When The Vampire Diaries first aired in 2009, Caroline Forbes was the girl you were supposed to find slightly annoying. She was the neurotic, insecure foil to Elena Gilbert’s "perfect" protagonist. But things changed. Fast. If you’re wondering who plays Caroline in The Vampire Diaries, the answer is Candice King (formerly Candice Accola). She didn’t just play the role; she hijacked the entire emotional arc of the show, turning a shallow cheerleader into arguably the most complex vampire in the series.
It’s rare for a secondary character to eclipse the leads in terms of fan loyalty, but Candice King pulled it off. Honestly, it’s hard to imagine anyone else bringing that specific mix of "type-A" control and deep-seated vulnerability to Mystic Falls.
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The Casting of Candice King
Before she was the blonde vampire everyone shipped with Klaus Mikaelson, Candice King was actually making waves in the music industry. You might not know that she was a backup singer for Miley Cyrus during the Best of Both Worlds tour. Seriously. She’s in the concert movie. When she auditioned for the role of Caroline, she brought a certain vibrance that the producers desperately needed to balance out the broodiness of the Salvatore brothers.
Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson, the show's creators, have mentioned in various interviews and convention panels over the years that Caroline was intended to be the "relatable" one. Candice took that tiny bit of direction and ran with it. She made Caroline’s transition into a vampire in Season 2 one of the most celebrated plot twists in teen drama history. Usually, when a character becomes a monster, they lose their humanity. With Candice’s portrayal, Caroline actually became more human once her heart stopped beating.
The chemistry she had with her co-stars was also a huge factor. Whether it was the slow-burn "Steroline" romance with Paul Wesley or the high-octane tension with Joseph Morgan, King had this uncanny ability to adapt her energy to whoever she was sharing a scene with. It’s why fans still argue about who Caroline belonged with, even years after the finale aired.
More Than Just a Supporting Actor
Many people ask who plays Caroline in The Vampire Diaries because they see her pop up in other places and can’t quite place the face. Candice King has a very specific "girl next door" look that masks a lot of acting range. She wasn't just a guest star; she appeared in 171 episodes. That’s a decade of her life dedicated to one persona.
She also carried that character over to the spin-offs. You’ll see her in The Originals and eventually in the series finale of Legacies. It’s a testament to her performance that the writers kept finding ways to bring her back. Fans simply wouldn't accept a version of that universe where Caroline Forbes wasn't running the Salvatore School or dealing with some supernatural crisis.
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Why Caroline Forbes Became a Fan Favorite
It wasn't just the writing. It was the performance. Candice King played Caroline with a frantic, perfectionist energy that resonated with anyone who has ever felt like they were "second best."
- The Transition: In Season 2, when Caroline is turned by Katherine Pierce, Candice had to play a terrifying mix of bloodlust and confusion. The scene in the hospital where she realizes she’s hungry for more than just Jell-O? Chilling.
- The Humor: She was the comic relief when things got too dark. Her dry delivery of lines like, "I'm a cynical bitch," made the show watchable during its gloomier seasons.
- The Growth: Most TV characters stagnate. Caroline grew up. King portrayed that maturity with subtle shifts in her posture and voice over eight seasons.
If you look at the "Klarus" (Klaus and Caroline) phenomenon, it was almost entirely fueled by the actors' chemistry. Joseph Morgan has gone on record saying that their scenes together were some of his favorites because Candice was so "present" in the moment. She didn't just recite lines; she reacted. That's the difference between a soap opera actor and a genuine talent.
Life After Mystic Falls
Candice King didn't just stop after the show ended in 2017. She’s stayed incredibly active in the "TVD" community, co-hosting a podcast called Directionally Challenged with her former co-star Kayla Ewell (who played Vicky Donovan). They talk about the realities of being a woman in your 30s, motherhood, and the industry. It’s a great peek behind the curtain for anyone who wants to know what she’s like when the fangs are off.
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She also appeared in the After movie franchise as Kimberly, showing she can handle the "steamy romance" genre just as well as the supernatural stuff. But let’s be real. To the millions of people who binge-watch The Vampire Diaries on streaming services every day, she will always be Caroline Forbes. The girl who killed a man with a carnival trophy and still managed to make it to prom on time.
Misconceptions About the Role
One big mistake people make is thinking Candice King was the "safe" choice for the role. In reality, the pilot version of Caroline was quite different from what she became. The writers originally penned her as a bit of a mean girl—a "frenemy" to Elena. It was Candice’s inherent likability that forced the writers to change course. They realized they couldn't make the audience hate her, so they made her the heart of the show instead.
Another thing? People often confuse her with other blonde actresses from that era of The CW. No, she wasn't in Gossip Girl. No, she isn't related to any other famous "Kings" in Hollywood (though she was married to Joe King from the band The Fray for several years). She’s a standalone talent who worked her way up from bit parts in Supernatural and Hannah Montana to leading a global phenomenon.
What to Watch Next If You Love Candice King
If you've finished your fifth rewatch of The Vampire Diaries and you're craving more of her work, you should definitely check out her guest spots on The Originals. Her arc in the final season provides a lot of closure for the Klaus/Caroline storyline that was left hanging in the main show.
You can also find her in:
- After We Collided (2020) - She plays Kimberly.
- Christmas in Tune (2021) - A holiday movie where she gets to show off those singing skills again.
- Suitcase Killer: The Melanie McGuire Story (2022) - A much darker, dramatic turn for her.
Final Thoughts on the Legacy of Caroline Forbes
The question of who plays Caroline in The Vampire Diaries usually leads people down a rabbit hole of nostalgia. Candice King managed to take a character that was written to be a sidekick and turned her into a protagonist in her own right. She represented the idea that you can be flawed, neurotic, and "too much," and still be the hero of your own story.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the lore or catch up with what the cast is doing now, your best bet is to follow their social media or check out the "I Feel Bites" fan conventions that still happen globally. The fandom is very much alive, and Candice remains one of its most active and beloved ambassadors.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Watch the Season 2 Premiere: If you want to see the exact moment Candice King goes from "supporting cast" to "powerhouse," re-watch the episode "The Return."
- Listen to the Podcast: Search for Directionally Challenged on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to hear Candice talk about her time on set without the filter of a PR team.
- Check Out "The Originals" Season 5: Even if you haven't seen the rest of the spin-off, Caroline's appearances in the final season are essential viewing for any Forbes fan.