Cast

as ELENA GILBERT, a young orphan who falls in love with vampire Stefan Salvatore and later his brother, Damon, creating a love triangle.

KATHERINE, Dobrev sporadically appeared as Katherine in subsequent seasons, with Katherine playing a significant role in the fifth season.

as DAMON SALVATORE, Stefan's malevolent vampire brother. He is mostly thought of as selfish and manipulative, but later on begins to display a more caring side. Throughout the series, Damon is able to repair his relationship with Stefan, and becomes best friends with Alaric and Bonnie.

as STEFAN SALVATORE, a good-hearted and affectionate vampire and the complete opposite of his older brother, Damon Salvatore. Later in the series, Stefan reverts to his old ways as a Ripper to save Damon from a werewolf bite. His role becomes more antagonistic, after being forced to turn his humanity off.

as CAROLINE FORBES, Elena and Bonnie's best friend, who was insecure and often jealous of Elena at first, but after becoming a vampire in the second season becomes more caring and sympathetic. Neurotic but lovable, Caroline has been the love interest of many of the male characters.

as BONNIE BENNETT, Elena and Caroline's best friend and a very powerful witch. She has died numerous times but always found a way to return. She develops and controls her powers with the help of her grandmother, Sheila or "Grams", another witch in the family.

as MATT DONOVAN, Vicki's younger brother and Elena's childhood friend and ex-boyfriend, who became romantically involved with Caroline in the first season. They remain good friends even after breaking up during the second season.

as TYLER LOCKWOOD, a werewolf, later turned into a hybrid, Matt's best friend, and the son of the mayor of Mystic Falls. His family carry a lycanthropic trait, being descended from an ancient werewolf clan.

as ALARIC SALTZMAN, a history teacher, vampire hunter, and Jenna's love interest. Davis left the show at the end of season three after Alaric was killed. His character returned as a regular from the sixth season onwards, after he was resurrected in the fifth season.