The Originals spinoff hasn't had a ton of updates since the project's existence was discovered last year, but that changes today with the news that the pilot has added six new actors to the cast. One of those actors fans of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals will know quite well, as Matthew Davis has now joined the project to star in the potential series. Davis' role has not been revealed, but it seems obvious the actor will reprise his role as Alaric Saltzman.
Matthew Davis' Alaric Saltzman has been a presence on both The Vampire Diaries and The Originals, and should this untitled spinoff of The Originals get the green-light, he'll once again step into a central role. The potential series is said to center around The Originals character Hope, who will be much older in the project. Davis' casting in the pilot appears to ensure the possible series will take place at the Salvatore Boarding School for the Young & Gifted, which makes sense as the Season 4 finale of The Originals showed Hope arriving at the school.
Matthew Davis will be joined by Wonder actress Danielle Rose Russell, who, prior to this announcement, had been cast to portray the teenage Hope in The Originals Season 5. Like Davis did with his character, Russell will reprise her role as Hope should The Originals spinoff go to series. TVLine notes that The CW still has yet to officially give a series order to this much buzzed about television project, although its possible the network could be waiting to see how Season 5's time jump is received before committing to yet another spinoff to come out of The Vampire Diaries franchise.
Danielle Rose Russell won't be the only newcomer to The Originals appearing in the potential spinoff as she is joined by Aria Shahghasemi, who will play Hope's love interest. The spinoff has also added Quincy Fouse, Kaylee Bryant, and Jenny Boyd although it is unknown if they too will appear in the final season of The Originals as no information was released about their characters. That would largely seem to depend on how much of teen Hope's school experience Season 5 of The Originals will show, as all these young actors appear around the same age as the character and will likely attend the boarding school alongside her.
The Originals spinoff hasn't gotten a series order yet from The CW, but Season 5 of The Originals is set to premiere Friday, April 20 at 9:00 p.m. ET. For more information regarding upcoming television programming, head on over to our midseason premiere guide.
