No one ever stays dead in The Vampire Diaries Universe. But Paul Wesley still wouldn't bring back even an undead Stefan Salvatore on the The Vampire Diaries and The Originals spinoff Legacies -- or any kind of future Vampire Diaries reboot/revival.
Stefan Salvatore died and found Peace in the afterlife in The Vampire Diaries Season 8 finale, and the end of the series showed Stefan reuniting with his brother Damon Salvatore at the end of Damon's long human life. That's how Paul Wesley wants to leave the story, or at least Stefan's story, and he also dropped Ian Somerhalder's name into the conversation during a recent TCA panel talk.
Paul Wesley, now 37, and his former Vampire Diaries boss Kevin Williamson just talked to reporters (including CinemaBlend) during CBS All Access' TCA panel, to promote Tell Me A Story Season 2. Wesley was in Season 1 and he returns for a new role connected to the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale.
After the panel talk, Paul Wesley was asked -- jokingly -- when a Vampire Diaries reboot would be happening.
I actually haven't been asked that. But unfortunately, that character is dead, so it'd have to happen without me.
It was noted that being dead doesn't really mean anything in this universe, and Paul Wesley agreed:
By the way, you're right. That doesn't mean anything. [Laughs.]
Reporters further noted that someone on Legacies would probably have a power to revive him. That's the kind of thing that happens all the time, and the Legacies Season 1 finale did end with a hint to bringing back the Saltzman twins' Uncle Kai Parker from his Prison World, so Paul Wesley knows it's possible:
Yeah, that's true. 'Ohhh, he's back.' No, I think, unfortunately, gosh, I have to be honest with you: I never see that happening. I don't think it'll ever happen. It's just...how? Can you imagine in like 10-15 years, we're so old looking, and Ian Somerhalder comes out, you know? It's like, oh gosh, no, you can't. Vampires have an eternal youth. That is unfortunately not the case with us. ... [Laughs.] When they need to special-effects my face, that's when I know I need to quit.
I agree that I don't see how it would work with Stefan. Stefan, sadly, is dead and found Peace. Damon, on the other hand, ended The Vampire Diaries as newly human again. So I would argue it would make perfect sense to see an aged Damon Salvatore/Ian Somerhalder in the Mystic Falls of Legacies.
However, I am not missing the larger point that these actors are ready to move on. In fact, much like Ian Somerhalder's motivation for playing a normal good man and father in his upcoming series V-Wars, Paul Wesley wanted to take on a darker role for Tell Me A Story to be completely different from his character for eight seasons on The Vampire Diaries.
Here's what Paul Wesley said about how Stefan is different from both his Tell Me A Story Season 1 character, bartender/drug dealer Eddie, and his Season 2 character, Tucker, an aspiring writer trying to prove his worth who struggles with a dark and catastrophic secret:
I think when you’re on a show for eight years, it can be you really want to try to flex your muscles in a different capacity. I think I’m very fortunate that Kevin’s trusting me with these roles. This guy’s also, I’d say, the antithesis of the character I played for eight years on The CW. And, you know, that’s the goal. I think every actor tries to always do something so that they can be seen a little bit differently, and, you know, I’m just grateful for the opportunity. But, yeah, this guy’s quite dark. I mean, you’ll see. It’s exciting, yeah.
It's exciting for Paul Wesley fans to see him in a different context. That said, he did return to Mystic Falls to direct an episode of Legacies Season 1, and we'd love to see his name in the credits to direct an episode for Legacies Season 2. That's a great way to keep Vampire Diaries Universe stars in the family while helping them to stretch their skills and build a resume for future projects. Both Wesley and Ian Somerhalder have directed TV episodes in the past, so seeing either one return -- even just in the credits -- would be a thrill.
It's way too soon to even think of a Vampire Diaries reboot/revival, especially when Legacies just started. By the way, I haven't given up hope of seeing Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev on Legacies, even in a cameo for the series finale, whenever that may be. Call me crazy, I don't care.
Both Damon and Elena Gilbert Salvatore are alive and raising a family in Mystic Falls in the timeline of Legacies. Season 1 even mentioned their daughter Stefanie, named in honor of Stefan. Now fans are hoping we actually get to meet Stefanie someday. We'll see.
Tell Me A Story Season 2 is coming relatively soon to CBS All Access, we just don't have an official date yet. You can stream Season 1 right now. Legacies Season 2 premieres Thursday, October 10 on The CW.
