Whenever a TV spinoff comes into existence, a logical question quickly comes to the fore: Do you need to watch the show that started it all? The cast of Legacies, spinoff of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals, weighed in with an answer for their new show. Star Danielle Rose Russell, who plays Klaus and Hayley's daughter Hope Mikaelson, said:
If you watch both shows, there's a lot of history used within the new show. But if you haven't, it's a complete show of its own. Very different, very fresh, very fun. So, it's exciting.
With so many "legacy" characters taking part in The Vampire Diaries spinoff, knowing the history should and would prove useful. Lots of important mythology exists among the parents of those attending The Salvatore School for the Young and Gifted.
For instance, Hope's father had a personal relationship with Caroline, who is the adoptive mother of Alaric's twin daughters. Nods to that history and more will probably be present and plentiful enough, but still without a lot of expository dialogue being necessary.
In promotional pictures for Legacies, it was clear the show would pay homage to The Vampire Diaries and The Originals. In the flagship drama, Alaric took Elena to the woods to practice self-defense moves. Alaric was pictured similarly in Legacies, though this time coaching Hope. Little touches such as those will not go over the heads of franchise fans.
Danielle Rose Russell was not the only Legacies cast member to weigh in at Comic-Con earlier this year, where CinemaBlend's Jessica Rawden was listening. there when the three series' co-creator and Legacies showrunner Julie Plec gave her answer. Plec welcomed newcomers, saying:
No, I think come in fresh, for sure.
Matthew Davis will reprise his role as The Vampire Diaries' Alaric Saltzman in Legacies. Davis' Alaric was so popular -- he was eventually brought back to life on the original series after being killed off. As for whether he thinks potential audience members can watch Legacies without having to see The Vampire Diaries or The Originals, Davis was in agreement on it being perfectly fine to come in with fresh eyes.
Absolutely. That's what I thought when I read it for the first time. 'Oh, this is great.' Like you don't have to know about The Originals or The Vampire Diaries to really enjoy what's happening.
So, for fans concerned about needing to brush up on Legacies' predecessor series, rest assured. That said, the new drama will feature tie-ins to the former series that should help fans gain further insight into the current characters. Julie Plec confirmed that we will indeed see Mystic Falls again, and also shared that any other former cast members interested in returning could be written into Legacies.
Since Damon and Elena are still alive and apparently doing well, it would be fun to check in with them. Damon's BFF Alaric will have his hands full. When it comes to Legacies converging with its parent series, Alaric's twin daughters are a huge piece of that shared history. Plus, Josie and Lizzie were born on Vampire Diaries, where their parents both originated. Knowing their magical backstory should prove helpful to garnering insight into their characters, as well as their trajectory.
If you do want to binge watch The Vampire Diaries and The Originals before Legacies premieres, you can get started. Netflix is currently streaming both series in their entirety.
The premiere of Legacies is almost here! The Vampire Diaries spinoff will premiere October 25 on The CW. It is among a staggering amount of new series premiering this fall, so stay tuned.
