The Originals | |
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Genre | |
Created by | Julie Plec |
Based on | In part on character Klaus from The Vampire Diaries by L. J. Smith |
Starring | |
Composer | Michael Suby |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 5 |
No. of episodes | 92 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Cinematography |
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Running time | 40–42 minutes |
Production companies |
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Original release | |
Network | The CW |
Release | October 3, 2013 – August 1, 2018 |
Related | |
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The Originals is an American fantasy supernatural drama television series that began airing on The CW on October 3, 2013. It is a spin-off of The Vampire Diaries and the first television series expansion of the franchise based on its parent series. The series follows vampire-werewolf hybrid Klaus Mikaelson as he and his family become embroiled in the supernatural politics of the French Quarter of New Orleans. [1]
On May 10, 2017, The CW renewed the series for a fifth season. [2] On July 20, 2017, it was announced by series creator Julie Plec ahead of Comic Con that the series' fifth season would be its last. The final season began airing on April 18, 2018, and finished on August 1, 2018. [3] [4] [5]
The Originals, a spin-off of The Vampire Diaries, centers on three of the Mikaelson siblings: Klaus, Elijah, and Rebekah. The Mikaelson family are also commonly known as "the Originals" due to the fact that they are the first vampires ever to exist. Klaus is the son of a witch and a werewolf, and his quest to unleash his hybrid nature was detailed in The Vampire Diaries . The backdoor pilot, "The Originals", which aired on April 25, 2013, also revealed that the werewolf Hayley, with whom Klaus had a drunken one-night stand in season 4 of The Vampire Diaries, is pregnant with his child, the first ever tribrid. Elijah, Klaus, Rebekah and Hayley are all introduced in The Vampire Diaries as part of main or recurring cast from season 3 or 4 unlike the other cast of The Originals who are not introduced until the backdoor pilot or later on in the series.
The series begins with the Mikaelson siblings returning to the city of New Orleans for the first time since 1919, where a pregnant Hayley has also settled. She is under capture by the witches who use her to manipulate Klaus into helping them against Marcel's iron fist.
The Mikaelson siblings, having originally built the French Quarter, had been forced to abandon it when fleeing from their vengeful father, Mikael. He wished to kill them all and end the vampire species, which he viewed as unnatural and evil. In their absence, Klaus's former protégé and adoptive son – and Rebekah's former lover – Marcel, took charge of the French Quarter as self-proclaimed king. Klaus resolves that they must take down Marcel and get back the city that once belonged to them, while also protecting their city from a war brewing between vampires, werewolves, and witches.
The first season describes how Klaus' mystical child is going to be born and speaks of the threats that the Originals together must keep her safe from. It also details the war between vampires, witches and werewolves. The series ends with the child being born – a baby girl named Hope. She is given to Rebekah to hide and protect after Klaus and Hayley fake the baby's death to ensure her safety. Hayley is turned into a hybrid through Hope's blood after being murdered when giving birth.
In the second season, the Mikaelson siblings face new threats from their past. Their parents, Mikael and Esther, return, and Dahlia, Esther’s sister, poses a serious danger to Hope. Dahlia intends to take and train Hope, just as she did with Freya—the supposedly dead firstborn daughter of Mikael and Esther. It is revealed that Freya was secretly promised to Dahlia by Esther, and when Dahlia discovered that Freya was still alive, she kidnapped her. Now, seeking revenge, Freya allies with the Mikaelsons to defeat Dahlia.
The third season begins with the return of Lucien Castle, the first vampire sired by Klaus. Lucien tells Klaus about a prophecy that speaks of the Mikaelsons' downfall through friend, foe and family. In an effort to battle the Mikaelsons, Lucien works with Tristan de Martel and his sister Aurora, who was also Klaus' first love – the first vampires sired by Elijah and Rebekah respectively. This season sees the death of Hayley's husband werewolf Jackson by Tristan, as well as the death of Camille by Lucien. This season is also the first one to have a crossover episode with The Vampire Diaries, with Stefan Salvatore coming to New Orleans seeking aid.
The fourth season takes place five years after the third season. Marcel, now an Upgraded Original Vampire due to Lucien's creation, is ruling the city with an iron fist once more, while Hayley cures Freya, Elijah, Rebekah and Kol. Klaus suffers at Marcel's hand as the other Mikaelson siblings strive to save him. But the appearance of an evil ancient mystical menace, called the Hollow, puts them all at risk; especially Hope, who is targeted for her magical abilities and tribrid nature. It is revealed later in the season that the Hollow created the first werewolves, which Hayley descends from. Hope is seven years old here and starting to develop magical abilities which Freya helps her control and use.
The fifth and final season of the series takes place seven years after the fourth season. Hope, now a teenager, is studying at the Salvatore School for the Young and Gifted. The other Mikaelsons are living their own lives separately, trying to keep the Hollow at bay through their distance. But when Klaus and an amnesiac Elijah meet, Hayley goes missing and Nazi vampires emerge, the entire family returns to New Orleans to fight these new brewing threats. This season also acts as a soft backdoor pilot through small incorporations of the Salvatore School and future Legacies characters Alaric, Landon Kirby and the Saltzman twins.
On January 11, 2013, it was announced that a backdoor pilot focused on the Originals, starring Joseph Morgan as Klaus and titled The Originals would air sometime in April for a potential series pick-up for the 2013–2014 season. On April 26, 2013, The Originals was confirmed for a full series. [8] This second spin-off attempt would be overseen by Julie Plec, with no involvement by Kevin Williamson. [9] The Originals was officially picked up by The CW on April 26, 2013, for the 2013–14 season. [10] Season one of The Originals was set to premiere on Tuesday, October 15. [11] However, on July 29, 2013, The CW announced that the series premiere would instead air on October 3, 2013, following the fifth-season premiere of The Vampire Diaries in order to attract fans of the series. [1] On October 10, 2013, the CW ordered three additional scripts for the series. [12] On November 11, 2013, the CW decided to order a full season for The Originals. [13]
Following her March 11 episode, Claire Holt left the main cast. [14] Holt confirmed that she would be returning to the show, but that she needed to spend time with her family first. [15]
Rotten Tomatoes assesses 87% positive reviews for the overall series, with the first season garnering 57% (of 28 reviews considered), while the following three all earn 100% (of 6, 6 and 5 reviews, respectively), and the final season scores 67% based on 6 reviews. [16]
Season | Timeslot (ET) | Episodes | First aired | Last aired | TV season | Viewership rank | Avg. viewers (millions) | 18–49 rank | Avg. 18–49 rating | ||
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Date | Viewers (millions) | Date | Viewers (millions) | ||||||||
1 | Tuesday 8:00 pm | 22 | October 3, 2013 | 2.21 [17] | May 13, 2014 | 1.76 [18] | 2013–14 | 149 | 2.61 | 112 [19] | 1.6/4 [20] |
2 | Monday 8:00 pm | 22 | October 6, 2014 | 1.37 [21] | May 11, 2015 | 1.19 [22] | 2014–15 | 136 | 2.03 | 147 [23] | 0.9/3 [24] |
3 | Thursday 9:00 pm (1–9) Friday 9:00 pm (10–22) | 22 | October 8, 2015 | 0.89 [25] | May 20, 2016 | 0.85 [26] | 2015–16 | 145 | 1.96 | 163 [27] | 0.6/2 [28] |
4 | Friday 8:00 pm | 13 | March 17, 2017 | 1.05 [29] | June 23, 2017 | 0.80 [30] | 2016–17 | 141 | 1.37 [31] | TBD | 0.3 [32] |
5 | Wednesday 9:00 pm | 13 | April 18, 2018 | 0.97 [33] | August 1, 2018 | 0.86 [34] | 2017–18 | 151 | 1.36 [35] | 155 | 0.6 [36] |
Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Refs |
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2014 | Emmy Awards | Outstanding Hairstyling For A Single-Camera Series | Colleen Labaff, Kimberley Spiteri | Nominated | [37] |
People's Choice Awards | Favorite Actor in a New Series | Joseph Morgan | Won | ||
Favorite New TV Drama | The Originals | Nominated | [38] | ||
Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Actor Fantasy/Sci-Fi | Joseph Morgan | Nominated | [39] | |
Choice TV Actress Fantasy/Sci-Fi | Claire Holt | Nominated | |||
2015 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Actor Fantasy/Sci-Fi | Joseph Morgan | Nominated | [40] |
2016 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV: Liplock | Joseph Morgan & Leah Pipes | Nominated | [41] |
Choice TV Actor Fantasy/Sci-Fi | Joseph Morgan | Nominated | |||
2017 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Actor Fantasy/Sci-Fi | Joseph Morgan | Nominated | [42] |
2018 | American Society of Cinematographers Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Regular Series for Commercial Television | Kurt Jones (Episode: "Bag of Cobras") | Nominated | [43] |
People's Choice Awards | The Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show of 2018 | The Originals | Nominated | [44] | |
Teen Choice Awards | Choice Fantasy/Sci-Fi Series | The Originals | Nominated | [45] | |
Choice TV Actor Fantasy/Sci-Fi | Joseph Morgan | Nominated |
In November 2014, a web series titled The Originals: The Awakening was released as the fourth show in the franchise. The series explores the character Kol Mikaelson and his relationships with his siblings. Flashing back to 1914, Kol is on a quest to form an alliance with the witches of the French Quarter. Awakening gives answers to some questions about Kol's past, including the origins of his rivalry with his family and the unique backstory he has with the New Orleans witches. Each webisode is approximately two minutes long. The series concluded on December 8, 2014. To date, The Originals: The Awakening is the only web series in The Vampire Diaries franchise.
On January 27, 2015, the first book in a series of novels based on the show was released. [46] The Rise, The Loss, and The Resurrection make up the three novels in The Originals series written by Julie Plec. [47] [48]
In August 2017, it was announced that a spin-off focusing on Hope Mikaelson (Danielle Rose Russell), the daughter of Klaus and Hayley, was in development. Julie Plec, co-creator of The Vampire Diaries and creator of The Originals, wrote the script and is credited with creating the series. It was the third series in The Vampire Diaries universe. [49] In January 2018, it was revealed that filming for the pilot would go into production in the second quarter of 2018. [50] It was announced in March 2018 that the spin-off was in fact ordered to pilot, but instead of a traditional pilot, Plec would be delivering a fifteen-minute pilot presentation of the series to The CW. It was also announced that The Vampire Diaries veteran Matt Davis would star in the project along with Aria Shahghasemi, Quincy Fouse, Jenny Boyd, and Kaylee Bryant. Shahghasemi debuted in the fifth season of The Originals as Hope's human friend and romantic interest Landon who lives in Mystic Falls and works at the Mystic Grill. [51]
On May 11, 2018, it was announced that the spin-off, titled Legacies , had been ordered to series for the 2018–19 season. The show centers around "a 17-year-old Hope, along with Alaric's twin daughters, and other young witches, vampires, and werewolves" as they come of age at the Salvatore Boarding School for the Young and Gifted. [52] The show featured appearances from many characters from The Vampire Diaries, along with characters from The Originals. On May 12, 2022, it was reported that the fourth season would be its last. [53] [54]
Claire Rhiannon Holt (born 11 June 1988) is an Australian–American actress. She made her acting debut playing Emma Gilbert in the fantasy series H2O: Just Add Water (2006–2008), before moving to America and making her film debut in 2009. After appearing in the television sequel Mean Girls 2 and the first two seasons of Pretty Little Liars (both 2011), she had her breakthrough playing Rebekah Mikaelson in the CW supernatural drama series The Vampire Diaries (2011–2014), The Originals (2013–2018) and Legacies (2021–2022). The role earned her acclaim and a Teen Choice Award nomination. She also starred in the NBC period crime drama series Aquarius (2015–2016), to further acclaim.
The Vampire Diaries is an American supernatural teen drama television series developed by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, based on the book series of the same name written by L. J. Smith. The series premiered on The CW on September 10, 2009, and concluded on March 10, 2017, having aired 171 episodes over eight seasons.
Stefan Salvatore is a fictional character and one of the two main protagonists from L. J. Smith's novel series The Vampire Diaries. He is portrayed by Paul Wesley in the television series CW's The Vampire Diaries and The Originals. Stefan grew up in the town of Mystic Falls, Virginia. He grew up next to his brother, Damon Salvatore, his father, Giuseppe Salvatore and at the start of his life grew up with his mother, Lillian Salvatore before supposedly died of consumption, later revealing that she faked her own death and lived as a vampire in secret. As Stefan grew up, he was known as the good child in the family, unlike his brother, Damon Salvatore, who had a knack for trouble. As Stefan and Damon grew up, both boys grew to not like their father because of his abusive ways. Damon Salvatore joined the army, and Stefan was left to live with his father for a couple of months. Once Damon came back, the two were turned into vampires in 1864, in the town of Mystic Falls at the age of 17, by Katerina Petrova, who both brothers loved immensely.
The Vampire Diaries, an American supernatural drama, was officially renewed by The CW for a full 22-episode season on February 16, 2010. The first episode premiered on September 9, 2010, at 8 p.m. ET. The season picks up immediately after the events of the season one finale. All the series regulars returned. The second season focuses on the return of Elena Gilbert's doppelgänger, Katherine Pierce, the introduction of werewolves, the sun and moon curse, and the arrival of the original vampires. Tyler Lockwood's uncle, Mason Lockwood, arrives in town searching for the moonstone, a family heirloom. Tyler later learns of his family's werewolf curse. Meanwhile, Caroline Forbes is killed by Katherine while having Damon Salvatore's blood in her system, turning her into a vampire. The arrival of the original vampires, Elijah and Klaus Mikaelson, also bring about complications. Klaus is a vampire-werewolf hybrid, but his werewolf side had been forced into dormancy by witches, as nature would not stand for such an imbalance in power. Therefore, Klaus arrives in town with plans to break the curse and unleash his werewolf side by channelling the power of the full moon into the moonstone, sacrificing a vampire and a werewolf, and drinking the blood of the doppelgänger. It became available on DVD and Blu-ray on August 30, 2011.
The Vampire Diaries, an American supernatural drama, was officially renewed for a third season by The CW on April 26, 2011. The season aired from September 15, 2011, to May 10, 2012, and consisted of 22 episodes. The plot focused on the story of Klaus' origin, his relation with his family and revealed more about the Original family. The third season opened to generally positive reviews. The season takes a gap from the last season and begins with Elena Gilbert's 18th birthday, with all series regulars returning with the exception of Sara Canning, whose character, Jenna Sommers, was killed off in the previous season. Joseph Morgan's character Klaus became a series regular after previously appearing in a recurring role.
"As I Lay Dying" is the 22 episode and last of the second season of The CW television series, The Vampire Diaries and the 44th episode of the series overall. It originally aired on May 12, 2011. The episode was written by Turi Meyer, Al Septien and Michael Narducci and directed by John Behring.
The Vampire Diaries, an American supernatural drama, was renewed for a fourth season by the U.S. channel The CW on May 3, 2012, seven days before the third season's finale. Unlike the previous seasons that aired in September, it premiered on October 11, 2012, to avoid competition from major television shows. Season 4 consisted of 23 episodes instead of the usual 22 episodes.
"The Departed" is the twenty-second and final episode of The Vampire Diaries's third season, premiering May 10, 2012 on The CW. During the episode, Elena remembers when life was simpler while the rest of her friends attempt to stay away from Alaric. In the episode's initial airing, it garnered 2.53 million viewers.
Julie Plec is an American television producer, writer and director, known for her work on The CW television series The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017) which she co-created with Kevin Williamson, and its spin-offs The Originals (2013–2018) and Legacies (2018–2022). She also developed the limited series Containment (2016).
The Vampire Diaries, an American supernatural drama, was renewed for a fifth season by the CW on February 11, 2013. The fifth season premiered on October 3, 2013, followed by the series premiere of the spin-off series The Originals.
"Klaus" is the 19th episode of the second season of The CW television series, The Vampire Diaries and the 41st episode of the series overall. It originally aired on April 21, 2011. The episode was written by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec and directed by Joshua Butler.
"Ordinary People" is the eighth episode of the third season of The CW television series, The Vampire Diaries and the 52nd episode of the series overall. It originally aired on November 3, 2011. The episode's story was written by Nick Wauters, the teleplay by Julie Plec and Caroline Dries and it was directed by J. Miller Tobin.
The Originals is an American supernatural drama television series created by Julie Plec for The CW. A spin-off of The Vampire Diaries, the series makes use of certain characters and story elements from the series of books of the same name. The first season premiered with a special preview on October 3, 2013, following the season premiere of its parent series, before premiering in its regular time slot on October 8, 2013.
The Originals, an American supernatural drama, was renewed for a third season by The CW on January 11, 2015. The season premiered on October 8, 2015.
The Originals, a one-hour American supernatural drama, was renewed for a fourth season by The CW on March 17, 2016, by The CW's President, Mark Pedowitz. The 2016–17 United States television season debut of The Originals was pushed to midseason, which saw the fourth-season premiere on March 17, 2017. It concluded on June 23, 2017, after 13 episodes.
The Originals, a one-hour American supernatural drama, was renewed for a fifth season by The CW on May 10, 2017. The 2016–17 United States television season debut of The Originals was pushed to midseason, as with the fourth-season premiere. On July 20, 2017, Julie Plec announced via Twitter that the upcoming season would be the series' last. The fifth season consists of 13 episodes and debuted on April 18, 2018. The series finale aired on August 1, 2018.
Legacies is an American fantasy drama television series, created by Julie Plec, that aired from October 25, 2018, to June 16, 2022, on The CW. A spinoff of The Originals, it is part of The Vampire Diaries Universe, and features characters from both The Originals and its predecessor, The Vampire Diaries. Danielle Rose Russell stars as the 17-year-old Hope Mikaelson, continuing the role she originated in the fifth and final season of The Originals. Matt Davis also features prominently in the series, reprising his role as Alaric Saltzman from The Vampire Diaries. In May 2022, it was announced that the fourth season would be its final season.
The Vampire Diaries Universe is an American media franchise and a shared universe that is centered on various interconnected television series airing on The CW. The series were developed by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, and based on characters who appeared in the original novel series, The Vampire Diaries, by L. J. Smith.
"The Originals" is the twentieth episode of the fourth season of The CW television series, The Vampire Diaries and the 86th episode of the series overall. It originally aired on April 25, 2013. The episode was written by Julie Plec and directed by Chris Grismer. This episode serves as a backdoor pilot for the spin-off, The Originals.