The Originals
Rock SolidEvery season landed between 8.5 and 8.7 across 5 seasons.
Family sagaBonds and fractures across generations of one family.This show: 9/10SupernaturalGhosts, demons and powers beyond nature in our own world.This show: 9/10Urban fantasyMagic hidden inside the modern world.This show: 8/10Antihero leadA protagonist doing bad things you can't stop watching.This show: 8/10Morally grayNo clean heroes or villains anywhere in sight.This show: 8/10SerializedContinuous arcs where every episode builds on the last.This show: 8/10Secrets & liesHidden truths straining every relationship.This show: 8/10RevengeVengeance as the driving motive.This show: 7/10
Rate this series
Starring
Joseph MorganDaniel GilliesClaire HoltPhoebe TonkinCharles Michael DavisYusuf Gatewood
Written by
Julie Plec
Starring
Joseph MorganDaniel GilliesClaire HoltPhoebe TonkinCharles Michael DavisYusuf Gatewood
Written by
Julie Plec
Ratings per Episode
Votes per Episode
The Originals Episode Ratings Heatmap
| Avg | E1 | E2 | E3 | E4 | E5 | E6 | E7 | E8 | E9 | E10 | E11 | E12 | E13 | E14 | E15 | E16 | E17 | E18 | E19 | E20 | E21 | E22 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | 8.7 | 8.2 | 8.5 | 8.6 | 8.5 | 8.7 | 8.7 | 8.6 | 8.8 | 8.4 | 8.6 | 8.9 | 8.5 | 8.7 | 8.8 | 8.8 | 9.0 | 8.2 | 8.2 | 8.4 | 8.7 | 9.3 | 9.5 | |
| S2 | 8.6 | 8.8 | 8.6 | 8.4 | 8.7 | 8.8 | 8.7 | 8.6 | 8.6 | 8.9 | 8.5 | 8.4 | 8.6 | 9.0 | 8.6 | 8.1 | 8.1 | 8.3 | 8.6 | 8.8 | 8.4 | 9.1 | 9.1 | |
| S3 | 8.7 | 8.3 | 8.3 | 8.3 | 8.6 | 8.5 | 8.6 | 8.4 | 8.6 | 9.1 | 8.9 | 8.3 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 9.1 | 8.6 | 8.3 | 9.0 | 8.8 | 9.1 | 9.0 | 8.9 | 9.5 | |
| S4 | 8.6 | 8.9 | 8.8 | 8.6 | 8.6 | 8.3 | 8.2 | 8.4 | 8.5 | 8.4 | 8.2 | 8.4 | 8.4 | 9.2 | ||||||||||
| S5 | 8.5 | 8.7 | 8.3 | 8.6 | 8.0 | 8.2 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 9.1 | 8.0 | 8.3 | 8.2 | 9.1 | 8.6 |
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About
"Vampire royalty tears itself apart over family loyalty"
A spinoff of The Vampire Diaries, this show follows Klaus, Elijah, and Rebekah Mikaelson, the original vampire siblings, as they return to New Orleans and find the city they built now contested by witches, werewolves, and vampires they once ruled. It's soapy supernatural drama with a gothic, operatic streak, heavy on family betrayal, blood feuds, and doomed romance. The pace is brisk and melodramatic rather than slow-burn, carried almost entirely by the charisma of its leads and the twisted, tragic loyalty between the Mikaelson siblings.
Watch it for
the magnetic, tragic dynamic between the Mikaelson siblings, especially Klaus and Elijah.
Maybe skip if
you find endless family betrayal-and-reconciliation cycles exhausting rather than addictive.
Written by our AI editor to help you decide, spoiler-free by design.
All Seasons
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Season 12013
8.746K2216h 37m
Family is power. The Original Vampire family swore it to each other a thousand years ago. They pledged to remain together, always and forever. Now, centuries have passed and the bonds of family are broken. Time, tragedy and hunger for power have torn the Original Family apart. When Klaus Mikaelson, the original vampire-werewolf hybrid, receives a mysterious tip that a plot is brewing against him in the supernatural melting pot that is the French Quarter of New Orleans, he returns to the city his family helped build. Klaus’ questions lead him to a reunion with his diabolical former protégé, Marcel, a charismatic vampire who has total control over the human and supernatural inhabitants of New Orleans.
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Season 22014
8.633K2215h 24m
In season two, a new status quo must be adjusted to, as the newly empowered werewolves control the city. Plus, Klaus struggles with weaknesses and Elijah fights to save Hayley — now a hybrid — from a vicious spiral of self-destruction.
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Season 32015
8.730K2215h 19m
Season three finds Klaus and Elijah estranged from each other, even as both brothers adjust to life with their long-lost sister, Freya. Hayley suffers mightily at the hands of Klaus’s petty vengeance, while Marcel and Davina rule the city under a new status quo. Meanwhile, Cami and Vincent find themselves caught up in a surprising mystery involving the newest resident of New Orleans.
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Season 42017
8.616K139h 3m
When a dark prophecy threatens their immortal lives, the Mikaelson family faces their greatest challenge yet. After centuries of fighting to preserve their family, Klaus Mikaelson and his brother Elijah’s ruthless actions have spawned a legion of enemies. Surrounded by these enemies, the Mikaelsons enact a brutal strategy that will turn everyone against them, thus setting the course for season four.
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Season 52018
8.518K139h 3m
The age old Mikaelson family has spent centuries fighting against legions of enemies. The original vampires have strived since the beginning of time to protect their family, no matter what the cost. The fifth and final season is no different as the Mikaelsons must once again count on the strength of their unbreakable family bond even after swearing to stay away from each other for good.
Full Cast & Crew
Cast
Joseph Morgan Klaus Mikaelson
Daniel Gillies Elijah Mikaelson
Claire Holt Rebekah Mikaelson
Phoebe Tonkin Hayley Marshall, Hayley Marshall-Kenner
Charles Michael Davis Marcel Gerard
Yusuf Gatewood Vincent Griffith, Finn Mikaelson
Danielle Campbell Davina Claire
Leah Pipes Camille O'Connell
Riley Voelkel Freya Mikaelson
Steven Krueger Josh Rosza
Crew
Julie Plec
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