The Vampire Diaries has introduced a plethora of characters throughout its run. Now fans on Ranker have voted on their all-time favorites.
It's hard to believe it has been five years since The Vampire Diaries ended. TVD introduced fans to many characters each season like Caroline Forbes, Katherine Pierce, and Elijah Mikaelson. Each character brought something different to the series and made the show into the classic that it is today.
Now fans have come together on Ranker to cast their votes on who they think is the best character in The Vampire Diaries. They considered fan favorites like the Powerful witch Bonnie Bennet and the sarcastic yet charming Damon Salvatore. Whether they were OGs or introduced later in the series, these characters appeal to fans because of their character development and incredible storylines.
10 Katherine Pierce
Katherine Pierce makes her debut at the end of the first season finale, but fans don't get to know the vampire until season 2 and on. She's introduced as the manipulative vampire who plays with the hearts of Damon and Stefan Salvatore while causing trouble for the rest of the gang. Later on, she starts to become more than just a one-dimensional character, and at times even an ally to the Mystic Falls heroes.
What makes Katherine such a great character is her impeccable one-liners. She is the type of person who says what everyone else is thinking, whether it's about someone's appearance or personality. What makes Katherine stand out is her will to survive and be in control of her destiny. A prime example is when she is on her death bed and last-minute switches bodies with Elana.
9 Enzo St. John
Enzo is introduced in season 5 as someone from Damon's past in the 1950s. He is later killed in the present day after a fight between him and Stefan, However, he figures out a way to return to the living world by passing through Bonnie and eventually becomes a core member of the group.
Enzo is a fan favorite because of the drastic change his character goes through. He is first seen as an antagonist, but later becomes an anti-hero who falls in love with Bonnie. His love for Bonnie is powerful and gave fans a true love story, and they arguably are one of the best couples on The Vampire Diaries. Even when he gets killed again, he still watches over her in the series finale.
8 Stefan Salvatore
One of the OGs, Stefan is one of the main characters in The Vampire Diaries who is introduced as the mysterious 171-year-old vampire who has eyes for Elana. He is also haunted by his past as the Ripper of Monterey. His rivalry with his brother Damon is big a focal point in the early seasons, as well as their love triangle with Katherine Pierce.
Although Damon is depicted as the hero of the series, he is nowhere near perfect because of the trauma from the past that haunts him to this day. This is what fans like about him, he's a relatable character who has to face his demons like everyone else, and sometimes lets those demons overcome him. There are times in the series when he loses himself and turns off his humanity, but in the end, he always finds a way back with the help of his friends.
7 Lexi Branson
Lexi is introduced in season one as Stefan's best friend who always gives him amazing advice. Unfortunately, the vampire meets her demise when Damon kills her to make the town council think she is the vampire terrorizing Mystic Falls.
Lexi is not a main character in the series, but her powerful friendship with Stefan is what fans love about her. She helps him become a better man and gives him advice when it comes to dating Elana. Lexi is that best friend that everyone wants, someone they can count on through thick and thin, and that's what she is towards Stefan.
6 Bonnie Bennet
Bonnie Bennet is introduced during season 1 as the best friend of Elana and Caroline and later learns that she is a powerful witch. Throughout her time on the show, Bonnie goes through many trials and tribulations including, losing family and losing love. In the end, she overcomes her demons and sets out on her journey.
Bonnie is arguably one of the most powerful witches in The Vampire Diaries, but what fans love about Bonnie is the character went through so much and was able to overcome it all. She loses her grandmother and later loses her true love, all while continuing to be there for her friends. Even though Bonnie goes through so many tragedies in her life, these obstacles only make her a stronger person.
5 Elijah Mikaelson
Elijah is introduced during season 2 as one of the Original Vampires. Although, he is an antagonist, in the later seasons he becomes someone that Damon and the team can turn to if they require help.
Out of all of the Orignal siblings, Elijah is the most responsible who has to look out for his rambunctious brothers and sisters. His character almost mirrors Stefan's in a way that he is haunted by his past but must keep it together to be there for his siblings. Fans relate to Elijah because he wants people to see he has everything together on the outside, but he struggles like many on the inside.
4 Damon Salvatore
Damon is an antagonist during the first part of season 1 but later becomes the hero that many fans know and love in future seasons. He is introduced as not only Stefan's brother but a rival as well and makes situations difficult for him and Elana. In the end, he finds the error of his ways and becomes someone that his comrades can turn to when facing danger.
Damon is arguably the character with the most development in the Vampire Diaries, and that's why viewers are drawn to him. Fans saw him start as somewhat of a villain, and slowly turn into a hero. His standout moments are the evolution of his friendship with Bonnie, as well the evolution of his love for Elana.
3 Rebekah Mikaelson
Rebekah is an Original Vampire who is a rival to Caroline and a villain to the entire team but eventually becomes somewhat of an anti-hero towards the end of her time on the series.
What fans love about Rebekah is even though she is this powerful vampire, all she wants is to live a normal human life. Rebekah's character teaches viewers that living a normal life is not bad. Even though she has it all with her vampire abilities, she still has nothing because she does not have that one thing that she so desires, and that is her humanity.
2 Caroline Forbes
Caroline's journey in the Vampire Diaries is one for the books. She starts as a normal human, then turned into a vampire, gets pregnant, and finally ends up with Stefan only to lose him, all while fighting the evil threats of Mystic Falls.
The journey of Caroline is what fans love about her. She is this insecure girl who is sometimes not the nicest to her friends. But once she becomes a vampire, her personality changes and she becomes a huge threat to her enemies. Fans also appreciate the journey Caroline and Stefan go through that leads them to find love for each other.
1 Klaus Mikaelson
Klaus is an original hybrid who is the main villain for Stefan and the gang, but down the road, he starts to become more than just a one-dimensional character. He soon becomes an anti-hero and starts a friendship with Caroline which then turns into romance.
Fans love Klaus' evolution because he starts as arrogant and cocky but eventually learns to let people in, but even as a villain fans love him. He is ruthless and never thinks twice before doing what he wants, and his motivation is what keeps him going. He set off to end a curse that is placed on him 1,000 years ago and he never stops until he succeeds.
NEXT: 5 Reasons Why Klaus Was The Scariest Original
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