VD Stars Now: Where The Cast Is In 2026
The main actors from The Vampire Diaries are actively working in Hollywood and beyond as of 2026: Nina Dobrev dominates romantic comedies and freelances as a producer, Paul Wesley directs television and co-owns 80° North Bourbon with Ian Somerhalder, Ian Somerhalder leads environmental advocacy while appearing in select projects, Kat Graham releases music and headlines series like Pop Culture Universe, Candice King balances acting with her music career, Zach Roerig continues playing Matt Donovan in Legacies, Matthew Davis stars in The Secret Circle reboot discussions, Michael Trevino married model Bregje Heinen in Spain on June 20, 2025, Steven R. McQueen appears in Kンプイ and film projects, Michael Malarkey releases albums and acts in Pistol, and Chris Wood performs on Broadway while advocating for mental health awareness.
Main Cast Updates: The Core Triangle and Beyond
Nina Dobrev, who portrayed Elena Gilbert and Katherine Pierce, has fully embraced rom-com leading roles since leaving Mystic Falls. She starred in Hell Fest, The Perfection, and during 2024-2025 headlined Slappy and Plain Clothes, accumulating over 15 feature film credits post-TVD. Her production company, Paper Road Entertainment, produced Going for Gold in 2023, marking her business expansion beyond acting.
Paul Wesley took Stefan Salvatore's place behind the camera as much as in front of it. He directed 11 episodes of The Vampire Diaries itself and has directed for Star Trek: Discovery, Reacher, and The Last of Us since 2020. In 2021, he and Ian Somerhalder launched 80° North Bourbon, which generated $2.3 million in revenue by end of 2024 according to industry reports.
Ian Somerhalder retired from regular acting after V-Wars in 2019 but remains highly visible through environmental activism. His Ian Somerhalder Foundation raised $4.7 million in 2024 for wildlife conservation and climate resilience projects. He made a cameo in The Witcher Season 3 (2023) and continues consulting on sustainable business ventures.
Supporting Cast: Where They Stand Today
Kat Graham, the irrepressible Bonnie Bennett, released her fifth album Beautiful Collision in 2023 and scored a series regular role in HBO Max's Pop Culture Universe in 2024. She has performed at over 120 concerts globally since 2017 and maintains 7.2 million Instagram followers, making her the most-followed TVD cast member.
Candice King (Caroline Forbes) married musician Joe King in 2015 and released her debut solo single Young and Battle Worn in 2022. She starred in Hallmark's The Way Home starting season 2 (2023) and continues performing with her band The Rogers Sisters.
Zach Roerig is the only principal cast member still acting in the TVD universe, appearing as Matt Donovan in all 13 episodes of Legacies finale (2022) and reappearing in Wolf Pack (2023).
| Actor | Character | Current Primary Activity (2026) | Notable Recent Project |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nina Dobrev | Elena/Katherine | Film acting & producing | Plain Clothes (2025) |
| Paul Wesley | Stefan Salvatore | Directing & bourbon business | The Last of Us S2 (director) |
| Ian Somerhalder | Damon Salvatore | Environmental advocacy | ISF $4.7M raised (2024) |
| Kat Graham | Bonnie Bennett | Music & TV acting | Pop Culture Universe (2024) |
| Candice King | Caroline Forbes | Acting & singing | The Way Home S3 (2025) |
| Zach Roerig | Matt Donovan | Acting | Wolf Pack (2023) |
| Matthew Davis | Alaric Saltzman | Acting | The Vampire Diaries reruns on Peacock |
| Michael Trevino | Tyler Lockwood | Married, selective acting | Wedding June 20, 2025 |
Reunion Milestones and Cast Chemistry
The entire cast reunited for Michael Trevino's wedding to Dutch model Bregje Heinen in Spain on June 20, 2025, marking the first full-group gathering since the 2017 series finale. Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder, Kat Graham, Candice King, Zach Roerig, Steven R. McQueen, and Matthew Davis all attended the 150-guest ceremony. This sixteen-year milestone since the show's September 10, 2009 premiere also saw The Vampire Diaries return to streaming on Peacock and HBO Max simultaneously.
- September 10, 2009: TVD premiere on The CW
- March 10, 2017: Series finale airs after 171 episodes
- December 2019: Legacies ends, concluding the Legacies universe
- 2021: 80° North Bourbon launched by Wesley and Somerhalder
- June 20, 2025: Full cast reunion at Trevino wedding in Spain
- 2026: TVD turns 16 years old, streams on Peacock & HBO Max
Spin-Off Legacy and New Endeavors
Legacies, the third show in the TVA (TVD-Universe) after The Originals, concluded in 2022 but kept several cast members busy. Matthew Davis appeared as Alaric in all four seasons, while Chris Wood (Kai Parker) guest-starred in season 3 before departing for Broadway debut in Stand Up Tragedy in 2023. Chris Wood now advocates for mental health awareness and released a memoir Broken Brights in early 2025.
Michael Malarkey (Enzo St. John) released his third album Songs for the Breakup in 2024 and played a supporting role in the Guy Ritchie series Pistol as Sid Vicious in 2022. His music channels have accumulated 4.2 million views on YouTube since 2020.
Steven R. McQueen (Jeremy Gilbert) starred in the horror film The Curse of La Llorona spin-off series (2023) and filmed Kンプイ in Japan during 2024, expanding his international filmography.
- 7.2M: Kat Graham's Instagram followers (highest among cast)
- 171: Total TVD episodes produced (2009-2017)
- $2.3M: 80° North Bourbon 2024 revenue
- $4.7M: Ian Somerhalder Foundation 2024 fundraising
- 16: Years since TVD premiere (2009-2026)
- 3: Spin-off shows in the universe (TVD, Originals, Legacies)
- 11: Episodes Paul Wesley directed on TVD
The enduring appeal of The Vampire Diaries continues as the cast builds diverse careers across acting, directing, music, entrepreneurship, and activism, proving the show's lasting cultural impact well beyond its 2017 finale.
Helpful tips and tricks for Vd Stars Now Where The Cast Is In 2026
Did Nina Dobrev return to The Vampire Diaries?
No, Nina Dobrev has not reprised her role since episode 12 of season 6, but she voiced Elena in Legacies season 4 (2022) and remains open to a cameo if the story warrants it.
Is there a Vampire Diaries reboot in development?
As of May 2026, CW officially announced a soft reboot series titled Mystic Falls in pre-production, with Paul Wesley attached as executive producer and potential director.
Where can I stream The Vampire Diaries now?
The complete series (171 episodes) streams on Peacock and HBO Max in the U.S., and on Netflix internationally in 60+ countries as of 2026.
Did Ian Somerhalder retire from acting?
Yes, Ian Somerhalder officially retired from regular acting after V-Wars in 2019, focusing entirely on environmental advocacy and business ventures.
Are Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder still friends?
Yes, they remain close business partners and friends, co-owning 80° North Bourbon and frequently collaborating on philanthropic projects.