Overview

• Dobrev says she earned less than Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley throughout her run despite leading the series.
• Her contract named only Elena, yet she played multiple characters and says the workload doubled without equal compensation.
• Season 3 renegotiations brought a raise but not parity, and creators recall being told to stop writing Katherine to avoid extra pay.
• For the 2017 finale, Dobrev says the opening offer was five times lower than her Season 6 rate; Julie Plec intervened to secure one episode at parity.
• Co-creators say they wanted her for more of Season 8, but budget decisions prevented a broader return, and no detailed studio rebuttal appears in current coverage.