The Vampire Diaries built a big fan base among the audience due to its new concept, which was a mixture of teen drama and supernatural. The show was so successful that it led to two spin-offs, The Originals and Legacies. Every character from the show became popular, including ‘Elena Gilbert’ and ‘Stefan Salvatore,’ portrayed by Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley.
Although the duo’s chemistry on screen received a lot of praise, people are unaware of the fact that they were not so close in the beginning. Keep reading to know more!
Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley shared a different kind of bond in the beginning
When The Vampire Diaries began filming, Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley had a rocky start. In 2019, Dobrev spoke about it on the Directionally Challenged podcast, saying that their relationship was not good at first. She explained that while she respected Wesley as an actor, she did not like him personally during those early months.
She also said the tension was so strong that it was often mistaken for romantic chemistry on screen, which led many fans to ask if they were dating in real life. Wesley later responded to her comments in an interview. He confirmed Nina’s account and said they clashed creatively when the show started. He described it as a period where they were not in sync and were frustrating each other on set. He noted that the media coverage made it sound bigger than it was.
Both actors framed the issue as short-lived and tied to the pressure of production. Dobrev said the schedule was intense, with very long days, and that constant time together without space made it hard to connect early on. She later clarified that the difficulty only lasted a few months and that the story had been taken out of context.
Over time, the relationship changed. Wesley said that after a few seasons they developed a strong mutual respect and friendship. Dobrev also addressed it directly in a 2019 video with Wesley, where she apologized for how her comments were presented. One line she used to describe the early period was:
“Paul and I didn’t get along at the beginning of the show. I respected Paul Wesley, I didn’t like Paul Wesley.”
Wesley responded that he does not hold grudges and considers the matter in the past. The duo eventually became close friends over the years.
Paul Wesley recently recalled his past with Nina Dobrev
As mentioned, Paul Wesley and Nina Dobrev shared a very different kind of relationship in the beginning. However, things changed over the years, and Paul has now recalled that period during an interview with Alex Cooper on the Call Her Daddy podcast on July 22, 2026.
Wesley said he believes his own intensity was part of the problem. He described himself as grumpy and difficult at the time because he was taking acting very seriously, while other cast members were more relaxed. He also made it clear they never said they hated each other. He continued by saying:
“It was me and nine other guys. I remember all these guys were kind of kissing her ass. I just was like, ‘I’m not going to look at her. I’m not even going to acknowledge her ‘cause I want to meet her in the audition. I want to meet her for the first time in the audition.’ ‘Cause our scene was us meeting for the first time.”
Despite the awkward start, he said the chemistry was immediate. He described auditioning at Warner Bros. in front of executives and feeling an instant connection with Dobrev. He added that while they would clash on set, they stayed professional. Over time, things improved as the cast matured and he calmed down. This was before Dobrev left The Vampire Diaries in the sixth season.
Years later, when the cast reunited for the 2016 finale, Wesley said he told Nina he missed having her there. Nina’s response showed how much their relationship had changed, and Wesley addressed the same by saying:
“I missed having her around. And to this day, she’s always like, ‘I remember you said to me, ‘You’re going to miss me one day.’ And you know what? You were right.’”
What are your thoughts about Paul Wesley and Nina Dobrev’s bond over the years? Let us know.
PC: IMDb
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