If they switch the actresses for Bonnie and Caroline, make the Elena actress Meredith… cast the REAL Elena, change stefan’s actor and leave somerhalder as Damon…I MIGHT be able to handle the horror of the rest of the changes.

I’m actually pretty pissed. they’ve taken something I have bene a following fan of since 1992 and turned it into a mockery of a teen twilight soap. NO MEREDITH? She alone is one of the major players in this series. Especially near the end. I dislike the chosen actors ( not personally ) for Elena and Bonnie and Caroline. Switch Caroline and Bonnie. I’m disgusted at the fact that they are removing the younger sister and replacing her with a teenage DRUG ADDCITED brother, for the sake of lusty female teens. Fail. No real Aunt Judith? Once again what 20 something going to college is going to raise these teenagers? Oh right only on the CW apparently. I am going to miss Aunt Judith. Mat and Vickie as a couple, makes me sick too. These books and this author was my childhood, and now I feel as though it’s going to be completely made into a 90210, Gossip Girl travesty. Bah.

I’m disappointed by most of the decisions, but I’m willing to give it all a chance. I am somewhat pleased about Somerhalder–he’s got a perfect look for Damon, and if he’s good enough for Lost than he should be good enough for TVD. At least he’ll be way better than most of the nobodies cast.

I’m …underwhelmed by the decisions. But then again, given all the other strange decisions being made, we really shouldn’t be surprised that the actors appearances are not living up to the book descriptions.

I’ve basically given up on it as a show with connections to the books or fandom. I’ll likely check it out when it airs for a laugh. Or perhaps play a drinking game to drink whenever something from the books appears :D

The cast is crap. Stick to the book or scrap it. The Vampire Diaries IS what it is because of the original characters, how each play off each other in the books and what the tv series is doing is ripping apart the very essence of the story.

It has lost its appeal, its innocence and its horror appeal.

TVD IS NOT a Buffy, Its not True Blood, Its not The Hills or Gossip Girl or any other crap they are feeding to teens today.

Regardless of the romance and the vampire part..The American Civil war was a huge part of the story. I’m Australian, but appreciated the book more because it had a certain level of reality. Bonnie’s history too…How can you track that Actress’s history back to the Druids???

This is one VERY unhappy fan!!

I agree that Drew Fuller would make a better Stefan than this other guy that they are bringing in. Not to mention that he is more similar to the gentleman playing Damo. And if you remember in the series they are described as similar except for thier hair and a few other things. And what is up with not having calm,cool,and collected Meredith? She is a seriously major role in the series. And cute little Bonnie with all that red curly hair?? I mean what the heck are they even basing the show on? They are changing major things,and it’s like they aren’t even really going from the book at all. It is very upsetting to me! I think that this show is going to be a flop if they don’t get someone in there to change things around and make it right. Just my personal opinion,but I am VERY unhappy about this! And I have no intention of watching the show.

I agree with you about Paul and Ian! I guess we’re the only two fans happy about this (although I definitely see everybody else’s point of view).

WHAT…THE…HELL…HAVE THEY DONE TO VD?! They’ve taken a BESTSELLER and have slaughtered it! PLUS L.J Smith doesn’t have a say in this.

200 year old American vampire brothers called Whitmore? I’l stick my toe up thier backside! Try 500 year old ITALIAN vampire brothers called SALVATORE!

And, what’s this about Meredith? Why isn’t she there? Meredith is the heart and soul of Elena and Bonnie, she should be there.

Is it me, or is the cast just pretty people? Have someone like JENSEN ACKLES playing Damon and JARED PADALECKI playing Stefan! I’m just disappointed in the whole tv show thing.

LISA JANE SMITH’S BOOKS (ALL OF THEM) DESERVE TO BE MOVIES, NOT TV SHOWS!

I loved the books when I was younger, and recently re-read them. Looks like the show is going to be just another CW teen drama, lacking most aspects of the books that I actually enjoyed.

I dig Ian Somerhalder as Damon, but the problem with him is that no one would *ever* believe for a second that Elena would turn him down for Stefan (of course, I thought the same thing about the books, too, so perhaps that’s appropriate).

All the other casting is atrocious. Elena’s supposed to have the whole ice queen thing going for her, and they cast a girl who looks like a model for Brasilian bikini waxes? Sigh. Re: Meredith, Vicki “Donovan,” and Aunt Judith being a college girl, and all the other changes– bad choices.

The series has great potential, but CW seems to be trying to replace what Smallville has become (pointless teen drama) without even making an effort to giving it the good start Smallville had.

I love the drinking game idea! Although from the way this is going, you’d get little more than a buzz…

I was so excited when I learned they were making Vampire Diaries into a tv show but now that I see the cast I am so disheartened.

The only two actors that I can agree with are Damon’s character (even is his eyes aren’t dark) and Matt. They are changing everything that is lovable about Bonnie’s pixi red-headed character, removing Margaret for a drug addicted teen brother, getting rid of Aunt Judith and Meredith…how wrong is all that?
But the biggest disappointment are the physical characteristics of Elena’s character who is blonde with blue eyes not dark. Does that mean they are going to change Katherine’s character to dark also since they are supposed to be almost-twins. And the choice for Stefan is so wrong on so many levels, it makes me ill. I am so upset about the changes. I read these books in `92 and kept them all these years because of my love for the story and characters and now CW is going to tarnish everything that L.J. Smith worked so hard to bring to life in connection with this story. So sad…

I don’t agree that Margaret was a non-entity in the book. Remember, if it weren’t for her, the little puff-ball of a kitten wouldn’t have gotten into the house. I think she helped to show how easy the innocence of children can be manipulated by evil with a pretty face (since the cat did turn out to be Katherine). She may not have had a large part in the books, but she was Elena’s weakness. Remember how she sacrificed herself to Damon when he threatened to feed from Margaret? Just in how you look at it I guess.

I’m with you on that one – Margaret did play a ‘big’ role in the books. But because it’s a TV series, having a two year old sister constantly in danger or used against Elena would become boring and predictible. But she was excellent to put in the books, I just don’t think it will work on TV though.
If it was a MOVIE of VD… well, then I’d be all for Margaret!

ok i like who they have cast for stefan and damon but OMG elena needs to be recast!! And theyre cutting judith and meredith out is crap!! They are major players in the 1st 2 books!! Elena has a brother now? GRRRRR! I am gonna give the show a try but with all the changes its gonna be hard to accept it and like it .

I keep hoping this will be like the Buffy pilot and the CW will realize what morons they’re being and bring in people who give a tonsil about the books.

Let’s face it…it’s a supernatural version of Dawson’s Creek. I bet they just read the books summary in wikipedia…and anyway they did not pay any attention while reading the characters’ description. Can’t we just so something to stop this disrespect toward Smith’s work?

Erik Fellows is also a fan of The Vampire Diaries and LJ Smith. :) That alone skews me toward really, really wanting him as Damon, because he actually knows the role inside-out if he’s not only read but enjoyed the books, so even if he didn’t get cast because they think he’s a worse actor than Ian (which is debatable, but I’ve never seen anything Mr. Fellows has been in, so I can’t say), I think that extra knowledge would more than make up for the difference.

You are so correct in saying that Meredith is a huge player of the book considering it is her grandfather whom was bitten by Klaus and therefore tells them what wood to use to help damage him.

Elena MUST be a natural blonde and try as they might, pale. But either way, the chick they chose is horrible, too mousy and dark.

I agree with you Katherine. :] I may be a new Vampire Diaries fan, but I see where you’re coming from. Hopefully, LJ Smith is helping the director and putting in her word on what things should look like, etc. it is her book. I think if this tv series works out, it’ll be the new Twilight Saga, only with a twist. x]

I’ve been a huge fan of LJ Smith ever since I found The Forbidden Game in a bookstore 15 years ago. From there, I discovered all of her wonderful stories, including The Vampire Diaries.

Personally, I don’t care if they deviate from the source material in the process of creating the tv series; some of the changes seem stupid and pointless, but I’d rather have the book come alive with its flaws, than have it not come alive at all. I’m just happy that a new audience will be introduced to these wonderful characters… and that, hopefully, it will motivate them to go out and buy the original (and superior) books they’re based off of.

As for the casting, I honestly think there are more important things to consider then someone’s hair color. As long as they can act and bring that character to life… I have no complaints. After all, I’d much rather have some one who “feels” the part, than someone who looks it but can’t act. So for now, I’m ok with all the cast decisions. Once the series starts though, my opinion could change depending how well they’re able to convey the characters they’re portraying.

For now, I’m trying to keep an open mind, and stay positive.

The only thing that really bugs me is the write-out of Meredith. It does seem like such a pointless waste…

Does anyone know where they going to show the pilot of the series. they are filmed it but just curious thought

thank

Drew Fuller? Are you kidding me? He is 29 years old and you expect him to fit in at a high school? He could be Elena’s dad. Paul Wesley is a great choice. He is an incredible actor and he is really good looking. To be honest I loved the books, but they have a lot of shortcomings, the fact the Damon turns into a crow and has a mid air fight with Stefan who turns into an eagle. Some of that is just silly and I am glad they made changes. VAMPIRE DIARIES CAN BE IMPROVED!

I can handle some of the changes from the book, but Stefan, Elena and Bonnie really need to be recast. They are obviously such important characters that the TV show might suffer if they aren’t cast right. I understand changes are made when adapting a book to a TV show but it seems like the overwhelming majority of people can’t stand the picks for these three characters. If CW want’s the support of VD fans to get behind their show they might want to listen to what they have to say.

Twilight isn’t really a sag. Plus Vampire DIaries is been out longer, and is a better written book.