While a fantasy series like The Vampire Diaries does have fast-paced episodes and storylines full of twists and turns, the characters are the reason why fans are so invested in the show. Viewers love learning about Elena's doppelganger Katherine and wondering if Elena should be with Damon or Stefan, and it's moving watching Bonnie and Caroline find their way in this mysterious world. The friendships and romantic relationships on TVD always propel the plot forward.
While Elena may be the main character, many fans of The Vampire Diaries have other favorite characters. Several viewers have taken to Reddit to share who they think are the best and most compelling characters on this popular, long-running series.
Bonnie Bennett
Fans love Bonnie's relatable The Vampire Diaries quotes, and it's emotional seeing this character grow into her powers as a witch and become good friends with Damon. At first, Bonnie, Caroline, and Elena seem to be like many other typical teenagers, hanging out and attending school. But fans realize that there's more to everyone's story on this show and it's fascinating watching Bonnie and Elena be linked together forever while Elena is in a coma.
Several fans said that they love Bonnie, with Reddit user tmiller26 writing, "Bonnie for me with Damon and klaus coming in second. I think those three characters had the most depth in the entire show." Fans love Bonnie because she's so sweet and caring but also not afraid to do what's right.
Caroline Forbes
Caroline is another popular TVD character, with Reddit user Sc0rpio93 posting, "I've quite enjoyed her journey from shallow cheerleader to selfless caregiver."
Caroline's character arc is compelling and impressive and definitely stands out when compared to other similar series. She might seem like a ditzy high schooler at first, but by the time she and Stefan get married in season 8, her transformation feels complete and fans enjoy seeing their love story develop.
Stefan Salvatore
When talking about the most popular characters on The Vampire Diaries, fans are always going to say the Salvatore brothers. They're always at the heart of this supernatural story, as Elena falls for Stefan and then Damon, and fans learn more about the "good" and "evil" siblings and what they're really like at their core.
Reddit user StrawberryLover8 counts Stefan among their favorite characters and explained, "He just wanted to find redemption for all the wrongs he caused." It's sweet and moving seeing Stefan do his best to be good and compassionate.
Klaus Mikaelson
TVD wouldn't be as exciting and fun to watch without a few villains and Klaus is a fan favorite character. Klaus makes many mistakes on TVD and even though he has done some horrible things, many viewers still like him and think that he's a well-written part of the series.
Reddit user Burnin_Red appreciates Klaus as a complex villain, writing, "he had layers and made the show so much more interesting." Fans also love watching Klaus and Caroline develop strong feelings for each other.
Damon Salvatore
Damon and Stefan are perfectly matched and play off each other, and the show wouldn't be as great without Damon. He fits into the beloved category of love interests who are rebellious and don't seem to have a care in the world. And yet many fans would agree that watching Damon and Elena together is one of the best and most swoonworthy parts of the whole show.
Reddit user Xanaeq said "Damon was my absolute favorite!" because he was "complex" and many other viewers count him as a favorite character.
Kai Parker
Fans get to know Kai in season 6 and while he's a brief part of the series, he's a popular one. Reddit user Brusienn posted that "Kai" is their favorite character and said, "shame he's leaving the show."
It's thrilling seeing Kai, Damon, and Bonnie in the Prison World and although Kai doesn't appear in the entire show, he definitely leaves a big impression on fans who find him a memorable character.
Katherine Pierce
Many fans appreciate Katherine's tough personality and it's fascinating thinking about Katherine surviving on TVD and experiencing some of the most wild things on the show.
One Redditor said when it comes to their favorite character it's "Katherine by a landslide. She's a manipulative vampire fashionista." While some fans shared in various Reddit threads that they're not always thrilled with Elena, many love Katherine because she's a complicated character with layers. It's a lot of fun learning about Katherine's backstory and tie to Damon and Stefan.
Jeremy Gilbert
Jeremy has quite the journey, from being killed in the season 2 finale to connecting with Bonnie and, finally, being a part of the Salvatore School. Right away, viewers connect with Elena's brother as he's having trouble coping with their parents' death and it's heartbreaking watching him going through the motions of his life.
Jeremy is another popular character, with Reddit user Weeshnah writing, "My all-time favorite will always be Jeremy Gilbert."
Rebekah Mikaelson
Several fans mentioned Rebekah in lists of favorite characters, with one Redditor posting, "I just wanted her to find love and I really liked her with Stefan."
Rebekah is a unique character as she has done many evil things and is a big fan of violence, and while some viewers love Stefan and Elena, others think that Stefan and Rebekah have an interesting romance.
Elijah Mikaelson
Some TVD viewers also shared on Reddit that they love Elijah. When replying to a thread about favorite characters, Reddit user occasional_idea wrote, "Elena, Stefan, and Elijah would be next on my list."
Like several other members of the Michaleson family, Eliljah has a thrilling, dark backstory that involves falling for two Petrova Doppelgängers, and fans enjoy watching him on the spin-off The Originals.