Article
news flash
The Vampire Diaries: Every Main Characters Age At The Start Of The Show To The End
2024/04/10

ADVERTISEMENT

ended in 2017 and it's interesting to see how old Nina Dobrev was in . The CW has had its fair share of successful supernatural shows over the years. However, set the stage in 2009, introducing some great characters played by actors early in their careers. From Nina Dobrev coming into the series at 20 years old and playing a 17-year-old to Ian Somerhalder at the age of 30 but playing a 25-year-old, the series actors and the characters they portrayed were far off in age, especially in vampire years.

This isn't rare. Going back to ranged from Tori Spelling and Brian Austin Green at 17 when they started to Gabrielle Carteris, who was a 29-year-old playing a high school student.

ADVERTISEMENT

This was without the explanation of supernatural aging. In , some of the age differences were easy to see thanks to the vampires on the series, Also, these age gaps, although high for some, weren't very noticeable and did not have a negative impact on the series, and it continued to be a very talked-about and highly watched show throughout its run.

Sara Canning - Jenna Sommers

The protective and motherly aunt of Elena and Jeremy Gilbert, 25-year-old Jenna Sommers only sought to provide her niece and nephew with a safe and normal home environment.

ADVERTISEMENT

However, when the supernatural became a part of their lives, nothing was ever normal for them again. Actress Sara Canning was only 22 when she took on the role of guardian aunt in the series, three years younger than her character's age. Canning was also only slightly older than Nina Dobrev and still played her aunt. By the series' end, she was 29 years old, although she left the show at the end of season 2 and only made recurring appearances throughout .

Zach Roerig - Matt Donovan

ADVERTISEMENT

Sweet yet complicated, Matt Donovan was a 17-year-old high school student at the start of in 2009, with the character looking for validation from others. He sought to win the love of Elena Gilbert, a feat that only became more complicated with the arrival of Stefan and Damon Salvatore. Actor Zach Roerig gained the role of Matt Donovan at the age of 24. Although seven years older than his character, Roerig looked the part of a teenage jock at the beginning of the series. By the end of the show, Roerig and his character had both matured, with Roerig ending the series at the age of 31 with .

ADVERTISEMENT

Michael Trevino - Tyler Lockwood

Tyler Lockwood was a 17-year-old bad boy and popular jock at Mystic Falls High in He was rich, confident, and arrogant, however, over time he began to grow and understand who he was as a person. Coming into the role at the age of 24, Michael Trevino had the same age difference as Zach Roerig from his role. Trevino mastered the role of Tyler Lockwood. His character was present from seasons 1-6 and recurring throughout seasons 7-8, and by his end in the series in 2017, Trevino was 31 years old.

ADVERTISEMENT

However, Tyler didn't age after that because Damon killed him while under Sybil's mind control.

Matthew Davis - Alaric Saltzman

A character that looks to help and assist wherever he can, Alaric Saltzman has provided some of the wisest quotes over his appearance in the show. Although many feel the friendship between Alaric and Damon isn't real, he’s proved to be the voice of reason on many occasions when talking Damon out of doing something stupid. He is an integral part of the supernatural world in Mystic Falls, and he does his best to protect those he loves as best he can.

ADVERTISEMENT

Matthew Davis took on this role in 2009 at the age of 31, while his character's age was 33. and moved on to and

Steven McQueen - Jeremy Gilbert

The younger brother of Elena Gilbert, Jeremy Gilbert was a character also dealing with the loss of his parents while also trying to understand who he is. He would do anything for his sister and aunt, however, at times, he could be impulsive. Steven R. McQueen has starred in series like and playing only minor roles. However, after

ADVERTISEMENT

taking on the role of 15-year-old Jeremy at the age of 21, he saw his career grow as he did. Jeremy ended the series by leaving to hunt vampires, but he did make a return at the very end and became a teacher at the Salvatore Boarding School.

Kat Graham - Bonnie Bennett

A character that would do anything for those she loves, Bonnie Bennett sacrificed and lost so much for the sake of others. However, she took everything in stride, always coming back better and stronger. Kat Graham was not new to television screens, getting her start as far back as 1998 in the film

ADVERTISEMENT

She took on the role of 17-year-old Bonnie Bennet at the young age of 19, only a two-year difference, in 2009. Her age aided in the authenticity of the character, making her much more relatable. As the series grew, so did Graham, and by the end, she was 26 years old and set out to see the world.

Candice King - Caroline Forbes

Caroline Forbes became a complex character that at times would be seen as a hero and at others as the villain. She made her fair share of mistakes; however, the one constant that remained was her loyalty and love for her friends and family.

ADVERTISEMENT

Taking on the role of Caroline Forbes in 2009, Candice King was 22 years old compared to her character's age of 17. With previous television roles in shows like and proved to be King’s breakout role in television. From 2009-2017, King was a constant in the series. By the series' end, she was 29 years old her character was an immortal vampire.

Ian Somerhalder - Damon Salvatore

The dark and impulsive brother to Stefan, Damon Salvatore does what he wants and says what he wants with no regard for the consequences.

ADVERTISEMENT

He's a character who cares for nothing or anyone until he returns to Mystic Falls and meets Elena Gilbert. Played by Ian Somerhalder, the actor took up the role at the age of 30, with his character’s age solidified as 25 years old in human years but around 170 in vampire years. By the end of the series, Ian Somerhalder was 37 years old. This was an even bigger change from his age to his character age, as , and started aging normally from 25 after that.

Paul Wesley - Stefan Salvatore

ADVERTISEMENT

A character that changed in multiple ways from season 1 to his last episode, Stefan Salvatore was a character with a complex past. His return to Mystic Falls saw the beginning of his dynamic relationship with Elena Gilbert and the re-emergence of his brother and past. Starting off the series at the age of 27, Paul Wesley and his character were far off in age, with Stefan's projected age being 17 in human years and over 100 years in vampire years. When the show finally ended in 2017, Paul Wesley was 34, but Stefan died in finale so Damon and Elena could have a happy ending.

ADVERTISEMENT

Nina Dobrev - Elena Gilbert

How old was Nina Dobrev in ? Nina Dobrev took on the role of Elena Gilbert, a high school teen dealing with the recent death of her parents and new love. Elena dealt with all the woes that came with being 17. Unlike her character's age at the start of the series, Nina Dobrev was 20 years old when she began filming for her role in only three years older than her character's age. The series would prove to be her breakout role, but Dobrev left in the sixth season, ending up in a coma. By the series' end in 2017, Nina was 27 years old and Elena woke up and continued to live her life with Damon.

The Best Shows To Watch ForYoung Sheldon Fans
2024/08/22
Young Sheldon Star Reveals First Look at Missy's Return in Georgie & Mandy Spinoff
2024/08/15
'Please Don't Drink and Drive': Young Sheldon Star Reveals Meemaw's Limp Stems From Real-Life Accident
2024/08/12
Georgie & Mandy Spinoff EP Teases a 'Different Missy' in Young Sheldon Spinoff
2024/08/04
Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage Creator Teases ‘Bumpy Ride’ Ahead for Titular Couple
2024/08/04
Georgie and Mandy's First Marriage Set Photo Reveals Controversial Young Sheldon Character Return
2024/08/03
Young Sheldon's Annie Potts Teases Return in Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage Set Photos
2024/07/31
'They Don't Even Need Me': Young Sheldon Star on Possible Return in Georgie & Mandy Spinoff
2024/07/29
Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage Sneak Peek Image Highlights Mandy's Family
2024/07/22
Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage EP Reveals Which Episodes Bring Back Young Sheldon Stars
2024/07/21
'Incredible Human Being': Big Bang Theory & Young Sheldon Stars Honor Bob Newhart
2024/07/20
Young Sheldon's Iain Armitage Channels The Big Bang Theory While Meeting Co-Star's Baby
2024/07/19
Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage Recasts Young Sheldon Character as Series Regular
2024/07/19
Young Sheldon Guest Star Teases Return in Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage Set Photo
2024/07/16
Young Sheldon Spinoff Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage Gets Premiere Date
2024/07/13
Young Sheldon Stars Confirmed to Return in Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage
2024/07/13
Young Sheldon Star Trying to Get Older Georgie Actor Onto Upcoming Spinoff
2024/06/30
'We Just Pick Right Up': Young Sheldon Star Shares Update on Georgie & Mandy Spinoff
2024/06/30
Every Young Sheldon Season, Ranked
2024/06/23
Young Sheldon Series Finale Draws Highest Viewership in Years
2024/06/13