How to watch

Based on L.J. Smith's novels, The Vampire Diaries follows Elena Gilbert and the centuries-old Salvatore brothers as love, loss, and dark magic engulf the town of Mystic Falls. Its popularity spawned a shared universe — often called the TVD Universe — that continued with The Originals, focused on the powerful Mikaelson vampire family, and Legacies, following the next generation of supernatural teens.

🕐 Release Order

Release order is how fans experienced the universe as it unfolded, with the spinoffs launching while their parent shows were still airing.

1. The Vampire Diaries (2009)
2. The Originals (2013)
3. Legacies (2018)

Story chronology overlaps heavily, because The Originals began as a backdoor pilot within The Vampire Diaries and runs parallel to it before Legacies continues the timeline afterward.

📖 Story Chronology

The shows air concurrently for a time, so most fans start The Originals after the fourth season of The Vampire Diaries, then move to Legacies once both parent series conclude.

1. The Vampire Diaries (2009) — begin here through season 4
2. The Originals (2013) — the Mikaelsons spin off, running parallel
3. Legacies (2018) — the next generation, set after both shows

Which Order Should You Choose?

For newcomers, the simplest approach is to finish The Vampire Diaries first, then watch The Originals, and end with Legacies — this keeps each show's arc intact and avoids spoilers. Dedicated fans who want the interwoven experience can start The Originals after The Vampire Diaries season 4, since the two series share crossover events during their overlapping years. Legacies is best saved for last, as it ties threads from both predecessors together.

🔗 Related Guides

• The Originals Watch OrderGuide
• Teen Wolf Watch OrderGuide
• Pretty Little Liars Watch OrderGuide

Did we miss anything? Let us know and we'll keep this guide up to date!