| Bgcolour: |
|
| Season Number: | 1 |
| Network: | The CW |
| Num Episodes: | 22 |
| Episode List: | List of The Originals episodes |
The Originals is an American supernatural drama television series created by Julie Plec for The CW. A spin-off of The Vampire Diaries, the series makes use of certain characters and story elements from the series of books of the same name. The first season premiered with a special preview on October 3, 2013, following the season premiere of its parent series, before premiering in its regular time slot on October 8, 2013.[1]
The show is set in New Orleans which the Mikaelson family and Original vampires helped to build. In the first season, the focus is primarily on Klaus (Joseph Morgan), Elijah (Daniel Gillies), and Rebekah (Claire Holt), who discover in the series's backdoor pilotwhich aired on April 25, 2013, as an episode of The Vampire Diariesthat Hayley Marshall (Phoebe Tonkin) is pregnant with Klaus' child.
Having fled the city many years ago, they return to find Klaus' former protégé, Marcel (Charles Michael Davis), in control of the French Quarter. Klaus decides to take back the city and enlists Elijah and Rebekah's help. The show also revolves around their relationship with other supernatural beings such as witches.
See also: List of The Originals episodes.
The first season received mixed reviews with 7.8 from IMDB. On Rotten Tomatoes the season holds a 57% based on 28 reviews, with an average rating of 5.61/10. The critics consensus reads, "The Originals may overwhelm casual viewers with its myriad twists and bevy of supernatural beings, but this is a sleek, atmospheric Vampire Diaries spinoff with potential."[2]