Vampire Diaries' Biggest Failed Casting Opportunity? Rejecting Pedro Pascal
As one of the most popular supernatural dramas of the past decade, The Vampire Diaries has cemented itself as a cult classic in the television landscape.
From its steamy romance to its brilliant cast, the show certainly features many thrilling elements that have captivated audiences around the world.
However, as much as we love the characters we see on the screen, the casting process can be a game of hit or miss. And one of the most significant missed opportunities for The Vampire Diaries was rejecting the internet's favorite daddy Pedro Pascal for a role on its spin-off show, The Originals.
Pedro Pascal, a Chilean-American actor, is widely regarded as one of the most talented actors of his generation. He has appeared in numerous critically acclaimed shows and movies, including Game of Thrones (in the role of Oberyn Martell), Narcos (DEA agent Javier Peña), and Disney 's Star Wars series The Mandalorian (title character Din Djarin). His recent role as Joel Miller in the HBO series The Last of Us has ushered his meteoric rise. Pascal's range of skills and ability to play complex characters have earned him a very loyal fanbase.
However, not many people know that before the actor became a household name, he auditioned for the role of Marcel Gerard, the brave and charismatic vampire in the TVD spin-off, and unfortunately, he didn't get the part.
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In an Entertainment Weekly's Binge podcast interview, show co-creator Julie Plec revealed that despite her infatuation with Pascal, the role was given to Charles Michael Davis, who was nearly a decade younger than him.
Though Plec admitted to being in full "Pedro Pascal fangirl mode" during the audition, Davis won the role with his kingly demeanor and undeniable swagger, and Pascal was deemed a bit on the mature side for the role at the time.
While it's easy to dwell on what could've been, it's important to remember that rejection is a common part of the entertainment industry. Many successful actors have been turned down early on in their careers, and it's often these setbacks that lead them to greater success.
While Pascal's rejection from TVD may have been disappointing at the time as well as a missed opportunity for the show, it may have also been a defining moment in his career. In many ways, this is a testament to his talent, as he has since gone on to achieve great things.