The Vampire Diaries’ Klaus is the Perfect Lestat Replacement

by

Despite countless attempts to reimagine vampires in fiction, one character consistently stands out: Lestat de Lioncourt. He first appeared as a villain in Anne Rice’s novel, created as the maker of Louis de Pointe du Lac. Though a fierce and predatory vampire, Lestat was also portrayed as a romantic figure—a character Rice reportedly based on her own husband. He later became the central focus of his own book, The Vampire Lestat, and continued to be featured in Rice’s subsequent works.

Anne Rice didn’t just create a memorable character; she redefined the Southern Gothic genre, essentially establishing the foundation for modern vampire fiction. Her influence went beyond just one show like AMC’s Interview with the Vampire. Series like The Vampire Diaries clearly acknowledged their origins, and its spin-off, The Originals, which debuted in 2013, presented a more approachable take on vampire lore.

The Originals Adapted The Vampire Chronicles For a Wider Audience

Anne Rice’s writing was complex and full of feeling, though sometimes challenging for readers. Her early work, especially the character of the vampire child Claudia, showed a deep sadness stemming from the loss of her own daughter to leukemia when she was young.

A chance to introduce The Vampire Chronicles to more viewers came with The Vampire Diaries. While based on a young adult series, the show shifted away from the romance and emphasized the horror elements, mirroring the dark foundation of Interview With the Vampire.

Initially, the show felt similar to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but it gradually became much more intense. The character of Klaus Mikaelson, a powerful vampire, became so popular that the creators decided to give him his own series. Even before The Originals began, Klaus shared similarities with Lestat de Lioncourt, but the spin-off delved deeper into the atmospheric, Southern Gothic style of Anne Rice’s work.

New Orleans was the heart of everything for Rice, and the influence was clear in his work. His novel The Originals deeply explored the culture of the Louisiana bayou, and his character Klaus shared the same emotional depth as Lestat.

I’ve always seen Klaus as a bit like a reimagining of Lestat, though he definitely wasn’t just a copy. When Klaus first appeared, he was just as powerful and compelling as Lestat in Anne Rice’s novels. But honestly, it broke my heart watching him. He spent so long alone, and every time he finally let someone in, they ended up hurting him. It’s no wonder he built up walls!

Klaus had a difficult relationship with his parents, especially his mother, Gabrielle, whom he turned into a vampire. This happened with his whole family, and ultimately caused them to fall apart. The story of The Originals focused on Klaus finding love and acceptance. When he returned to New Orleans, Klaus initially only wanted to rule as the city’s vampire king. However, the birth of his daughter, Hope – a child who shouldn’t have been possible – began his journey toward learning to love.

Lestat and Klaus, initially portrayed as cruel and self-absorbed vampires who enjoyed frightening people, became more complex characters—even beloved anti-heroes—over time. Viewing The Originals with an understanding of Anne Rice’s writing style enhances the enjoyment of this already popular vampire series, especially considering their daughter’s role in softening their personalities.

The Vampire Diaries Feels Timeless For a Reason

When The Vampire Diaries first aired, its success wasn’t certain. Just a year earlier, Twilight had come out, and it felt like the vampire romance story had been told many times before. However, as Anne Rice’s novels proved, vampires never really go out of style.

As a fan, I always felt The Vampire Diaries was pretty straightforward, but its spin-off, The Originals, really leaned into that dark, Southern Gothic vibe – the same thing that made True Blood such a hit. And even though The Originals sometimes reminded me of Interview with the Vampire, it proved how timeless those vampire themes really are. A lot of people, myself included, actually think The Originals was the strongest series of the whole universe because it wasn’t afraid to get really complex.

Throughout its run, Klaus Mikaelson changed dramatically, unlike Elena Gilbert. He discovered his capacity for unconditional love after his daughter was born. The final episode of The Originals perfectly capped off this transformation, as he gave his life for others.

The true success of The Originals was expanding the world created in Anne Rice’s novels to reach more viewers. Both The Vampire Diaries and The Originals are valuable shows, exploring common themes of forgiveness and grief alongside compelling supernatural stories. They’ve both stayed popular for a reason – because, at their heart, they emphasize the enduring power of love.

Read More

2026-02-09 19:18