Paul Wesley just revealed some exciting TV plans. The Vampire Diaries alum isn't bringing Stefan Salvatore to the spinoff Legacies -- Stefan is staying dead, and only returning via repeated name-drops and apparently a niece out there named in his honor. But Wesley did just announce a new TV role, along with a new production partnership between his company, Citizen Media, and TV producer Aaron Kaplan's Kapital Entertainment.
One of the first projects they're working on is a drama Paul Wesley will both star in and executive produce. It's based off Jason Smith's non-fiction article Confessions Of a Drug-Addicted High School Teacher, Deadline reports.
That story follows Smith's two-year stint teaching public high school in northern California. Smith taught while taking heavy doses of prescription narcotics, and found that his broken feelings from addiction attracted broken students. As the story noted, in a town obsessed with high school football, the teacher learned he wasn't alone in his obsession to escape from himself.
It sounds like a potentially deep and intriguing role for Paul Wesley, who is fresh off the CBS All Access series Tell Me A Story.
Paul Wesley is also working on the supernatural crime drama Possessed, based on the 2009 Korean series. It's not clear if Wesley would have a role in that series or just help produce it. Only some of the planned projects are intended to be starring vehicles for Wesley, but they're all intended to promote his company, and they're all aimed at broadcast, cable, and streaming networks.
Paul Wesley shared a link to Deadline's story on his new production deal and drama series projects, adding this note on Instagram:
I am beyond excited to announce my partnership with @kaplanaaron. Looking forward to showing you what we have been working on!!
Looking forward to seeing it! In addition to acting and producing, Paul Wesley has also directed several TV episodes, including for The Vampire Diaries and Shadowhunters. He returned to Mystic Falls to direct an episode of Legacies Season 1 for The CW. That episode has yet to air, but apparently he had a great time with it and I'm excited to watch it. He also directed an episode of Roswell, New Mexico that will air later this year on the network.
Paul Wesley already had a pretty long TV resume by the time he got to The Vampire Diaries in 2009. His co-lead role as Stefan Salvatore lasted right up to the bittersweet end. He's shut the door hard on returning to the character, which makes sense, since Stefan sacrificed himself in the series finale. He already said his emotional goodbyes.
Legacies -- the joint spinoff of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals -- has honored Stefan Salvatore in a few ways. There's the Stefan Salvatore memorial library at the Salvatore school, which was launched by Caroline Forbes Salvatore. Also, the most recent episode of Legacies thrilled fans by revealing that the still-living Damon and Elena Salvatore had children -- including a girl named Stefanie in honor of his brother and her ex Stefan.
As we stay tuned for updates on Paul Wesley's potential new shows, and the episode of Legacies he directed, keep up with Legacies Season 1 as it continues Thursdays at 9 p.m. on The CW. Here's what else is airing during midseason 2019.
