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Season 1 – The Originals

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – The Originals Oct 2013 Drama Fantasy Sci-Fi Mystery & Thriller Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
57% Tomatometer 28 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Klaus, the original vampire/werewolf hybrid, returns to New Orleans -- which his family helped build -- to investigate rumors of a plot against him, in this spinoff of "The Vampire Diaries." He finds his former protege, Marcel, reigning powerful over its inhabitants, causing growing tension in the supernatural community. Klaus' brother, Elijah, joins him, and they learn that werewolf Hayley has fallen into the hands of a defiant witch who has life-changing information. In hope of reclaiming the city, Klaus and Elijah form an uneasy alliance with the witches to help further their cause.
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The Originals — Season 1

The Originals — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

The Originals may overwhelm casual viewers with its myriad twists and bevy of supernatural beings, but this a sleek, atmospheric Vampire Diaries spinoff with potential.

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Critics Reviews

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Jethro Nededog TheWrap Oct 8, 2013
It's not tough to grasp, but isn't very entertaining. Go to Full Review Rowan Kaiser AV Club Oct 4, 2013
C
It's gotta be hard to start a spinoff to a heavily serialized TV show. That's the best explanation I have for why the premiere of The Originals stinks so much through the first two-thirds of its running time. Go to Full Review Robert Bianco USA Today Oct 4, 2013
1/4
[It's] ludicrously written and terribly cast. Go to Full Review Mandy Treccia TV Source Magazine Jan 19, 2019
Despite our love for the show and the characters, we can admit that the premiere had a few 'misses' as well. Go to Full Review Mark Trammell TV Equals Oct 23, 2013
All in all, a pretty solid episode. Lots of juicy info and back-story, Go to Full Review Leanne Aguilera E! Online Oct 11, 2013
With its high-stakes drama and it's dark and sexy undertones The Originals is like The Vampire Diaries on steroids. In the best way possible, of course! Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Tarnz H @RT75168797 Jun 19, 2025 The best series in the vampire universe. This is a series I can watch over and over and not tire of. This is the type of series that makes you fall in love with the actors. Every season is as good as the previous. I definitely found it hard to let go at the end of the series. As for the finale series episode... so fitting, so sad, but a fantastic end to an era. TOP stars See more Seyi O @RT05288848 Apr 1, 2025 I am loving it already. See more Maya S @RT79299404 Dec 25, 2024 Loved this. Loved the whole set. See more Rowan C @RowanC3 Oct 17, 2024 What I love most about the Originals, is how cocky they are because they definitely can be. This show has a great cast, and I like how even the strongest vampire of them all can suffer a great pain. The acting is fantastic, and I would recommend this show to anybody if they like The Vampire Diaries. See more matheus g @RT84583116 Jun 25, 2024 The first season is very UNDERESTIMATED. They explain and connect the originals to New Orleans very well. Several tense episodes, like the one where Klaus wants to kill Rebekah, Hope's birth and everyone doing their best to protect her. The narrative that Klaus is the most powerful does not prevail, because he really is not the most powerful. It's interesting to watch the emergence of people who oppose him. But he remains the most feared, the scene of him humiliating Marcel and his army with Rebekah watching is EPIC. Top10 best scenes from the entire TVDU universe. It is worth highlighting the character Elijah in the first season, his love for his family and that he proved to be much more of a "mere brother" of Klaus. The bond of Klaus and Elijah, the forever and ever of the Mikaelson brothers, the addition of Hayley, Mikael returning and an emotional ending. See more Jesus A @RT86226049 Feb 27, 2024 I love the originals neeklaus is the man I wish they made a sequel or a movie with the same actors love to see them work together again or a reunion at least💪😎💯🙏 See more Read all reviews
The Originals — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Chris Grismer

Director

Jesse Warn

Director

Joseph Morgan

Klaus Mikaelson

Daniel Gillies

Elijah Mikaelson

Claire Holt

Rebekah Mikaelson

Phoebe Tonkin

Hayley

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Oct 3, 2013 Always and Forever Klaus returns to the French Quarter of New Orleans, which his family helped build 300 years ago; a powerful witch reveals important news about Hayley, a werewolf who had a fling with Klaus. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 8, 2013 House of the Rising Son Rebekah arrives in New Orleans and receives unexpected news from Hayley; Klaus moves forward with his plan; Marcel asks Davina for help. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 15, 2013 Tangled up in Blue Klaus and Rebekah try to bring down Marcel's empire from within; Sabine tells Hayley that supernatural creatures in New Orleans are reacting to the potential hybrid baby. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 22, 2013 Girl in New Orleans Davina talks Marcel into letting her attend the annual Dauphine Street music festival; a mysterious doctor has a shocking surprise for Hayley; Klaus takes an interest in Cami. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 29, 2013 Sinners and Saints Klaus demands answers after his unborn baby is put at risk; Sophie divulges a secret; Davina reveals information about the witches. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 5, 2013 Fruit of the Poisoned Tree Klaus goes to extreme lengths to protect Hayley and her unborn baby; Cami turns to Father Kieran for guidance; Marcel visits an old friend for advice; Davina tries to control her magic; Klaus delivers some surprising news. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 12, 2013 Bloodletting Hayley becomes concerned for herself and her baby when someone from her past makes a revelation; Klaus has a dangerous and unexpected encounter; Rebekah receives an enticing offer from Marcel. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 26, 2013 The River in Reverse Facing a difficult decision, Rebekah seeks guidance; a mysterious figure sheds some light on Hayley's past; a confrontation ends unexpectedly. Details Episode 9 Aired Dec 3, 2013 Reigning Pain in New Orleans Klaus opens up to Marcel about past indiscretions; Hayley asks Elijah and Rebekah for help when she learns of a plan to harm werewolves. Details Episode 10 Aired Jan 14, 2014 The Casket Girls Davina tries to free Cami of Klaus' mind compulsion; Marcel and Elijah form an alliance; Hayley has to make a difficult decision; Rebekah turns to someone from Marcel's past. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 21, 2014 Apres Moi, le Deluge The entire French Quarter is affected when Davina becomes violently ill; Sophie presents a drastic plan; Hayley comes clean. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 28, 2014 Dance Back From the Grave Marcel refuses to help Klaus when a gruesome discovery surfaces; Rebekah finds the remnants of a sacrifice; a violent confrontation. Details Episode 13 Aired Feb 4, 2014 Crescent City A witch from Father Kieran's past causes a great deal of trouble; a discovery at the cemetery shocks Sophie; uninvited guests crash a party Rebekah throws for Hayley and her werewolf clan. Details Episode 14 Aired Feb 25, 2014 Long Way Back From Hell Rebekah is targeted by a vengeful witch; Elijah seeks help from Hayley and Marcel when a decision puts others in danger. Details Episode 15 Aired Mar 4, 2014 Le Grand Guignol Klaus remembers moments from 1919 as he opens up to Cami; Elijah asks Monique to help find Sabine; Rebekah and Marcel try to get Thierry involved in a plan that targets the witches. Details Episode 16 Aired Mar 11, 2014 Farewell to Storyville Elijah remains determined to protect Rebekah despite Klaus' fury; Marcel is forced to make a deal with Genevieve; concern for Hayley's unborn baby brings her and Rebekah together. Details Episode 17 Aired Mar 18, 2014 Moon Over Bourbon Street Elijah takes matters into his own hands; the Mikaelsons throw an extravagant party; a violent fight ends unexpectedly. Details Episode 18 Aired Apr 15, 2014 The Big Uneasy Genevieve's plan to rebuild the witches power is revealed; Klaus thinks Elijah is trying to impress Hayley; Davina receives an important gift. Details Episode 19 Aired Apr 22, 2014 An Unblinking Death Cami's efforts to help Kieran lead to a violent episode; an explosion in the bayou adds to the distrust between the wolves and the vampires; Hayley learns a surprising piece of family history from Marcel. Details Episode 20 Aired Apr 29, 2014 A Closer Walk With Thee Hayley confronts an enemy and winds up in peril; Genevieve struggles to stay in control of Davina and the other witches; nightmares about his father force Klaus to examine his relationship with his adoptive son. Details Episode 21 Aired May 6, 2014 The Battle of New Orleans Elijah and Klaus plan to collect the sacred stones Genevieve needs to alter fate of the werewolves; Marcel rallies an army to regain control of the city; Cami is threatened. Details Episode 22 Aired May 13, 2014 From a Cradle to a Grave Hayley is willing to do whatever it takes to protect her baby; Francesca, Jackson and Oliver meet to discuss the future of the werewolves in New Orleans; Cami and Davina come together to take down Klaus. Details

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The Originals — Season 1

The Originals View more photos

Season Info

Director
Chris Grismer, Jesse Warn
Executive Producer
Julie Plec, Gina Girolamo
Screenwriter
Marguerite MacIntyre, Diane Ademu-John, Bart Nickerson, Mike Russo, Michelle Paradise, Charlie Charbonneau, Michael Narducci, Ashley Lyle, Julie Plec, Declan De Barra
Network
The CW
Rating
TV-14 (L|V)
Genre
Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller, Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date
Oct 3, 2013
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