Ian Somerhalder (47) became known worldwide for his role as Damon Salvatore in "Vampire Diaries". After the series ended, he appeared once more in front of the camera for the Netflix production "V Wars", but then largely withdrew from acting.
Now Somerhalder explained in the podcast "Haley on the Go" that the experiences surrounding the series significantly contributed to this decision. He had actually deliberately chosen the project because for the first time he could play a scientist rather than a vampire. However, he was so dissatisfied with the finished result that he even offered the studio to return several million dollars if his name was not associated with the final product.
According to his own statements, the actor invested more than six million US dollars in reshoots together with his producer and fought to the point of exhaustion for the series, which was nevertheless canceled after just one season. In retrospect, he decided to no longer invest years of his life in projects he could no longer control. Instead, Somerhalder now focuses on his businesses and his family.
Somerhalder is an entrepreneur
Somerhalder now works as an entrepreneur and is active as an environmental activist. Together with his wife Nikki Reed, with whom he has two children, he runs the company The Absorption Company, which sells dietary supplements. He also founded the company Brother's Bond Bourbon in 2021 with his former "Vampire Diaries" co-star Paul Wesley.
Paul Wesley plays the young Kirk
Wesley, who portrayed his brother Stefan Salvatore in the vampire series, continues to be active as an actor. From 2018 to 2020, he appeared in the psychological thriller series "Tell Me A Story", which transfers various fairy tales to modern times. Since 2022, he has been playing the young James T. Kirk in the "Raumschiff Enterprise" prequel "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds".
However, he has recently made headlines more with his private life. Last weekend he married the model Natalie Kuckenburg. Previously, he was married to Ines de Ramon from 2019 to 2024 and to Torrey DeVitto from 2011 to 2013. The latter is known to fans of "Vampire Diaries" as Dr. Meredith Fell.
Nina Dobrev is doing well in business and reportedly newly in love
Nina Dobrev continues to pursue her acting career after her dual role as Elena Gilbert and Katherine Pierce. Since her departure after the sixth season, she has appeared in the Netflix films "Love Hard" and "The Out-Laws", among others. Most recently, she appeared in front of the camera for the recently released action thriller "The Get Out" alongside Russell Crowe and others. She is also working with Paul Wesley on the Hulu series "You Deserve to Know", in which both not only take on the lead roles but are also involved as executive producers.
In her private life, a new romance may possibly be developing. A few days ago, she was spotted in a close manner with the model Dougie Joseph. Photos of the walk through New York were published by the portal "E! News", among others. It would be the actress's first public relationship after her broken engagement to snowboarder Shaun White.
Candice King has become a mother again
Candice King, who became known through "Vampire Diaries" as Caroline Forbes, is meanwhile focusing more on her family life. In May, she welcomed her first child together with her husband Steven Krueger. The couple had married in February. The actress already has two daughters from her previous marriage to Joe King. Professionally, she remained true to acting and was mainly seen in television films and TV series after the end of the show.
What happened to Bonnie, Matt, Tyler, and Jeremy?
Kat Graham, who played the witch Bonnie Bennett in "Vampire Diaries", welcomed her first child with husband Bryant Wood a few months before her former series colleague. The couple gave their son the name Prospero "Spero" Nyemah Wood. Professionally, Graham continued her acting career - as did Zach Roerig, who portrayed Elena's good friend Matt Donovan.
Things have become quieter in recent years around Michael Trevino, who became known as the werewolf Tyler Lockwood. This has personal reasons: In summer 2025, he married his partner Bregje Heinen. In spring 2026, the couple welcomed their first son together, Jack Wild.
Steven R. McQueen has withdrawn from the public eye. The actor who played Jeremy Gilbert appeared occasionally in films and series after "Vampire Diaries". After the Western "The Warrant", released in 2020, he has not been seen in any project. He posted his last Instagram post to date in December 2021.
