Seventeen-year-old Elena Gilbert falls in love with a tall, dark and handsome man, and discovers that he is a 161-year-old vampire. And their difficult romance is made even harder when his malevolent brother returns to town.
Elena's unusual life in Mystic Falls grows increasingly complicated as Stefan takes a darker turn, and Klaus reveals a program to create powerful hybrids. Caroline and Tyler grow closer, causing a war between their two families.
As Elena heads off to college, Damon and Stefan continue to vie for her affections after Stefan is taken out of the picture. Meanwhile, Silas aims to control Mystic Falls.
The spin-off series follows Klaus Mikaelson to the French Quarter of New Orleans, where he and his siblings attempt to restore their family's former power.