{
  "id": 12264178,
  "title": "Sebastian Stan Explains Why He Turned Down ‘The Vampire Diaries’ Lead Role",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/sebastian-stan-explains-why-he-turned-down-the-vampire-diaries-lead",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-06T00:08:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TheWrap",
    "slug": "thewrap",
    "url": "https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/tv-shows/sebastian-stan-confirms-turned-down-the-vampire-diaries/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sebastian Stan was offered the lead role of Stefan Salvatore in the CW series \"The Vampire Diaries,\" but he declined. He made this revelation in an interview on the \"Happy, Sad, Confused\" podcast with Joshua Horowitz. \"I didn't do it. And then the show went on to be super, super successful,\" Stan said. He added that he didn't regret his decision, citing his past show \"Kings\" as the reason for his burnout. \"I felt really burnt out. The idea of thinking 'Oh, I'm just going to sign up again for something that probably is not going to get to the second season,'\" Stan explained. Stan thinks he was offered the role due to his involvement in \"The Covenant,\" a film also set in a supernatural world. \"I feel grateful in a way because I don't know if I was really ready for that kind of exposure when I was younger,\" he said. Stan's focus was scattered during that period, emotionally and mentally. \"The Vampire Diaries\" ran for eight seasons from 2009 to 2017, with Wesley playing the role of Stefan Salvatore. Stan did appear in another CW show, \"Gossip Girl,\" playing Carter Baizen in 11 episodes.",
  "summary": "\"I feel grateful in a way,\" the Marvel star says The post Sebastian Stan Explains Why He Turned Down ‘The Vampire Diaries’ Lead Role appeared first on TheWrap .",
  "key_points": [
    "Sebastian Stan turned down lead role in 'The Vampire Diaries'.",
    "He cited burnout from 'Kings' as reason for decision.",
    "Stan grateful for exposure, grateful for not being ready for it."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Sebastian Stan's decision to decline the lead role in The Vampire Diaries reflects his prioritization of personal well-being over career advancement during a period of emotional and mental scatteredness.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hollywood Reporter",
        "title": "Why Sebastian Stan Turned Down ‘The Vampire Diaries’ Lead Role",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/why-sebastian-stan-turned-down-the-vampire-diaries-lead-role",
        "published": "2026-10-06T00:57:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}