'The Vampire Diaries' and 'Originals' crossover is finally here -- and it's guaranteed to be a bloody good time!
The Vampire Diaries and Originals crossover is finally here -- and it's guaranteed to be a bloody good time!
To help get you even more pumped for all the vampire thrills and chills that are headed our way in tonight's highly anticipated two-hour event, ETonline called up star Paul Wesley to get the exclusive scoop on the intense Caroline-centric conversations with Klaus that will make all shippers very satisfied.
Plus, the TVD actor opens up about what it was like to finally share a scene with his girlfriend, and Originals star, Phoebe Tonkin. Spoiler Alert: His answer is too cute!
EXCLUSIVE: Ian Somerhalder Talks 'Vampire Diaries' Ending and His Future With Nikki Reed
What was your initial reaction when Julie Plec told you that Stefan would be the key player in this Vampire Diaries and Originals crossover?
Paul Wesley: I was flattered quite frankly and I was excited. Julie mentioned it to me and I didn’t even think twice about it -- it was very exciting for me.
What should fans know before tuning into tonight's epic two-hour adventure?
PW: It's important for fans to know that this is a very organic thing. Stefan is in a predicament, he's on the run and he needs to get the hell out of town. He goes to New Orleans because there is a safe haven there and it just so happens that, sure enough, he bumps into good ol' Klaus Mikaelson, so he's ingratiated into that world in a very organic fashion. It's really Stefan's journey to New Orleans that leads us to this entire crossover.
Once again, Stefan sacrificed himself to save Damon, and now he's being viciously tracked by this Huntress. What was the significance behind Stefan's decision to save his brother once again?
PW: I think it just goes back to the moral center of who they are intrinsically. I think Stefan is, and will always be, the hero with flaws, and Damon will always be the tortured -- I don’t want to say villain -- but I guess antihero who is always trying to make up for his mistakes and transgressions.
WATCH: 'The Originals' Star Phoebe Tonkin Reacts to Jackson's 'Devastating' Death
It was very refreshing to see you share scenes with [your real-life girlfriend] Phoebe Tonkin because I don’t think we've ever had that on these shows before?
PW: Yeah, it was crazy, I had never worked with her before. It was very funny, we talked about it, but we literally never rehearsed [the scene] or ran it. We just said, 'Let's just do it when we get to set,' because otherwise it would just be awkward, and it was cool. It actually wasn't in the least bit uncomfortable or awkward. It was just kind of like we just did it and we were both in it and we both committed to it. It was nice, it was funny.
At this point in both series, Hayley and Stefan are pretty much complete strangers. So how do they develop a friendship in this crossover?
PW: From my recollection, Stefan and Hayley had only one scene together on The Vampire Diaries and I don’t even think they had a scene, they just saw each other in the same location or something. I literally don’t even think they exchanged words. But now I definitely think that they obviously have some sort of a bond that they share. It's an interesting thing. She talks about her baby and I talk about Caroline [laughs] and that was fun.
Speaking of Caroline, there are many passionate Steroline and Klaroline fans out there. Why do you think it was important for Klaus and Stefan to finally have a conversation about Caroline?
PW: Listen, I think people really gravitated toward that Caroline and Klaus relationship for a reason. I think it probably played really well. But [in this crossover] I think it was really nice to see that that -- I don’t want to give anything away, really -- but Stefan sort of gets Klaus' blessing in a sense. Not that Stefan necessarily needed it. [Laughs] I feel like Stefan would have been like, 'Dude, I'm going to do what I want.' But Klaus was sort of there first, in a way, so it was a much needed conversation, I suppose.
MORE: 'TVD' Boss Spills What's Next for Steroline After That Baby Bombshell!
Why do you feel like fans are going to be satisfied with tonight's crossover?
PW: It just feels really natural. I think there are some good brotherhood and kinsmanship moments between Klaus and Stefan. I think that [fans] are going to get their Caroline and Klaus fix to some degree. I'm sure it's going leave them wanting more, but they're going to get their fix. I think it's going to be satisfying for them in many regards and maybe we'll do more in the future.
These flash-forwards three years into the future have been really interesting to watch play out. What can you say about where Stefan's headspace is?
PW: I guess the only thing I can really say with certainty is that right now it's not easy for him and Caroline, let's just put it that way. She is not the person that he remembers her being, and I don’t mean that in the sense that she's doing anything wrong. It's just that things change over time, and I think that really sort of messes with him for a minute.
If the show were to come to an end, would you want the CW to announce it ahead of time as a farewell season?
PW: It's almost like the show deserves it. In a way, it was such an iconic, pop-culturally significant show and it would be nice to have it wrapped up in some capacity. But, with that said, I really don’t know anything, truly, about any future for the show. I really wish I did, but on a sort of large, grand-scale level, I do think that the show deserves to have a beautiful conclusion for their loyal fans and for people that were really affected by it for so many years.
The Vampire Diaries and Originals crossover event begins tonight at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.
What are you excited to see in tonight's TVD and Originals crossover? Are you Team Steroline or Team Klaroline? Share your thoughts with @LeanneAguilera on Twitter!