Overview

• Samantha Highfill’s I Was Feeling Epic compiles firsthand accounts alleging Nina Dobrev was paid less than male co-leads despite headlining the series.
• Dobrev says she routinely worked up to 18-hour days and carried a heavier load by playing multiple characters, yet struggled to secure parity.
• After negotiating additional compensation for portraying Katherine, the creative team recounts that the studio restricted use of the character and later wrote her out.
• Dobrev left after Season 6 and only returned for the 2017 finale once she obtained equal pay for a single episode, following what executives describe as difficult negotiations.
• The book also revisits early casting turmoil, reporting Sebastian Stan was considered for Stefan but unavailable, and that Paul Wesley was cast late after delays in finding the role.