TV+ original series, Ted Lasso, reporter Trent Crimm (James Lance) tells the titular character (played by Jason Sudeikis) that it was Nate Shelley (Nick Mohammed) who shared confidential information about his panic attack with him. Apparently, Nate sells Ted out and goes on to coach the rival team because he felt like Richmond's head coach abandoned him, for reasons that still feel vague and inexplicable to me.

Tom Watson (The Girl On The Train)

At first, The Girl on the Train convinces you to suspect that the main character, Rachel (Emily Blunt), accidentally murdered Megan (Haley Bennett) while under the influence. As it turns out, in a twist ripped from an episode of Dateline, the true culprit was Rachel's abusive, gaslighting former husband, Tom (Justin Theroux).

Brahms (Brahms: The Boy II)

The 2016 thriller The Boy leads you to believe that a porcelain doll is possessed by the spirit of a deceased child named Brahms, only to show that the strange happenings were done by the real Brahms, who is alive, grown-up, and living in the walls of his parents' estate. However, the sequel, Brahms: The Boy II, retcons that ending, revealing that the doll is, indeed, sentient and has been manipulating children, including the real Brahms, into committing horrific acts for years.

Ares (Wonder Woman)

While widely considered to be one of the better DCEU movies, many also feel that Wonder Woman suffers from a lackluster ending, in which it is revealed that Sir Patrick (David Thewlis) is Ares in disguise. Let alone the underwhelming execution of the twist, the emergence of the true God of War deprives the comic book film of a more potent message about humanity's flaws and contradicts the motivations of Gal Gadot's Amazonian warrior in other films.

Ian Buckells (Line Of Duty)

When the British cop drama, Line of Duty, ended with the reveal that "H" is Ian Buckells (Nigel Boyle), fans theorized this was a red herring that would be resolved in a subsequent season. That is the only way they could reconcile with such a foolish character being identified as the corrupt criminal mastermind.

Detective David "Rooster" Fisk (Righteous Kill)

The 2008 cop thriller Righteous Kill is widely considered to be a low point in both Robert De Niro and Al Pacino's careers, especially because of the twist. It turns out that Pacino's character, Rooster, is the vigilante killer whom he and his partner, Turk (De Niro), have been pursuing all along.

Owen Carver (Fountain Of Youth)

By the end of Apple TV+'s Fountain of Youth, archaeologist Luke Purdue (John Krasinski) discovers his wealthy financier, Owen Carver (Domhnall Gleeson), is actually a corrupt liar who greedily wants the titular mystical artifact all for himself. While quite nonsensical, this deeply uninspired twist is just one of many ways the adventure film's ending rips off Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Aliens (The Forgotten)

In the 2004 thriller, The Forgotten, Julianne Moore's character, Telly, just kind of randomly assumes that the mysteriously lost memory of her deceased son, among other children, could be the work of extraterrestrials. She just so happens to be right.

Ray Bronson And Stevie Ward (I Know What You Did Last Summer)

In the 2025 legacyquel, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Stevie (Sara Pidgeon) decides to kill her friends, believing they are responsible for the accidental death of her boyfriend, even though they tried to save his life. However, her murder streak also includes people who had nothing to do with the incident. Even more absurd is that original survivor Ray Bronson (Freddie Prinze Jr) helps with the scheme, believing the world forgot about what happened to him and his friends in 1997. However, this begs the question of why he decided to kill a popular true crime podcast host who was preparing to do an episode on that very ordeal.

Characters come and characters go, at least that’s the case for these beloved shows. Whether it’s on one of the best sitcoms of all time, an exhilarating epic fantasy series, or crime dramas holding down a spot on the primetime lineup for decades, these programs all have one thing in common: they lost a fan-favorite before the final episode (or even final season).

Here are 32 TV shows that lost their lead character during their run…

The Office (2005 - 2013)

After being the best character on The Office for the show’s first seven seasons, Steve Carell’s Michael Scott left Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton office back in 2011. Though he would return in a guest capacity in the final season, the absence of the awkward, excitable, yet hilarious regional manager could be felt in the series’ final days.

That ‘70s Show (1998 - 2006)

That ‘70s Show had one of the best runs of any sitcom introduced in the final years of the 20th century, one that would carry on until May 2006. However, the sitcom’s main character, Topher Grace’s Eric Forman, wouldn’t be there for all of it. The actor, whose popularity was rising at the time, left the show after its seventh season. He would return in the series finale one year later.

Two And A Half Men (2003 - 2015)

Amid contract negotiations and a string of controversial incidents, Charlie Sheen left Two and a Half Men and stopped playing fan-favorite Charlie Harper, following the hit sitcom’s eighth season in 2011. One of the most popular shows on TV at the time, the CBS comedy would continue for four more seasons, with Ashton Kutcher coming on to play Walden Schmidt

Cheers (1982 - 1993)

A mainstay of Cheers for the show’s first five seasons, Shelley Long’s Diane Chambers left the friendly Boston bar for good when she was given the opportunity to become a professional writer. However, Diane would later return near the end of the show’s final season in 1993.

ER (1994 - 2009)

Whether it was Anthony Edwards’ Mark Greene being killed off in a spectacular way or George Clooney’s Doug Ross departing following a major scandal, ER lost several of its main characters throughout its 15-season (and 331-episode) run on NBC. However, the show always seemed to rebound from even the biggest losses.

Law & Order (1990 - Present)

Countless beloved characters have come and gone from Law & Order over the years, including NYPD detective Lennie Briscoe (Jerry Orbach), who was a mainstay of the legal drama for 12 years. The series is still on today (after being revived in 2022), but few of the detectives on the show have come close to touching the greatness of the wisecracking cop.

Three’s Company (1977 - 1984)

The late Suzanne Somers became a household name for her portrayal of Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company back in 1977. One of the three leads through much of the show’s run, Somers departed the series after its fifth season. The sitcom would run for three additional seasons after Somers left.

Scrubs (2001 - 2009)

Though Zach Braff’s Dr. John Michael “J.D.” Dorian was technically part of the Scrubs cast until the very last episode of Season 9 (he’s also returning for the upcoming reboot series), he only showed up in less than half of the final run. Maybe it was for the best, because those episodes were of a far lower quality than the previous eight seasons.

Bewitched (1964 - 1972)

This is an odd one simply because the Darrin Stephens character on Bewitched was written off, but instead recast near the end of the show’s run. Played by Dick York for the first few seasons, Elizabeth Montgomery’s on-screen husband was later played by Dick Sargent in the final years of the landmark sitcom about a witch trying to hide her true nature from the world around her.

Mom (2003 - 2021)

When the main star of a show leaves partway through the series run, it can be a nightmare for their co-stars and crew members, and that was the case when Anna Faris departed the hit CBS comedy Mom in 2020. Though the show continued for one more season after Christy Plunkett was written off, the absence of the former lead could be felt.

One Tree Hill (2003 - 2012)

One of the biggest shows of the 2000s, One Tree Hill was a perennial favorite of The WB (and later The CW) through much of its nine-season run. However, the good times didn’t last the whole time, as Chad Michael Murray, who played lead Lucas Scott, departed after season 6 alongside Hilarie Burton’s Peyton Sawyer.

Grey’s Anatomy (2005 - Present)

One of the longest-running shows in TV history, Grey’s Anatomy has always been known for its tremendous cast of characters. And while there are some, like Ellen Pompeo’s Meredith Grey, who have been there all along, others have come and gone. One of the biggest is Patrick Dempsey’s Derek Shepherd, aka "Dr. McDreamy," who was killed off in the show’s 11th season.

Glee (2009 - 2015)

In the middle of Glee’s successful run on Fox, the popular musical series lost one of its main characters when the actor who played him tragically died. In July 2013, Cory Monteith, who played Finn Hudson, died at the age of 31.

The Walking Dead (2010 - 2022)

So many characters came and went on The Walking Dead, which is to be expected considering it was a show set in the zombie apocalypse. However, one of the biggest departures came in the show’s ninth season when Andrew Lincoln’s Rick Grimes was written off the massively successful show.

House Of Cards (2013 - 2018)

House of Cards was a show with one shocking moment after another, including the time the Netflix series had to find a way to get rid of its main character before the sixth and final season. After Kevin Spacey found himself in legal trouble, the show’s producers decided to kill him off and carry on.

Blue’s Clues (1996 - 2006)

Steve Burns’ Steve was primarily the only human character on the hit Nick Jr. series, Blue’s Clues, for the show’s first four seasons. However, the actor left the animated show and was replaced by his character’s younger brother, Joe (Donovan Patton). Burns would later go on to appear in the Flaming Lips’ wild 2008 sci-fi film, Christmas on Mars.

The O.C. (2003 - 2007)

One of the main characters through the show’s first few seasons, Mischa Barton’s Marissa Cooper was killed off in heartbreaking fashion in The O.C.’s Season 3 finale. Following the departure of the tortured teenager, the show lasted one more season before coming to an end.

Charmed (1998 - 2006)

Prue Halliwell, played by the late Shannen Doherty, was one of the main characters in the first three seasons of Charmed. Though her fate was initially left up in the air following a Season 3 cliffhanger, it was later revealed that Prue died after her run-in with a powerful demonic assassin.

Laverne & Shirley (1976 - 1983)

One of the most popular spinoffs of all time (the characters originated on Happy Days), Laverne & Shirley ran for eight seasons on ABC between 1976 and 1983. However, while Penny Marshall’s Laverne DeFazio stayed around for the whole run, it was a different story for Cindy Williams’s Shirley Feeney. Williams, who was pregnant at the time, departed partway through what would ultimately be the final season.

Game Of Thrones (2011 - 2019)

Though Game of Thrones had numerous “main” characters over the course of its eight-year run, Sean Bean’s Ned Stark was one of the biggest in the first season. Creating one of the most shocking moments in TV history, Ned lost his head before the end of the first year, which set the tone for the unpredictable nature of the series moving forward.

The Vampire Diaries (2009 - 2017)

The Vampire Diaries was on the air for eight seasons between 2009 and 2017, but The CW’s popular book-to-screen adaptation lost its main character, Nina Dobrev’s Elena Gilbert, two-thirds of the way through. Though her character didn’t die, Debrov left for other opportunities.

Spin City (1996 - 2002)

The popular satirical comedy series, Spin City, ran on ABC for six seasons between 1996 and 2002, with most of those being led by Michael J. Fox as New York City deputy mayor Mike Flaherty. However, a couple of years after Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, the actor left the series after its fourth season, with his character being written off by moving to Washington, D.C.

The Wire (2002 - 2008)

The Wire’s cast was full of incredible actors playing some of the best characters to ever grace the small screen. One of the major players in the landmark HBO series’ first three seasons was Idris Elba’s Stringer Bell, a ruthless and ambitious drug lord who aspired for more than running the corners in Baltimore. However, he made far too many enemies and he was brutally killed in the show’s Season 3 finale.

Oz (1997 - 2003)

Though Oz had a killer ensemble cast throughout the HBO series’ run between 1997 and 2003, it lost one of its lead players when Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s Simon Adebisi was killed off in the show’s fourth season. Imagine fans’ reactions the following year when he showed up in 2001’s The Mummy Returns.

Roseanne/The Conners (1988 - 2025)

Not long after Roseanne was brought back to TV in 2018, its star, Roseanne Barr, was fired in the fallout of a controversial tweet. The show was quickly cancelled and morphed into The Conners, which ran for seven seasons before coming to an end in 2025.

NCIS (2003 - Present)

A lot of people have left NCIS over the years, but the CBS crime drama continues to be one of the most popular shows on network TV. Perhaps the biggest character to come and go since the show’s 2003 debut is NCIS Supervisory Special Agent and Special Agent in Charge Leroy Gibbs, played by Mark Harmon, who stayed on through the 19th season. Talk about longevity.

8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter (2002 - 2005)

8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, later shortened to 8 Simple Rules, had a nice little run on ABC back in the early 2000s, and even helped launch the career of Kaley Cuoco. The series was originally led by John Ritter, but his character, Paul Hennessy, was written off after the Three’s Company and Problem Child star suddenly died at the age of 54 while shooting the second season.

Lost (2004 - 2010)

Much like the show’s story, talking about main characters dying on Lost is a bit confusing, considering the non-linear structure of the long-running ABC drama series. Numerous characters like Shannon Rutherford (Maggie Grace), Michael Dawson (Harold Perrineau), and Charlie Pace (Dominic Monaghan) were written off and brought back later on in the series.

Homeland (2011 - 2020)

A once-great show that went on way too long, Homeland had its fair share of shocking moments and final episodes for major characters. At the top of that list is Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis), a former prisoner of war whose true alliances are ambiguous through much of the show’s first three seasons. However, his time would come to an end a few years into the run when Brody was hanged in a public execution in Iran.

Boardwalk Empire (2010 - 2014)

Michael Pitt’s Jimmy Darmody was pretty much the 1B lead to Steve Buscemi’s Nucky Thompson in the first two seasons of Boardwalk Empire, but the up-and-coming gangster wouldn’t survive the 2011 season finale. The series would run for another three seasons before coming to an end in 2014.

Downton Abbey (2010 - 2015)

Dan Stevens’ Matthew Crawley was just one of multiple fan-favorite characters to be killed off during Downton Abbey during the show’s original run. The third-cousin, once removed of the Earl of Grantham, the character didn’t make it all that long in the grand scheme of things before dying in a car accident during the show’s third season.

Sons Of Anarchy (2008 - 2014)

Sons of Anarchy had an epic run on FX in the latter part of the 2000s through the early 2010s, and in that time, so many fan-favorites got killed off. The most horrifying came in the show’s fifth season when the beloved Opie (Ryan Hurst) was brutally murdered in prison. Some never came back after that.

Hollywood has conditioned audiences to expect two central characters of similar romantic preferences and with great chemistry to fall in love by the end of a film or at some point in a TV series’ run. Thus, it is typically more refreshing to see these protagonists remain compatible but without giving in to a forced will-they-won’t-they dynamic. In that spirit, here is a thankful tribute to pop culture’s best platonic couples.

Max And Furiosa (Mad Max: Fury Road)

For the fourth installment of his beloved franchise of post-apocalyptic thrillers, 2015's Mad Max: Fury Road, writer and director George Miller introduced a female hero to serve as the title character's equal in another road war. Not once is there a hint of any romantic connection between Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) and Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron), and the modern action movie classic is beloved all the more for it.

Jerry And Elaine (Seinfeld)

One key way Seinfeld established itself early on as a groundbreaking comedy was doing away with any will-they-won't-they gimmick between Jerry Seinfeld (Jerry Seinfeld) and Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) by starting them off as a couple, breaking them up before the show even started, and seeing them remain friends through the run. While the beloved TV sitcom occasionally dropped hints at rekindling their romance for laughs (such as when they became friends with benefits or Jerry's impromptu marriage proposal), there is no doubt they are stronger as pals.

Marlin And Dory (Finding Nemo)

Finding Nemo could have easily incorporated the typical "widowed father finds love again" trope by seeing Marlin (Albert Brooks) and Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) fall into a charming interbreed romance during their search for his eponymous son (voiced by Alexander Gould). However, I think most would agree that making the clownfish and Blue Tang nothing but friends is an essential aspect of what makes the Oscar winner one of Pixar's best movies.

Leslie And Ron (Parks And Recreation)

At the Paley Center for Media, Parks and Recreation co-creator Michael Schur shared that Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson were initially conceived as the "mom and dad" of the Pawnee Parks Department office, but without any intention of giving them romantic chemistry. The closest the co-workers have ever come to being more than professional is when Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman pretend to make out for the sitcom's gag reel.

Harry And Hermione (The Harry Potter Movies)

The Harry Potter movies may be named after Daniel Radcliffe's "Boy Who Lived," but the young wizard would not be able to achieve what he does at Hogwarts without the help of his very best friends, Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson). In any other blockbuster franchise, the title character might end up with the girl in the end, but the thought never seems to cross their minds, and instead, Hermione and Ron come to develop feelings for each other.

Joey And Pheobe (Friends)

There always seemed to be romance in the air for the members of the Friends cast, from Ross (David Schwimmer) and Rachel's (Jennifer Aniston) rocky, on-again-off-again relationship to Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler's (Matthew Perry) marriage, and even Rachel and Joey's (Matt LeBlanc) attempt at being more than roommates. However, Joey and Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) were practically brother and sister, even though they did kiss when he thought she was her twin sister, Ursula, and he did offer to marry her when he thought she was pregnant. That is, thankfully, the closest they ever came.

Hawkeye And Black Widow (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Natasha "Black Widow" Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) and Clint "Hawkeye" Barton (Jeremy Renner) share a deeper bond than most characters from the Marvel movies in order can claim, having known each other long before forming the Avengers together. The ultimate sign of their undying, platonic love for one another is in 2019's Avengers: Endgame when neither is willing to let the other sacrifice themselves to retrieve the Soul Stone, only for Clint to fall apart when he is forced to say goodbye to Nat.

Liz And Jack (30 Rock)

They may have gotten off on the wrong foot in the pilot for 30 Rock, but TV writer Liz Lemon (series creator Tina Fey) and her boss, Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin), eventually come to form a respectable professional team. I cannot imagine anyone would have ever expected these characters to fall for one another, but it was the mere unlikelihood of their romance that made their bond one of the comedy's strongest elements.

Bob And Charlotte (Lost In Translation)

I honestly feel like I might be cheating by including Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson's characters from the 2000s-era movie classic, Lost in Translation, because the oft-discussed ending of Sofia Coppola's Oscar-winning dramedy suggests their bond evolves into something more. However, up until then, they share a friendship that each desperately needed and anyone would be lucky to have.

Mal And Zoë (Firefly)

One of the many issues that led to the premature cancellation of cult sci-fi series Firefly was creative demands from Fox executives, such as one note requesting that Zoë (Gina Torres) not be married to Wash (Alan Tudyk) to leave room for any romantic potential with Nathan Fillion's Captain Mal Reynolds. Thankfully, creator Joss Whedon stood his ground and adamantly refused, allowing the interplanetary outlaws to remain thick and thieves in the purest sense.

Ripley And Hicks (Aliens)

Writer and director James Cameron's second chapter of the Alien movies franchise introduced one of cinema's most revered platonic couples in the form of Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) and Cpl. Dwayne Hicks (Michael Biehn). There are more than enough hints at the Xenomorph survivor and the marine sharing a romantic connection, but the sci-fi movie classic leaves their level of affection ambiguous instead of ending with a big, celebratory smooch like any other filmmaker might have pushed for.

Don And Peggy (Mad Men)

With how many women on the Mad Men cast Don Draper (Jon Hamm) had affairs with, one might have expected something to happen between him and his assistant/protege, Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss). Of course, that was never on the cards for them, as the 1960s ad executive saw her as more of a daughter, sharing with her many winning professional successes and tender personal moments throughout the hit AMC series' run.

Daisy And Hoke (Driving Miss Daisy)

Driving Miss Daisy from 1989 traces the longtime relationship between a grumpy older woman, Daisy Werthan (Jessica Tandy), and her chauffeur, Hoke Colburn (Morgan Freeman). Seeing their friendship survive racial and ageist adversaries in the mid-1900s South makes this Best Picture Oscar winner an enduring inspiration.

SpongeBob And Sandy (SpongeBob Squarepants)

As a marine biologist like SpongeBob Squarepants creator Stephen Hillenburg would know, sea sponges do not require mates to reproduce (which does make the inclusion of the title character's parents a bit nonsensical, admittedly). Nonetheless, nothing could have ever happened between SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) and his squirrely pal, Sandy Cheeks (Carolyn Lawrence), anyway, even if some adult viewers of Nickelodeon's beloved animated series have theorized their shared passion for martial arts was a form of foreplay.

Rey And Finn (The Star Wars Movies)

It took some time for the Star Wars movies to embrace the idea of purely platonic relationships between characters of the opposite gender, specifically when the franchise was revived in 2015. In Star Wars: The Force Awakens, loner Rey (Daisy Ridley) and reformed Stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega) become fast friends and remain allies in the fight against the First Order in the last of the sequel trilogy.

Will And Jack (Will & Grace)

During the revival seasons of Will & Grace, there were hints at Will Truman's (Eric McCormack) relationship with his friend, and fellow gay man, Jack McFarland (Sean Hayes), evolving into something more. However, that would have undermined the entire spirit of the sitcom because, as Will, the duo are meant to be "girlfriends, not boyfriends."

Jimmy And Dottie (A League of Their Own)

According to SlashFilm, director Penny Marshall shot a kissing scene between Tom Hanks as Jimmy Dugan and Geena Davis as catcher Dottie Hinson for the 1992 sports movie favorite, A League of Their Own. The scene was ultimately cut, maintaining the characters' strong bond as a baseball player and her coach.

Ted And Rebecca (Ted Lasso)

In the hit Apple TV+ original series, Ted Lasso, Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham) initially hires the eponymous American football coach (played by Jason Sudeikis), hoping that he will ruin the football team her ex-husband cherished. Instead, she comes to appreciate the good he does for the team on and off the field, and a trusting, loving friend in and out of the office develops.

Shang-Chi And Katy (Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings)

Succeeding Black Widow and Hawkeye as the definitive platonic couple of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is arguably Xu "Shaun" Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) and Katy (Awkwafina). In 2021's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, when Shaun tells his best friend/co-worker/karaoke partner that he has to leave town to help protect his younger sister, she insists on coming with him without a second's hesitation.

Jake And Rosa (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)

Having come up at the police academy together, Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) and Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz) share one of the closest bonds among the Brooklyn Nine-Nine cast. Refreshingly, the New York detectives' relationship never evolves into anything beyond strict professionalism and deeply supportive friendship, as Jake eventually marries Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero) and Rosa goes through various relationships with both men and women, having come out as bi-sexual in Season 5.

Drax And Mantis (Guardians Of The Galaxy Movies)

In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Drax (Dave Bautista) makes it abundantly clear that he has no romantic interest in Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and, in fact, is physically repulsed by the idea of being with her. In turn, the cosmic Marvel heroes prove to have a great brother-sister dynamic, especially when they team up to find Peter "Star-Lord" Quill (Chris Pratt) the perfect holiday gift in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.

Jack And Chloe (24)

No one had Jack Bauer's (Kiefer Sutherland) back like Chloe O'Brian (Mary Lynn Rajskub) on 24. The CTU agent's relationship with the analyst was, essentially, one-sided at first before they became strong allies and even best friends.

Dredd And Anderson (Dredd)

To even describe Judge Dredd (Karl Urban) and Judge Anderson (Olivia Thirlby) from 2012's underrated comic book flick, Dredd, as friends would be far from accurate. However, as law enforcement officials, they could not be a better match as partners, evidenced by their impeccable compatibility while working to bring down the wonderfully over-the-top action villain, Ma-Ma (Lena Headey), and her drug operation.

Joan And Sherlock (Elementary)

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson make up one of the most iconic and influential partnerships in pop culture history. A modernized, gender-swapped reinterpretation of the characters in CBS's Elementary, starring Johnny Lee Miller as Holmes and Lucy Liu as Joan Watson, has also been recognized as a pairing for the ages.

Arthur And Iris (The Holiday)

In the acclaimed rom-com, The Holiday, Iris Simpkins' (Kate Winslet) love interest is Jack Black's L.A. film score composer Miles Dumon. However, the visiting Brit spends most of her time in the States with elderly former screenwriter Arthur Abbott (Eli Wallach), which quickly becomes the most charming relationship in Nancy Meyers' 2006 holiday season favorite.

Lexi And Stefan (The Vampire Diaries)

In his many, many years as an ageless creature of the night, Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley) took many lovers throughout the years, but there was one female The Vampire Diaries character he called one of his best friends. Arielle Kebbel plays fellow bloodsucker Lexi Branson, who, essentially, serves as Stefan's moral compass and bonds with him over the shared passion for the music of Bon Jovi.

Edgin And Holga (Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves)

What made 2023's Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves such a blast, especially for experienced players of its namesake role-playing game, was the strong sense of unity and teamwork among its cast of heroes. No characters in the fantasy adventure represent those qualities better than Edgin (Chris Pine) and Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), who are endlessly loyal to one another from the start.

Veronica And Wallace (Veronica Mars)

Kristen Bell's title hero from the teen mystery drama Veronica Mars first met Wallace Fennel (Percy Daggs III) when she saw him duct-taped to a flagpole and came to his rescue. This marked the beginning of a friendship that few high schoolers can claim.

Charly And Mitch (The Long Kiss Goodnight)

In The Long Kiss Goodnight, amnesiac mother Samantha Caine (Geena Davis) discovers, with help from private eye Mitch Henessey (Samuel L. Jackson), her past as a deadly top agent. From then on, the 1996 thriller from director Renny Harlin becomes a fun buddy action flick as "Samantha" embraces her true identity as Charly Baltimore.

Maddie And Simon (School Spirits)

The acclaimed Paramount+ original series School Spirits is a ghost story from the perspective of a ghost, namely 17-year-old Maddie Nears (Peyton List), who is unable to interact with the living... except for one person. Her unbreakable bond with her best friend, Simon Elroy (Kristian Ventura), allows him to see her, making him the only one who can help solve the mystery of her death, which she has no memory of.

Preston And Denise (Can't Hardly Wait)

Any other fun party movie would have the nerdy teen protagonist pining for the popular girl end up with his female best friend instead. However, in Can't Hardly Wait, Preston (Ethan Embry) does end up with his dream girl, Amanda (Jennifer Love Hewitt), while his best friend, Denise (Lauren Ambrose), forms an unexpected connection with Kenny (Seth Green) after getting locked in a bathroom together.

Meredith And Alex (Grey's Anatomy)

On a medical drama in which most people seemed to be getting into bed with each other, it was refreshing to see two characters from the Grey's Anatomy cast, namely Justin Chambers' Alex Karev and Ellen Pompeo's Meredith Grey, sharing a relationship that was purely friendly.

You know when some good relationships on television make you want to squeal the moment you see them? Yeah, these are the relationships down below. Sure, we can spend some time watching the best rom-com movies, but what about several seasons of build-up to a relationship that makes it all worthwhile? Here are some couples that define “goals.”

Chandler And Monica (Friends)

Chandler and Monica are the couple from the Friends cast, and I will not be asking any other questions about it at this time. Ross and Rachel were what people talked about, but these two? I love them. They are defined as “goals” based on how much they love each other, even if they didn’t have the typical start. Friends-to-lovers is one of the best.

Ian And Mickey (Shameless)

There was a time when Ian and Mickey were literally all I saw on my Tumblr feed back in the early 2010s. The Shameless cast featured plenty of great relationships, some healthy and others…not so healthy, but Ian and Mickey were a relationship that made it until the end. There’s nothing quite like them.

Rebecca And Jack (This Is Us)

The This Is Us cast defined my time in college when the show was airing, and Jack and Rebecca were the blueprint for how I wanted my future marriage to go. I have never seen two people just so in love with each other on TV, but also portray such a realistic marriage.

Corey And Topanga (Boy Meets World)

I think Corey and Topanga were the couple for the '90s kids. I didn’t grow up watching Boy Meets World, but I know from many that watching these two grow into teenagers and then young adults was one of the best aspects of this series. And honestly, I love that for you.

Jim And Pam (The Office)

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. Sure, there were moments between Jim and Pam in later seasons that felt a little out of character, but these two were the defining relationship from The Office cast. We were all on the edge of our seats at the beginning of the series when these two were just friends, and we wanted them all to get together.

Leslie And Ben (Parks And Recreation)

Leslie and Ben from the Parks and Recreation cast are the perfect example of a relationship that took its time but blossomed beautifully. Ben was the type of person who always let Leslie shine and never tried to dim her light, which is something that I love about them. They always supported each other no matter what.

Marshall And Lily (How I Met Your Mother)

There have been so many relationships that have come and gone in How I Met Your Mother, but you want to know what one of the best was? Obviously, Marshall and Lily. I don’t think I’ve ever felt as many warm fuzzies as I did watching these two.

Stefan And Caroline (The Vampire Diaries)

Team Stefan and Team Damon? Nah, Elena was always going to pick Damon and me, but Stefan and Caroline? Perfect, excellent. There are absolutely no notes on that couple because, honestly, they were better suited for each other. Sorry.

David And Patrick (Schitt’s Creek)

I’m pretty sure watching David and Patrick in Schitt’s Creek altered my brain chemistry because I don’t think another TV couple has stood out the same as them. The Schitt’s Creek cast is filled with memorable characters, but watching the progression of their relationship throughout its five seasons was something that I will always adore. These two loved each other so much.

Luke And Lorelai (Gilmore Girls)

Look, I know that we’re all here for Team Jess or Team Dean or whoever we’re rooting for with Rory, but to me, as an adult woman now, I like Luke and Lorelai’s relationship a heck of a lot more. It feels more mature, more natural, and less dramatic. Please, give me this rather than the craziness of teenage romance.

Nathan And Haley (One Tree Hill)

The definition of high school sweethearts that somehow worked out. They definitely had their moments of doubt throughout the nine seasons of the show, but these two loved each other so much and ended with a happily married life with two children, which is all you can really ask for in most teen drama romances out there.

Phil And Vivian (The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air)

I’m sure you weren’t expecting to see Phil and Vivian on this list because The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air isn’t really known for its romances. But honestly, Phil and Vivian are the perfect couple. They complement each other perfectly, know when to be each other’s rock or to stop the other from making a poor decision, and took care of Will as well as their biological family in the perfect way. I have no complaints.

Santana And Brittany (Glee)

The Glee cast is filled to the brim with couples, so much so that it’s hard to keep up with them. But my personal favorite was always Santana and Brittany. Not only was their relationship a great stepping stone for many lesbian/bisexual relationships on TV back in 2010, but it’s really one of the few that made it to the very end of the series. They were best friends turned lovers turned to something really real, and it ended with them getting married!

Randall And Beth (This Is Us)

“Perfectly imperfect” is a phrase that I still use to this day, ever since Randall uttered it to Beth in This Is Us. These two exemplify what it means to not only marry your best friend, but also marry a partner. They will stand by each other, support each other, and when someone is messing up, they will make them own up to it. There’s no sliding, and that’s what a genuine relationship should be like.

Jess And Nick (New Girl)

New Girl is one of those shows where relationships come and go, but there are always a few that stick the landing for the long haul. Jess and Nick were one of those, and we rooted for them, watching them fall in love, fall apart, and then fall back in love all over again.

Uncle Jesse And Aunt Becky (Full House)

I mean, of course, I have to put Uncle Jesse and Aunt Becky. I feel like Full House literally never would have been the same without them. Their relationship started very early on, and it’s always fun to rewatch episodes of the show and watch them fall in love with each other time and time again.

Anthony And Kate (Bridgerton)

While I do love the specialness of Penelope and Colin and the steaminess of Daphne and Simon, there’s just something about Anthony and Kate that gets me going every time. These two, a classic enemies-to-lovers romance, clearly love each other so much by the time the season ends and Season 3 rolls around.

Claire And Jamie (Outlander)

Outlander, in general, is one of the best Starz shows, but a big reason is Claire and Jamie. Their love has transcended literal timelines. I don’t know how you can get more perfect than that.

Mitch And Cam (Modern Family)

I think when it comes to couples in Modern Family, Mitch and Cam are the perfect example of how two people work so well together, and to the outside, people wonder how the heck they function with how crazy they are. But throughout the several seasons of the show, there’s no denying that these two love each other dearly.

Lucy And Ricky (I Love Lucy)

I can’t have a relationships list without putting the OG’s here. Lucy and Ricky are the definition of “goals.” They were the first people on television to show you how in love with each other they are, no matter the amount of shenanigans that they may put the other through. You can’t get better than these two.

Phil And Claire (Modern Family)

I always see Phil and Claire as the much calmer couple of Modern Family, which is saying something because they still have their fair share of hilarious moments in their household of three kids. But what I love about Phil and Claire is that there is evident respect there, and Phil will support Claire no matter what and stand up for her, while Claire will do the same, regardless of what others think. They’re a team, through and through.

Killian And Emma (Once Upon A Time)

God, there are so many couples in Once Upon a Time, but I think the one we always return to is Killian and Emma. Whether it’s their steamy chemistry or their genuinely emotional story, they are an amazing romance with plenty of fantasy aspects that I just love.

Willow And Tara (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

As someone who loves looking back on legendary relationships that paved the way for others, I know there’s no one better to bring up than Willow and Tara. The couple was a significant landmark for LGBTQ+ representation in television and showed two people who clearly loved each other.

Kev And Veronica (Shameless)

These two were freaky, don’t get me wrong – but they were also freakishly in love with each other. Kev and Veronica stood by each other, and when someone dared to threaten the other, it was on sight. They would fight anyone to protect their love and their relationship, and no matter what, always strived to make time for the other.

Fran And Mr. Sheffield (The Nanny)

I’m pretty sure that if you’ve ever read any rom-com novel, then these two are who you picture when you think of the nanny and the billionaire falling in love. But what I love about Fran and Mr. Sheffield is that it’s not an instant lust between them. It’s more of a relationship built on respect and friendship before love was even considered.

Jake And Amy (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)

The Brooklyn Nine-Nine cast features some hilarious characters, but personally, I always came back for Jake and Amy. I always saw them as rivals-to-lovers, but it feels so real watching them turn from competing with each other to becoming friends to going on dates and so much more.

Jane And Rafael (Jane The Virgin)

These two are in a strange situation, considering they didn’t even know each other when Jane fell pregnant accidentally. But watching their relationship grow organically throughout the show’s seasons is always something that I love to view.

Rick And Michonne (The Walking Dead)

When you think of couples who would literally kill for each other, I can think of no better than Rick and Michonne. Not only are they one of the best Walking Dead relationships, but there was a whole spinoff series dedicated to them finding their way back to each other after years apart. Now that is true love right there.

Poussey And Soso (Orange Is the New Black)

It hurts to even write about Poussey and Soso because it feels like they weren’t given enough time together in Orange is the New Black, but from what we were able to see, they really did work well together. Poussey was the kind of friend that Soso needed, and that blossomed into something brighter between the two of them before it was snuffed out. I needed so much more.

Morticia And Gomez (The Addams Family)

I mean, talk about a man who is obsessed with his woman. In any iteration of The Addams Family, Gomez always loves Morticia, but of course, we have to put the OG here from the 1960s TV series because these two were so in love that they ruined our expectations for all real-life romances.

Glenn And Maggie (The Walking Dead)

Yeah, I’m sad even writing about these two because the way it ends is something I don’t like to think about. But for the five seasons that we got with these two together, they were a light in the darkness that was the world of The Walking Dead. They loved each other, protected each other, and stood by the other until the very end.

Hopper And Joyce (Stranger Things)

God, I visibly remember screaming when these two finally got together in Stranger Things because it was just so apparent that they were into each other. Hopper literally risked his life for Joyce, and she risked hers to save him, and I love them together.

This just makes me want to revisit all of these television shows and watch these couples all over again. I’m in need of some cute TV romances. It's time for a binge-watch.

For decades, countless TV shows have relied on a trope that has come to be known as the "will they, won't they?" phenomenon, in which the story teases the romantic potential of two central characters with great chemistry. The gimmick has worked on many audiences who love tuning in to see if the couple is one step closer to breaking from their platonic dynamic, however, when that moment finally comes, it does not always lead to a happily ever after, especially for the show they were on. We looked at several classic TV sitcoms and hits of other genres, too, and found some prime examples of couples who perhaps should have stayed friends for series' sake.

Rachel And Joey On Friends

The first couple of seasons of Friends largely focused on the potential romance between Ross Gellar (David Schwimmer) and Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston), which ultimately proved to be one worth rooting for even during their rough patches. However, Rachel and Joey's (Matt LeBlanc) brief attempt to date after developing feelings for one another was so awkward that it was even acknowledged by the characters before they decided to go back to being platonic.

J.D. And Elliot On Scrubs

When J.D. (Zach Braff) and Elliot Reid (Sarah Chalke) first come together on Scrubs, it is one of the most fun and fulfilling plot developments from the medical comedy's early days. However, their rekindling in Season 8 does not have quite the same magic, which might also be a symptom of its less-beloved final years.

Troy And Britta On Community

Following hints that Troy Barnes (Donald Glover) and Britta Perry (Gillian Jacobs) had developed feelings for each other, the study group members' romance was made official in Season 4. Of course, that season, considered the worst season of the show, is also referred to as "The Gas Leak Year" to explain why everyone at Greendale was acting a little off during that time and we consider this awkward and unfunny coupling an essential example of that.

Mulder And Scully On The X-Files

Creator Chris Carter's The X-Files, which follows the unusual investigations of Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), is considered to be one of the best sci-fi TV shows of all time but another genre you could lump it in with is romance. However, the series was at its best when it only went as far as implying a spark between the FBI agents but was at its weakest any time it went in more explicit directions.

Barney And Robin On How I Met Your Mother

The first season of How I Met Your Mother saw Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) going back and forth on his feelings for Robin Scherbatsky (Cobie Smulders) before they finally took the leap in a satisfying way or, at least, far more satisfying than Robin's relationship with Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris). The coupling never quite felt right and the fact that most of Season 9 is set at the weekend, which leads to divorce in the finale, makes it feel even more wasted.

Dawson And Joey On Dawson's Creek

The concept of James Van Der Beek's title character from Dawson's Creek having romantic potential with his childhood friend, Joey Potter (Katie Holmes) was already a little too on-the-nose at the time. Their tumultuous "will they, won't they" arc was so irritatingly drawn out and their inevitable coupling proved to lack some significant chemistry, ultimately making it clear that they were not right for each other.

Steve And Laura On Family Matters

You could argue that making Steve Urkel actor Jaleel White the star of the Family Matters cast was the true beginning of the end for the sitcom in terms of overall quality, considering it was originally supposed to be about his neighbors, the Winslows. However, seeing the stereotypical nerd's one-sided crush on Laura (Kellie Shanygne Williams) turn into an actual relationship might be the series' furthest leap over the shark.

Sam And Rebecca On Cheers

Perhaps the quintessential example of an ideal "will they, won't they" relationship is that of Sam Malone (Ted Danson) and Diane Chambers (Shelley Long) from the Cheers cast, whose relationship may have ended by bittersweet means but was fun and satisfying while it lasted. As a result, the bartender's similar "will they, won't they" dynamic and eventual romance with his manager Rebecca Howe (Long's replacement, Kirstie Alley) was not necessarily a detriment to the long-running series but deeply pales in comparison.

Luke And Lorelai On Gilmore Girls

An essential example of a "will they, won't they?" dynamic being far more entertaining than the inevitable romance is Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) and Luke Danes (Scott Patterson) from the Gilmore Girls cast. Everything about the single mother's relationship with the diner owner, especially their witty banter, was at its peak when they were still strictly friends who occasionally flirted.

Maddie And David On Moonlighting

One of the first couples that comes to mind when the topic of "will they, won't they" arcs with disappointing turnouts is brought up is David Addison (Bruce Willis) and Maddie Hayes (Cybill Shepherd) on the Emmy-winning comedy, Moonlighting. The pair – a sarcastic detective and a former model managing a private investigation firm – drove each other nuts and teased a potential romance for several seasons until they finally gave it a shot but with an underwhelming reception from critics and audiences alike.

Erin And Andy On The Office

If there is one undeniably positive thing we can say about Andy Bernard (Ed Helms) and his relationship with Erin Haynes (Ellie Kemper), it is that the hapless Dunder Mifflin salesperson and flighty receptionist make a much better couple than he and Angela Martin (Angela Kinsey). However, Andy and Angela's tragically one-sided dynamic (particularly due to her secret affection for Dwight) led to jokes and storylines that were far more interesting by comparison.

Damon And Elena On The Vampire Diaries

The CW's hit vampire TV show, The Vampire Diaries, boasted the distinction of having a "will they, won't they" arc that branched off from a different trope: the love triangle between Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) and undead brothers Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder). While "Delena" ended up becoming the winning couple, the challenges they faced – from memory-erasing storylines to Dobrev's exit from the cast – made for an exhausting watch until their happy ending in the series finale.

Daenerys And Jon On Game Of Thrones

Most fans of Games of Thrones would agree that the HBO original series started to go downhill once the writers began deviating from the original source material, George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novels. One such disappointing element of the epic fantasy show was the romance between Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) – a relationship that saw the fan-favorite characters veering into directions that seemed unnatural for how they were developed.

Nick And Jess On New Girl

Even though they retained a pleasantly platonic relationship early on, anyone who has ever seen a sitcom likely was able to predict that Jessica "Jess" Day (Zooey Deschanel) and Nick Miller (Jake Johnson) from the New Girl cast were destined for romance from the beginning. For how much it was a delight watching the roommates become a couple, most would agree that the show was always at its best when they were still friends.

Booth And Brennan On Bones

Fans of Bones would argue that seeing forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and FBI agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) officially becoming a couple after years of teasing did not ruin the crime procedural by any stretch. However, many viewers were disappointed to see the series immediately jump ahead and show them settled down and with a baby on the way instead of taking the time to show the natural evolution of their relationship.

House And Cuddy On House

Admittedly, it was fun to watch Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) flirt with Dean of Medicine Dr. Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein) but no one could have imagined that such as selfish, manipulative, and emotionally unavailable jerk like him could be in a loving relationship with her. Of course, it was these very behaviors that doomed their romance, which ended permanently when Edelstein left the hit medical drama.

Rory And Jess On Gilmore Girls

The romance between Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel) and Dean Forester (Jared Padalecki) was a sweet tale of first love that made Gilmore Girls' inaugural run a winning first season. Unfortunately, after Luke's troubled nephew, Jess Mariano (Milo Ventimiglia), moved to Stars Hollow and piqued Rory's interest, it ruined the relationship and, after she and Jess became official, her likability began to wane.

Buffy and Spike On Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Angel (David Boreanaz) briefly shared a romance that Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans would agree was fun and exciting. In fact, we can think of several reasons why Buffy should have picked Angel over Spike (James Marsters), who was never intended to be a regular character in the first place anyway.

Josh And Donna On The West Wing

There is no denying that among the West Wing cast members, Bradley Whitford's Josh Lyman and his assistant Donna Moss (Janel Moloney) had one of the most irresistible dynamics. However, when their relationship became more than strictly professional, the coupling was largely deemed as coming too late into the political drama to make for a satisfying outcome.

Jane the Virgin

Jane the Virgin was an otherwise sweet and inspiring dramedy who did not know how to handle the blossoming romance at the center of it all. Because of various contrived developments and signs of incompatibility, the title character (played by Gina Rodriguez) and Rafael (Justin Baldoni) are considered one of the weakest TV couples in recent memory.

Max And Helen On New Amsterdam

One of the biggest mistakes that a TV show can make when pairing up a "will they, won't they?" couple is changing the fundamental makeup of each character. That is how many fans felt when Dr. Max Goodwin (former The Blacklist cast member Ryan Eggold) and Dr. Helen Sharpe (Freema Agyeman) struck up a relationship on the NBC medical drama, New Amsterdam.

Clark And Lana On Smallville

Smallville established at the very beginning that Clark Kent (Tom Welling) had a crush on classmate Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk) and eventually formed a relationship with her that was riddled by an unstable foundation before they split in Season 8. Luckily, soon after, Clark would begin dating his true soulmate, Lois Lane (Erica Durance).

Jackie And Fez On That '70s Show

To be fair, fans and critics would agree that That '70s Show had already been experiencing a steep decline in quality by the time Jackie Burkhart (Mila Kunis) developed a crush on Fez (Wilmer Valderrama) out of the blue in the seventh and final season. However, seeing them finally come together in the finale following years of Jackie rejecting him just felt weird and the creators seemed to agree, based on how they split them up and got Jackie and Kelso (Ashton Kutcher) back together for That '90s Show.

Zack And Kelly On Saved By The Bell

Watching Zack Morris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) pursue Kelly Kapowki (Tiffani Thiessen) to no avail was always one of the most fun things about Saved by the Bell. Watching the often horribly behaved sitcom kid become a true romantic and win Kelly's heart just felt off-brand and things only became more ridiculous when they got engaged during Saved By the Bell: The College Years.

Coulson And May On Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe have enjoyed shipping characters, but few "will they, won't they?" couples in the franchise were more popular than Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) and his colleague, Melinda May (Ming-Na Wen). It is just a shame that it took Coulson's imminent death, and with only days left to spare, to inspire them to finally give a relationship a try.

Shawn And Juliet On Psych

Fans of Psych would likely agree that the best relationship on Psych is Shawn Spencer (James Roday Rodriguez) and Burton "Gus" Guster (Dulé Hill). Yet, it might be a hot take to say that Shawn's slowly built-up coupling with Det. Juliet O'Hara (Maggie Lawson) was added to show for a needless element of romance but without taking the time to build the relationship into something genuinely worth rooting for.

Lane And Zack On Gilmore Girls

There are many polarizing romantic storylines on Gilmore Girls but most fans have come to agree that Lane Kim (Keiko Agena) and Zack Van Gerbig (Todd Lowe) have the worst. To be frank, they just feel Lane's former bandmate is a bad influence on her.

Oliver And Felicity On Arrow

While audiences are willing to suspend disbelief for all kinds of reasons when watching a comic book TV show, fans and critics had a hard time believing the relationship between Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) and Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards). The wealthy vigilante and his employee-turned-lover were incompatible for an irritating number of reasons.

Pete And Myka On Warehouse 13

What made the coupling of Secret Service agents Pete Lattimer (Eddie McClintock) and Myka Bering (Joanne Kelly) a low point for SyFy's Warehouse 13 was that there was no actual "will they, won't they" buildup. They were clearly and perfectly platonic duo until Pete realizes he is in love with Myka completely out of the blue.

Michael And Holly On The Office

Let's make something clear: seeing Michael Scott (Steve Carell) find a happy relationship with Holly Flax (Amy Ryan) was a grandly heartwarming sight. We're only counting their relationship because it led to Carell's exit from NBC's The Office cast and, with it, the series' creative downfall.

Maeve And Otis On Sex Education

Over the course of four seasons, it seemed like Netflix's Sex Education was building toward a long-awaited happily ever after for Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield) and Maeve Wiley (Emma Mackey). Unfortunately, the series betrayed its centerpiece couple by introducing a long-distance relationship plot, ultimately ruining them for good.

Lucifer And Chloe On Lucifer

Despite having the actual Devil as its main "hero," Lucifer is a fun, bizarre take on the crime thriller genre. Yet, many fans felt that the show went in an overly dramatic direction when the title character Tom Ellis and Det. Chloe Decker (Lauren German) became a romantic couple.

Sometimes, there are moments on television that truly break the internet – whether in a good way or a bad way. Sometimes, there are moments from the past (before the time of social media) when a moment so big in a television show spreads by word of mouth. But no matter how you hear about it, it rocks your world — here are the TV moments from huge television shows that fit the bill of that.

Oh, and also, spoiler alert for SO many TV shows down below.

The Red Wedding (Game Of Thrones)

If you want to talk about the most shocking Game of Thrones moments, I'm pretty sure The Red Wedding is high on that list. It was everywhere when it happened, and I'm sure that by the end of the series, people still agreed that the Season 3 moment is genuinely what tops the list of most in the show.

Max Somehow Surviving Vecna Through Music And Friends (Stranger Things)

You could not escape "Running Up That Hill" in the summer of 2022. What a time to be alive. No matter where you went on social media, it was always about Max running out Vecna in his strange alternate dark world, trying to look towards the light of her friends. Ugh, I get chills every time I think about it.

Cassie And Maddy's Fight (Really That Whole Play) (Euphoria)

Okay, so in comparison to many other spots on this list, this moment is hilarious in the way it rocked the world. Euphoria Season 2 had a lot of moments that worked well and others that didn't, but there was no other big one than Cassie and Maddy fighting each other on stage during that play – heck, Lexi's play in itself inspired so many memes and parodies online. It was indeed a time.

Wednesday's Dance (Wednesday)

Wednesday is one of the best shows on Netflix to binge-watch. Still, I can almost guarantee that most of you remember her dance in one of the episodes – one that wasn't even themed to "Bloody Mary" by Lady Gaga but exploded everywhere on the internet. And now, we can't get enough of it.

Hershel's Death (The Walking Dead)

There are so many heartbreaking deaths in The Walking Dead, but I'm pretty sure Hershel's death is high up there. I mean, I think we had a feeling it was all coming — The Walking Dead was known at the time to take characters out as if they were nothing every few episodes. But man, it still hurt, and we talked about it for ages to come.

When Joe Kills His Love (You)

There are so many crazy moments in You that I could talk about, but one that genuinely had the internet in a chokehold for a while was when Joe killed Love. Everyone loved Love (his wife) in the series because it felt like she was such a perfect counterpart to him. But I suppose he couldn't handle it – granted, she also tried to kill him, but crazy=crazy, right?

Poussey's Sudden Death (Orange Is The New Black)

The Orange is the New Black cast is filled to the brim with incredibly talented actors, but one that I wasn't expecting to leave the show was Samira Wiley, whose character, Poussey, was killed off in a prison riot in the show's Season 4 finale. It was a heartbreaking moment that was so sudden—and it came at a time when the world was really at a political divide, so it was double the heartbreak.

Villanelle Breaks Into Eve's House For The First Time (Killing Eve)

This show is really filled to the brim with intense moments, but the first time that Villanelle breaks into Eve’s house in Killing Eve is a major one that was huge. Nothing major happens during this scene, but the tension is enough to cut with a knife, and it makes for excellent television for this cat-mouse game.

The Opening Scene Of The Boys (The Boys)

I mean, duh. I love The Boys just as much as the next person – it's one of the best Amazon Prime shows for a reason. But there is literally no bigger moment in this series that makes the internet talk than the very first scene when we literally see someone explode from the inside out because of a literal fast-human running through them. Disgusting.

When We Find Out Who Nell Has Always Been (The Haunting Of Hill House)

I could talk about Mike Flanagan's horror shows for hours on end, but my favorite will always be The Haunting of Hill House, just because it's a beautiful story. However, the moment that everyone was in a chokehold was no doubt when Nell, the youngest daughter, found out that the person who had been haunting her for her entire life was actually just herself in the future – the bent-neck lady. What chills.

Walt Watches Hank Die In The Desert (Breaking Bad)

Breaking Bad is one of the best TV shows of the 21st century thus far, and there are plenty of moments I could point to. Walt, watching Hank die in the desert in one of the last episodes of the series, will always sit up there, and the internet would not stop talking about this. The episode itself, "Ozymandias," is considered one of the best TV episodes of all time.

When Fonzie Jumped The Shark (Happy Days)

I had to put this here somehow. The moment is so big that an entire catchphrase was made around it. When the Fonz jumped the shark in Happy Days, it coined the response, "Oh, that show jumped the shark," meaning the show ran out of so many ideas that it came up with a ridiculous one to keep it going. Hilarious.

Glenn's Death (The Walking Dead)

Yeah, I have to put Glenn on here. We can't not talk about Glenn. The moment he was killed in The Walking Dead, many fans stopped watching the show. It was a momentous death that really shook the world and all who enjoyed the classic zombie series, and dare I say, TWD was never quite the same again.

Lexi Getting Shot (The 100)

While I do believe that The 100 is one of the best CW shows out there, I will never forgive it for killing Lexi, this kick-butt warrior commander of the Grounders and how, when she and Clarke finally got together, she was shot by a gun no less. Despicable – and the internet agreed.

Wanda Becoming The Scarlet Witch (WandaVision)

You know, sometimes I think about WandaVision, and it feels like a fever dream because everyone was so into this show. And, of course, when Wanda finally became the Scarlet Witch at the very end of the miniseries, and we see her fully embrace her power – oh yeah, we were into this and could not stop talking about it.

Discovering Who Hodor Really Is (Game Of Thrones)

For most of Game of Thrones, we always thought of Hodor as just this bumbling giant full of love who would always be there to protect Bran, but it turns out his backstory is much darker than we thought. And when we all found out the reason why he says "Hodor" – precisely because of Bran and everything else – it's just heartbreaking and something we always talk about.

Bill And Frank's Backstory (The Last Of Us)

As a huge fan of The Last of Us video games, I could not approve of them changing up Bill and Frank's love story more than what they did in the show. While we barely got a scratch of them in the game, we were given a romance that truly shook the internet and had people crying for hours afterward—myself included. I can still remember all the reaction videos.

When Ned Stark Loses His Head (Game Of Thrones)

Of course, I have to put Ned losing his head here. It wouldn't be a list of big TV moments without it. Let me tell you that it's very hard to surprise my father, who is a TV junkie, and when Ned's head was cut off, he legit did not believe it for a good few days until everyone began talking about it. It's just one of those moments that alters your brain chemistry.

Walt Watching Jane Die (Breaking Bad)

Oh, Breaking Bad. The show broke my heart over and over again, no matter what the time of my life was like. While Jane wasn't necessarily good for Jesse (and neither was he to her, really), watching Jane overdose and then seeing Walt do absolutely nothing as he stands there and watches still hits me even now, knowing what happens. And most people out there feel the same way.

Kang Sae-byeok Dies (Squid Game)

It felt like everyone and their mother was watching Squid Game when it was released, and let me tell you, there were edits everywhere on Sae-byeok. I could not escape this woman. But, the moment everyone talked about was when she actually ended up dying towards the end, despite being one of the final three – by a stab wound, nonetheless. It still makes me sad thinking about it, as it did the rest of the world.

Klaus Kills Jenna (The Vampire Diaries)

For a time, it felt like The Vampire Diaries was legit everywhere, no matter where I turned. But one of the moments that everyone talked about was when Klaus killed Jenna in order to break a hybrid curse that made his werewolf side dormant. Everything about it was well done and definitely made the internet talk.

Buffy's Mother Suddenly Dying (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

Before the internet was as huge as it is now, people still found a way to talk about plenty of crazy moments, and one was in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, when all of a sudden, out of nowhere, Buffy's mother dies. It's so sudden and makes you blink in shock before you realize what the heck is going on – and it was all anyone could talk about with this series.

Finding Out Walt Poisoned Brock (Breaking Bad)

There are plenty of instances in Breaking Bad where you find out that Walt is actually a terrible human being. One is when we see that he did indeed poison Brock to get Jesse in line—mainly because of the Lily-of-the-Valley plant that he has in his backyard. This is truly despicable and something we all talked about.

Jon Snow's Death (Game Of Thrones)

This moment had people theorizing for months about whether Jon was truly alive or dead. How could he just be dead? Like legit, everyone and their mother could not stop talking about him and whether he was gone or not. Thankfully, it was resolved not that long after, but man, it was a time to be alive on the internet.

Sybil Passing After Her Daughter's Birth (Downton Abbey)

I mean, it's sad whenever anyone passes away from childbirth, as it's a real-life thing that can happen to anyone. But I think what made this moment such a big one online is that it was just so heartbreaking. Watching someone as life leaves their eyes and knowing there is nothing you can do about it – it breaks your heart.

Ted's First Major Panic Attack (Ted Lasso)

As one of the best TV shows on Apple TV+, there is a lot to love about Ted Lasso and its titular character, Ted. But I think we all started to love him even more when we found out that Ted actually suffers from panic attacks – and we see that first real one at a club. And, out of nowhere, Rebecca comes to comfort him. Fans everywhere could not get enough – and it made this show that much better.

Walt's Death (Breaking Bad)

I mean, we all had a feeling that Walt was going to die at the end of Breaking Bad – he had a death sentence with his cancer regardless at that point – but actually seeing him die and fall to the ground in the Breaking Bad finale was all over the internet, and everyone talked about it for hours and theorized if he actually did die – which, newsflash, he did.

Jinx And Ekko's Fight (Arcane)

There are some tremendous adult-animated shows on Netflix, and one I love to point to is Arcane. There are plenty of rocking TV moments on there I could point to, but man, Jinx and Ekko's fight takes the cake. The amount of edits, moments, and videos I've seen of this fight, in particular from Season 1 on that bridge, has seriously messed me up—but in a good way. Don't ever stop talking about it.

Rhaegal's Death (Game Of Thrones)

Look, I knew that when Daenerys lost Viserion, it was only going to be the beginning of death for these dragons, but it still shocked the heck out of me – and millions of other people – when we saw Rhaegal suddenly get speared out of the sky and fall to his death. Like, my GOD – give a girl a warning next time!

The Rumbling (Attack On Titan)

I quite literally can't think of another modern-day anime that has made as much of an impact as Attack on Titan. While I could point out so many moments from that series, the moment Eren begins the Rumbling sits with me, as well as many others. It was the moment everyone knew what was going to happen and the pain we were going to experience. It still gets to me even now.

Rue Fighting Her Mother And Sister (Euphoria)

Zendaya is a great actress, and honestly, watching her in this scene in Season 2 of Euphoria is just proof of that. She had everyone talking about the moment she had a breakdown against her mother and sister and fought against them to find her drugs. It was powerful and emotional and had you on the edge of your seat.

Rick Is Taken (The Walking Dead)

While The Walking Dead wasn't at the heights it once was at this point, everyone was talking about when Rick left the show in Season 9 of The Walking Dead – or, instead, Andrew Lincoln left the series in a blaze of glory before we see that Rick was taken up in one of those mysterious helicopters. I mean, it still led to his TV series in The Walking Dead universe years later, but still, a moment we all talked about nonetheless.

What moments are you always going to remember as instances that rocked your world? All I know is that I'm just waiting for the next significant moment – and for the emotional trauma that is bound to follow.

For anyone skewing more towards emotionally charged horror dramas and not fantastical science fiction adventures, actor Paul Wesley is likely best known for his years of portraying the fanged Stefan Salvatore across all eight seasons of The Vampire Diaries. (The sci-fi side perhaps celebrates him more as Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ take on James T. Kirk.) Now, he’s helping bring a new vampire-led project to Fox, albeit one that sounds unlike any other upcoming horror TV show.

The concept for the currently untitled (and unable to cross running water) supernatural-tinged comedy centers on a vampire attempting to attain his dream of becoming an actor, according to Deadline. While it’s definitely a plus that he’s pretty much eternally 25 years old, his concerted efforts are not free from obstacles.

In trying to get his acting career off the ground — loose grave-dirt is probably involved — the bloodsucking thespian-in-training also has to help run the family business. Which is easier to do when one doesn’t have murder-happy, smothering parents who are also vampires.

Paul Wesley Isn't Even What Excites Me The Most

At the moment, Paul Wesley is only lined up as an executive producer, and is not being reported as having any kind of acting role just yet. That can obviously change if and when a part gets written that calls his name, and I'm already hoping for a Grade-A cameo. But for now, he's only working behind the scenes.

However, that's not a reason to fret, since the best thing about this new project is that it was written by Victor Fresco, who also gave the world one of the best horror-comedy TV shows of all time: Santa Clarita Diet. Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, along with younger co-stars Liv Hewson and Skyler Gisondo, dealt with all manner of horrifyingly hilarious zombie-related, body-munching shenanigans during the Netflix series' three-season run.

The only bad thing about the show is that it was canceled by the streaming service after setting up a totally bonkers cliffhanger with its Season 3 finale. It's a cancellation that still breaks fans' hearts, so it's awesome to know that Fresco will bring his patentedly absurd sense of humor to another kind of undead monster.

To be sure, Fresco also created a bunch of other shows, with arguably the two other crowning achievements being Andy Richter Controls the Universe and Better Off Ted. But let's not forget he also created Sean Saves the World, Life on a Stick and The Trouble with Normal, while also writing for My Name is Earl, Mad About You, ALF, Dinosaurs and more.

Though Victor Fresco served as the writer, the actual pitch came from an idea crafted by Paul Wesley, the pilot director Liz Friedlander, and Aaron Kaplan of Kapital Entertainment. (All of the above are EPs on the project.) Friedlander helmed a trio of Vampire Diaries episodes before reteaming with Wesley on Kapital's streaming series Tell Me a Story, and Kaplan also EP'd on Santa Clarita Diet, adding all kinds of creative connective tissue.

Let’s remember that this isn’t the first time a Vampire Diaries vet looped back around to that particular genre corner for a new series. Wesley’s love-triangle rival Ian Somerhalder served as the lead (and an EP) on Netflix’s V Wars, an adaptation of the anthology series of vampire-centric short stories. That series only lasted a single season before its cancellation, so here’s hoping this untitled series has far better luck with both viewers and execs.

The new comedy landed at Fox after the creatives fielded offers from other platforms, and is currently still in development mode. So unless things come together extremely quickly, it'll likely make its way to audiences sometimes after the 2025 TV schedule concludes.

There are so many types of films and TV shows out there where one of the main focuses is romance, whether it's the best rom-com movie out there or it's a dramatic, neverending tale of love. But today, we'll be focusing on films and TV shows that focus on young love – teenagers and the like, obviously. Let's get into it.

To All The Boys I've Loved Before Trilogy (2018 – 2021)

This To All The Boys I've Loved Before trilogy defined a generation of young women like me who dream of having someone like Peter Kavinsky sweep them off their feet. We all agreed that Noah Centineo was the internet's boyfriend for years after this—indeed, a culture shift.

Teen Wolf (2011 – 2017)

While Teen Wolf certainly ranks high on our list of supernatural teen dramas because that is the basis of this show, a lot of people focus on love. And I mean a lot. The romances that happen are mainly what drives this series about a high schooler turning into a werewolf. You can't really get much better than that.

Grease (1978)

Okay, while literally, not a single person in the Grease cast was of high school age, the movie itself is about young romance. While I sometimes think Grease can be overrated, the movie musical does a good job of showing how young romance can affect a teenager – in an enjoyable musical form.

One Tree Hill (2003 – 2012)

When literally anyone thinks of teen romance, they think of One Tree Hill. Running for a total of nine seasons, the series tells the story of two half-brothers who compete for the same position on their school's basketball team, but of course, their love lives get entwined and tangled as well. This is drama to the max.

Easy A (2010)

When I think of Emma Stone's best movies, Easy A is always up there. While she's excellent in her dramatic roles, there is just something about seeing her in this comedic romance movie, which takes the cake every time. It takes young romance and makes it a joke, and honestly, it makes the relationship that her character forms with someone else even better.

Gilmore Girls (2000 – 2007)

Yes, I know I'll have some people say that Gilmore Girls isn't really based on young romance because it's more about the relationship between mother and daughter, but you tell me that you haven't spent time wondering who Rory was going to end up with in this series. Before there was Team Edward and Team Jacob, there was Team Dean and Team Jess (and Jess was the better option, BTW).

X.O. Kitty (2023 – Present)

A spinoff of To All The Boys I've Loved Before, this series, X.O. Kitty, is all about Lara Jean's younger sister, Kitty, and her adventures across the world in South Korea and honestly, I love it. While romance is a main aspect of the series, it's also a fun little coming-of-age comedy that anyone can get behind.

Dawson's Creek (1998 – 2003)

Running for six seasons, Dawson's Creek is another essential teen romance TV series that has been talked about for years. The series is like most teen romances out there, where it follows a close group of friends in high school and their lives together, as well as the relationships that follow, but man, it was huge and shot the stars to fame.

She's All That (1999)

Nah, we are not talking about He's All That. We are bringing up the original She's All That. The movie, starring Freddie Prinze Jr. and Rachael Leigh Cook, is all about a high schooler who says he can make any girl popular and takes a bet to turn a random woman into a prom queen in six weeks. Romance ensues, and it's just a fun teen rom-com from there on.

Twilight (2008)

They are about romance when you think about it. The Twilight films are primarily all about the romance between Bella and Edward. And Bella is a teenager – and Edward is trapped in a young person's body, so technically, it is a teen romance…even if he is hundreds of years old, but THAT'S BESIDES THE POINT, OKAY? It's a teen romance.

Glee (2009 – 2015)

When I was coming up with ideas for this article, Glee was one of the first I knew I had to include here. Sure, we all love the Glee covers, but man, we ate up these romances when the show was out. Blaine and Kurt, Santana and Brittany, Rachel and Finn – it was endless, y'all. This may be about a Glee club, but we are all here for the love.

Gossip Girl (2007 – 2012)

The Gossip Girl cast undoubtedly reached a point while filming this show when they were no longer teenagers, but we all loved this series for its romances—no matter how absolutely messy they got. And they got messsssssy.

My So-Called Life (1994 – 1995)

While My So-Called Life only ran for one season, it certainly cemented itself into pop history. It was very realistic in its portrayal of teenagers and took a natural examination of romance in young love. Sure, it wasn't as dramatic as the others, but it's still a great show – and now a cult classic.

She's The Man (2006)

For a time, it felt like Amanda Bynes was the queen of teen romance comedies, and She's The Man was undoubtedly her best. Telling the story of a female soccer player who goes undercover as a man to join the men's soccer team in order to play, the movie is hysterical and creates a comedic young romance that is just too good.

Never Have I Ever (2020 – 2023)

Running for four seasons, Never Have I Ever is a great teen romance show. It's reportedly loosely based on Mindy Kaling's (the co-creator) life and her life in Boston. It follows the story of a teenager in high school and how she deals with her personal and school life in the aftermath of her father's passing. The romance is just as great as everything else.

Ginny & Georgia (2021 – Present)

While you could make the same argument for Ginny & Georgia as you could with Gilmore Girls – where it's essentially about a mother and a daughter – the Netflix series takes a hard stance on romance and really makes it a primary part of the story. Sometimes, you'll love these relationships. Other times, you'll want to pull your hair out. But hey, it's a fun time.

The O.C. (2003 – 2007)

Taking place over four seasons, The O.C. is another excellent teen drama that puts romance at its front most of the time. The series follows the life of a teenager who is adopted into a wealthy home, how he deals with his new life, and the relationships around him. It's one of the best teen series out there, so you should check it out if you haven't.

Crush (2022)

Starring Rowan Blanchard, this Hulu original film is a fun one. Crush is all about a high schooler who joins the track team in order to get close to her crush – but, in a plot twist, she ends up falling for her crush's twin sister instead and causes a whole mess of problems.

The Vampire Diaries (2009 – 2017)

Don't even get me started on this show. The Vampire Diaries may be about mythical creatures, but the romance is the plot. The show is all about a normal girl falling for a vampire that she thinks is a human, but then his brother ends up falling for her too, and she does as well as it's this whole love triangle – god, it was everywhere at the time. It's a young romance show despite the vampires being hundreds of years old.

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Starring Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger, 10 Things I Hate About You is one of the best adaptations of a William Shakespeare piece because it is so fun. The movie is about a student who wants to date someone, so he enlists the help of the local bad boy to date the sister of the person he wishes to date—I mean, it's a recipe for success.

Dash & Lily (2020)

It's a shame because Dash & Lily came out during a time when it wasn't properly appreciated. The Netflix series stars Austin Abrams and Midori Francis and tells the story of two teenagers who fall in love while trading messages and dares in a notebook across various locations in NYC. I mean, that's adorable. Please watch it if you haven't.

Warm Bodies (2013)

I had to get one fun pick on here. Warm Bodies is one of Nicholas Hoult's best movies, and it's so funny. It's literally about a zombie teenager and a human teenager falling in love. Like, come on. That's freaking adorable.

The Secret Life Of The American Teenager (2008 – 2013)

With five seasons, The Secret Life of the American Teenager was a massive hit for ABC Family when it was released. The central premise of the first season is about a teenager who gets pregnant after her time at band camp and a one-night stand, but of course, the series takes plenty of twists and turns that will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time, especially with the romance.

The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022 – Present)

Now, this is a tremendous young romance pick. The Summer I Turned Pretty is based on the novels of the same name and tells the story of a teenager and the love triangle that she develops between two brothers. Yes, it is about as dramatic as you can expect it to be, and I eat it up each time.

Euphoria (2019 – Present)

Is Euphoria a lot more mature than any other picks on this list? You betcha, but that's what you get when you do a young romance show on HBO. The series mainly follows Rue and her time with drugs, but the romance aspect is a massive part of the show, mainly between other characters, but also between Rue and Jules.

Love, Victor (2020 – 2022)

A spinoff of the movie Love, Simon, this series is honestly a great one, and I wish it had more seasons. Love, Victor is all about the titular character, Victor, who comes to terms with his sexuality and learns to love himself and others over the course of its three seasons. It's a great LGBTQ+ TV show that I personally love.

The Kissing Booth (2018)

Okay, so The Kissing Booth in itself is a meme because there are so many moments that make you scratch your head and wonder how these relationships even work. But that doesn't change the fact that the first movie is entertaining as heck and certainly makes for a fun young romance.

A Cinderella Story (2004)

There are so many adaptations of Cinderella out there, but personally, A Cinderella Story is one of my favorites. It's about two teenagers who are online penpals who plan to meet up for the first time at a school's Halloween event. It's so sweet and adorable—ugh, I love it.

Sex Education (2019 – 2023)

I mean, this show is all about romance, love, and sex, thrown into a pretty bow. The series mainly follows a teenager and his experiences at school when everyone finds out that his mother is a sex therapist, but there are some excellent portrayals of young love on this show that really take the cake – ones I genuinely adore.

Love, Simon (2018)

This teen romance movie is one of the best out there. The film, starring Nick Robinson, follows the story of a closeted high schooler who is being blackmailed by someone at school while also trying to find out who the person is that he has fallen in love with online and dealing with his personal life as well. The movie does a great job of showing young love, and I love it.

Heartstopper (2022 – Present)

Based on the graphic novels of the same name, Heartstopper has three seasons and mainly follows the love story between Charlie and his feelings for Nick, a schoolboy with whom he shares a class. But as the series progresses, you get more and more relationships that make it so much more fun.

Literally, Any Romeo & Juliet Adaptation

Do I have to explain why? Whether you're talking about the one from the 1960s, Leonardo DiCaprio's Romeo + Juliet, or any of the others, it's all about teen romance and what it does to us.

These are just some of the great picks I can think of, but there are so many others. I think these will be perfect for a little date night or a long weekend binge.

For a while there, vampires were impossible to avoid on the small screen, with some of the most memorable small screen bloodsuckers residing in the town of Mystic Falls. And though The Vampire Diaries hasn’t aired any new episodes since it concluded in 2017, it’s one of the best shows streaming on Max right now, and fans haven’t stopped celebrating the brooding drama’s characters and stars. So when former co-stars Nina Dobrev, Candice King and Kat Graham reunite in real life, it definitely earns attention from the fanbase.

Just such a reunion happened for the Covington, Georgia convention I Was Feeling Festive 2, where Dobrev, King and Graham took pics with fans and shared stories in Q&A panels. Most interestingly perhaps, is that the trio of TVD stars recreated a memorable pic they’d taken together during the early years of the show, and shared the vid on Instagram, as seen below, set to Simple Plan’s 2002 hit “I’m Just a Kid.”

It doesn’t get much more adorable than that, amirite? Understandably, the post shared by Dobrev and her costars was immediately welcomed by fans who are always interested in seeing the women get back together in any and every capacity imaginable. But before we get to the fans’ comments, check out these reactions from The Vampire Diaries’ official CW Instagram page and fellow co-star Kendrick Sampson.

• TheCWTVD: The world is healing. 🖤
• Kendrick Sampson: Awww guyth 🥹❤️‍🔥
• Kat Graham: Love you girls so much!!!!!! 🥹❤️❤️❤️❤️

Now check out the plethora of lovingly hyped-up comments from Vampire Diaries fans, all of whom seem like they’d absolutely adore seeing Elena, Caroline and Bonnie showing up somewhere on the 2025 TV premiere schedule.

• the best ♥️ bonnie, caroline and elena <3 - @kaarenabigail18
• i love all three of you so much, my heart is going to explode 🤧🥺💗 - @almaboemo
• The iconic trio back together 😍😍😍😍😍 - @citlalli.gg
• Absolutely love how you 3 arranged yourselves in the same order and are looking in the same direction of gaze as the original! Genius! @nina @candiceking @katgraham This moment is definitely frozen in time! 🙌 - @singhmonnyc
• How do they all look like they haven’t aged a bit - @smjohnson25
• THE BEST TRIO IS BACK TOGETHERRR!!!!! 👏😍🥺 - @esmai.mikaelson
• This made me scream with joy🤗 - @drpepperlungs98
• IM CRYINGGGGGHHHHGGGGGG HAPPY TEARS - @natafuckingcoco

The continued hype for The Vampire Diaries has kept interest building regarding the franchise’s rumored return, although whether that return happens as a revival or a ground-up reboot. Many former stars have weighed in on their feelings about potentially returning, with Nina Dobrev seemingly more interested in other vampire projects over playing Elena again. Kat Graham has expressed her desire not to return to the franchise for any revivals, though Julie Plec stated in the past that the former star would always be welcome.

Co-creator Julie Plec most recently shared her thoughts about revisiting Mystic Falls following the announcement that Twilight is getting an animated series, saying she and Paul Wesley had convos about it. She also addressed the idea of bringing these beloved characters back for a standalone movie as opposed to an episodic series.

Until we know anything more about TVD's possible future, the entire series can be streamed in full with a Max subscription.

Lock your doors and don’t invite anyone in. Or do, if you want a sexy yet tortured blood-sucking immortal for company. That's right, vampires are making a return to a TV near you. Netflix recently announced the adaptation of Twilight author Stephenie Meyer’s book Midnight Sun, as an animated series, and it will tell the story of Twilight through Edward’s perspective. So, what does this mean for the rest of the teen vampire genre that took over in the 2010s? Well, The Vampire Diaries' creator Julie Plec has some thoughts on the matter.

In similar fashion to how Twilight impacted the genre when it was originally released, this continuation of Stephenie Meyer's fantastical world has stirred up rumors of a Vampire Diaries revival. In addition to 8 seasons of TVD, showrunner Julie Plec also saw the success of two spinoffs, The Originals and Legacies. Now, after attempting a number of other projects, it seems she may be ready to return to Mystic Falls, as she told THR:

Well, well, well, it seems actor Paul Wesley, who played Stefan Salvatore, has changed his tune a bit. Only a few years ago he was saying he would never return to TVD, but Plec's comments seem to suggest that he's now open to the idea. Meanwhile, Ian Somerhalder has also shown no signs of revisiting his heartthrob of a character Damon, as he exited Hollywood entirely.

However, the two onscreen brothers remain close in real life, even launching a liquor brand together called Brothers Bond Bourbon, in homage to their Salvatore roots. But perhaps the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds actor can convince his partner in crime to hop onto a new project as a producer, because according to Plec, this might be a now-or-never kind of deal:

Given that Plec’s recent supernatural pursuit was canceled before it could even get started, it’s definitely not the wrong time to revisit her most fruitful creation. Plus, it seems the creative minds that crafted TVD have had their vampire gears spinning for a while now, as they've been talking about what to do next in this world since Legacies got canceled.

While my inner teenage heart warms at the thought of an OG cast reunion, the chances are slim with other main cast members like Kat Graham and Nina Dobrev also showing hesitancy when it comes to returning to the franchise.

TVD could always follow in Twilight’s footsteps by going the animated route, especially considering how vast its world is. The show featured tons of flashbacks, so a prequel is definitely in their wheelhouse. They could return to the 1800s and explore more of Lillian Salvatore’s story, for example. I was definitely left with some questions when she suddenly popped into Season 6. And speaking more generally, the show went to so many times and places throughout history that the writers could go in so many different directions with a new project. So, the possibilities are endless.

However, nothing has been confirmed or greenlit just yet. But with the Vampire Academy creator’s newest show The Girls On The Bus having already premiered on our 2024 TV schedule, we will certainly be keeping an eye on her next moves. And for Plec, more often than not, it seems all roads lead back to Mystic Falls!

It’s been 15 years since fans were first introduced to The Vampire Diaries, Mystic Falls and all the supernatural beings living there. The series has held up as one of the best supernatural teen dramas, and Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev are still beloved for playing Stefan, Damon and Elena, respectively. However, before all that, Somerhalder’s Damon Salvatore nearly went to someone else, and that someone was the man who wound up playing Stefan, Paul Wesley.

Wesley's Stefan and Somerhalder's Damon are arguably two of the best reasons to watch TVD. However, it took a while to find the perfect pair to play the vampire brothers. Creator Julie Plec recently made that very clear as she told The Hollywood Reporter what the casting process was like.

The story begins with her and her team being interested in Somerhalder, because they had liked him in Young Americans. However, she said he "tanked" his audition, so they had to look at other options. That's when the idea of Wesley playing Damon came up, however, that was quickly shot down as she explained:

Wesley is the perfect Stefan. However, I can understand why the network floated the idea of him playing Damon, especially since he was such a standout and Somerhalder's audition didn't go as well as planned. With that said though, the reasoning for not wanting him as Damon also makes sense since he doesn’t fit the look and personality they had in mind for older Salvatore brother.

Plec went on to say that they didn't know if they'd made the right choice at first when they cast Wesley as Stefan and Somerhalder as Damon. However, they quickly realized that those worries weren't necessary, as she explained:

It is interesting to know that Plec and Williamson weren’t really on board with Paul Wesley as Stefan until filming started. It also makes me wonder how he would have done as Damon, but we'll never know, and that might be a good thing.

Ultimately, Wesley beat out other actors for Stefan for a reason, and Ian Somerhalder was given a second chance as Damon, and it worked out perfectly.

However, even if things worked out perfectly, Wesley didn’t always think he’d be able to stick around. Last year, he opened up about how he thought he’d get fired during the first few years of TVD. Since the show didn’t necessarily revolve around just one main character, the young cast knew that they were replaceable. The Stefan actor admitted that while his co-stars, most of whom were in their 20s, were out partying and coming in to work late and hungover, he was serious and stayed home to study his lines to ensure he didn't lose the gig.

Well, that mindset worked, as he led the TVD cast until it ended. And to this day, he's asked about the potential to return as Stefan.

Even if it took a while, all roads led back to Paul Wesley and Stefan, and it’s a darn good thing they did. These days, Wesley may be part of the cast of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and other projects, but he will always be remembered and loved for The Vampire Diaries, which can be streamed with a Max subscription or Peacock subscription.

Three are a lot of places around the world that have become famous for being set locations or exterior shots from television shows. From restaurants, to prisons, to houses, to everything in between. These are just a few of these now-famous locations everyone recognizes from their favorite shows. 

Tom's Restaurant - Seinfeld

In virtually every episode of Seinfeld, the gang met up at Monk's Diner. The interiors were a set, of course, but all the exterior shots for Monk's were of Tom's Restaurant at the corner of Broadway and 112th Street in New York City. The cast of Seinfeld is enshrined in caricatures on the wall. One more fun fact about the eatery, it was also the restaurant that inspired the song "Tom's Diner" by Suzanne Vega. 

Highclere Castle - Downton Abbey

Grand houses dot the English countryside, many of which are quite famous for their ornate beauty. One house now stands out from the rest, Highclere Castle in Hampshire. As hardcore fans of Downton Abbey know, not only was it used for the exterior of the house, but many of the interiors, including the iconic library, were used in the production. 

The Painted Ladies - Full House

San Francisco was once home to thousands of grand Victorian homes, though many were destroyed by the earthquake in 1906. A notable row that survived across from Alamo Square Park is famously known as "The Painted Ladies" and is a big tourist destination for fans of Full House after they featured prominently in the show. 

Police Beach - Lost

The mysterious island in Lost was in actually many filming locations across Oahu in Hawaii. One of the most famous locations is known as Papailoa Beach or Police Beach. It is located on the North Shore and was used a lot in the show as the spot where the plane crashed and where the survivors lived for a time. 

94 Bedford Street - Friends

94 Bedford Street, at the corner of Grove and Bedford, has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in New York City. Not because anyone famous has lived there, but because that's the building used for the exterior shots of where most of the characters on Friends lived.

St. Michael's Mount - House Of The Dragon

St. Michael's Mount in southeast England is less famous than its cousin, Mont-Saint-Michel in France, but they are very similar monasteries. Both were built on little spits of land surrounded by a tidal area that leaves them completely separated from the mainland much of the time. St. Michael's Mount serves as the exterior for Driftmark, the seat of House Velaryon in House Of The Dragon.

Salish Lodge & Spa - Twin Peaks

On Twin Peaks, one of the most prominent locations is The Great Northern Inn, where Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) lives during his time in the town investigating the murder of Laura Palmer. The exterior of the hotel, located above a beautiful waterfall, is actually the Salish Lodge & Spa in Snoqualmie, WA.

The Bull & Finch Pub - Cheers

Tourists in Boston are often startled to see the exterior of Cheers as they walk around the Public Garden at the foot of Beacon Hill. The famous bar from Cheers was once called The Bull & Finch Pub and has been in that spot since the late '60s. In the early '00s, the owners changed the name to Cheers. 

Pasadena City Hall - Parks And Recreation

Parks & Recreation may be set in the town of Pawnee, Indiana, but the exterior shots of the City Hall on the show were filmed much closer to where the show was actually filmed in LA. The building is, in fact, the City of Pasadena's City Hall. A far cry from rural Indiana, but these days the building is more famous for being in a fictional TV town in the Hoosier state than the City of Roses. 

Richmond, London - Ted Lasso

A little alley in Richmond, London, has become one of the most visited tourist spots in a town chock-full of great tourist spots. That's because it served as the exterior to Coach Lasso's apartment in Ted Lasso. The pub nearby was also one of the most-used shooting locations for the show and fans of the hilarious show have been flocking ever since. 

The Belnord - Only Murders In The Building

There are a few famous apartment buildings on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, including The Belnord. The grand building is one of the most prominent of all, especially now as it serves as the titular building in Only Murders In The Building starring Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. It's located at 86th St. and Amsterdam.

Dubrovnik Harbor - Game Of Thrones

HBO's Game of Thrones made quite a few locations around the world famous, and while the city of Dubrovnik, Croatia was already famous among historians, it entered popular culture in a big way when it was the stand-in for King's Landing throughout many episodes of the show. There is a little harbor on the city's west coast that was one of the locations used in some of the most famous scenes.  

The Waybury Inn - Newhart

In Newhart Dick Loudon (Bob Newhart) and his wife Joanna (Mary Frann) moved to Vermont to run the Stratford Inn. The real-life Stratford Inn is actually The Waybury Inn in Middlebury Vermont. And yes, it's still a hotel, and you can still stay there. 

Ranger's House - Bridgerton

The stately home of the Bridgerton family in Bridgerton is, in fact, called Ranger's House. Built in 1722 in what is now London, it's located near Greenwich Park, just a couple hundred yards from the famous Royal Observatory, Greenwich, which was where time was set for the world for centuries, but it is now a museum. 

Mr. Beef - The Bear

Chicago is famous for a lot of different foods. Pizza and hot dogs are probably the two most people think of first. Or at least, they used to. After the wild success of The Bear, one of the best shows on Hulu, the Windy City is increasingly famous for Italian Beef sandwiches, like the ones served at Mr. Beef. The small eatery stood in for The Beef on the show. 

15 Washington Street, Brooklyn - Gossip Girl

Located basically under the Manhattan Bridge in the Dumbo neighborhood, 15 Washington Street has become iconic for its use as the exterior of the Humphrey loft in Gossip Girl. 

Bell Works, Holmdel, NJ - Severance

The Bell Works building in Holmdel, NJ was locally famous for decades before the Apple TV+ show Severance made it famous everywhere. Long a favorite in architectural circles, the building, designed by Eero Saarinen, was the R&D headquarters for Bell Labs for decades starting in the early '60s. It is a perfect building to house the mysterious Lumon Industries on the show.  

Chief Joseph Ranch - Yellowstone

Some terrible things have gone down on the Dutton Yellowstone Ranch in Yellowstone. It has to be the most violent place in all of Montana, in the context of the show. Luckily, the real ranch where it is filmed, Chief Joseph Ranch is like it in looks only. It's a guest ranch and fans of the show can even stay there. Just try not to murder anyone. 

Holsten’s Brookdale Confectionary - The Sopranos

One of the most controversial and possibly one of the best endings of a show in TV history took place at Holsten’s Brookdale Confectionery in Bloomfield, NJ. The Sopranos ended when Meadow walked through the door of the diner and the screen went black. Did Tony die or didn't he? The arguments will last forever, an argument you could have over some onion rings at Holsten's.

Twisters Restaurant - Breaking Bad

A Twisters Restaurant in Albuquerque, NM is better known to Breaking Bad fans as Los Pollos Hermanos. The chain restaurant location on Isleta Boulevard in Albuquerque was re-dressed as Los Pollos Hermanos for the show and its spinoff Better Call Saul. 

Speedy’s Cafe - Sherlock

221B Baker Street is one of the most famous addresses in literary history as the home of Sherlock Holmes. On the BBC show Sherlock starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, the flat is located next door to a cafe called Speedy's. Not only is the restaurant's exterior featured on the show, but the interior is shown on occasion, such as when Watson (Freeman) meets with Mycroft (Mark Gatiss). 

Senoia, Georgia - The Walking Dead

Senoia, Georgia is a small unassuming town on the far southwest edge of the Atlanta metro area. It's a quaint, picturesque southern town that is not a hotbed for tourism by fans of The Walking Dead as it became the setting for the settlement of Alexandria on the show. 

Buckingham Fountain - Married... With Children

The Buckingham Fountain in the heart of Grant Park in Chicago has long been a local landmark in The Windy City. When it was used in the opening moments of the credits on Fox's Married... With Children, it became a national landmark, recognized the world over. Along with having one of the most famous musicians ever singing the theme song, Frank Sinatra, it became an iconic opening. 

Mystic Grill - The Vampire Diaries

The real Mystic Grill is located in Covington, GA, and has become a must-see location for fans of The Vampire Diaries. It pre-existed the show and looks pretty much identical to what fans remember from the beloved show. 

Frist Campus Center - House

Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital, where Dr. Gregory House torments his residents and his patients on House isn't actually a hospital at all. The famous exteriors are actually of the Frist Campus Center on the campus of Princeton University. The building is also famous for Room 302, where Albert Einstein lectured when he was a professor at the school. 

Torrance High School - Beverly Hills, 90210

Without a doubt, Torrance High School in Torrance, CA, is one of the most recognizable locations in television history. It was the setting for West Beverly High on Beverly Hills, 90210, but that's not all. It was also the stand-in for Sunnydale High on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Ulysses S. Grant High School in The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and it was used in movies like She's All That, Not Another Teen Movie, and Bruce Almighty, among others. 

Waterfords' House - The Handmaid's Tale

In The Handmaid’s Tale, the Waterfords live in Boston, but the mansion used for the exterior shots of their home is actually in Hamilton, Ontario, near Toronto. Like other houses featured in shows, it's become a popular place for selfies, but do you really want to memorialize that house after everything awful that happened inside it? 

Rosenheim Mansion - American Horror Story

The stately Rosenheim Mansion in Los Angeles has a look that is just perfect for horror stories. Most notably, it was used in American Horror Story. It's also been featured in other creepy shows like The Twilight Zone, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, The X-Files, and Dexter. Yikes! 

Franklin Square House Apartments - St. Elsewhere

The exterior of St. Eligius Hospital, the fictional hospital in the critically acclaimed '80s show St Elsewhere is actually an apartment building called Franklin Square House Apartments, in Boston's South End, where the hospital was also set. The show launched quite a few careers, including Howie Mandel's and Denzel Washington's, and like their careers, the apartment building is still around today. 

1618 Pine St., Boulder Colorado - Mork & Mindy

If you find yourself in Boulder, CO, and are a fan of Mork & Mindy, you can take a selfie in front of their apartment. The exterior used is a house that still stands on  Pine St., near the middle of town. 

Old Joliet Prison - Prison Break

If you close your eyes and picture a classic American prison, you'll probably see something that looks a lot like the old Joliet Prison in Joliet, IL. For that reason, the now-closed prison has been a popular shooting location over the years. Not only does it serve as the exterior of the jail in Prison Break, but it's also where Jake Blues (John Belushi) is released from in The Blues Brothers, and has been in numerous other movies and TV shows. 

Cincinnati Enquirer Building - WKRP In Cincinnati

Though it was really only used in the opening credits and very occasionally in the show, the studio for the fictitious radio station WKRP from the hit '70s sitcom in the Cincinnati Enquirer Building, located in downtown Cincinnati. When you're in town, you can pretend all your favorite DJs and intrepid reporter Les Nessman are hard at work in the building. 

The cast of The Vampire Diaries apparently has a running joke about how much Justin Bieber resembles one of its stars, Paul Wesley. The conversation — and photos comparing the two — resurfaced recently when Wesley’s former co-star Ian Somerhalder posted pics to celebrate the Biebs’ impending child with wife Hailey. However, it turns out Wesley’s not the only Salvatore brother with a celebrity doppelgänger, because Chace Crawford of The Boys recently admitted that fans have mistaken him for Somerhalder.

Chace Crawford sat down with some of his co-stars from The Boys — which wrapped its fourth season last week in a wild and twisty finale — where they answered some of the most-searched questions about themselves. When The Deep actor was asked who he looks like, Crawford was able to answer pretty quickly, saying on the WIRED video: 

Wow, I can totally see how fans might have gotten Chace Crawford confused for Ian Somerhalder, especially since Crawford sported a longer hairstyle back in his Gossip Girl days. I’m sure it didn’t help that they were both starring on teen dramas on The CW either. Just take a look at the actors side-by-side: 

I actually think these two might resemble each other more than Justin Bieber and Paul Wesley, so I wonder if that’s something that ever came up with Ian Somerhalder on The Vampire Diaries set.

It sounds like Chace Crawford didn’t even correct the fans over the mistaken identity, either, and I have to wonder if there are photos out there of people who thought they were posing with Damon Salvatore but actually got Nate Archibald. (Not that that would be something to complain about!)

The situation Chace Crawford found himself in isn’t actually all that rare. Many other celebrities have spoken out about being mistaken for someone else, including Kelly Clarkson, who doesn’t look like Carrie Underwood but still autographed Underwood’s name for a fan who got their music mixed up. The “Before He Cheats” singer does, however, resemble Reese Witherspoon, causing the two to fangirl over each other when the confusion happened.

Twisters star Glen Powell, meanwhile, says he’s been mixed up with This Is Us’ Justin Hartley, but Powell — unlike Chace Crawford — does make sure to correct any fans who may think they’re taking a pic with someone else.

The Vampire Diaries fans loved seeing Ian Somerhalder call back to Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley saying Justin Bieber was their love child, and now you can throw Somerhalder in there too with having a Hollywood look-alike. You can catch that look-alike on The Boys, which is available to stream with an Amazon Prime subscription. Be sure to take a look at our 2024 TV schedule as well to see all of the upcoming premieres. 

It’s pretty amusing when you find two celebrities who look enough alike that they get confused for each other. Reese Witherspoon and Carrie Underwood, for example, were flattered to find out people think they resemble each other. Hit Man star Glen Powell, meanwhile, has said he gets confused for This Is Us’ Justin Hartley. Some comparisons are just too easy not to make, and that’s been the case for Paul Wesley and Justin Bieber. For years people have noted their similarities, and I love that the running joke continues with Wesley’s former co-stars from The Vampire Diaries. 

Ian Somerhalder Post Reignites Doppelgänger Conversation 

In a recent Instagram post, Ian Somerhalder had everyone drooling over the Salvatore brothers again, when he posted a throwback photo of himself with … Justin Bieber? It was, in fact, the Biebs and not Paul Wesley — who played Damon’s younger brother Stefan on The Vampire Diaries — in the photo, which you can see below: 

By posting that photo, Ian Somerhalder appeared to be referencing Justin Bieber and wife Hailey expecting their first child by referring to them in the caption as “two dads hanging out,” but what makes it so hilarious is how much Bieber resembled a young Paul Wesley back then. In fact, plenty of commenters on the photo actually did think it was Wesley, causing a lot of confusion amongst the fans. 

The Stefan portrayer himself even weighed in, with Paul Wesley writing:

The best part of this to me is that The Vampire Diaries cast is still recalling this running joke that we first became aware of so many years ago. 

The Vampire Diaries Cast Have Joked For Years About Paul Wesley And Justin Bieber 

The resemblance between the actor and the “Love Yourself” singer is nothing new. In fact, it drew a lot of attention when it was pointed out by E! News in 2020, and it wasn’t just the fans who agreed. Paul Wesley jokingly confirmed a genetic connection to Justin Bieber when he commented: 

Nina Dobrev, who co-starred on The Vampire Diaries with Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder, took it a step further when she tagged the Stefan actor in her own comment, saying: 

That was already enough to send TVD fans into fits three years after the beloved CW show ended its run, but Paul Wesley had one more response, seemingly reaching out to their son, aka Justin Bieber, to say: 

If these bonding moments between the former co-stars have you missing all the supernatural teen drama, you can stream all eight seasons of The Vampire Diaries on two of the best streaming services — Max and Peacock. Also be sure to check out our 2024 TV schedule to see what other series are premiering soon. 

Nina Dobrev is continuing her recovery following a harrowing E-bike accident last month. The Vampire Diaries star has been updating followers on her recovery, from relaxing to surgery to sweet moments with boyfriend, Shaun White. Many of her TVD co-stars sent love following the accident, and now one of her on-screen beaus, Paul Wesley, is giving an update on her condition. 

TMZ caught up with Wesley at LAX on June 6, as he was headed on a trip with his girlfriend. The Stefan actor shared that his former co-star is “doing better” after her surgery, and the story noted that she's expected to make a full recovery. Dobrev's longtime co-star noted that it sucks that she’s going through this, but he has talked to her since the accident, telling the reporter:

Wesley and Dobrev have remained close since the end of the CW series, even though the two clashed at the beginning of TVD. So it isn’t surprising to hear that he has been in contact with her since her accident and that he is showing as much support as he can. From the looks of Dobrev’s Instagram, she seems to be in good spirits despite the circumstances, proving that she is recovering like a true champ.

Paul Wesley portrayed Stefan Salvatore on The Vampire Diaries for the entire eight-season run, but he thought he would get fired in the show’s early days. It’s a good thing he didn’t because who knows what would have happened with the love triangle between the Salvatore brothers and Elena. There’s also the fact that, as previously mentioned, he, Nina Dobrev and the rest of the cast are still close. It’s hard to tell how the ensemble would have turned out if Wesley, Dobrev, or anyone else wasn’t cast. But luckily, there’s no need to wonder, and even though the show ended years ago, we still get to see the cast supporting each other.

Meanwhile, it’s unknown how Dobrev’s injury will impact her work or how long she’s expected to be out. She is on the mend, which is good news, and she certainly wouldn’t be the first celebrity to work while injured. For example, Jodie Sweetin filmed Fuller House Season 3 with a broken leg. Dobrev is set to star in the upcoming historical thriller series Woman 99, but as of now, it’s unclear what the status of the show is.

For now, Nina Dobrev is focused on recovering and will return to acting when she gets the all-clear from doctors and feels her best to do so. All that really matters is that she is recovering as expected, which, according to Paul Wesley, she is. She may want to stay away from any motorbikes for the time being, however, just to be safe.

Did you know Twilight’s Nikki Reed and The Vampire Diaries’ Ian Somerhalder are married? Yep, it’s pretty much the best fictional vampire union to happen! The couple exchanged vows back in 2015 and have two kids together. While the pair have opted to leave Hollywood in recent years to live a much quieter life on a farm, they aren't totally out of touch with the happenings of the world at large. Reed, for her part, just joined TikTok and did so by sharing a video of her and Somerhalder, which included the perfect homage to their days playing bloodsuckers.

Nikki Reed shared her first TikTok by sharing her and Ian Somerhalder’s own take on the “Out of My League” trend that’s been all over the social media platform as of late. Take a look at the delightful video below:

Tons of couples have been using the hit song from Fitz and the Tantrums to stage their partner bumping into them before embracing for a sweet and romantic moment. The Sleepy Hollow alum chose to do the trend with her husband of almost nine years, but with a twist their fans will appreciate. Halfway through the video, it cuts to a clip of both Nikki Reed as Rosalie Hale in Twilight and Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries before he dips her for a kiss. She followed up the video with this second part: 

Of course, both videos have already gone viral and, honestly, what a great video of the couple as she joins TikTok! Ian Somerhalder, who has been on the platform for some time now, commented on the first video by saying, “You are my Roman Empire!!!!!” They are honestly so cute, and you gotta love how they're willing to play into their vampire personas. The actress cleverly captioned the first video with “Cc Emmett Cullen” and called her husband a “wannabe vampire” in the second part of the video, where she pretends to be creeped out by him. 

Nikki Reed was the first of the pair to don those proverbial vampire teeth when she played the salty sister to Edward Cullen in 2008’s Twilight, which is based on Stephanie Meyer’s phenom of a book franchise. Just one year later, The Vampire Diaries premiered on The CW, with Ian Somerhalder starring alongside Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley. Somerhalder has previously talked about how he wouldn’t have been a vampire on TV if it wasn’t for Twilight’s success, saying the series “rode on the coattails of that theatrical success.” 

Since both actors had some pretty wild journeys playing fanged individuals for many years and within properties with massive fanbases, they probably had plenty of shared experiences they could discuss when they reportedly met in 2014. Nowadays, Nikki Reed remains in contact with her Twilight cast and both of them juggle multiple businesses, including Ian Somerhalder’s liquor brand with Paul Wesley. 

Now, I can’t wait to see if the couple get on more TikTok trends now that the both of them are on the social media app. I imagine that if they could probably come up with some other creative posts if they put their heads together.

There have been a slew of celebrities who have exited Hollywood in recent years in search of different lifestyles. For Mark Wahlberg’s family, Las Vegas offered a slew of activities outside of the limelight. For Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves, the Malibu paparazzi led them to seek refuge in Texas. Chris Hemsworth wanted projects to come to him in Australia rather than the other way around. And Ian Somerhalder and his fellow former vampire wife Nikki Reed just left Los Angeles for a bit of land of their own. The question is: Does The Vampire Diaries see a return to the TV schedule in his future? 

Both Somerhalder and Reed appeared on the red carpet recently for Common Ground, a documentary about agriculture processes and improving our world that also features other stars like Jason Momoa, Donald Glover, Laura Dern and even Woody Harrelson. The two are able to speak confidently in the documentary after moving miles away from Los Angeles to farmland where they grow some of their own food and crops, including cucumbers, rosemary and lavender. But does the former CW star miss any of the trappings of Hollywood? He told E!:   

I’m not sure if that “3.0 version” comment had to do with the life they are building or another sort of  plan for the future. The parents of two declined to elaborate further on what the comment meant–-though it’s clear acting won’t be involved. 

He and wife Nikki Reed spent the majority of the interview talking about sustainability and the things they enjoy getting to watch their children grow up in the natural world. Reed’s been pretty open about cutting Somerhalder’s hair for him and being more homebodies in the past, as well. They are living off the land more and more as time passes, and it seems they don't really miss their Hollywood past.

Reed went on to say she wishes they had “more time,” however, given they are currently running multiple businesses, including a bourbon brand Somerhalder runs with TVD co-star Paul Wesley. So, it sounds like even if there was a desire to act again, they might not have the bandwidth. Both actors stopped acting a little over four years ago, after appearing in V-Wars together. 

Along with occasionally having his name bandied about to play certain Marvel characters, recently, there have been rumblings from the A Court of Thorns And Roses franchise that Ian Somerhalder would make the perfect Rhysand – or at least he would have during his TVD era. Now that he’s 45, he doesn’t really fit the twenties-ish description the High Fae are supposed to resemble (despite being hundreds of years old). 

Not that Somerhalder has aged out of Hollywood in general. I’m sure there are plenty of roles out there for the seemingly retired actor should he ever want to get back in the game. But given he doesn't "miss" any of it, that doesn't sound like it will be the path for the TVD star's future.

It’s been over six years since fans said goodbye to The Vampire Diaries and just over a year since the overall franchise officially came to an end with the cancelation of Legacies. Even so, the steamy supernatural teen drama is still quite relevant, thanks to streaming and social media chatter. Speaking of the latter, just last week, fans on X marked a supposed occasion. They commemorated the rumored time when Nina Dobrev and a few others were purportedly arrested for "flashing" way back in 2009. Now, series writer Carina Adly MacKenzie is responding to that rumor and clearing the air.

This new round of hype ramped up after photos of The Vampire Diaries' Nina Dobrev, Kayla Ewell, Sara Canning, and Candice King’s supposed mugshots went viral on the site. Their colleague chimed in to “ruin the fun,” as some have been putting it. For years, many have been led to believe that the four of them, plus Krystal Vayda and photographer Tyler Shields, were arrested in August 2009 after the five actresses were allegedly stopping traffic and reportedly hanging from a bridge and flashing, as TMZ reported way back when.

In a multi-thread on X (formerly known as Twitter) though, Carina Adly MacKenzie -- who served as writer, producer and story editor on TVD spinoff The Originals -- said the girls were just “doing a photoshoot” for a photographer friend on the bridge. In addition, the “flashing” that was reported by drivers was simply a camera flash and misinterpreted by the officer. After the misunderstanding was cleared up, everyone was cleared to go home. MacKenzie also said:

So, after 14 years, it seems the iconic Vampire Diaries arrest has been cleared up. I have to admit, I myself was also under the impression that Nina Dobrev, Candice King, and a few others were arrested for flashing on a bridge before TVD came out. It makes for quite a story, though it's great that falsehoods have been cleared up, of course. Considering series star Paul Wesley was even afraid of being fired for missteps early on, one would think that the stars took care when it came to their off-set activities. On a side note, the photos from the infamous shoot that Carina Adly MacKenzie posted in the thread look great.

At this point, I'd kind of love it if the stars all got back together to recreate the shoot. I mean, even if a formal Vampire Diaries revival isn’t happening any time soon, it'd still be great to see some of the cast reunite in that way. Considering there is a TVD convention in Covington, Georgia, where the series was filmed, via Epic Cons, that could make for the perfect venue. Or at the very least, I'd love to hear the stars talk more about their personal recollections of the camera flashing situation. 

The Vampire Diaries, which ran for eight seasons and spawned two spin-offs, is available for fans to stream with a Max subscription.

Paul Wesley may be part of the cast of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds now but, for many people, he'll forever and always be known as Stefan Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries. He portrayed the fan-favorite bloodsucker and one-half of “Stelena” on the CW supernatural drama for the show’s entire eight-season run. The series ended with Stefan’s sacrifice, and some were in their feelings at the time due to how popular Wesley was. Interestingly though, there was actually a time earlier in the show's run during which the star thought he was going to get fired.

While appearing on Michael Rosenbaum’s podcast, Inside of You, the 41-year-old got real about working on the first few seasons of the long-running young adult drama. Paul Wesley explained that he really put in effort during those early years. And that's definitely appropriate, considering his character, Stefan, has a very by-the-book personality. Even so, he still had concerns about his job security at that point in time, and the uneasiness stemmed from a brutally honest conversation the show's head honchos had with the cast earlier on:

Even though Paul Wesley was serious about the role and his work, it sounds like the producers and/or studio was intent on letting all of the actors know they were replaceable. However, it should be mentioned that the young stars' off-set activities were well-documented back in the day. TMZ reported back in 2009 that series lead Nina Dobrev and a few other TVD stars were arrested for flashing while in Georgia. Still, it is a bit harsh that he and the cast were told how expendable they were. With that said, Wesley made an honest admission regarding that declaration:

Luckily, Paul Wesley was not fired from The Vampire Diaries, and Stefan Salvatore became a relatively big part of the series. The series likely wouldn’t have been what it was without Wesley's Stefan. Much of the series centered on the love triangle between Stefan, Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev and Damon (Ian Somerhalder). Sure another actor could've been cast to play a role that filled the void, but Wesley was just too good. As for how he feels about Stefan, the star recently admitted that he liked that the character's story and personality changed over time. In spite of that though, Wesley doesn't exactly miss the franchise.

Paul Wesley may not want to return for a theoretical Vampire Diaries revival, but it sounds like he's proud of what he was able to accomplish. Personally, I'm just happy he was able to stay around so that he could help play out Stefan's journey. Plus, he seems to be doing pretty well for himself lately, considering that he's now playing the latest iteration of Captain Kirk, a role he wouldn't mind having for a while. Here's to continued job stability for the star.

Fans can watch the Stefan-filled Vampire Diaries with a Max subscription or a Peacock subscription. The series is arguably one of the best shows streaming on Max, and for a good reason.

The Vampire Diaries ended back in 2017 after an eight-season run, and fans had to say goodbye to Mystic Falls. With the end of Legacies last year, the TVD franchise still has a chance of coming back, according to creator Julie Plec, but it may be a while until that happens. If and when that happens, would Elena Gilbert be one to make a return? Nina Dobrev recently revealed what it would take for her to return to the supernatural drama.

Nina Dobrev starred in six of The Vampire Diaries’ eight seasons, and returned for the finale, but doing the same genre for so long can take a toll on someone, especially if it’s something as grueling as the supernatural. While the actress was doing an interview for Radio Andy, Paul Wesley’s comments about doing another vampire-related project were brought up, and how he said it would be a “hard pass.” For Dobrev, though, said she’s open to it, depending on what project it would be and who would be attached:

It is hard to choose whether to stay away from a specific genre or not, since it really all depends on what projects come to you, so it sounds like Nina Dobrev could be making a return to her vampire roots in the future. If she finds something suitable for her, at least, maybe even with Steven Spielberg. With that in mind, would she even be open to a possible Vampire Diaries reboot in the future? While Paul Wesley clarified his comments with CinemaBlend after mentioning that he would never do another Vampire Diaries, Dobrev is feeling a little different about the possibility:

Considering it has only (and surprisingly) been six years since TVD ended, it is a little early to start thinking about potential reboots, especially since Legacies, the last spin-off, ended in 2022. Since it sounds like Nina Dobrev is still close with a lot of her former co-stars, that may be the closest that fans will get to a reboot or revival for now. The actress is set to appear at a Vampire Diaries convention in December for Epic Cons, which is a rare appearance for her, alongside many of her co-stars, so at least fans will be able to look forward to that, even if it isn’t a reboot.

Meanwhile, Dobrev is still keeping plenty busy post-Vampire Diaries, and that’s aside from her adorable relationship with Shaun White. She is part of the cast of The Out-Laws, and critics have been raving about the Netflix comedy. The film can be streamed with a Netflix subscription, so fans may want to check it out and see why it has been an instant hit. Dobrev also has four other upcoming projects, including the action-thriller The Bricklayer opposite Aaron Eckhart.

Even though a Vampire Diaries reboot may be a bit far-fetched, at least for now, all eight seasons can be streamed with a Max subscription, which is better than nothing. Be sure to also take a look at the 2023 TV schedule to see what to look forward to later this year and if anything could serve as a TVD replacement.

Actor Paul Wesley is crushing it as James T. Kirk in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, but even so, there's a community of fantasy fans out there still holding out hope to see him return to his former franchise. Those hopes were dashed recently when Wesley went viral explaining why he wouldn't return to The Vampire Diaries, noting that eight years on a show was long. CinemaBlend wondered if that same mindset translated to playing Kirk in Trek and got a passionate response from the actor about the differences between the two. 

I had a chance to speak to Paul Wesley recently, and during our conversation, I brought up the fact that many Trek actors have reprised their roles throughout their lifetimes. As the heir apparent to playing James T. Kirk from this point on, I noted he could be called on to play him in other projects and questioned if he was up for that, given the comments he made about never returning to The Vampire Diaries. Wesley enthusiastically set the record straight on his original comments, with a bit of key context that better explained his response: 

Paul Wesley won't return for any reboot of The Vampire Diaries, partly because he doesn't look the same as when he first played Stefan Salvatore. As he mentioned, vampires aren't supposed to age, and while I'd say he's aged gracefully since the show ended in 2017, he would not look the same as he did back then. 

And while Paul Wesley doesn't see a future where he's back in The Vampire Diaries universe, he seems ready and willing to pop up in projects as James T. Kirk to entertain those with a Paramount+ subscription for as long as the ride will last. Wesley laid out the difference between the two franchises and why he sees a future in playing Kirk in a way he doesn't Stefan: 

As a Star Trek fan, I'm beyond thrilled to hear Paul Wesley talk about the future he sees for his role beyond Strange New Worlds. I'm not nearly as big of a fan of The Vampire Diaries, but if I were, I think I would officially close the door on Wesley returning for any type of spinoff, reboot, or otherwise. The good news is there's a healthy library of episodes to revisit for those who miss him as Stefan. 

Paul Wesley first joined Star Trek: Strange New Worlds in the Season 1 finale and has already shown up in one adventure of Season 2. To be clear, he's not the star of the show and looking to take over for Anson Mount's Pike as head of the Enterprise. He does seem very interested, however, in telling more stories with Kirk elsewhere, as he told CinemaBlend when talking about the Picard reference to his character. I'm certainly game to see him do that, as well as continue the storylines he's a part of in Strange New Worlds. 

Catch new episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds on Thursdays on Paramount+. As for The Vampire Diaries, it's available for Max and Peacock subscribers looking to reminisce on the prime days of vampire-centric programming on television. 

It’s been six years since The Vampire Diaries came to an end, and it’s been one year since the universe officially closed with the cancellation of Legacies. While creator Julie Plec has previously teased that the TVD universe could come back someday, this raises the question of whether or not fans could also see the return of some fan favorite stars. On that note, series OG Paul Wesley just got honest about whether he’d return for a revival while also explaining how he feels about his famous role of Stefan Salvatore at this point.

Paul Wesley portrayed vampire Stefan on Vampire Diaries for the entirety of the show’s eight-season run, but would he ever do it again? The Star Trek: Strange New Worlds actor told InStyle that any TVD-related project would be a “hard pass,” unfortunately, and it sounds like he’s not interested in returning to the genre at all:

Since Stefan did sacrifice himself during the series finale of TVD, it would be hard to bring him back. Theoretically, the writers could find a way, but any attempt to do so could undermine the narrative heft of his death. So it would seem that if a new show were to happen, we shouldn't expect Paul Wesley to reprise his role in a way that mirrors Joseph Morgan’s return as Klaus in the Legacies finale. It’s disappointing to hear, but maybe there's a chance he changes his mind as time goes on? We'll have to see.

Though the 40-year-old actor isn't aiming to do anything vampire-related in the future, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t appreciate his past work. The Vampire Diaries took up a significant portion of his life, and there's an aspect of his role that he truly appreciated during that time:

Paul Wesley still frequently attends conventions in celebration of The Vampire Diaries. So even if he doesn’t want to do any future project pertaining to the fictional universe, he clearly still enjoys looking back at his time on the show and interacting with fans. And on occasion, he'll even reunite with his former co-stars. Meanwhile, with the end of the franchise last year, some other stars have done some reflecting as well. For one, Kat Graham recalled her refusal to return as Bonnie, but she noted how much she put into the series and how grateful she is for her eight years. 

It would honestly be great to see Paul Wesley return to the world of bloodsuckers for another TVD-adjacent production. Though one can understand why he wouldn't be keen on a revival or sequel series of any kind at this point. At the very least, one can still appreciate his continued love for the drama series. (And of course, franchise devotees can always use fan fiction to tell more stories with the characters.)

While Stefan Salvatore won’t be returning if The Vampire Diaries universe returns, but fans can always watch the series with a Max subscription to get their vampire fix. And be sure to also check out the 2023 TV schedule for prime viewing options.

Two incredibly popular TV sub-genres are supernatural shows and teen dramas. What do you get when you combine both together? Supernatural teen dramas, that’s what.

Today, we’re going to tell you about the ten best supernatural teen dramas, from The Vampire Diaries, to witch shows, to so much more. Here are some of the best.

The Vampire Diaries (2009 - 2017)

Starring: Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder

What It’s About: Elena Gilbert was a normal teenage girl before she lost her parents. While trying to deal with the pain of losing them, she ends up meeting Stefan Salvatore, whom she starts to grow close to and fall in love with, but what she doesn’t know is that he’s a vampire who is over 100 years old. When his brother ends up coming back to town, he throws more drama into her life by eventually starting to fall for her, too.

Why It’s One Of The Best Supernatural Teen Dramas: When we think of supernatural teen dramas, this is one that many people tend to think of first. It was huge during its run, and came out at the perfect time at the height of vampire love.

• Stream The Vampire Diaries on Max.

Wednesday (2022 – Present)

Starring: Jenna Ortega, Emma Myers, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzman, Steve Buscemi

What It’s About: Wednesday takes place in the world of The Addams Family, and shows Wednesday as she is sent off to Nevermore Academy. When she arrives, she finds herself in the middle of a mystery involving several deaths around the area, and also has to debunk the idea that her father was a murderer years ago.

Why It’s One Of The Best Supernatural Teen Dramas: I binged the whole entire thing like every other person on the planet when it came out. It’s not the most crazy teen drama out there, as the Wednesday cast adds plenty of humor to go along with the supernatural stories, but there’s a lot to like about this show. There’s even a Wednesday Season 2 confirmed.

• Stream Wednesday on Netflix.

Locke & Key (2020 – 2022)

Starring: Darby Stanchfield, Connor Jessup, Emilia Jones, Jackson Robert Scott

What It’s About: When a family moves into an old home, the children discover various keys that unlock magical doors, only to find out that there are other entities who want these keys too, and they must stop it.

Why It’s One Of The Best Supernatural Teen Dramas: Based on the comics of the same name, Locke & Key is a great show to binge on a weekend. There’s plenty of supernatural goodness here that will keep you satisfied and it’s a great original idea that hasn’t really been done before. Plus, the three main children are fun to follow.

• Stream Locke & Key on Netflix.

Lockwood & Co. (2023)

Starring: Ruby Stokes, Cameron Chapman, Ali Hadjo-Heshmati

What It’s About: In a world where touch-deadly ghosts haunt the streets, only children can see them, so they are organized into “ghost-hunting agencies” in order to get rid of said -ghosts. One girl joins a small one with two boys.

Why It’s One Of The Best Supernatural Teen Dramas: I will never forgive Netflix for cancelling this show after one season because it has all the elements of a great teen supernatural drama. There’s mystery, tension, and plenty of spookiness to go around. Check it out if you haven’t.

• Stream Lockwood & Co on Netflix.

Stranger Things (2016 – Present)

Starring: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, etc.

What It’s About: Taking place in the 1980s, Stranger Things is the Netflix phenomenon that follows several characters, including a powerful girl with telekinetic powers, as they attempt to deal with all of the wild supernatural happenings in their small town.

Why It’s One Of The Best Supernatural Teen Dramas: What could I say about Stranger Things that hasn’t already been said? It’s an amazing show with an even better cast, and the story has only gotten more intense as the seasons have gone on. With four seasons to watch and a fifth and final on the way, seriously, check this supernatural/sci-fi show out.

• Stream Stranger Things on Netflix.

The Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina (2018 – 2021)

Starring: Kiernan Shipka, Ross Lynch, Lucy Davis, Miranda Otto, Jaz Sinclair, Tati Gabrielle

What It’s About: Based on the Archie comics of the same name, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina follows Sabrina, a teenage witch who has to come to terms with leaving her mortal life behind, but there are evil forces out there that threaten not only the lives of her family, but her friends.

Why It’s One Of The Best Supernatural Teen Dramas: I’m a huge fan of really anything close to fantasy or witch-y stuff and this show had some horror and insane supernatural elements. While it’s a shame there were only two seasons, it’s still one of my favorite shows. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina cast is talented as heck.

• Stream The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix.

Supernatural (2005 – 2020)

Starring: Jared Padalecki, Jenson Ackles, Misha Collins

What It’s About: Two brothers travel across the country to take down ghosts, demons, and other supernatural entities.

Why It’s One Of The Best Supernatural Teen Dramas: Okay, so technically this show doesn’t feature teenagers like many of the others on this list but it did start out when one of the brothers was in college. And let’s be honest – it was mainly teenagers and college students watching this show. It has two funny leading men, a ton of spooky creatures, and plenty of drama for fifteen seasons to go around.

• Stream Supernatural on Netflix.

Nancy Drew (2019 – 2023)

Starring: Kennedy McMaan, Leah Lewis, Tunji Jasim, Maddison Jaizani

What It’s About: Based on the novels of the same name, Nancy Drew follows a teenage sleuth as she investigates local mysteries.

Why It’s One Of The Best Supernatural Teen Dramas: While Nancy Drew definitely leans more towards mystery than supernatural, there’s still plenty of great elements that make this a great supernatural teen drama. And like many others on this list, it gets spookier as it goes on.

• Stream Nancy Drew on Max.

Teen Wolf (2011 - 2017)

Starring: Tyler Posey, Crystal Reed, Dylan O’Brien, Tyler Hoechlin, Holland Roden

What It’s About: Teen Wolf follows the story of Scott McCall, a high schooler who is attacked by a werewolf one night and now needs to learn how to adapt to a life where he is half-human, half-werewolf. But, as he enters into the world of the supernatural, he finds out that his hometown is in danger, and he must help to protect it.

Why It’s One Of The Best Supernatural Teen Dramas: The story is filled to the brim with all kinds of supernatural creatures, and has some pretty creepy werewolves – but overall it’s a fun time, just don’t watch the 2023 movie. Stick with the series.

• Stream Teen Wolf on Hulu.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997 – 2003)

Starring: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter

What It’s About: Buffy The Vampire Slayer follows the story of Buffy, a young woman who is the latest in a line of vampire killers, known as “Slayers,” and with the help of allies and her high school friends, she must learn to become the best Slayer when dark forces threaten the lives of the ones she cares about the most.

Why It’s One Of The Best Supernatural Teen Dramas: Buffy was a huge show when it came out, and was beloved through its seven seasons. It also had a spinoff series, called Angel, which also lasted several seasons. Vampires are always a win and this show was the best one out there if you loved them.

• Stream Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Hulu.

There are so many supernatural teen dramas to watch, but these are just some of the best that I’ve gotten the chance to see and really enjoy. Get your magic orbs and vampire stakes ready because you’re about to dive into the supernatural.

Shaun White and Nina Dobrev have been quite the globetrotters lately. After the Olympic snowboarder took his final run and retired from the sport, he and The Vampire Diaries alum decided to travel the world. Now that they’re back in the States, he’s being asked if they will be taking the next step in their relationship. Considering the two have been publicly together since the spring of 2020, it makes sense that the gold medalist might be considering popping the question, and now he’s weighing in on the possibility. 

White was asked about his travel and life partner while he was in the deserts of California for Coachella. People caught up with the snowboarder, and asked him about the possibility of an engagement, he responded by saying they’re simply living their best lives right now, and not putting pressure on the future, explaining: 

So, it seems like right now, the idea of nuptials is not in the couple’s immediate future. For now, they’re in a state of wanderlust, traveling to places like Indonesia, Antarctica, Mexico, and of course, the mountains to get some turns in. Lucky for us all their travels have been documented on White’s Instagram:

However, while an engagement might not be in the cards at the moment, it’s not out of the question, as White teased:

I can already picture the wedding! These two seem like such a fun couple, and after what would likely be an epic engagement, I’m positive they’d have a beautiful ceremony and a rager of a reception. 

We got a little preview into how White and Dobrev bring the party at a wedding as they attended their pals Sarah Hyland and Wells Adams’ long-awaited ceremony. The two appeared to have a blast, and they looked as adorable as ever while celebrating their long-time friends.  

We’ll just have to wait and see if Shaun White and Nina Dobrev get engaged, although it seems inevitable that they’ll eventually say “I do.” Since they so clearly both support each other -- as the actress did while her boyfriend competed in the Olympics -- and troll one another -- as the Love Hard star did with her dog -- they are a solid and silly couple. In the end, whether they get married or not, I just hope the two keep this kind of energy alive. 

As the two continue to enjoy their time together, travel the world, and maybe, one day, get engaged, you can check out Shaun White's social media to see his latest professional ventures, and the 2023 movie schedule to see what Nina Dobrev has coming up. 

Following the cancellation of Legacies, Julie Plec had The CW in her rearview mirror and moved forward with projects not in the Vampire Diaries TV universe. The creator of the fan-favorite supernatural franchise has had her hands quite full lately, with new shows either airing or in development. Unfortunately, one of those shows just got some bad news, even after it received a full series order.

Just days after Peacock cancelled Plec’s newest vampire drama Vampire Academy, the streamer has now cancelled the adaptation of comic book Dead Day, which she was working on with TVD co-creator Kevin Williamson, according to Variety. The platform is reportedly looking for more comedies and “event-series” type dramas, meaning Dead Day was… dead. 

Dead Day was initially announced just over a year ago, with it getting a straight-to-series order from Peacock. The series was supposed to be an adaptation of the comic book of the same name by Ryan Parrott, with Plec and Williamson serving as co-showrunners and writers. It was set to follow a group of characters who go through Dead Day, where the dead come back for only one night.  

While the supernatural series was definitely right up the duo’s alley, the same evidently can't be said for Peacock. It’s unknown whether Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson will shop the series to other platforms, but it’s just the latest to be cancelled despite a full series order or renewal.

Even without Dead Day, Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson are both staying busy. Plec has other projects in development, including an adaptation of another super-popular YA novel, We Were Liars, with Roswell, New Mexico co-creator Carina Adly MacKenzie for Amazon Prime Video. Williamson, meanwhile, is sticking to his horror roots with the Scream franchise, as he’s an executive producer on the upcoming Scream VI.

So although Dead Day will no longer be moving forward, at least Plec and Williamson have projects moving forward for now. Hopefully, another show can bring the duo back together, after their success with The Vampire Diaries. Maybe they could take another trip to Mystic Falls? Plec is hopeful to return to the TVD Universe at some point, so you never know what could happen.

Fingers crossed that Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson don’t get any more bad news with their future projects because fans have already had enough heartbreak. At least there’s always The Vampire Diaries, which can be streamed in full if you have an HBO Max subscription! You can also find spinoffs Legacies and The Originals streaming with a Netflix subscription. Be sure to check out CinemaBlend’s 2023 TV schedule to see what shows are coming out this year and that will hopefully remain in the lineup with their season/series orders. 

The Vampire Diaries franchise may be done, but creator Julie Plec is staying plenty busy these days. With a number of shows in development, and the vague possibility of the TVD franchise's return, she is making sure to stay occupied. Now there's another new project making waves, as Plec is set to bring another super-popular YA book series to the small screen: We Were Liars.

Julie Plec and Roswell, New Mexico co-creator Carina Adly MacKenzie are handling E. Lockhart’s suspense thriller We Were Liars for Amazon's Prime Video, which has brought the project in for a development phase, according to Deadline. The adaptation is part of a trio of deals Plec, her My So-Called Company banner, and Universal Television made with Lockhart earlier this year, and the three aforementioned talents will serve as executive producers should the project go forward.

Published in 2014, We Were Liars is a psychological horror YA novel that has received critical acclaim, such as winning the Goodreads Choice Award for Best YA Fiction and being listed as an ALA Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults in 2015. It centers on the affluent Sinclair family, who spend every summer lounging around their private island. (Totally relatable, no?) But the annual lapse in luxury takes a turn when the 15-year-old daughter Candace experiences something mysterious that she can't remember, which sparks her and three friends to re-address the incident two years later. 

At this point, it's reported that a mini writers' room has been set up within Amazon. Plec is set to write the first episode, with MacKenzie penning the second. 

We Were Liars is just the latest book-to-series adaptation that Julie Plec has in development. In September, her Vampire Academy adaptation premiered on Peacock to solid reviews, and while Peacock has yet to announce a renewal, it wouldn’t be surprising if it happens. Meanwhile, Plec’s deal with Universal Television has also led to development on five other new shows, which is on top of other projects that she previously had in the works.

Despite working on a slew of new shows, The Vampire Diaries is still near and dear to Julie Plec’s heart. She is teaming up with her TVD co-creator Kevin Williamson for a comic book series, an adaptation of Ryan Parrott’s Dead Day. There’s also the fact that Plec isn’t completely ruling out a return to TVD someday following Legacies’ abrupt cancellation, but at least she is pumping out shows while fans wait for a possible Mystic Falls comeback.

With any luck, We Were Liars is on the road to viewers with Amazon Prime subscriptions, but stay tuned for updates on that front. Also, check out CinemaBlend’s 2023 TV schedule to see what’s coming out next year, as one of Julie Plec’s many upcoming shows may be popping up in the near future.

The late 2000’s were definitely dominated by vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural creatures in the forms of Twilight and The Vampire Diaries. With the former taking over in both books and films, The Vampire Diaries found much success on The CW, running for eight seasons. Star Ian Somerhalder, who just so happens to be married to Twilight star Nikki Reed, is reflecting on how the major franchise impacted the drama series.

The Vampire Diaries made its debut on The CW just a year after Twilight initially hit theaters, so vampires were all the rage at the time. Ian Somerhalder, who portrayed bad boy vampire Damon Salvatore on TVD, spoke to E! News about Twilight’s success and how it kickstarted The Vampire Diaries:

It’s not surprising that Ian Somerhalder would think this because it’s very likely true. Twilight was THE franchise of the late 2000s/early 2010s. And while at the time, Supernatural was staying strong on The CW, TVD’s success was partly due to the Twilight craze. Having a vampire series come out at the time of a successful vampire movie franchise, the network was doing something right.

While Twilight possibly played a part in TVD’s success, the series became a staple on The CW, churning out not one but two successful spin-offs with The Originals and Legacies. Although Legacies was cancelled by the network this year as part of the “Red Wedding” of cancellations, creator Julie Plec has made sure to mention that this is not the end of the franchise as there are still many more stories to be told.

Meanwhile, the success of Twilight was not always a good thing, at least for Kristen Stewart. The actress, who portrayed Bella Swan in the book-to-movie adaptations, recently opened up about her first paparazzi experience at the peak of her Twilight fame. However, Stewart has mentioned she looks back at the movies and reminisces about how cool they were, though Ashley Greene brought up the drama that happened on the set of the Twilight films earlier this year. So not everything was sparkly behind-the-scenes, but at least the franchise is still successful to this day.

If it wasn’t for the successes of Twilight and The Vampire Diaries, Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder, who both played vampires in their respective projects, likely would have never found each other. The two actors began dating in 2014 and have been married since 2015. They are still going strong to this day, and last year, Reed even admitted to doing at-home haircuts for herself and her hubby. So it turns out vampires do have souls.  

The Twilight franchise is available to stream on Amazon Prime with a subscription, while The Vampire Diaries is available to stream on Netflix with a subscription up until September 3.

Nina Dobrev is once again showing some love for her boyfriend, Shaun White, albeit in a joking manner. The Vampire Diaries star took to TikTok recently to hilariously troll the Olympic snowboarder and did so using her dog. And honestly, it just makes me even more envious of their relationship.

Nina Dobrev has been dating the Olympian since 2019 so, by now, they're at the point in their relationship in which they can joke about almost anything. And what Dobrev just did really takes the cake. In a new TikTok post, the actress hopped on the popular trend that sees a person show who their childhood crush was before sharing who they ended up with. And in the clip, White humorously doesn't make the cut when it comes to the latter category:

I mean, don't get me wrong. The snowboarder is cute (as is Brad Pitt), but how can you not love that adorable-looking dog? This is a great post and just another piece of evidence that shows how the two are always joking around. This was proven in a recent TikTok from the athlete, which saw him offer his girlfriend some tongue.

While it’s been all fun and games for the couple as of late, earlier this year, Shaun White admitted that the relationship started with some ego bruising. He wasn’t exactly aware of The Vampire Diaries when he and Nina Dobrev started dating and, as a result, didn't know how big it was. In one instance, while they were at a restaurant, Dobrev used her star power to get them a table. Ultimately, White found that to be “pretty funny.” 

Aside from that, Nina Dobrev has obviously shown love for her boyfriend without trolling him. Following Shaun White’s historic final Olympics run earlier this year, Dobrev shared her support for White, and it was all kinds of adorable. She was in Beijing with her beau throughout the winter games, which is a testament to her devotion.

The Degrassi: The Next Generation vet has been keeping herself busy as of late with acting gigs. In late 2021, she led the cast of the Netflix movie Love Hard. Not long after that, she starred in Redeeming Love, which received less-than-favorable reviews from critics. She also has other upcoming projects in Reunion, Out-Laws and Sick Girl.

It's just so wonderful to see Nina Dobrev happy and thriving alongside Shaun White. She previously admitted that landing Elena Gilbert on TVD doomed her romantic relationship at the time. I don't imagine that she'll be running into any problems related to the show at this point, though. The only thing that could possibly stand between her and White now is her dog.

If you want to see Nina Dobrev on the classic CW drama, be sure to stream all eight seasons of The Vampire Diaries using a Netflix subscription!

The Vampire Diaries franchise creator Julie Plec is keeping plenty busy following Legacies’ cancellation. While she recently signed a deal for five new shows, she has a supernatural series coming with a new group of vampires with Vampire Academy. Now, she is hyping up the show with some pretty sweet references. 

Initially, Julie Plec called the new series a “Bridgerton with vampires.” However, while discussing Vampire Academy with EW, Plec not only compared it to the Netflix hit, but also compared it to movie franchise The Hunger Games:

Vampire Academy is based on the novel of the same name by Richelle Mead, but it sounds like it’s going to expand beyond that world and include much, much more. The Bridgerton part of the series makes sense since the show will also be revolving around royalty at points, but similarities to The Hunger Games raise some intriguing new questions about what to expect.

The series was first announced in May 2021, with Plec and longtime collaborator Marguerite MacIntyre serving as co-showrunners. While the book was adapted into a movie in 2014, this is the first time it will become a TV show. The film and series will have no relation to each other, as both are solely based on the books.

Vampire Academy stars Sisi Stringer, Every Witch Way's Daniela Nieves, Kieron Moore, and Degrassi vet André Dae Kim. The series is set to premiere on Peacock on September 15 and consist of ten episodes. Be sure to get a Peacock subscription so you can watch it and see vampires battle it out Hunger Games-style and have royal drama that will remind you of Bridgerton, based on what Plec previewed!

Meanwhile, since Julie Plec has her hands full with multiple new shows, what does this mean for The Vampire Diaries Universe? Legacies’ finale had some closure, especially with the long-awaited appearance from Joseph Morgan’s Klaus Mikaelson, but that doesn’t mean this is the end. Following the series finale, Plec promised that while this is the end of a chapter, it can be used to “launch the beginning of another chapter.”

As for other projects, Julie Plec is teaming up with TVD co-creator Kevin Williamson to create a TV adaptation of Ryan Parrott’s comic book, Dead Day, for Peacock. The duo will serve as co-showrunners and writers, though not much else has been released for it. She also has new Netflix series, Confessions of a Drug-Addicted High School Teacher, starring TVD vet Paul Wesley, and HBO Max’s The Girls on the Bus starring Christina Elmore, Melissa Benoist, and Natasha Behnam.

Check out CinemaBlend’s 2022 TV schedule to see what else to look forward to on TV while you wait for the premiere of Vampire Academy!

Now that The Vampire Diaries franchise is officially done (at least for now) with the end of Legacies, creator Julie Plec is seemingly putting The CW all the way in her rearview mirror. Over the last several months, she has gradually added new shows to her repertoire, such as another vampire series in the Vampire Academy adaptation, and now she is developing a whopping five additional new shows at Universal Television, on top of other projects already in the works.

According to THR, Plec has five new scripted shows in development at Universal Television, the studio that her production banner My So-Called Company has been based at for two years now. The new shows — Clifton, Douglass Medical, Freeman, Stay Gold, and This Savage Song — are part of her overall deal with Universal TV, where she already has four other shows in development, and likely more on the way. Her first show as part of the deal, The Endgame, was canceled in May, but that setback obviously isn't stunting growth anywhere else. Now let's take a closer look at everything on Julie Plec's plate going forward.

Clifton

In development at Peacock, Clifton is based on the Margaret Peterson Haddix novel Running Out of Time, and will be adapted by Briarpatch writer/Aisha Porter-Christie. The series centers on teenager Jazzie Smith, who lives in the the titular village of Clifton, which was previously used as a sanctuary at the height of the Civil War. After a mysterious visitor washes ashore, Jazzie soon begins learning more than she ever thought about all of the island’s secrets. Julie Plec and Emily Cummins are set to executive produce through My So-Called Company, with Misher Films also on board.

Douglass Medical

Because we can never have too many medical dramas, it was only a matter of time before Julie Plec hopped on the hospital train. Douglass Medical centers on Dr. Vanessa Pilgrim after she's forced to return to the nation’s capital following a teaching scandal. She finds herself in the position of Associate Chief of Emergency Medicine at the struggling teaching hospital set on an HBCU campus. And it doesn’t help that her mother is Dean of Douglass’ Medical School, and there’s a secret nearly two decades old that's just waiting to be told. [Dramatic music.] Ayanna Floyd, a former writer/producer on series such as Private Practice, Hannibal, and The Chi, will serve as creator and writer of Douglass Medical.

Freeman

The mystery-driven drama Freeman will show audiences that even the simplest and smallest of towns could be far more complex than they appear. After receiving a lucrative inheritance, a family moves to Georgia and into a mysterious house known as Freeman Manor, whose walls contain secrets and mysteries meant to be shielded from fjuture inhabitants. Though in a town which has its own mysteries that span generations, secrets aren't meant to stay that way forever. Lace creator and On My Block writer Adam Starks is noted as being the creator and head writer of Freeman.

Stay Gold

No, this isn’t a reference to The Outsiders, though it is an adaptation of a popular novel. Bringing Tobly McSmith's novel of the same name to life, Stay Gold follows the story of a transgender teen in the throes of navigating his senior year of high school with a new identity, all while trying to make magic happen with the girl of his dreams. The romantic dramedy is adapted by Drew Greenberg and the author McSmith himself, with both set as writers.

This Savage Song

Last but not least, we're going back to darker subject matter for This Savage Song. The romantic horror fantasy is based on the novel of the same name by Victoria Schwab, and the TV series will follow two teens in a world where violence is responsible for bringing literal monsters into existence. Schwab is set to adapt This Savage Song alongside Julie Plec, who will executive produce with Emily Cummins and Gina Marcheschi.

Julie Plec’s Previously Announced Peacock Shows

While four of Julie Plec’s above new shows don’t have a confirmed home, we do know that Clifton will be on Peacock, where it will join Vampire Academy and Dead Day. First announced last year, Vampire Academy is adapted from the young adult book series by Richelle Mead, with Plec and her longtime collaborator Marguerite MacIntyre serving as co-showrunners. The series is set to premiere on September 15 on Peacock and will consist of 10 episodes for the first season, starring Sisi Stringer, Daniela Nieves, Kieron Moore, and André Dae Kim.

Plec’s other Peacock series, Dead Day, was announced in January of this year. The series, which comes from her and TVD co-creator Kevin Williamson, is an adaptation of Ryan Parrott’s comic book. As of now, not much is known about Dead Day, but it will be coming to Peacock sometime in the near future, so hopefully more news is announced soon.

Other Julie Plec Projects Currently In The Works

It’s hard to believe, but those aren’t the only projects Julie Plec has in the works. She also has The Girls on the Bus coming to HBO Max. The series is inspired by the chapter of the same name in Chasing Hillary: Ten Years, Two Presidential Campaigns and One Intact Glass Ceiling. Earlier this week, it was announced that Christina Elmore will star in the series, opposite Melissa Benoist and Natasha Behnam.

Plec is also working on a new show on Netflix, Confessions of a Drug-Addicted High School Teacher. The series will reunite her with TVD vet Paul Wesley. The dark comedy is set to premiere later this year, though no official date has yet to be announced.

While Legacies’ surprise cancellation was a heartbreaker, it seems to have been a blessing in disguise for Julie Plec. And it’s still possible she could return to the TVD franchise someday, but for now, it seems like she is focused on her many other projects.

Keep an eye out for more news on Plec’s shows but for now, be sure to sign up for a Peacock subscription and other services since it looks like she is sticking with streaming.

Although Nina Dobrev is happily in love and currently dating Olympic snowboarder Shaun White, she's certainly had other high-profile relationships going back to her days as a co-lead in The Vampire Diaries. But we're not talking about Ian Somerhalder in this case, as the actress recently talked about the romantic relationship she was in at the time she landed the Elena Gilbert role, and how it clearly wasn't meant to be.

Nina Dobrev was the latest guest on the iHeart Radio podcast XOXO with Jessica Szohr, whose host is a fellow CW vet for her time on Gossip Girl. The actresses chatted about their time on the network, Dobrev’s upcoming projects, their lifelong friendship, and of course, The Vampire Diaries. When the topic of auditions came up, Szohr asked about Dobrev going through chemistry reads when it came to the difficult process of casting the supernatural drama's male leads. Dobrev discussed meeting with potential Damons and Stefans, and explained how her boyfriend at the time even auditioned for Damon, but he was no Ian Somerhalder:

Even though auditioning with one's significant other might seem pretty great in theory, it doesn't take much imagination to consider how things might get really awkward if one got the part and the other one didn’t. Nina Dobrev didn’t open up about whether she and the ex still got along after that break-up, but it’s safe to assume even that friendship could have been awkward city. Despite any heartache at the time, it all worked out for Dobrev in the end, as she went on to lead one of the most popular shows on The CW.

Despite the fact that Nina Dobrev’s boyfriend at the time didn’t get cast, fans probably aren't filled with regrets about it. Damon Salvatore didn’t have the greatest rep, though viewers still love and adore him to this day, and Ian Somerhalder admitted in 2021 that the fans’ love for the toxic vampire caused problems early on in the show, since he was supposed to be a key villain. Hard to tell if that would have been the case with another actor in the role, but there's no real need to wonder, considering how things played out.

One of the most beloved elements within The Vampire Diaries is the character relationships, whether it’d be Delena, Stelena, or even the “totally f-ed up” couple Klaroline. With the TVD Universe done for now following the end of Legacies, it may be a while until we’re reunited with our favorite couplings once again. 

Meanwhile, Nina Dobrev is plenty happy now with current beau Shaun White. The two have been dating since 2019, and although it started with a bit of ego-bruising for White when he belatedly realized how famous Dobrev was, it has seemingly been nothing but happy memories. She even shared some kind words to her boyfriend following his final Olympics run earlier this year, and it was enough to make anyone emotional.

Relive Elena’s whirlwind love triangle with the Salvatore brothers by rewatching the entirety of The Vampire Diaries with a Netflix subscription!

Spoilers ahead for the series finale of Legacies, “Just Don’t Be a Stranger, Okay?” So read at your own risk!

The long-running Vampire Diaries franchise has come to a close (for now) following the series finale of Legacies, which aired last week on The CW. The episode most notably saw the return of Joseph Morgan's Klaus and featured an appearance from Candice King's Caroline Forbes. One person who didn't show up, however, is TVD vet Kat Graham, who recently doubled down on her refusal to return to the franchise. With this, creator Julie Plec has spoken out.

During its four-season run, Legacies did a masterful job of bringing in characters from other shows within the Vampire Diaries universe. Despite that, though, some may have been pining for an appearance from Kat Graham's fan-favorite witch, Bonnie Bennett. While the actress has been open about not wanting to reprise her role, Julie Plec told Deadline that she can still return if she changes her mind:

Despite the fact that Kat Graham has been adamant about not coming back to the vampire-centric franchise, it’s good to know that the option is still available to her if she has a change of heart. Admittedly, though, it also makes sense that she wouldn't feel the need to reprise her role, given that she's moved on to other things. However, if Joseph Morgan can change his mind for the “right time,” who’s to say that she can’t as well? 

Julie Plec went on to explain that she and her collaborators have reached out to the star on a number of occasions, in regard to a potential return. With this, the creator praised her work and ethic and made note of her activities post-The Vampire Diaries:

Some of this shouldn't be too surprising to hear, as Julie Plec was open about wanting Kat Graham and others to return for Legacies. Though the third spinoff in the franchise (after The Originals) is over, there's still hope, as Plec recently shared that she was cooking up something else for the franchise. The super producer hasn't provided any specific details on what such a production would look like, though one would assume that she'd be going with something that's fresh but holds the spirit of the franchise.

It would be wonderful to see Kat Graham back as Bonnie again and, if she does return, maybe Michael Malarkey, who portrayed the character's boyfriend, Lorenzo “Enzo” St. John could come back as well. After all, Michael Malarkey as willing to return while the franchise was running. Here's hoping that Graham, Malarkey and more find their way back to the franchise, should it find new life through another Julie Plec-created spinoff, of course.

As you wait for news on another show, rewatch The Vampire Diaries in its entirety using a Netflix subscription!

Spoilers ahead for the Legacies series finale, “Just Don’t Be a Stranger, Okay?” Read at your own risk!

The series finale of Legacies aired last week, marking the end of an era that started with The Vampire Diaries back in 2009. Many fans are surely saddened by this recent development. However, one has to wonder if there's a possibility for a return to Mystic Falls sometime in the future. Well, creator Julie Plec is now opening up about the future of the TVD Universe.

In true Vampire Diaries fashion, nothing ever stays dead for long, as Julie Plec is now revealing just what she has in store next. Plec told TVLine that while the most recent spinoff does provide a sense of closure, it could be used to further expand the franchise. She explained:

During this past TV season, there were a number of shows on The CW that ended up having de facto series finales due to cancellations. In the case of Legacies, the show definitely closed some doors but clearly opened some as well. Alaric had made the decision to leave the Salvatore School, but taking his place would be none other than Caroline Forbes of The Vampire Diaries, played once again by Candice King. The surprise development will surely make fans wonder just what would've happened in a theoretical fifth season.

Even though Legacies has only just ended, Julie Plec definitely appears to be coming up with ideas for a fourth show in the TVD universe. However, it may be a little ways away, as she explained:

It's hard to say what a fourth series in this franchise would be about but, as a fan, I'd be curious to see what the producer and her colleagues can come up with. She's crafted a very rich world, one that's filled with storytelling possibilities. She could opt to make a sequel series that continues what fans have seen already or she could create a prequel that focuses on some of the supernatural creatures. I'm sure the team will come up with something fresh, especially since the franchise's creator believes something like the OG series couldn't be made today.

It's hard to say whether Julie Plec could convince any series veterans to return for a new production. Some stars from TVD and The Originals refused to return in Legacies, so there's a chance they may also not want to be involved with any future show. Despite this, Joseph Morgan did return for the latest show's series finale, so there's always room for us to hope, right?

While a new series in the Vampire Diaries franchise could be quite some time away,  Julie Plec is still keeping plenty busy. She has several new shows that are currently in development, and some are even staying in the vampire genre. They're sure to be series that you won't want to miss and will likely have vibes similar to Plec's past work. Still, I'll definitely be keeping my ears open for updates regarding the future of the TVD world.

Those who need something to keep them occupied until a new The Vampire Diaries spinoff (hopefully) comes out can check out TV shows and movies that are streaming, if you love the fanged creatures. And check out CinemaBlend’s 2022 TV schedule to see what else you can look forward to during the remainder of the year.

Spoilers ahead for the series finale of Legacies on The CW. 

A television era has come to an end with the series finale of Legacies, which was the third and final installment in the TV universe started by The Vampire Diaries back in 2009. It was only fitting that the final episode managed to bring in appearances from some of the biggest stars of both TVD and The Originals, with Candice King returning as Caroline after previously making a voice cameo and, of course, the very long-awaited return of Joseph Morgan as Klaus Mikaelson. 

Morgan revealed his return ahead of the finale and previewed that it would be centered on Klaus and Hope, but fans had to wait until the last episode to see the actor back in Mikaelson mode to deliver some Originals and Legacies closure. Now, it’s safe to say that the finale honored Klaus (and Morgan) in his return without breaking all the rules and bringing the character back to vampiric life. 

The first mention of Klaus came when Hope received a package containing her father’s ashes in an urn, and she wanted nothing more than for him to be at peace. Her best bet seemed to be keeping his ashes at the Salvatore School… which immediately went sideways when Alaric announced that the school was shutting down after Ethan’s death. She reached out to Landon for his help in contacting her father, since he wasn’t at peace and Landon theoretically should have had access to him. 

It wasn’t quite that simple, particularly with the complication of Landon paying the price for sending his deceased friends back to life in the action-packed penultimate episode. Still, by combining their powers and getting creative, Hope was able to get a message from her father, even though it wasn’t quite the conversation she wanted. Klaus said:

If you weren’t already emotional at the beginning of Klaus’ message or when he started crying while speaking to his “miracle child,” I’m guessing the “always and forever” did it for a lot of us who watched! It was a bittersweet moment, as Hope got the closure that she needed about her father’s peace, but she didn’t get to interact with him, and fans didn’t see him back to interact with her or anybody else. That said, she realized that she could simply release his ashes on the grounds of the Salvatore School, and that would be enough to honor him. 

And in handling Klaus’ story this way, Legacies also honored what Joseph Morgan has said about coming back to play his character. He previously said that he felt Klaus’ story had been told completely from “beginning to end,” and he thought it “would be a bit cheap” to do something like “a flashback or as a ghost or something.” After he revealed that he was going to reprise his role for the Legacies finale, he shared that he’d been “asked again and again to make an appearance” on the show but that it “never felt right” until now, and he felt “passionate” about it. 

So, Legacies managed to honor Klaus, his relationship with Hope, the legacies of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals, and Joseph Morgan in the finale. Even though the cancellation came against the wishes of Julie Plec, the team put together a pretty fitting finale that followed the example set by TVD before it. Now, fans can relive the glory days of all three shows streaming with a Netflix subscription and check out our 2022 TV premiere schedule for some upcoming viewing options.

Despite the Vampire Diaries franchise coming to an end with the potentially deadly series finale of Legacies, it's no surprise that some former co-stars have remained in contact over the years. Such as it goes for Kayla Ewell, who portrayed Vicki Donavan throughout most of TVD's seasons in one capacity or another. The actress recently gave birth to a baby boy seven weeks ahead of schedule, and Elena Gilbert herself, Nina Dobrev, was quick to offer some congratulatory words, along with former vampire slayer Sarah Michelle Gellar and more!

Kayla Ewell has not been shy about sharing her pregnancy journey with her Instagram followers. Three months prior to giving birth, she broke the news with an announcement of her pregnancy, and she has since been showing off her baby bump, excited to bring another little one into the world. Over the weekend, the actress shared that her baby boy came into the world a full seven weeks early, but luckily for all involved, they're both happy and healthy, and she and her husband “couldn’t be more excited.”

Fans and famous friends were quick to congratulate Ewell on her bundle of joy. Her TVD co-star couldn’t help but comment on the baby’s features before including a secondary post with several smiling-face-with-hearts emojis.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Sarah Michelle Gellar also shared her excitement while putting it out there that she is ready to lend her babysitting talents whenever Kayla Ewell needs them. Considering how cute her son looks by just his wittle-bitty, teensy-weensy hand, I would also want to do the same thing. Here's how Gellar put it, sounding somewhat like a pirate:

Ashley Greene, who most will remember as Alice Cullen in the Twilight franchise, also took the time to congratulate Ewell and share some kind words, saying:

Nina Dobrev wasn’t the only TVD star reaching out, either. Claire Holt, who recently reprised her role as Rebekah Mikaelson on Legacies, responded with a short but sweet congratulatory message:

Gotta love just how many vampire-related celebs took the time to send some love Kayla Ewell's way. Nothing from Interview with a Vampire's Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise yet, but they're probably just busy. 

Premature labor is always a scary thing, though it sounds like Baby Novlan is doing just fine. Kayla Ewell will have her hands full for a while, though with the support she has (and some new and willing nannies), she and husband Tanner Novlan are in great company.

The actress was recently seen as Nora Truman on Roswell, New Mexico in a recurring format. Her last episode on the series was in 2021, so it’s hard to tell if she’ll return again before the show comes to an end later this summer. However, Kayla Ewell will soon be heard on the upcoming comedy podcast Bone. Marry. Bury. alongside Sarah Hyland, Tommy Martinez, Josie Totah, and Harvey Guillén, with the latter being a series regular in FX's vampire comedy What We Do in the Shadows. 

Hopefully, all stays well with Kayla Ewell and her new baby, and hopefully, she calls Nanny Prinze for some help because who wouldn’t want to see Sarah Michelle Gellar in Nanny-mode with her friend’s baby?

Legacies is on the verge of airing its series finale, which puts an end to what once seemed like the unstoppable Vampire Diaries universe. While it already looks like the episode will be emotional, showrunner Brett Matthews has revealed that the finale will actually feel a lot like those of TVD.

It only seems right that Legacies will follow in TVD’s lead. While the spinoff of The Originals (itself a Vampire Diaries spinoff) has worked well with its own storylines, the finale will end in typical TVD fashion. Brett Matthews discussed the end of Legacies with TVLine and teased that the finale will align with previous TVD finales:

While the fourth season finale may not have been fully planned as a series finale, it does look like it will end on a pretty great note no matter what. The penultimate episode definitely pulled out all the stops, but there will still be some surprises in store for the final episode.

It was recently revealed that after being asked “again and again” to return, Joseph Morgan will be coming back in the Legacies finale to once again portray Klaus Mikaelson. While it’s unknown in what capacity he’ll be back, it should be expected that he will reunite with his tribrid daughter Hope. That family reunion will be one to look forward to, especially in light of the fact that Klaus will finally be back on our screens after initially sacrificing himself to save his daughter in the series finale of The Originals.

Season 4 of Legacies has been a roller coaster from the start. After Hope lost Landon, she turned off her humanity, and chaos completely ensued, with Hope hurting those she loves and not listening to reason. Even when it came from family! The season also saw the departure of Kaylee Bryant as Josie Saltzman. It’s not known if she will come back for the series finale, but hopefully we get an update on how she’s doing from Lizzie or Alaric.

When news of Legacies’ cancellation made the rounds online, fans were hit with the realization that the last ongoing show in the TVD franchise was going to conclude and mark the end of an era. Whether or not creator Julie Plec has plans for another series set in the same universe down the line remains to be seen, though she seems to be plenty busy with other projects, some even in the supernatural genre.

Don’t miss one final fight with the Super Friends and their enemies in the series finale of Legacies airing on Thursday, June 16 at 9 p.m. EST on The CW! Check out CinemaBlend’s 2022 TV schedule to see what else to catch to keep you occupied.

With the Vampire Diaries universe officially ending next week on The CW with the series finale of Legacies, an era is coming to a close after 13 years. Legacies has featured plenty of Easter eggs for fans of TVD throughout the four seasons and has even nabbed some fan-favorite guest stars. There are only two episodes left, so can fans expect a few more appearances? TVD vet Kat Graham recently reflected on her time on the series, sticking to her refusal to return as Bonnie Bennett, and it's for a good reason.

Kat Graham, who memorably played witch Bonnie Bennett for the entirety of The Vampire Diaries' eight-season run, spoke to ET about a possible return to the franchise, but at the moment, the actress wants to focus on new music. Grateful for her time on The CW supernatural series, Graham has other work to do, putting to rest any hope that Bonnie will come back one last time before the franchise ends:

While it's a disappointment that Kat Graham will not be returning before Legacies ends, it does make sense. It's been five years now since The Vampire Diaries had a satisfying ending. Although it would have been nice to see Bonnie again, Legacies has told some big stories without her. It's clear that the door has closed on her return, and Graham would rather not open it again.

However, Graham has kept in contact with her former co-stars. Last year, she and Nina Dobrev reunited for a sweet photo. Of course, the photo came with plenty of fans immediately wanting a TVD revival, to which Graham responded by saying that she and Dobrev will always be friends, but the two of them are not interested in a revival.

Even though Kat Graham isn't interested in coming back, Bonnie's other half is. In 2020, Michael Malarkey, who portrayed Enzo throughout the second half of the series until the character's death at the hands of Stefan, expressed his interest in returning to Legacies. Unfortunately, the Big Sky actor has yet to make a grand return to the franchise, and it doesn't seem like it will be happening. Perhaps another TVD series will happen in the future, and he can finally come back.

It will be interesting to see how Legacies delivers its series finale next week since the cancellation was so sudden. It's unknown just how it will end, but the season has been building up to something big for the finale, whether it was a season or series finale. Could it end on a happy note with the Super Friends and the Salvatore school safe and sound? Or will it end with someone's death? As fans of The Vampire Diaries know, nothing is predictable in this universe. Let's just hope we get at least one more cameo to finish it off.

The final episodes of Legacies air on Thursdays at 9 p.m. EST on The CW! Check out CinemaBlend's 2022 TV schedule to see what else to look forward to.

May 12 will go down as a bad day for fans of many shows from The CW in the 2021-2022 TV season, as the network went on a cancellation spree that makes the day that lost both Batwoman and Legends of Tomorrow pale in comparison. Over the course of less than 24 hours, The CW cancelled Legacies, Charmed, Dynasty, Roswell, Naomi, 4400, and In the Dark. The end of Legacies is also the end of an era, as the network is officially out of shows set in The Vampire Diaries universe. Julie Plec, who created The Vampire Diaries and The Originals before Legacies, weighed in on the mass cancellations. 

Assuming that The CW isn’t premiering another spinoff for the 2022-2023 TV season, the universe started by The Vampire Diaries in 2009 will come to an end with Legacies’ Season 4 finale on June 16. Julie Plec took to Twitter to address the decision by the network with a comparison to Game of Thrones’ infamous Red Wedding. She wrote:

Julie Plec didn’t exactly address the cancellations with a long text thread, but she did preview that she has “much more to say” at a later date. While she’s grateful to fans and the others who helped her to make Legacies, she made her feelings very clear by mentioning “the Red Wedding” and saying that mourning will come first. 

The Red Wedding of Game of Thrones fame of course resulted in the slaughter of half the guests at a wedding, none of whom saw it coming until one of them caught on at the very last moment. The comparison may be a sign that Julie Plec wasn’t expecting Legacies to get the axe.

If that’s the case, then Legacies fans may be out of luck, depending on whether or not Season 4 already wrapped production on the finale. If the finale has already been filmed and was written with the expectation of a Season 5, then it’s possible that the final Vampire Diaries offshoot will end for good on a cliffhanger. 

Of the three shared universe shows, Legacies is the only one cancelled without getting the time to plan a proper finale, as the ends of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals were announced well ahead of their series finales. Of course, The Originals didn’t have complete closure, and Season 4 of Legacies actually delivered on a big moment between Rebekah and Marcel. 

The fourth season has seen Hope become a Tribrid, brought gods into the mix, and said goodbye to a major character without any sign that the end was nigh. And Legacies isn’t the only one of the cancelled shows that is likely to end with some major unanswered questions, so Julie Plec’s comparison to the Red Wedding undoubtedly feels pretty apt to fans of these seven shows.

The silver lining is that Legacies – unlike Naomi, for one – isn’t out of episodes yet, so fans still have more of Hope and Co. before the series finale. Fans can continue to find new episodes on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on The CW, leading up to the finale on June 16. If you’re in the mood to revisit the earlier days of Legacies, you can find the first three seasons streaming with a Netflix subscription.

For some more important dates for shows ending the 2021-2022 TV season, be sure to check out our spring TV finale schedule. If you’re in the market for some new shows to try out moving forward, our 2022 premiere schedule can point you in the right direction.

Teen romance TV shows are some of the best TV shows to watch if you need some lighthearted fun or juicy melodrama. Teen shows have been a major staple in the TV world for decades. The ‘90s and early 2000s felt like peak programming for fans of teen romance TV shows. However, they’ve only gotten better. Since Netflix has become such a giant in the streaming wars, it’s constantly helping to evolve certain genres. 

The teen romance genre is one of them. The best teen drama series on Netflix are a balanced mixture of comedy and drama, have relatable teen characters, and depict the multitude of teen love, including great LGBTQ+ love stories. Let's discuss some of Netflix's great teen romance TV shows.

Dash & Lily (2020)

Based on David Levithan and Rachel Cohn’s book series of the same name, Dash & Lily follows two New York teens as they begin a game that involves dares and a shared notebook. It's a holiday romance TV show that stars Austin Abrams and Midori Francis as the title characters.

Netflix streamed this series in 2020 around the holiday season. Unfortunately, it's one of the many great Netflix shows with one season. It’s a shame that Dash & Lily ended after one season because it was a really fun teen TV show. The main characters were equally as delightful to watch together as they were to watch apart. We also still had plenty of questions after the Dash & Lily finale.

Stream Dash & Lily on Netflix.

Heartstopper (2022- )

For romance fans, Heartstopper is the kind of show that you run out and tell everyone about. Not only do all the main romances involve queer characters, but it’s such a genuine and sweet show about first love.

Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke) are the main couple at the heart of Heartstopper. They may seem like opposites when they first meet, but their undeniable chemistry draws them together and keeps the audience glued to every longing look, secret kiss, and rain-soaked encounter. Heartstopper is also a great coming-of-age story that explores finding one’s identity and the freedom to be one’s true self.

It is based on graphic novels by Alice Oseman, so hopefully Netflix uses those novels to give us more seasons of Heartstopper.

Stream Heartstopper on Netflix.

The Vampire Diaries (2009 - 2017)

In 2009, The Vampire Diaries launched and it became a global sensation. Its popularity led to two spin-off TV shows, and a war among the fans because of their favorite romance.

The Vampire Diaries could easily be renamed the show that launched a thousand shipper wars. The main triangle involved brothers Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Stefan (Paul Wesley) Salvatore and Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev). For years, it was a much heated online debate about who Elena should end up with, until the show eventually made a firm decision on the triangle. 

Stream The Vampire Diaries on Netflix.

Never Have I Ever (2020- )

Never Have I Ever has restored the love triangle-verse to its former glory with the Paxton vs Ben debate (played respectively by Darren Barnet and Jaren Lewison). Main heroine Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) has two equally appealing suitors with Ben and Paxton. This Netflix TV series isn’t only about who Devi should date, it also offers some funny commentary on the teenage experience and showcases  South Asian characters and culture. 

The great love triangle is a testament to the excellent Never Have I Ever writing team, because it’s rare that a show actually makes both love interests likable. Never Have I Ever Season 3 streams in 2022, and the final season of the show should stream in 2023. By the end of Never Have I Ever Season 4, viewers should finally get some resolution on the Ben vs Paxton debate.

Stream Never Have I Ever on Netflix.

Saved By The Bell (1989 - 1993)

Saved by the Bell is a sitcom that relies heavily on the antics of Zack Morris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) and his best friend Screech (Dustin Diamond). One of the sources of Zack’s schemes was his endless quest to win the heart of Kelly Kapowski (Tiffani Thiessen), especially away from his frenemy A.C. Slater (Mario Lopez).

The original Saved by the Bell focused a lot on Zack trying to win Kelly. The spinoff Saved by the Bell: The College Years also had Zack and Kelly’s romance at the forefront. This eventually led to a movie about their wedding. Those who watch the Saved by the Bell revival will find that Zack and Kelly are still happily married.

Stream Saved by the Bell on Netflix.

The End Of The F***ing World (2017 - 2019)

It’s not the greatest start to a romance when one of them plans to kill the other one. In End of the F***ing World, James (Alex Lawther) is convinced that he’s a psychopath. He starts a relationship with Alyssa (Jessica Barden) with the intent to kill her and make her his first victim. Alyssa is drawn to James because he’s different and offers her an escape from her life.

James quickly learns that he’s probably not a psychopath. An unexpected incident leads to them going on an adventure together and falling in love. The End of the F***ing World had two brilliant seasons that showcased that black comedies can also do love stories really well. Alyssa and James don’t have a conventional romance and that’s half the appeal. 

The series manages to give viewers a sweet romance amongst some very dark material. It’s one of Netflix’s best international shows. It’s also a must-watch for those who enjoy teen romance TV shows that are also dark comedies.

Stream The End of the F***ing World on Netflix.

Young Royals (2021-)

Similar to Heartstopper, Young Royals is a gay love story between two young men from very different backgrounds. Wilhelm (Edvin Ryding) is a prince and part of Sweden's royal family. He is thrust into the world of an elite prep school where all eyes are on him. Simon (Omar Rudberg) is on scholarship and not exactly part of high society. Young Royals follows the boys as they fall in love and must keep their romance a secret, especially because as part of a royal family, Wilhelm receives a lot of attention.

The first season of Young Royals streamed on Netflix in 2021.  The second is set to appear on the Netflix 2022 TV schedule at some point, but as of April 2022, no official streaming date has been announced. Netflix fans are obsessed with Young Royals  because it has plenty of royal family drama and rich people problems, and a touching and sweet young love story.

Stream Young Royals on Netflix.

Summertime (2020 - 2022)

Based on Three Meters Above the Sky by Federico Moccia, Summertime follows Summer (Coco Rebecca Edogamhe) as her summer job brings her to Ale (Ludovico Tersigni), a young famous motorcyclist. As with many summer romances, it burns hot as the summer months heat up. It’s an Italian teen romance TV show so the beautiful landscape makes this show even more bellissimo.

Netflix streamed the first season of Summertime in 2020.  The second season streamed in 2021, and the third and final season streams on May 4. It’s one of the many shows you need to watch before it ends in 2022. Summertime is a great TV show to watch for some romantic drama, flings and hookups, and plenty of summer heat.

Stream Summertime on Netflix.

Atypical (2017 - 2021)

Atypical is a dramedy about a teen boy on the autism spectrum. Sam (Keir Gilchrist) decides he wants to experience more, like sex and romance. He meets Paige (Jenna Boyd), who isn’t exactly Sam’s dream girlfriend but understands him in a way that most people his age don’t. Sam’s sister, Casey (Brigette Lundy-Paine) also has her own love and romance triumphs and woes.

Along with Sam’s struggles as someone on the autism spectrum, Atypical also deals with his parents' problems. It’s a family dramedy with plenty of heart. Atypical streamed on Netflix for four seasons, starting in 2017 and ending in 2021. It’s one of the best shows to binge on Netflix.

Stream Atypical on Netflix. 

Sex Education (2019 - )

Otis' (Asa Butterfield) mother (Gillian Anderson) is a sex therapist. This makes Otis a bit more knowledgeable than other teens his age about sex. Otis’ friend Maeve (Emma Mackey) sees Otis' gift as a money-making opportunity, and they offer sex advice to their fellow students for a small fee.

Sex Education is one of those teen romance TV shows with a million different couples and romantic pairings. It’s also (almost) one of the only shows to explore many different types of sexualities and sexual liberation.  The main romance is between Maeve and Otis who seem to be forever in a cycle of will they/won’t they. Netflix currently has three seasons available to stream, with the fourth season coming one day.

Stream Sex Education on Netflix.

Whether you love or hate teen romance TV shows, they are often entertaining and remind you of the overdramatic and carefree nature of young love. Netflix is full of these teen romance TV shows, but these are some of the best ones to watch, especially if you’re in the mood for TV romance.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds promised to take fans back to the era of the original series with some classic characters, but fans generally assumed that with Captain Christopher Pike at the helm, it was a pre-Kirk Enterprise. Now, we can throw that notion completely out the door as the upcoming Paramount+ series confirmed that an actor from The Vampire Diaries franchise, Paul Wesley, will play the iconic role of James T. Kirk. 

That's right, Star Trek fans, Captain Kirk will appear in Season 2 of Strange New Worlds. Executive Producer Alex Kurtzman and Showrunners/Executive Producers Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers released the following statement in regards to Paul Wesley's casting. 

While there are few details about Paul Wesley's upcoming stint as James T. Kirk, I have to say that he looks good in the Starfleet uniform. His inclusion in Season 2 opens up a lot of potential for the story, including perhaps some early interaction between Kirk and Spock (who appears shirtless in the latest footage) prior to Kirk becoming Captain of the Enterprise. Anson Mount's Captain Pike is still in charge of the ship for the time being, so it might be a while until Kirk steps on board the ship as Captain. It's even possible that never happens... at least on this show, anyway. 

Star Trek lore provides a few details about James T. Kirk's time in Starfleet pre-Enterprise. We know he joined the USS Republic as an ensign, held a position teaching at Starfleet Academy, and served as a lieutenant aboard the USS Farragut.  The Starfleet Academy position is particularly interesting to me, especially with the news that a spinoff series based on Starfleet Academy is in development. Who knows, though? Strange New Worlds might reveal a period of Captain Kirk's life that Star Trek hadn't previously covered.  

Paul Wesley is, as mentioned above, a star who fans of The Vampire Diaries know well. His work as Stefan Salvatore played a part in the prolonged success of the franchise. This will be the latest Paramount+ series Wesley joins, as he was a part of the series Tell Me A Story, which the streamer cancelled in 2020. 

I'm very curious to see how large Paul Wesley's role is in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, especially given his credentials as a lead actor. Wesley is capable of shouldering a series, should Paramount+ want that, but it remains to be seen whether or not the world is ready for another series centered around James T. Kirk. 

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds premieres over on Paramount+ on Thursday, May 5. Pick up a Paramount+ subscription to see the series, and be sure to take a look at what other upcoming Star Trek shows will arrive in 2022. 

The Vampire Diaries creator Julie Plec has been keeping busy as of late. Just last month, it was reported that she and TVD co-creator Kevin Williamson had landed a straight-to-series order for their new comic book adaptation of Ryan Parrott’s Dead Day. Now, Plec has received some good news on another TV project, as the series has officially landed a streaming home after bouncing between Netflix and The CW.

Over two years ago, Julie Plec’s The Girls on the Bus got a series order at Netflix before moving to The CW to begin development. But now, the series has finally found a permanent home at HBO Max, according to Deadline. The drama series, adapted from a book by Amy Chozick, has received a straight-to-series order from the streamer.

The Girls on the Bus comes from the TVD creator, Amy Chozick, Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. TV and is specifically inspired by the chapter of the same name in Chasing Hillary: Ten Years, Two Presidential Campaigns and One Intact Glass Ceiling. The show is centered on four female journalists who find love, friendship and everything in between while on the political trail following presidential candidates.

Recently, Julie Plec has had her hands full with other small-screen projects as well. She's remained in her vampire roots by adapting the popular Vampire Academy series for Peacock. Of course, she's also still working on The Originals spinoff, Legacies, which is in its fourth season (and has left viewers with questions in the midst of its hiatus).

Casting for The Girls on the Bus is reportedly underway, so it’s likely we could get more production updates in the coming months. The series is definitely a change of pace for fans that are used to the producer's supernatural-leaning shows. Though the intriguing plot could attract both politics junkies and casual viewers. Should the series prove to be successful, one has to wonder if other chapters of Amy Chozick's book will be adapted.

The only potential downside to all of this new content from Julie Plec is that fans of The Vampire Diaries franchise likely won’t be getting a new spin-off any time soon. But Legacies is still going strong on The CW, so at least that production can still provide connections to TVD and The Originals. Plus, there's still the possibility of some fan-favorite characters showing up once again. But of course, the fans who love this aspect of Plec's work should do themselves a favor and, at least, give her upcoming show a chance.

There's no word on when The Girls on the Bus will be premiering on HBO Max, but hopefully a release window is confirmed sooner rather than later. And when it does premiere, we'll see if both Netflix and The CW missed out by not taking a chance on the series. In the meantime, check out CinemaBlend's 2022 TV schedule for more on the series headed your way this year.

Werewolves have certainly established themselves in Hollywood as one of the premiere creatures to write about, from major appearances in movies like Twilight or shows like Teen Wolf, to other big-name titles, as well. Sure, there have been some corny shows, and even some really bad films, about the supernatural beings, but today, we’re going to focus on awesome movies and shows about werewolves. 

If you’re looking something new-to-you to watch that features your favorite moon-turned creatures, take a glance at this list to find something fun (or even a little terrifying) to stream.

Teen Wolf Television Series (Hulu) 

In this popular MTV series, Teen Wolf revolves around Scott McCall, a seemingly normal high school student whose life is changed when he is bitten by an alpha werewolf the night before his sophomore year of high school. 

There’s a reason why Teen Wolf was so popular during its run on television. The Teen Wolf cast is full of up and coming stars - which led to awesome movies from Dylan O’Brien after his breakout role on the show. While it is a teen show, it’s a series that anyone will find enjoyment in, from its surprisingly good special effects to its stories full of action, romance, and betrayal. It’s everything you could want in a werewolf series, in my opinion. 

Stream Teen Wolf on Hulu.

Red Riding Hood (HBO Max)

Red Riding Hood, very loosely based on the fairytale of the same name, follows Valerie, a young woman who lives in the village of Daggerhorn, located on the edge of a forest that is supposedly haunted by a werewolf. Soon, however, Valeria has an unpleasant run-in with this creature, changing her life forever. 

While it’s not a faithful adaptation of the fairytale, it’s obviously still based in the same idea - lone girl stumbles off into the forest and ends up running into a terrifying creature that wants to eat her. What I personally like about Red Riding Hood is that it’s very much an adult version of the tale. They don't hold back on blood, violence, or anything of the sort, and it adds in that air of romance with Valerie and other characters, who I won’t reveal. It’s definitely a different werewolf story, but a good one worth watching. Plus, Amanda Seyfried is honestly really good in her role, as is the rest of the cast.  

Stream Red Riding Hood on HBO Max. 
Rent Red Riding Hood on Amazon. 

An American Werewolf In London (Peacock) 

An American Werewolf in London follows the story of two American backpackers who are attacked by a werewolf while traveling to England, causing one of them to question whether they will become a werewolf under the next full moon. 

When I think of a werewolf movie, this is one of the very first I think of. Not only is it a great supernatural film, but it’s genuinely just a fun movie filled with a lot of great effects. The makeup alone is enough to make anyone want to watch it, because you truly do believe that they are werewolves. It’s a cult classic for a reason. I don’t particularly like its sequel, An American Werewolf in Paris, so the first will always have a special place in my heart. 

Stream An American Werewolf in London on Peacock. 
Rent An American Werewolf in London on Amazon. 

Wolfblood (Peacock) 

In this British fantasy show, Wolfblood revolves around a species known as wolfbloods, humans who can actually turn into wolves at any time - however, it is uncontrollable during a full moon, and they are at their weakest during a new moon. It focuses on the daily lives and the issues they run into while trying to hide their secret. 

I sort of look at Wolfblood as the British version of Teen Wolf. It’s a teen series with the same concept about younger people going through this tough time to hide a secret. However, I have to admit that I do love how they change up the concept of what a werewolf is. No longer are they completely bound to transform only at this one time - it can happen at any time, so they can wreak havoc on whomever they want. Plus, the stories are entertaining, and the transformations are really interesting to watch. 

Stream Wolfblood on Peacock. 

Teen Wolf Film (Paramount Plus)

The popular Michael J. Fox film Teen Wolf is about a young man who is a high school student, whose life is changed forever when he finds out that he is a werewolf. 

Yup, I know it sounds like the Teen Wolf we've already got on here, and fun fact - this version actually influenced that show heavily, at least with the basic concept. And, it did for a reason, because Teen Wolf (the movie) is such an enjoyable time. The endless charisma that Michael J. Fox had here really sold this movie, and turned this werewolf film into a fun coming-of-age comedy with fantasy mixed in.

Stream Teen Wolf on Paramount Plus. 
Rent Teen Wolf on Amazon. 

The Wolfman (Peacock)

In The Wolfman, an American actor is suddenly bitten by a werewolf, cursed after returning to his ancestral homeland in search of his missing brother, causing his life to turn upside down. 

While this is a remake of the 1941 film of the same name, I personally think this one is slightly better for a couple of reasons. First off, we have a stunning cast - I mean, Benicio del Toro, Anthony Hopkins and Emily Blunt all in the same movie? What a concept. But, what really makes me like this one more is that the score by Danny Elfman is great, and the makeup and other special effects are decent, as well. I do think the story lacks a bit compared to the original, but I’ve always been able to overlook that a bit, because the movie has still remained intriguing because of the interesting visuals. It’s certainly worth watching - and if you wanted to watch the original as well, it’s available to rent. 

Stream The Wolfman on Peacock. 
Rent The Wolfman on Amazon. 
Rent The Wolfman (1941) on Amazon. 

Wolf (Pluto TV) 

Moving on, we take a look at Wolf. This 1994 movie tells the story of Will Randall, a down-on-his-luck publisher whose life is changed when he is bitten by a black wolf. He finds himself more energized, more competitive, and possessed by heightened senses. But over time, despite everything changing in his work, Will is the one changing the most. 

Out of everything on this list, I think that this movie has the most impressive cast. Wolf not only has Jack Nicholson, but also Michelle Pfeiffer, James Spader, Christopher Plummer, Richard Jenkins - there are so many awesome actors who signed on for this film and rocked it in their role. It’s also a nice change in the werewolf genre, where it’s a slow transformation of someone, rather than a quick, painful one on the night of a full moon. 

Stream Wolf on Pluto TV. 
Rent Wolf on Amazon. 

Van Helsing (Showtime)

In this fantasy film, Van Helsing tells the story of famed monster hunter Dr. Gabriel Van Helsing, and his priest sidekick, Carl, as they head to Transylvania in Eastern Europe to track down Count Dracula, but also end up in battles with other terrifying monsters, the Wolf Man and Frankenstein’s Monster. 

While Van Helsing does focus a bit more on vampires, the legendary battle between Van Helsing and the werewolf, which is heavily featured in this film, can not be forgotten. I think, hands down, this is one of Hugh Jackman’s best films, at least action wise, because he is a badass as the titular character. Is the story a little corny and cliche? Yeah, but that’s, honestly, what makes this movie such a good time to watch. 

Stream Van Helsing on Showtime. 
Rent Van Helsing on Amazon. 

The Vampire Diaries (Netflix)

In this popular CW show, The Vampire Diaries tells the story of Elena Gilbert, whose parents died in a recent car crash, so she moves to the town of Mystic Falls, Virginia. There, she meets Stefan Salvator, and falls in love, finding out that he is a 162-year-old vampire. 

Look, I know the name doesn’t seem like there would be werewolves in this show on Netflix. But, while The Vampire Diaries does focus in on vampires, werewolves are also heavily featured in the show, often becoming pretty big characters and creating nice conflicts between both vampires and werewolves, a la Twilight. The Vampire Diaries cast is also very talented, as well, creating memorable romances, friendships, and dramatic moments that have lived in the heads of fans forever. 

Stream The Vampire Diaries on Netflix. 

Ginger Snaps (Amazon Prime)

Lastly, we have Ginger Snaps. In this thriller, we follow two outcast sisters named Ginger and Bridgitte, living in the town of Bailey Downs. On the night of Ginger’s first period, she’s suddenly savagely attacked by a wild creature, and her life begins to change. 

Ginger Snaps is definitely one of those werewolf films that will not only entertain you from beginning to end but will probably make you feel so many emotions you’ll need a box of tissues near the end. The sisters have the sort of sisterly love that anyone with a close family member could understand, so when things start to happen to Ginger, Bridgitte needs to make some tough decisions in order to save innocent lives. It’s thrilling, heartbreaking, and horrifying in all the right ways, which is what spawned sequels years later. If you haven’t seen Ginger Snaps, give it a go. 

Stream Ginger Snaps on Amazon Prime. 
Rent Ginger Snaps on Apple TV. 

With so many awesome shows to pick from, I can only imagine which one you’ll choose. Through each werewolf outing, you’ll be entertained, regardless - just don’t turn into one yourself, okay? That doesn’t seem like a fun time. 

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I don’t know if you know this, but The CW has a lot of shows. So many that I hardly even know what to do with myself. Some are even premiering on the 2021 fall TV schedule soon, so now is the perfect time to catch up.

From classics like Gossip Girl and Jane the Virgin, to newer shows like Riverdale or All American, these are some of the best (non-Arrowverse) The CW shows you can watch that are streaming right now.

Dynasty

A remake of the classic soap opera, Dynasty tells the story of Fallon Carrington, a young woman who is unhappy to find her billionaire father engaged to a rival employee at the family company, creating tensions, until mysteries unfold.

Starring Elizabeth Gillies from Victorious, she shines exceptionally well in this remake. If you thought that your family had drama, just wait until you dive into the Carrington’s, where a lot of what they do will shock and surprise you, no matter what you’ve seen before.

Stream Dynasty on Netflix.

Jane The Virgin

Jane the Virgin tells the story of a young virgin, named Jane, who ends up accidentally inseminated while she is at a regular check-up with her gynecologist, spurring on a whole world of problems.

Gina Rodriguez stars as Jane here, and honestly, she’s amazing in the role, alongside her awesome Jane the Virgin cast. While the premise does sound a little wacky, that’s sort of what you’re signing up for. Everyone here has their own personal issues and ends up doing crazy things, but somehow, it still works wonderfully.

Stream Jane the Virgin on Netflix.

Reign

In this historical drama, Reign tells the story of the life of Mary, Queen of Scots, and her rise to power in the French court.

Keep in mind that this is a TV show, so it’s not going to be accurate to the true story of the legendary figure. But, Reign is full of fun stars, a story that will intrigue you, and some awesome set and costume design. If you’re looking for a fictionalized medieval history show, Reign is definitely a great choice.

Stream Reign on Netflix.

Riverdale

In Riverdale, we follow Archie Andrews and his friends in Riverdale, a small town that seems to be perfect from the outside, but hides dark secrets within.

Okay, look, Riverdale has it’s issues, but that doesn’t mean it’s still not an entertaining show. The mysteries it explores are creative, even when they feel unbelievable, and the romances are fun...For the most part - but you’ll find out about that later. If you want to know all about the legend that is Riverdale, be sure to check out this show.

Stream Riverdale on Netflix.

One Tree Hill

Looking back on a classic, One Tree Hill is set in the fictional town of Tree Hill, and follows two brothers, Lucas and Nathan, who are competing for spots on the school’s basketball team, while also showing the drama of their romances.

One Tree Hill is a classic teen drama for a reason, and, honestly, one of the best CW shows, in my opinion. The One Tree Hill cast is full of stars, and the stories are full of the drama and intensity you would expect from a show like this. With nine seasons to binge, One Tree Hill is the perfect series for you to enjoy on a rainy day when you feel like watching a good teen drama.

Stream One Tree Hill on Hulu.

The 100

In The 100, based the book series of the same name, we follow a group of delinquents who are sent down to Earth more than a hundred years after life seemingly went extinct, to see if it is habitable again. However, when they are down there, they run into trouble almost immediately.

I’ve always loved The 100, and especially The 100 cast. Their chemistry works so well together, and the friendships and stories that they build will make any fan of post-apocalyptic shows tune in. The series just came to a close over this past year.

Stream The 100 on Netflix.

iZombie

Of course the CW needed a zombie show at some point - and that’s where iZombie comes into play. This dramedy follows the story of a doctor-turned-zombie, a Seattle Police medical examiner named Olivia, who helps solve murders after eating the victims’ brains and temporarily inheriting their memories.

I feel like this show covers all the basics for a TV series to succeed. It has an interesting premise, some really funny bits, a great cast, and somehow makes the crime genre even more creative by adding on the zombie twist. In a world where we live in a time filled with zombie media, such as Army of the Dead or the AMC series, The Walking Dead, it’s nice to have a comedy-filled drama with zombies instead of constant death.

Stream iZombie on Netflix.

Walker

Walker, which is a reimagining of the long-running series, Walker, Texas Ranger, follows the story of Cordell Walker, a widower and a father with his own personal moral code, returning home after working undercover for two years.

Starring Supernatural star Jared Padalecki as Cordell Walker, this remake stands out about the rest on The CW's offerings. Not only does Padalecki (who works as an executive producer on the show) shine as Cordell, the rest of the cast does, as well, adding a new layer to the story of Cordell Walker. The second season is set to come out in October, so now is the perfect time to watch.

Stream it on the CW.

All American

Inspired by the life of Spencer Paysinger, All American tells the story of a young boy from South L.A. who is recruited to play football for Beverly Hills High School, showing the struggles of two families from very different communities as they collide.

All American is one of those series that, even if you aren’t a big fan of sports, it’s still an engrossing series for you to watch. The dynamic between social classes is well discussed, and they talk about serious issues often on the show, from discrimination to the Black Lives Matter movement. With Season 4 around the corner, take the time now to catch up on All American before it premieres.

Stream All American on Netflix.

Veronica Mars

Veronica Mars is the story of a high school student who works as a private investigator behind the scenes, under the tutelage of her detective father.

Starring a young Kristen Bell, Veronica Mars is a great example of what a mystery show should be about, with plenty of interesting stories and exciting characters. The show was so popular it spawned a movie and recent series revival, so give it a shot if mysteries are your go-to genre.

Stream Veronica Mars on Hulu.

Charmed

In this reboot of the original series, Charmed, we follow a trio of sisters, known as the Charmed Ones, who are powerful, good witches. Their job is to use their combined power to save innocent lives from evil forces, such as warlocks, or demons.

Charmed is one of those fantasy shows that truly shines because of its main characters. The Charmed cast, and their amazing chemistry together, is what drives this show. With three seasons so far, if you’re craving magic and sorcery, Charmed is the show for you.

Stream Charmed on Netflix.

Gilmore Girls

A classic dramedy, Gilmore Girls centers around the titular Gilmore girls, Rory, a teenager, and her mother, Lorelai. The two of them live in a small Connecticut town called Stars Hollow, and we follow the ups and downs of their lives.

Known for its simplicity and mother-daughter storylines, Gilmore Girls is a wonderful coming of age series. We get to follow the story of Rory as she grows up, goes to college, makes mistakes, falls in love, and everything else in between, while also following the story of Lorelai trying to become successful in her career. Plenty of careers took off after it premiered. A reunion mini-series happened on Netflix not that long ago because the show was so popular. If you haven’t given it a shot, check it out now.

Stream Gilmore Girls on Netflix.

Supernatural

Supernatural follows the story of brothers, Dean and Sam Winchester, who both hunt down supernatural beings, getting themselves into trouble in various different ways in each episode, getting help along the way.

Supernatural is arguably one of the CW’s most popular shows ever, with fifteen seasons, all with episodes that are more than forty minutes long. And, it got popular for a reason. If you don’t love the brotherly love between Sam and Dean, you’ll surely learn to care for Castiel, or Bobby Singer, or many other characters. With so many amazing episodes, you’ll find it hard to pick the best one.

Stream Supernatural on Netflix.

Gossip Girl

Another classic CW show, Gossip Girl follows the story of a group of privileged teenagers on the upper East side of New York City, who are suddenly targeted by an unknown person, who calls themself “Gossip Girl.”

First off, the Gossip Girl cast is one of the best out there, with soon-to-be big-time names starring in it like Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, and more. Not only that, but the story is genuinely so much fun and filled with that constant mystery hanging over your head - who exactly is Gossip Girl? And, why are they doing this? It’s one of the best CW shows they've had - so much so that it received a (not so great) reboot that premiered on HBO Max earlier this year, but I'd rather stick to the original.

Stream Gossip Girl on HBO Max.

The Vampire Diaries

Set in the fictional town of Mystic Falls, The Vampire Diaries follows the story of Elena Gilbert, a teenage girl whose parents passed away in a car accident, and who falls in love with a 162-year-old vampire named Stefan Salvatore.

The Vampire Diaries premiered when the Twilight films were coming out, and created a whole slew of vampire-obsessed fans. However, The Vampire Diaries carries itself well and created a fun, fantasy experience with plenty of entertaining moments, including a strong love triangle between Elena, Stefan, and Damon. It’s not my favorite fantasy series, but it’s definitely worth the watch if vampires are your thing.

Stream The Vampire Diaries on Netflix.

With so many great shows to pick from, one can only imagine that you'll have fun diving in. What are you feeling? Mystery? Sports? Comedy? No matter what, the CW has you covered with plenty of options.

While the Vampire Diaries franchise has kept fans interested in small-screen vampire tales, there are some aspects of the flagship series that may not fair too well today. For instance, creator Julie Plec recently shined a light on the fan-favorite couple Klaus and Caroline, particularly in terms of how "fucked up" a relationship it really was.

Speaking on EW’s Binge: The Vampire Diaries, Julie Plec got to talking about Mystic Falls’ bad boy Klaus Mikaelson, portrayed by Joseph Morgan. Klaus is part of the family of first vampires — a.k.a. the Originals — and he soon became close with Candice King’s Caroline Forbes following a healing. The chemistry between the two characters blossomed, making Klaroline a fan-favorite couple. Instead of championing that love, however, Plec talked about just how messed up the toxicity of their relationship really was:

Just because it was all effed up doesn't mean that Julie Plec isn't still pleased by certain aspects of it, of course. Klaroline’s love story throughout The Vampire Diaries and The Originals was more than a little complicated, as was every relationship on the two series. Anger, love, sadness and every other kind of painful emotion was shared between the two of them, culminating in a heartfelt letter that Klaus sent to Caroline in the series finale. Their relationship was not a healthy one, to say the least, but it kept fans invested and it made many viewers fall for Klaus, just like how Caroline did.

It’s interesting to point out that Klaroline is not the only relationship that Julie Plec has recently called out as being “toxic.” She'd also mentioned how The Vampire Diaries overall wouldn’t be the same if it were being made today, particularly because of the “bad boy trope” it glorified, and how unhealthy Elena and Damon’s relationship was at times. That seemed to be a running theme in TVD, but clearly not one that fans were too meticulous about complaining about while the show was airing.

With the way that The Originals ended, with Klaus and Elijah sacrificing themselves, fans will never be able to watch Klaroline reunite, at least in the human world. Although Caroline has yet to officially cameo in Legacies, hopefully we’ll see her return to Mystic Falls some day and she and fans might be able to get that closure they’ve been needing to end the Klaus and Caroline chapter once and for all. While Klaroline’s love story long ago came to an end, it still lives on in Legacies, like much of the TVD universe. Characters have been known to come back to life before, maybe it’s possible that Klaus will come back and he and Caroline can have one last (non-fucked-up) dance together.

Klaroline will forever be a fan-favorite and fans will forever wonder what could have been for the two of them. Although their relationship might not have been the best, at least Julie Plec can agree that it was a juicy one to witness, and that’s all that matters. How would a Klaroline relationship look today? Who knows, but at least we have the OG pair to fall in love with all over again.

When The Vampire Diaries premiered on The CW over ten years ago, plenty of fans fell in love with bad boy vampire Damon Salvatore, played by Ian Somerhalder. While the character’s quick wit and brooding and sarcastic personality won over fans, it started to cause some issues for the show’s creators early on in the series.

In a new interview for EW's podcast “EW Binge,” TVD co-creators Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson discussed all things The Vampire Diaries Season 1, and the two shared what it was like having Damon as such a fan-favorite character when the series first started. While it was great that he was so loved, both Plec and Williamson admitted that they ran into some issues with the storyline, saying:

Damon Salvatore's villainous introduction didn't stop him from quickly becoming a fan-favorite, despite Paul Wesley's Stefan clearly being set up as the tortured but heroic Salvatore brother. The fan reaction surprised Julie Plec, as she thought they had created a villain, when in truth they created someone who Damon fans felt was simply misunderstood.

It's not surprising that fans immediately fell for Damon, as the “bad boy trope” has been used everywhere in shows and movies. However, recently, Julie Plec brought up the whole “bad boy” scenario and how different The Vampire Diaries would be if it were made today because of it. Even though fans fawned over Damon, his personality and relationship with Elena were toxic, and not healthy. Though that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s not a good guy deep down, as Elena changed him for the better. But it is pretty hilarious knowing how distraught the creators were when they realized just how popular Damon was when he was supposed to be an unpopular character. It’s always the villains that some fans have a soft spot for!

Damon Salvatore will always be a fan-favorite, and Ian Somerhalder is probably the only guy who can do it, but it does make you wonder just how different Damon would be had he not been a villain. If the roles were reversed for Damon and Stefan and Paul Wesley played Damon, would fans feel the same? Team Damon vs. Team Stefan might still be a thing!

The Vampire Diaries only ended a few years ago but it seems like it’s been forever. While the TVD universe is not yet dead, with spinoff Legacies still going strong after the end of The Originals, creator Julie Plec doesn’t think the show could be made the same way today as it was.

In an interview with EW, Julie Plec brought up the ever so popular “bad boy trope” that is included in many teen dramas of the past and present. Since Nina Dobrev’s Elena and Ian Somerhalder’s Damon were a big part of the show, Plec brought up what the characters' relationship was really like and why it wouldn’t be as celebrated much if the show was made today:

Delena was one half of The Vampire Diaries' legendary love triangle, with the other half being Stelena, comprised of Stefan and Elena. Even though Damon and Elena weren’t exactly the best at times, with Damon’s bad boy side, she did bring out the best in him, something that’s common among shows. Girl meets bad boy, bad boy falls in love with girl, girl brings out bad boy’s sweet side and everything changes.

Though perhaps Julie Plec is right. The bad boy trope is toxic as it presents this type of relationship as healthy and even romantic, when in reality it isn’t. The relationships went back and forth, with characters changing for better or for worse. When the show came to an end, there was only one true endgame in sight: Damon and Elena. Even in Legacies they are apparently still together.

If The Vampire Diaries was being made today, and there was no bad boy trope, would there still be some type of Damon Salvatore that is still Damon Salvatore? While so many fall for the bad boy who is just trying to find his way and the one person who gets him, it is interesting to think about TVD without the Damon we all know and love. You can relive his journey as the show's #1 bad boy with all eight seasons of The Vampire Diaries streaming on Netflix now.

The supernatural has always been something that has intrigued viewers for some time. From monster movies to big-time sagas like Harry Potter, there always seems to be some sort of amazing fantasy world out there for people like us to escape into. That’s why when Teen Wolf, starring Tyler Posey, Crystal Reed, Dylan O'Brien, and more, debuted a decade ago, it became a major hit for MTV.

While there were plenty of supernatural shows out before Teen Wolf, the popularity the show gained caused many networks to start making their own supernatural shows, as well. From long-time fan favorites to relativey new supernatural shows, here are the best shows like Teen Wolf.

Shadowhunters (Hulu)

Shadowhunters, based on The Mortal Instruments book series, follows the story of Clary Fray, a young woman who finds out on her eighteenth birthday that she is from a long line of Shadowhunters, human-angel hybrids whose mission in life is to hunt down demons, all while she has to deal with the struggle of forbidden love.

For fans of Teen Wolf, the appeal is almost instantly obvious. Shows like this have some amazing monsters to watch, alongside some pretty amazing special effects and fight scenes. Plus, the love stories will remind you of other teen shows, including Teen Wolf. The series only lasted for three seasons, so if you wanted to binge Shadowhunters, you easily could.

Stream Shadowhunters on Hulu.

Rent Shadowhunters on Amazon.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Hulu)

If you want a classic supernatural series, look no further than Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Here, we follow the story of Buffy Summers, a woman who descends from a long line of “Vampire Slayers,” chosen by fate to battle against vampires, demons, and different kinds of evil. She wants to live a normal life, but slowly begins to embrace her destiny.

There’s always been this weird difference with people who think vampires are better than werewolves, but trust me when I say that even if you’re a fan of Teen Wolf, you’ll enjoy the Buffy the Vampire Slayer cast and this show. It has all of the action you would expect from a show like this, and fan favorites who will capture your heart. I mean, the show even spawned a spinoff, Angel, because the character was so popular. Give it a shot.

Stream Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Hulu.

Rent Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Amazon.

The Vampire Diaries (Netflix)

While Teen Wolf was on MTV, The Vampire Diaries was just as popular. In this teen drama, we begin the story with Elena Gilbert, a teenage girl who just lost both her parents in a car accident – and just so happens to end up falling in love with Stefan Salvatore, a 162-year-old vampire, who has a brother, Damon Salvatore – whom she also ends up falling for.

This show came out during the peak of the vampire craziness after Twilight, and everyone was falling in love with the idea of being with a vampire. However, that didn’t mean the show wasn’t a lot of fun. The love triangles were almost ridiculous at times, but made the show even more enjoyable, and who doesn’t love a nice set of good-looking brothers? Teen Wolf has always been one of my go-tos, but The Vampire Diaries doesn’t fall far behind.

Stream The Vampire Diaries on Netflix.

Rent The Vampire Diaries on Amazon.

Supernatural (Netflix)

While Stefan and Damon Salvatore are a pretty cool set of brothers, my absolute favorite pair are the Winchester brothers, Dean and Sam. In Supernatural, we follow the pair as they hunt down several different kinds of monsters, including demons, ghosts, and other supernatural beings, all while dealing with their own issues.

The show had 15 seasons because there was so much story to cover. If you love Teen Wolf, there’s no doubt in my mind that you will enjoy the heck out of Supernatural. From the brotherly love between Dean and Sam to the monsters they hunt down (which also include werewolves, by the way), it’s a whole lot of fun. By the end of the show, you’ll find yourself singing “Carry On Wayward Son” in your mind every day.

Stream Supernatural on Netflix.

Rent Supernatural on Amazon.

Being Human (AMC+)

Ever wonder what it would be like to be a supernatural being and have roommates? Because that’s what Being Human covers. In this series based on the BBC show of the same name, we get to follow the tales of a werewolf, a vampire, and a ghost living together, all in the same house as roommates.

Let me just say that this show is hysterical. If you’re a fan of the humor in Teen Wolf, there is no way you won’t enjoy the heck out of Being Human, and its surprising dark yet pleasing comedy. Not only that, but you get some amazing monsters added in as well, alongside plotlines you would never expect. We’ve had plenty of shows about roommates, with hits like Friends and New Girl, but Being Human gave a refreshing twist to the genre that I think we could all use.

Stream Being Human on AMC+ through Amazon.

Rent Being Human on Amazon.

Hemlock Grove (Netflix)

Now, if you’re looking for something a little bit darker after watching a show like Teen Wolf, be sure to check out Hemlock Grove. In this series, we get to see the strange happenings that are occurring in the fictional town of Hemlock Grove, Pennsylvania. The community has experienced recent murders, and brutal ones at that, stirring up rumors. A townie and a newcomer end up working together to try and shed light on the mystery – while having their own secrets.

Is it as monster-filled as the rest? No, but honestly, sometimes you don’t need crazy monsters like Teen Wolf. Sometimes, all you need is a good mystery, some dark moments, and a great story to get you going. Even with only three seasons, it’s still one of Netflix’s best shows out there right now.

Stream Hemlock Grove on Netflix.

Rent Hemlock Grove on Apple TV.

Grimm (Amazon Prime)

In this popular police drama, we get to see what it would be like to basically be a monster cop. In Grimm, we follow Nicholas Burkhardt, a Portland homicide detective who is a Grimm, the latest in a line of guardians sworn to protect humanity against mythological creatures, and keep the balance needed for the universe to stay intact.

With six seasons, there’s plenty to love about Grimm that Teen Wolf fans would enjoy. You get a ton of monsters, but you also get an awesome cop show. I mean, a cop hunting down monsters in the city of Portland? It already sounds interesting enough. It’s, honestly, a great time no matter what part of the supernatural genre you enjoy, and you’ll find something or someone to root for in every episode.

Stream Grimm on Amazon Prime.

Rent Grimm on Apple TV.

The Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina (Netflix)

I still think it’s a crime that this show only got four seasons. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina was a dark twist on Sabrina: The Teenage Witch, where on her sixteenth birthday, she must sign her soul away to the devil to be able to practice her witchcraft and leave the mortal world behind. But, of course, the young girl doesn’t want to do that and tries to live both lives – putting herself and her loved ones at risk.

This show was so good. While the original Sabrina: The Teenage Witch was a great sitcom, there’s just something about this dark version that makes me smile, and that's why it would be a great pick for Teen Wolf fans. It has that perfect combination of magic, love, and dark comedy. I think that if Chilling Adventures of Sabrina wasn’t on Netflix, it could have ended up on MTV.

Stream The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix.

Rent The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Amazon.

The Order (Netflix)

Moving into another great magic show, The Order followed college student Jack Morton as he enrolled in the Hermetic Order of the Blue Rose, a secret society that teaches magic. As he starts to learn more about who he is and his family’s lives, he begins to understand the dark secrets of the past, and an underground battle occurring between werewolves and the dark arts.

I mean, how does that not sound appealing to Teen Wolf fans? That has everything you could possibly ask for. Sorcery? Check. Werewolves? Check. Great story? Check. Fun practical and visual effects? Check. All of the boxes are crossed off here. My only complaint is that it was two seasons. Why does Netflix always want to cancel the good originals?

Stream The Order on Netflix.

Lucifer (Netflix)

As our last item, we take a look into what it would be like if Lucifer – ya know, the devil himself – decided to step into the human world. In Lucifer, we get to know the story of the titular character, who ends up abandoning his throne in Hell to own a nightclub named Lux and consult for the LAPD.

The premise alone probably already has you scratching your head. The devil owning a nightclub and working for the police? But, those are the questions that this show wants you to have, and they answer them very well. What also makes this show so intriguing, like Teen Wolf, is the development of certain characters, especially Lucifer. Who would have thought the king of the damned would have a heart? Because that’s exactly what Lucifer explores. The upcoming sixth season will be its last, but the show has had an amazing run.

Stream Lucifer on Netflix.

Rent Lucifer on Amazon.

All these Netflix TV shows and other series – there’s just so much to watch now! But, hopefully, if you’re missing Teen Wolf after all this time, you might be able to find a nice replacement. Now, I’m going to go and re-watch Supernatural for the millionth time.