One character onThe Vampire Diarieswas originally created with Taylor Swift in mind. Based on the book series by L.J. Smith,The Vampire Diariesbecame a huge hit for the CW when it premiered in 2009. The hit series centered onElena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) and her relationshipswith two vampire brothers, Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) Salvatore.
Vampires, werewolves, and witches frequentedThe Vampire Diaries' fictional town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, as Elena and her friends fought to survive the monsters that surrounded them. With its complicated love triangle, fast-paced storytelling, and shocking reveals,The Vampire Diariesdeveloped a surprisingly rich mythologyand introduced a cast of compelling characters.
Taylor Swift Could’ve Portrayed Stefan’s Long-Time Best Friend
The Vampire Diarieswas developed by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, both of whom served as showrunners throughout the show’s run. In an interview withE! News, Williamson mentioned thathe"was desperate"for Taylor Swift to appear on the show as a vampire.He went on to say,“I cannot tell you how hard I’m trying to get her. I would kill to have her on the show!”
In a 2020 interview with E! News, Nina Dobrev said that Taylor Swift was a fan ofThe Vampire Diaries,but a potential appearance"didn’t work out schedule-wise."
Kevin Williamson reportedly had Taylor Swift in mind when he developed the character of Lexi Branson, a role that eventually went to Arielle Kebbel.Lexi made her debut inThe Vampire Diariesseason 1, episode 8, “162 Candles,“as Stefan’s long-time best friend.
Tragically,Damon killed Lexiin this very same episode, but she appeared in eight more episodes either in flashbacks or as a ghost. With Lexi’s vibrant personality and love of life,it’s not hard to imagine Taylor Swift nailing the role.Unfortunately, she had become"too big"and too busy to appear onThe Vampire Diaries.
Arielle Kebbel Made Her Mark On The Vampire Diaries As Lexi Branson
Lexi Even Popped Up In The Series Finale After Stefan’s Death
Despite appearing in so few episodes, Arielle Kebbel made quite an impression as Lexi. From her first scene,Lexi stole the show, coming across as incredibly fun and likable,making her death even more tragic. Her friendship reflected positively on Stefan, and she was instrumental in making him into the vampire he became.
Unlike many vampires,Lexi had a high regard for human life,and she always fed without killing humans. She helped Stefan control his bloodlust and spent every one of his birthdays with him, but she had a contentious relationship with Damon. Damon killed Lexi to set her up as the vampire who had been killing people in Mystic Falls.
Lexi’s death further drove a wedge between Damon and Stefan, but Lexi continued to have a presence on the show. Even as a ghost, Lexi continued to help Stefan, often acting as a light to counteract his darkness. In only a few scenes, Arielle Kebbel made Lexi an incredibly compelling character onThe Vampire Diaries,and she remains a fan favorite.
