10 Must-Watch Series for Vampire Diaries Fans That Will Keep You Hooked!

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Summary

  • Teen Wolf offers a werewolf twist and high-school setting reminiscent of TVD but with its unique storyline.
  • Angel provides a gritty urban fantasy fix for fans, featuring vampires and supernatural threats in a different atmosphere.
  • Legacies offers a monster-of-the-week format with ties to TVD characters, adding new creatures and returning favorites.

“The Vampire Diaries“ is a beloved vampire series, known for its captivating narratives revolving around the romantic entanglements of the Salvatore brothers and Elena’s seasonal love interests, as well as the intricate love stories unfolding among the show’s supporting characters throughout each season.

After eight thrilling seasons, the series reached a poignant resolution, wrapping up Elena’s storyline. The last episode hinted at her finding tranquility in the afterlife. For fans yearning for a different twist on their beloved vampire series instead of rewatching, these alternative shows might offer a satisfying substitute.

8. Teen Wolf

For Those Who Loved the Lockwood’s

Poor werewolves, they’re seldom granted the recognition or prominence in centuries-long vampire endeavors that they deserve, often relegated to secondary roles and receiving fewer opportunities compared to vampires. It’s a pity, as werewolves played a significant role in ‘The Vampire Diaries’, serving as formidable foes due to their potent venom.

Enthusiasts who have a soft spot for werewolf segments in this series may not find an abundance of options comparable to vampire media, but there’s a handful of television shows featuring werewolves that warrant a look. One such show is Teen Wolf, which, much like its predecessors, employs a high-school backdrop as a group of friends navigate the truth that werewolves truly exist. Our protagonist, Scott McCall, has now joined their ranks as one of these nocturnal creatures with fur.

7. Angel

An Enormously Successful Spin-Off of the Popular Buffy Series

In essence, almost every well-known series that’s popular in the mainstream tends to spawn spin-offs. For instance, after “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” there was a spin-off titled “Angel.” This show centered around the brooding vampire character of the same name, who departed Sunnydale and relocated to Los Angeles, where he established his own agency to safeguard the city beset by both ordinary and supernatural troubles. Accompanying him were familiar faces like Cordelia and Wesley from “Buffy,” as well as newcomers Fred, Gunn, Connor, and occasionally Spike made an appearance in some episodes.

Despite an untimely conclusion, the series provided enough gritty urban fantasy excitement to make it a satisfying watch alongside Buffy, or as a standalone entity. Its narrative and ambiance diverge significantly from TVD, yet there are sufficient numbers of vampires and other supernatural perils to maintain viewer interest until a rewatch becomes appealing.

6. V Wars

For Fans Who Can’t Get Enough of Ian Somerhalder

  • Release Date: December 5th, 2019
  • Finale Year: 2019
  • Genres: Horror, Drama
  • Network: Netflix
  • Seasons: 1

One frequently asked question to a fan of “TVD” is which Salvatore brother they favor, a preference that Elena herself appeared to shift throughout the show’s seasons. In the end, she chose Damon, remaining loyal to the elder Salvatore brother until the series concluded, a choice that seemed to resonate with many fans, not just because of Ian Somerhalder’s good looks and acting charisma, but also due to the captivating character portrayal by him.

As a film enthusiast who can’t get enough of Matt Damon’s captivating performances and chiseled features, I highly recommend checking out his other vampire series, “V Wars“. While the character he plays is quite different from Damon, it’s still an engaging watch. In this show, vampirism isn’t just a myth; it’s a disease that has spread among humans, threatening to ignite a devastating war between us and the vampires. As a dedicated doctor, Luther Swan seeks to halt the outbreak and prevent such a catastrophic conflict at all costs.

5. Legacies

Witness the Story of the Next Generation of Vampire Diaries Characters

While “The Vampire Diaries” followed a pattern of featuring a seasonal monster, “Legacies” deviated from this model, choosing instead a monster-of-the-week approach. This format allows for an ongoing narrative focusing on characters like Hope Mikaelson and Lizzie and Josie Saltzman, children of previous characters. This shift brought about numerous new creatures into the universe, creatures that were never explored in “The Vampire Diaries” series before, creating exciting new hurdles for the cast to conquer.

Though not every fan embraced Legacies, there remain passionate advocates who argue that the series has ample opportunities for character growth and self-contained storylines, each time revealing the nature of the monster being hunted. Hardcore fans are also delighted to see recurring characters from prior shows, like Caroline Forbes, Alaric Saltzman, and Rebekah Mikaelson, making appearances.

4. Interview with the Vampire

Based on the Popular Movie

In a bold attempt, AMC aimed to rival or at least equal the excellence of the film adaptation known as “The Interview with the Vampire,” derived from Anne Rice’s celebrated novel. However, they planned to achieve this not by making a movie, but through a television series. The story is set in the contemporary year 2022, offering a modern twist on the familiar tale. With AMC providing their unique perspective, the TV show offers viewers a fresh take on an old favorite. By choosing a TV series format instead of a movie, they have more time to delve into the chronicles, with season 3 planned to cover the novel “The Vampire Lestat.

Fans who appreciate the gothic, romantic scenes from “The Vampire Diaries” are sure to relish “Interview with the Vampire”. If they’ve previously watched the film and yearned for more, their wish is about to come true as additional seasons are on the horizon.

3. Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Before The Vampire Diaries, There was Buffy

Drawing inspiration from the movie titled “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” the narrative unfolds around a slayer – an individual chosen for the role of defending humanity against all sorts of nightmarish creatures such as demons, diverse monsters, and naturally, vampires. Fans of “The Vampire Diaries” will find familiar ground with a blend of human characters and supernatural beings including witches, werewolves, and vampires, all set within the backdrop of an American high school. The story initially unfolds with these characters in their high-school years.

Despite sporting a bit of fraying around the edges, I still firmly believe that Buffy the Vampire Slayer stands tall as one of the most remarkable shows about vampires and monsters ever created. It boasts memorable, relatable characters, blending humor, romance, and intense emotional turmoil in later seasons. Plus, its groundbreaking portrayal of a love triangle between the lead female character and two vampires might have influenced The Vampire Diaries to some extent. So, I wholeheartedly recommend that fellow fans treat themselves to watching or rewatching this classic series—it’s worth the trip down memory lane!

2. True Blood

A More Matured Vampire Tale

In this new twist on the vampire narrative, a man-made product called ‘Tru Blood’ enables these bloodsuckers to live alongside humans openly, breaking the taboo that has long been associated with them in other forms of media. Some vampires accept this coexistence, while others argue it’s unfeasible due to their predatory and violent nature. The story revolves around Sookie Stackhouse, a character who isn’t fully human or one of the undead, but rather a small-town girl with unique telepathic abilities.

In the TV series True Blood, you’ll find a higher level of violence, gore, and romantic elements compared to The Vampire Diaries. This makes True Blood a more mature program, offering an intriguing and original concept. Despite a shift in tone, there’s plenty to appreciate in this engaging vampire drama.

1. The Originals

A Spin-Off Set in the Same Universe

One of the most cherished groups of antagonists in The Vampire Diaries, the Originals family, stood out due to their complex personalities that transcended simple evil-doing. Unlike characters like Kai, they had their reasons and weren’t solely villainous. As the first vampires and creators of the entire vampire lineage, they possess the most intricate and captivating backstories among all characters.

Despite fans’ disappointment over their early exit from the original series, they can take comfort in the fact that the spin-off show The Originals allowed this illustrious family to continue their story for a full five seasons in New Orleans. Themes of political intrigue among factions and the unbreakable ties of family are prevalent, with the introduction of new Mikaelsons like Freya, Klaus and Hayley’s daughter Hope, adding depth to the narrative.

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2025-03-13 16:35