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The Originals Watch Order in the correct order

How to watch The Originals series in order

Last updated: September 28 2026

Written by: ChronoAlice

A spin-off of The Vampire Diaries, The Originals follows the Mikaelson family β€” the first vampires ever created β€” as they reclaim New Orleans. Knowing where it fits in the wider universe makes every crossover click.

The Originals expanded The Vampire Diaries universe by giving Klaus, Elijah, and Rebekah Mikaelson their own gothic saga in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Across five seasons it deepened the lore of the Original vampires and set up the sequel series Legacies. Created by Julie Plec, the series leaned into political intrigue among the supernatural factions of the French Quarter, giving the Mikaelsons a richer, more adult playground than Mystic Falls ever offered.

πŸ• Release Order

Release order works perfectly on its own, letting the Mikaelsons' story escalate season by season toward its emotional finale.

  1. The Originals: Season 1 (2013)
  2. The Originals: Season 2 (2014)
  3. The Originals: Season 3 (2015)
  4. The Originals: Season 4 (2017)
  5. The Originals: Season 5 (2018)

The trickier question is how The Originals slots into the broader Vampire Diaries timeline, since the two shows aired concurrently and share crossover episodes.

πŸ“– Story Chronology

The Originals begins during The Vampire Diaries Season 4, so for a full-universe marathon you'd weave it in after Klaus departs Mystic Falls.

  1. The Vampire Diaries: Seasons 1–4 (2009–2013)
  2. The Originals: Season 1 (2013)
  3. The Originals: Season 2 (2014)
  4. The Originals: Season 3 (2015)
  5. The Originals: Season 4 (2017)
  6. The Originals: Season 5 (2018)

Which Order Should You Choose?

If you only want the Mikaelsons, watch The Originals straight through in release order β€” it's fully self-contained. For the complete picture, watch The Vampire Diaries up through Klaus's exit, then run The Originals alongside the remaining TVD seasons. Either way, release order within each show is the safe bet. Fans of The Vampire Diaries universe will get the most out of it by respecting the crossover timing, but the Mikaelson saga is compelling enough to stand entirely on its own.

πŸ”— Related Guides

  • The Vampire Diaries Watch OrderGuide
  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer Watch OrderGuide
  • True Blood Watch OrderGuide

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