Vampire Diaries
Casting News

There must be something about blood that attracts actor James Remar.

He's currently seen on Dexter (below), dispensing advice to his murderous son.

Now, Remar has been cast in a key role on The Vampire Diaries: he'll start filming scenes early next month as Giuseppe Salvatore, Damon and Stefan's father.

In an interview with TV Guide Magazine, Remar described the character as "an aristocrat in the 1860's of Italian decent." He'll be featured in a flashback episode set to air when the show returns in early 2010.

Remar seems ideal for this role. Do you agree? Sound off now in our Vampire Diaries forum!

Last week, producer Kevin Williamson teased a future flashback episode of The Vampire Diaries.

But he didn't share this exciting news, which we just uncovered: During the installment, which airs on January 21, viewers will meet Damon and Stefan's father, Giuseppe!

When The Vampire Diaries next flashes back, we'll meet the man that brought these two into the world.

In a casting notice sent out by The CW, Giuseppe is described as a handsome, no-nonsense businessman of Italian heritage. He's in his mid-40s, "with a stern demeanor that hides a fierce devotion to his family and growing fears for their future."

Any suggestions for who should take on this role? Share them now in our Vampire Diaries forum!

Last week on The Vampire Diaries, Damon tried and failed to resurrect Katherine.

But you didn't think the heartbroken vampire would just give up, did you?

In casting news that also acts as a spoiler, Gina Torres has landed a role on The CW hit. She'll appear on the show's 10th episode as Bree, a witch with a connection to Damon. Look for him to try and get her to pick up where Emily/Bonnie failed last week: accessing Katherine's tomb.

Torres is a busy actress these days.

She recurs on a pair of other shows: as Stan's wife on FlashForward; and as Vanessa's mother on Gossip Girl. Neither of those roles require witchcraft, however.

Brace yourselves, Vampire Diaries viewers. Producer Kevin Williamson is teasing some possibly fangtastic news...

Asked about his dream guest star, Williamson pointed to the most popular singer on the planet in an interview with E! News this week. He said:

"I'm desperate to have [Taylor Swift] come play a vampire. Wouldn't she make an amazing Kirsten Dunst circa Interview With the Vampire type? I cannot tell you how hard I'm trying to get her - I would kill to have her on the show!"

Do you feel the same? Would you wanna see Swift appear on The Vampire Diaries?

As for former character, Kayla Ewell hinted that Vicki might not be as dead as she seems.

"I'm still under contract," she said. "But that's all I can say... We'll see what happens."

Williamson has been clear that Vicki won't be rescurrected, but you never know. After all, did anyone expect to see Logan's smiling face wrap up the most recent episode?

Fangtastic news for all Vampire Diaries fans that think the show isn't handsome enough:

Sean Faris has landed a recurring role on the series.

The actor will play Ben, a former high school football star-turned-bartender at the Mystic Grill.

“He’s Matt’s buddy,” a show insider told Entertainment Weekly. “He gets entangled in the group when a broke Matt takes a job at the Mystic Grill.”

The source also hinted at a potential romance between Ben and one of the show’s females. Faris has appeared in episodes of Boston Public and One Tree Hill.

Malese Jow has landed a role on The Vampire Diaries.

The actress, who has appeared on Hannah Montana and The Secret Life of the American Teenager, will play Anna; she's described by producer Kevin Williamson as "Jeremy's smart, new friend."

Following Vicki's death last week, we're pretty sure Jeremy needs more than a mere friend.

“We’ll see how it goes,” Williamson told TV Guide Magazine. “Jeremy certainly turns her head. She gets a crush. It starts in one place and maybe ends someplace else.”

That sounds like The Vampire Diaries we know and love!

The Vampire Diaries has found its Alaric Saltzman.

Matt Davis has landed the key character of this history teacher, a reader favorite from the novels on which the series is based.

This new Mystic Falls residents arrives to town knowing a lot more than he's letting on about its history with blood suckers and other creatures. Davis will debut on the November 12 episode.

On the small screen, Davis was most recently seen on In Plain Sight and Damages.

Arielle Kebbel has landed a key role on The Vampire Diaries.

The actress - who has appeared on such shows as Gilmore Girls, CSI: Miami and Shark - will appear on The CW hit's seventh episode.

She'll play a character named Lexi, who producer Julie Plec describe as Stefan's "oldest and best vampire friend."

Might she cause problems between Stefan and Elena? Tune in. Find out.

In other casting news, Jasmine Guy will play Bonnie's mysterious grandmother throughout season one.

On the upcoming episode of The Vampire Diaries, an act of violence shocks the residents of Mystic Falls.

Similarly, Tyler is surprised when his attempt to humiliate Stefan fails... miserable.

To what are we referring? The photo of Stefan in a high school football jersey below ought to be a hint. Click on each of the following pics for an early look at "Friday Night Bites" and remember:

TV Fanatic is the source for quotes, photos, recaps and music related to The Vampire Diaries!

We've never felt older in our lives.

Jasmine Guy - who our staff watched star as a college student on A Different World when we were kids - has joined the cast of The Vampire Diaries... as a grandmother!

The 47-year old actress will debut in the fourth episode as Bonnie's grandma, a role producer Kevin Williamson describes as "timeless." And why is that?

"She looks so young because she's a witch! She's a college professor at the local university who teaches the occult," Williamson told TV Guide Magazine. "Bonnie starts to think she may be a witch, and it turns out they have a lineage of witches in their family dating back to Salem. Bonnie thinks it's all crazy until she starts doing things like lighting fires."

In other casting news, the show is still seeking an actor to play the key role of Alaric.