Image Credit: Paul Morigi/WireImage.comIt’s the casting fans of The Vampire Diaries have been waiting months for: British actor Joseph Morgan has officially been confirmed as Klaus, the oldest and baddest of the Original vampires. He’ll make his debut on The CW’s top-rated series April 21, which isn’t as far off as it may seem. After next Thursday, the next new episode doesn’t air until April 7. Though Daniel Gillies, who’s kept us entertained as Klaus’ scheming nemesis Elijah, was hoping for someone like Deadwood‘s Ian McShane, Morgan’s casting is in line with what exec producers have teased all along. Exec producer Kevin Williamson told EW last month the role would go to someone younger. “It has to be someone that we truly believe was in a relationship with Katherine, because that’s where it started. He seduced her and whisked her away,” he said.
And exec producer Julie Plec, who revealed back in December that a couple hundred actors had already read for the role, told us they liked the idea of choosing a relative unknown. “That’s what excites me: This idea that there might be somebody out there that no one’s really familiar with yet that can be a new fresh face that we can exploit…in all the good ways,” she said. “The big important elements of this character are charisma and gravitas. You’ve got to be able to be afraid of this guy, whether you’re afraid of him because he looks scary or because he’s so charming that the fact that he can snap your neck with his pinky would take you by surprise.”
Morgan’s credits include British TV series such as Hex and Doc Martin, the films Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World and Alexander, and the starring role in the 2010 miniseries Ben Hur. Judging from this photo of him from a 2008 Masterpiece production of Mansfield Park in which he played William Price, he could definitely handle an Old World vibe. But after seeing this photo from I don’t know when or what, I’m sort of hoping he plays reclusive Klaus — who we now know has been forcing generations of witches to try to help him find a way to break the curse of the sun and moon without a human Petrova doppelgänger to no avail — with the entitled, pissy, detached-yet-secretly jealous, delicious vibe of James Spader in Pretty in Pink. That snarky playboy attitude would separate him from economical Elijah. We’ve seen that Elijah had little tolerance for Damon’s cocky attitude and antics. Maybe he simply couldn’t stand Klaus.
How would you like to see him play Klaus?
nerver heard of him…but im excited to see how he handles the role!
Welsh actor. Love to see welsh actors get on
You just had to play the nationality card. Xenophobes like you disgust me! He could be a Skree, it doesn’t matter! Can he act? That’s what counts. Grow up.
I was hoping that they might cast someone who was a bit more mature-ish looking… I at first was thinking that it’d be cool to have someone who could be Mayan, in order to tie in the Mayan Sun/moon curse, perhaps one that was dabbling in black magic that created “The Originals” or something like that. (Didn’t read the books and not sure if there is an explanation of their origin) but it would be hard to have a Mayan who goes by the Teutonic name of Klaus…. but they’ve done well so far with the casting, so I’ll wait and see how it goes…
There is an explanation of their origin. ***SPOILER***
So supposedly the Originals have been around long before the pyramids were even built. Klaus says he fought the Trojans and helped in the downfall of the Roman empire. They’re referred to as Old Ones in the books, and they’ve never been human. I don’t know if Kevin and Julie plan on keeping the Originals that way, but I kind of hope so. It makes him more terrifying.
LOVED HEX and kept saying here that they should hire Michael Fassbender – telling them to please WATCH HEX to check him out – but I guess they found another reason to watch the series
I guess it’s the thing only hire actors from the U.K or Australia now.
Casting an American wouldn’t make sense either, since the character isn’t American.
Voodoo, they’re actors. You don’t have to be European to act as though you are European.
Then it shouldn’t realy make any difference what the actor’s nationality is as long as he/she can act.
@ Moname91 Well, that’s what I mean, as long as they are believable. I was just pointing out Summer Bay’s hypocrisy.
I really hope they chose the right person. Because the role is too important and it’s probably one of the best roles in the show.
I think he’ll be perfect for the role!
I don’t know who he is and I’m glad about that. Ew, you almost ruined the suspense with this!
He actually looks good but he has the “Dexter eyes”. *shivers*
you’re right, he does have that ‘Dexter’ look!
An accent would make sense, if these vampires are older than America they should be from the other side of the pond.
It bothers me more that we won’t be seeing a new episode until April!!!
I know!!! I was happy to see the casting for Klaus confirmed, but when I read that about no new episodes after next week until April, I was severely bummed! Still am. Waaahhhhh! Why do they keep doing this to us? It’s torture!
We’ve known about this for more than a month. Get with it, EW!!
im a little disappointed. i was hoping for someone hotter. but i’ll give him a chance and see how he portrays the role.
I’m not bummed – he was a cutie on “Hex,” after all.
He was, he had charm, especially when he smiled. If he just adds crazy eyes on to that he could be quite effective.
Hotter? LOL, clearly you never watched HEX–yep the kid is gorgeous (but then you aren’t cast on a show like Vampire Diaries if you aren’t physical perfection, with the exception of Paul Wesley, still wondering whose cast couch he hit.)
DITTO.
I hope he plays the character the way he is portrayed in the book. I love the show, but would love to see Klaus with the long flowing trench coat and crazy electric blue eyes!
Oh dear, can hardly bother to read the article now, what with my fangirl fantasies of the lovely young James Spader…every 80s teen dream. What were we talking about again? I’m getting old.
Right there with you!
You’re right, I can’t focus since you made me recall young James Spader. What a beautiful young man he was and sexy as they get.
I’m recovering from the fact that I have to go a month without Diaries. Uuugggghhh! New eyecandy is always welcome. I hope he can make a decent entrance into the room.
He is looking pretty WACK!
WTF?! april?! what kind of crap is that. i love this show, but its annoying how many breaks they take and for how long.. ugh. the last episodes better be damn good.
and klaus is hot.. dunno if i will be able to hate them
well I was curious how they were going to make just 7 more episodes last until May, and I guess ridiculously long annoying breaks is the way to go.
The casting direct of (the UK show) Hex should be handed an award: all of his/her choices have been phenomenally successful. Plus, it was a freaking *fantastic* show.
LOVED it. I watched Fish Tank this year and was turned onto Michael Fassbender, and found HEX when I looked for other projects of his. It was such a find, first season especially.
Yes! He will always be Azazeal to me. So sexy!