The Vampire Diaries (season 4)


The Vampire Diaries, a one-hour American supernatural drama, was renewed for a fourth season by the U.S. channel The CW on May 3, 2012, seven days before the third season's finale. Unlike the previous seasons that aired in September, it premiered on October 11, 2012, to avoid competition from major television shows. Season 4 consisted of 23 episodes instead of the usual 22 episodes.
On January 11, 2013, it was announced that a back-door pilot focused on the Originals, titled The Originals will air on April 25 for series pick-up. On April 26, 2013, The CW announced that The Originals, The Vampire Diaries spin-off series, was picked up for a full season slated to premiere next fall.
On February 11, 2013, The CW renewed the series for a fifth season.

Cast

Main

Production

On May 3, 2012 The CW renewed The Vampire Diaries for a fourth season. Unlike previous seasons, it started on October 11. Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec, Leslie Morgenstein and Bob Levy are executive producers for the series. The season was concluded on May 16, 2013.

Casting

The series stars Nina Dobrev who plays Elena Gilbert and Katherine Pierce,
Paul Wesley as Stefan Salvatore,
Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore,
Steven R. McQueen as Jeremy Gilbert,
Kat Graham as Bonnie Bennett,
Candice Accola as Caroline Forbes,
Zach Roerig as Matt Donovan,
Michael Trevino as Tyler Lockwood,
Joseph Morgan as Klaus Mikaelson and
Claire Holt as Rebekah Mikaelson.
On August 7, 2012 it was announced that Phoebe Tonkin and Todd Williams will join the show as recurring characters in the fourth season. Phoebe Tonkin will portray Hayley, a friend of Tyler's. Todd Williams will portray Connor, a vampire hunter.
The Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas made an appearance in "My Brother's Keeper" as a volunteer decorator for the Miss Mystic Falls Beauty Pageant. On the CW website, an interview with Douglas shares her experience on set and with the cast.
Starting with episode 13, Charlie Bewley will join the show as Vaughn, like Connor a vampire hunter, and Camille Guaty as Professor Shane's dead wife Caitlin, who is going to reveal information about him.
On February 2013, it was announced that Daniella Pineda was cast as the witch Sophie for episode 20 "The Originals". This episode serves as a backdoor-pilot for a possible spin-off series, revolving around the Originals and taking place in the French Quarter of New Orleans. If the series gets picked up for the 2013–2014 season, she'd be a regular cast member.

Reception

Critical response

Based on 16 reviews, the fourth season holds a 69% on Rotten Tomatoes with an average rating of 7.81 out of 10. The site's critics' consensus reads, "Vampire Diaries gets the best out of star Nina Dobrev, but could use some fresh blood on the page as plotlines struggle to move the series forward."

Ratings