The Vampire Diaries Season 6 Cast: Where Are They Now In 2025? (Updated List)

The Vampire Diaries Season 6 marked one of the most pivotal and emotional turning points in the entire series, primarily due to the departure of its leading lady, Nina Dobrev, in the season finale. Airing in 2014-2015, this season dove deep into the aftermath of Damon and Bonnie's disappearance, the introduction of the Gemini Coven, and Elena Gilbert's final, heartbreaking fate. As of December 2025, a decade after these events, the beloved cast has scattered across Hollywood, taking on new roles that are a world away from Mystic Falls, from psychological thrillers to environmental activism and even a major biopic role.

The sixth season is remembered for its emotional complexity, introducing fan-favorite characters like Kai Parker, and setting the stage for the final chapters of the Salvatore brothers' story. If you're wondering what the actors behind Elena, Damon, Stefan, and the rest of the Mystic Falls gang are doing now, their careers are more vibrant and surprising than ever, with several major projects slated for 2025 and beyond.

The Main Cast of The Vampire Diaries Season 6: A Complete Roster & Current Status

The core ensemble of Season 6 saw the return of all major players, with a few key additions and departures that reshaped the show's dynamic. Here is the definitive list of the main and recurring cast members for *The Vampire Diaries* Season 6, along with their most recent career updates for 2025.

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• Nina Dobrev (Elena Gilbert / Katherine Pierce): The central protagonist, who leaves the show in the Season 6 finale.
• Paul Wesley (Stefan Salvatore): The noble Salvatore brother, grappling with the loss of his brother and his humanity.
• Ian Somerhalder (Damon Salvatore): Trapped in a 1994 prison world and desperately trying to return to Elena.
• Kat Graham (Bonnie Bennett): Trapped alongside Damon, developing her powers and a surprising friendship.
• Candice Accola King (Caroline Forbes): Dealing with the death of her mother and the transition to a vampire without humanity.
• Zach Roerig (Matt Donovan): The sole human in the main group, struggling to find his place in a supernatural world.
• Michael Trevino (Tyler Lockwood): Working to control his werewolf side and his relationship with Liv Parker.
• Steven R. McQueen (Jeremy Gilbert): Elena’s younger brother, who departs mid-season to attend art school.
• Jodi Lyn O'Keefe (Jo Laughlin): A recurring character who becomes a main cast member, revealed to be a witch of the Gemini Coven.

Nina Dobrev (Elena Gilbert / Katherine Pierce)

Nina Dobrev’s departure in the Season 6 finale, "I'm Thinking of You All the While," was the season's biggest shock, putting Elena into a magical, coma-like sleep. Since leaving the show, Dobrev has focused heavily on film and television projects outside of the supernatural genre. As of 2025, she is deeply involved in new projects that showcase her versatility. She starred in the 2024 action-thriller film The Bricklayer alongside Aaron Eckhart.

Her upcoming slate is particularly exciting. Dobrev is set to star in and executive produce the erotic thriller series Night Float, a project currently in development. Additionally, she has the films Bear Country (currently in post-production) and Woman 99 (in pre-production) on her schedule, proving her transition from teen drama queen to a serious producer and actress is complete.

Paul Wesley (Stefan Salvatore)

The brooding Stefan Salvatore has moved on to a mix of acting and directing, often collaborating with his former co-stars. Paul Wesley has notably stepped back into the world of sci-fi, portraying James T. Kirk in the critically acclaimed series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, a role that has given him a new wave of fandom.

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In 2024, Wesley starred in the psychological horror film History of Evil, demonstrating his range outside of romantic drama. Looking ahead to 2025, he is set to star in the new series Unspoken, a powerful drama centered on the war in Ukraine, highlighting his commitment to projects with significant real-world themes. Furthermore, he and Ian Somerhalder continue to run their successful bourbon brand, Brother's Bond Bourbon, which is a major entity in their post-TVD careers.

Ian Somerhalder (Damon Salvatore)

Ian Somerhalder, who played the charismatic Damon Salvatore, has largely shifted his focus from acting to environmental activism and entrepreneurship. While he did star in the 2019 Netflix series V-Wars, his primary work today revolves around sustainability and conservation.

As a UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador, Somerhalder is a leading voice in the climate conversation. He is heavily invested in promoting regenerative agriculture and has spoken openly about his farming endeavors, which are closely tied to his environmental foundation, the Ian Somerhalder Foundation (ISF). His commitment to these causes is now a central part of his public identity in 2025, making him a major figure in the environmental entity space.

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Kat Graham (Bonnie Bennett)

Kat Graham, the powerful witch Bonnie Bennett, has successfully juggled a career as both an actress and a music artist. She has released several albums and singles, maintaining a strong presence in the music industry.

On the acting front, Graham's 2024/2025 career is highlighted by a massive, high-profile role: she has been cast to play the legendary Diana Ross in the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, Michael. This role is a significant step, allowing her to portray a real-life icon and further cementing her status as a versatile performer.

Candice King (Caroline Forbes)

Candice Accola King, who played the fan-favorite Caroline Forbes, has embraced the podcasting world while continuing to act. She reprised her role in the spin-off series The Originals and made a cameo in the finale of Legacies.

In 2025, Candice King is the host of the successful audio series, A Superbloom Podcast, where she engages in heartfelt and candid conversations with various guests. She is also known for her appearances on other popular podcasts, including *Not Too Deep* with Grace Helbig, keeping her connected with her fanbase through a new medium.

Key Plot Points and Behind-the-Scenes Secrets of Season 6

Season 6 was a tumultuous period for the show, serving as a soft reboot after the dramatic events of the Season 5 finale. The season’s narrative was driven by the quest to bring Damon Salvatore and Bonnie Bennett back from the 1994 Prison World, a major storyline that introduced the menacing Kai Parker, played by Chris Wood.

The Gemini Coven and Kai Parker

The introduction of the Gemini Coven and the sociopathic villain Kai Parker (Malachai Parker) was a masterstroke for the season. Kai's character, a Siphoner witch, provided a fresh and truly terrifying antagonist, whose actions directly led to the final, emotional sacrifice of Elena Gilbert. The plot heavily revolved around the Gemini Coven's magical practices, including the "Merge" ritual, which added new layers of magical lore to the established Mystic Falls mythology.

The Delena Goodbye and Nina Dobrev's Exit

The season finale was meticulously crafted to give Elena Gilbert a proper send-off. Elena was not killed but instead linked to Bonnie Bennett by a sleeping spell cast by Kai Parker. The spell ensured that as long as Bonnie lived, Elena would sleep, only waking when Bonnie died. This creative plot device allowed the door to remain open for Nina Dobrev's eventual return in the series finale.

• Emotional Farewell: The episode featured a series of emotional goodbyes, with Elena saying farewell to each main character through a dream-like sequence, including a final dance with Damon.
• The Return Hint: The writers ensured Elena's body was safely stored in the Salvatore tomb, setting up the possibility of her waking up, which she eventually did in the series finale.

Behind-the-Scenes Fun Facts and Easter Eggs

Despite the dark plotlines, the cast maintained a close relationship off-screen, which continues to this day, as evidenced by recent cast reunions in 2024.

• The 1994 Prison World: The set design for the 1994 Prison World included several clever '90s Easter eggs, from specific clothing styles to background props, giving the show's crew a fun way to nod to the era.
• The "Blood" Secret: A long-running secret from the show is that the blood consumed by the vampires was actually a mix of food coloring, corn syrup, and sometimes peppermint, a detail that the cast had to deal with for years, including during the intense Season 6 feeding scenes.
• Director Paul Wesley: By Season 6, Paul Wesley had fully embraced his role behind the camera, directing episodes, which became a significant part of his career trajectory after the show concluded.

The Lasting Legacy of TVD Season 6

The Vampire Diaries Season 6 is often viewed by fans as the end of an era, marking the conclusion of the 'Delena' romance and the original Mystic Falls dynamic. The season successfully navigated a major cast change while setting up the storylines for the final two seasons, focusing on the powerful bond between the Salvatore brothers and the growth of Bonnie and Caroline.

Today, the cast members are thriving in diverse fields, from major Hollywood films and television series like The Bricklayer and Unspoken, to environmental leadership and popular podcasting. Their continued success and frequent reunions, such as those seen in 2024, ensure that the legacy of *The Vampire Diaries* remains fresh and relevant for a new generation of fans discovering the supernatural drama on streaming platforms like Peacock and HBO Max.