Overview

• Nina Dobrev says playing multiple characters effectively doubled her workload and preparation time, yet her contract initially covered only Elena.
• She negotiated raises during the run but says she never reached the pay level of co-stars Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley.
• Showrunner Julie Plec recounts that the studio told writers to avoid Katherine scenes to prevent paying Dobrev for a second role.
• Dobrev says the first offer to return for the 2017 finale was five times lower than her exit salary, and she agreed to appear only after terms met what she viewed as fair.
• The accounts are drawn from Samantha Highfill’s new oral-history book I Was Feeling Epic, with early reporting from outlets including People and Us Weekly.