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What Happened to the Cast of the Originals?
Monday, October 3rd, marks 9 years since the Originals waltzed into our weekly TV schedules and our hearts. The final episode aired in August 2018, and we can’t quite comprehend that it’s already been 4 years since the heart-wrenching finale.
But that begs the question: What have our favorite actors and actresses been up to for the past 4 years? Here’s an update:
What the Originals are up to Now…
Joseph Morgan (Klaus Mikaelson)
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- Joseph Morgan as Klaus (photo via People.com)
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- Joseph Morgan Now (photo via TVLine.com)
Joseph Morgan officially left Klaus Mikaelson behind with a guest appearance on the final episode of Legacies. But that’s not all he’s been up to. Since leaving the Originals, Morgan has been on Animal Kingdom and Brave New World. But his biggest break just hit this year. In January, DC Comics announced that Morgan would join the DC Universe as Sebastian Blood, a main character in the Titans series. And he’s already listed for a prominent role in season 2 of Halo, a TV adaption of the popular video game. Keep it up, Joseph!
Daniel Gillies (Elijah Mikaelson)
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- Daniel Gillies as Elijah (Photo via ET Canada)
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- Daniel Gillies Now (Photo via Deadline.com)
It’s been a busy few years for Daniel Gillies, too. He’s been in several shows and movies, including Virgin River, Occupation: Rainfall, and Coming Home in the Dark. But it hasn’t all been good news. He and his wife Rachel Leigh Cook split in 2019 and officially divorced in 2020. But he seems to be doing all right with his new boo, Julia Misaki. We’re hoping to see him in a major TV role again soon.
Claire Holt (Rebekah Mikaelson)
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- Claire Holt as Rebekah (Photo via TVFanatic.com)
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- Claire Holt Now (Photo via People.com)
Claire Holt’s been building an impressive resume on every front since 2018. Fans were excited to see her come back for a couple episodes in Legacies, but she’s been keeping busy with other ventures like Painted Beauty, Untitled Horror Movie, A Violent Separation, and The Divorce Party. But there’s more to life for Claire than film. She added swimwear designer to the mix last year with a collaboration with Andie Swim. Better still, she’s had two children since 2018! Mom, superstar, designer: things are going good for Claire.
Phoebe Tonkin (Hayley Marshall)
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- Phoebe Tonkin as Hayley
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- Phoebe Tonkin Now (Photo via CelebMafia)
Phoebe hasn’t slowed down since she left Hayley Marshall and the Originals behind. She’s been in multiple films and TV productions, including Bloom, The Place of No Words, Westworld, We Are Gathered Here Today, and the upcoming movie Babylon. In the meantime, she also created a sustainable loungewear line in the middle of COVID. We love it.
Charles Michael Davis (Marcel Gerard)
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- Charles Michael Davis as Marcel (Photo via Popsugar)
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- Charles Michael Davis Now (Photo via Deadline)
It seems like Charles is staying pretty busy since the Originals, too. His list of recent credits goes on and on…. Z Nation, No Sleep ‘Til Christmas, Chicago P.D., For the People, Same Time Next Christmas, Younger, NCIS: New Orleans, and a guest appearance on Legacies. Whew! That’s a lot. But we’re not complaining; we love watching him act!
Yusuf Gatewood (Vincent Griffith)
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- Yusuf Gatewood as Vincent (Photo via Rotten Tomatoes)
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- Yusuf Gatewood Now (Image via Showbiz Cheat Sheet)
We love Yusuf as Vincent, but he’s also been stealing our hearts with a few recent roles. His most notable part was in the Netflix series The Umbrella Academy. He’s also appeared on Good Omens, Jacob’s Ladder, and The Equalizer. Can we get this man another starring role, please?
Celebrate the Originals’ 9-Year Anniversary!
Now that we’re all caught up, it seems like a good time to go back and rewatch some of our favorite episodes before they leave Netflix. Or, come to Conyers and book a behind-the-scenes tour with Filmed in the South!
Leave a comment below and let us know how you’ll celebrate the 9-year anniversary, then book a tour!
Behind the Scenes with a Recurring Legacies Cast Member
This week, we got the unique opportunity to sit down with Sam Shepherd, a recurring Legacies cast member, and find out what it was like to work on the show from season 2 until the finale.
Sam’s Story
As a Covington, Georgia native, Sam’s been around the VDU and other filming projects for years, and she’s known for a while that she wanted to work in film.
When Legacies started, Sam (a high school student then) would hang out in Covington Square to do her homework while she watched the filming. This allowed her to meet several of the show’s Production Assistants, who helped her get into working with the show.
Working with Legacies
Sam’s view while waiting to get called up for filming
After Sam was cast, she began working as a background character fairly regularly. She’d get a call or email asking if she was available to come in for specific days, and she’d show up to the set, planning to spend anywhere from 8 to 14 hours there.
“Everything is hurry up and wait,” she said. “You’re either moving around or sitting for hours.” But that was fine with Sam. She’d bring her homework or a book to read, and many other background characters would do the same.
Sam was frequently cast as a student at the Salvatore Boarding School, allowing her to be in on many fun and different scenes. Some days, she was told to wear specific colors for the shooting. Other times, they’d call her in to get fitted with a uniform or particular outfit for the episode.
Waiting at the studio for a scene
Sam also had the opportunity to stand in as a photo double for Landon one day because he was running late. It was just for a couple seconds of film time, but a unique experience all the same.
Special Moments on the Legacies Set
Spoiler: The actual school gym set was way smaller than the show made it look
The field day episode (“We’re Not Worthy”) was Sam’s favorite experience because it was such a fun one to film. However, she also recalled that it was the longest filming experience. They actually started filming it a week before COVID hit and didn’t get to finish until filming could start again later that year.
She also shared that the mud on Kaylee Bryant wasn’t actually mud! It was so cold when they did the shot that they had to use a slime substitute for the shot. Now you know!
Photo from Vampire Diaries Wiki
But Sam’s favorite part of the whole experience was making friends with a couple of the main cast members, particularly Jenny Boyd. She recalled that Jenny (Lizzie Saltzman) was funny and sweet, and Sam enjoyed getting to know her.
Although there’s an unspoken rule that background characters don’t interact with main cast members, a few approached Sam over the years, allowing her to get to know them.
What’s Next for Sam?
With Legacies over, it’s time for Sam to move on to new projects. While she’s understandably sad about the show ending, she’s also grateful that it ended when it did with such a great finale.
But she’ll definitely miss all the friends she made over the years. “I know we’ll all never be on the same set at the same time again,” she said. “The last day of filming was really emotional.”
However, Sam’s future is bright, as she’s now studying film and media at Georgia State and the Georgia Film Academy.
She just applied for a new project, and with so many Marvel movies working in the area, she has high hopes that she’ll be able to work on one of those sets someday soon.
And if you’re interested in seeing where Legacies was filmed, be sure to visit Conyers, Georgia, and take a behind-the-scenes tour with Filmed in the South!
Other Legacies Posts to Check Out
Love “Legacies”? Come Visit the Filming Locations!
10 Shows You Didn’t Know Were Filmed in Conyers, GA
Film Tourism is Better in Olde Towne Conyers!
Love “Legacies”? Come Visit the Filming Locations!
The “Originals” spin-off “Legacies” came to a bittersweet end this summer, and we can’t deny that we’ll miss watching the show and mingling with the cast and crew around town. But while we can’t change the decision to re-air the show, we can still enjoy a little piece of “Legacies” that lives on here in Conyers!
If you didn’t know, “Legacies” did a lot of filming between Conyers and Covington because their studio was in town! So if you aren’t ready to let go of “Legacies” yet, here are a few places you can visit to relive the magic.
Awake Coffee
Photo via the Vampire Diaries Wiki
909 Commercial St NE. Conyers, GA 30012.
The Awake Coffee Shop on Commercial Street doubled as Seylah’s Corner Coffee in Season 1, Episode 8.
Carter’s Aly
Carter’s Aly is a side street in Conyers used in both “Originals” and “Legacies.” On more than one occasion, crews decked out Carter’s Aly with fake arches to resemble Mystic Falls during “Legacies.”
Railroad Street and Center Street
The street next to our Welcome Center and Olde Towne’s main thoroughfare were frequently featured in outdoor scenes–after being doctored up with sets, of course! Center Street is especially recognizable, even without the facades, because it appeared many times in “Originals” as the New Orleans hub.
The Sandwich Shop
1795 Parker Rd SE 150, Conyers, GA 30094
Another “Originals” throwback, The Sandwich Shop, was used as the façade of Rousseau’s in the episode when Lizzie’s genie wish sends Hope back to New Orleans. (Season 1, Episode 10)
Other Spots to Explore Nearby
Kent Rock Manor
Photo via the CW
5520 Kent Rock Rd, Loganville, GA 30052
If you’re looking for the exterior of the new Salvatore Boarding School, you’ll want to head over to Loganville, GA, to find Kent Rock Manor. Besides embodying the new facade of the school, this large complex was also used for its pond and baseball field during filming.
Whits Inn
Photo via Whits Inn
4648 Lawrenceville Rd, Loganville, GA 30052
You’ll recognize the Whits Inn from Season 1, Episode 8. It’s the hotel where Landon and Hope are holed up when Seylah reveals Landon’s shocking family tree.
Covington Town Square & Clock Tower
Covington’s highly recognizable town square is featured throughout the series whenever characters visit Mystic Falls.
Vampire Stalkers
1102 Monticello St SW, Covington, GA 30014
The Vampire Stalkers tour agency and store was used in the episode “We’re Being Punked Pedro.” It’s the vandalized store that the Salvatore students have to clean during community service.
Wolverine Field
Photo via the Vampire Diaries Wiki
8134 Geiger Street, Covington, GA 30014
Remember those annual flag football games between the Salvatore School and the Mystic Fall High School? Those all took place at Wolverine Field in Covington!
Porterdale Yellow River Park
Photo via Vampire Diaries Wiki
739 Railroad St, Porterdale, GA 30014
This is the park where the Salvatore School has its very first field day in Season 3, Episode 1.
The Speakeasy at 18th and 21st
Photo via the Vampire Diaries Wiki
2001 Main Street, Porterdale, GA 30070
Legacies used the interior of this speakeasy for the bar where Pothos eats a heart, and the crew discovers that he’s not actually Cupid. (Season 2, Episode 11)
Patrick Henry High School
Photo via the Vampire Diaries Wiki
109 South Lee Street, Stockbridge, GA 30281
Mystic Falls High was actually located at the old Stockbridge high school until Stranger Things came back and took over the filming location for Hawkins High.
Come visit us in Conyers and take your own film tour to see all these “Legacies” locations! And don’t forget to book a behind-the-scenes tour with Filmed in the South to see everywhere that the “Originals” filmed in town, too!
Create Custom TVDU Artwork at a One-of-a-Kind Paint Party
Looking for a fun and unique way to celebrate your love for all things Vampire Diaries and beyond? We have just the thing! We’ve teamed up with the talented artists at The Sketching Pad to create a special paint party just for TVDU fans!
Their fantastic staff will help you create a unique masterpiece featuring characters, quotes, icons, or even a scene from your favorite show. It’s one of the most exciting ways to celebrate your TVDU fandom in Georgia’s French Quarter™!
If this sounds like an event you’ll want to sink your teeth into, the details are below.
FAQs About TVDU Paint Parties
- Do I need a reservation? The studio can get busy, so we recommend booking at Filmed in the South at least 3 days in advance. You may luck out and get a day-of opening, but it’s better not to take chances.
- What time of day can I book a paint party? The timing varies based on availability. You can book a party at any of the times based on our website (times coincide with our walking tours). Or contact the studio to see when their open session workshops are.
- How long does the party last? Paint parties last for 3 hours.
- Is there a minimum group size? If you want a private room, you need at least five people. But if you don’t mind painting in the open room, there’s no minimum.
- Is alcohol available? Paint parties are all BYOB. The Sketching Pad doesn’t serve alcohol, but you’re welcome to bring your own.
- How much does this paint party cost? Each person costs $40 and includes 3 hours of paint time, hands-on help from a staff member, and everything you need to create a 16×20 custom canvas.
- Where is the Sketching Pad? 924 Center Street NE, Conyers, GA, 30012, USA
How Do the Paint Parties Work?
When you arrive at the Filmed in the South Office (inside the Sweet Treat Depot), you’ll start by choosing what to paint. Your canvas can feature Vampire Diaries, Originals, Legacies, or a combination of all 3! The Sketching Pad artists have created several templates you can follow, but you’re welcome to select an online design instead.
After everyone has picked out their design, you’ll head over to the Sketching Pad, where an instructor will walk you through each step and help you bring your canvas to life! But don’t worry–you’re in control of your final masterpiece from start to finish. In fact, you’re encouraged to customize your painting with colors and textures that speak to you.
When you’re done, you’ll have a beautiful, custom creation to take home and hang proudly with the rest of your TVDU memorabilia.
Why the Sketching Pad?
Jennifer Baker and her staff have a unique connection with TVDU. Over the years, they’ve been called on many times to help the shows’ prop departments create unique pieces for the sets. But that’s a story for another time…
Book Your Paint Party
Reserve your spot for this epic paint party today on our website!
Four Oaks Farm: Stay at An Originals Filming Location!
If you’ve been following Filmed in the South’s blogs, you already know that Conyers, GA, has tons of opportunities to see filming locations from the Originals. The TV show featured several of our main streets and many local shops while creating a New Orleans setting for the show. That’s why we’re Georgia’s French Quarter™!
But for those hard-core fans looking for more, we have a special treat for you today. Here’s the deal: you can actually stay at one of the Originals filming locations!
Four Oaks Farm is Hayley’s Safe House
Hayley’s Safe House (Pic by NobleOriginal)
Four Oaks Farm in Conyers was used in Season 4 as the filming location for Hayley’s safe house in Texas.
You may remember the farmhouse specifically from the episode where Klaus reunites with Hope for the first time after their 5-year separation. The family used the farm at the beginning of season 4 to regroup before returning to New Orleans to deal with the Hollow. It’s also where Freya drained Keelin’s werewolf venom for the cure.
You’ll clearly recognize the main house’s gorgeous exterior and surroundings from episodes 1 and 3, which makes visiting all the more exciting!
But why just visit when you can stay at Four Oaks Farm?
Staying at Four Oaks Farm
Photo from Four Oaks Farm Airbnb
We can’t think of a better way to create the perfect Originals vacation than by staying right where the magic happened.
While the main house isn’t up for grabs, fans can stay on-site at the recently renovated carriage house in the back. The space is fully equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, living room, and two bedrooms, so you and 3 friends can all enjoy the fun.
Photo by Four Oaks Farm Airbnb
It also has wifi and a big TV, so you can watch reruns of the Originals at night! And the cozy patio outside offers the perfect place to sit back and reminisce over your favorite characters and scenes.
And, of course, you have to check out the farmhouse’s exterior and replay those scenes in your mind! Just remember to be respectful of the owners’ property and privacy so they can continue offering this experience to other fans.
What to Do During Your Stay
During the day, you can get acquainted with Four Oak’s goats and chickens before heading into town to enjoy all the film experiences that Conyers offers!
Sign up for an Originals walking tour to see where many of the show’s most memorable scenes were filmed. And be sure to reserve spots at The Sketching Pad for an Originals-themed painting party!
We also recommend a stop by the Sweet Treat Depot to pick up some exclusive Originals merch and dinner at the Celtic Tavern, which was also used as a filming location.
It’s the perfect vacation for any Originals fan!
You can reserve your nights at the Four Oaks Farm Airbnb here. And for tours and paint nights, just reach out to us at Filmed in the South!
Behind the Scenes with an Originals Extra
We have an “extra”-special treat this week with a behind-the-scenes look at what it was like to be in an Originals episode! Kelly Glanville, super-fan turned Originals tour guide, gave us a sneak peek at her experience as an extra in season 5.
Kelly’s Story
In 2011, Kelly visited Covington, GA, for the very first Vampire Dairies convention and saw the show filming live. Not only did she love the filming process, but she lucked out and met Ian Somerhalder that day, too. “My life was over after that,” she said.
Kelly with Actor Ian Somerhalder at a Vampire Diary filming
After that fateful day, Kelly was on-site to watch filming whenever she could and finally moved to town permanently in 2016. By then, she was also into the Originals, which was filming season 4 just a few minutes away in Conyers, GA. And when season five rolled around, Kelly was ready to step beyond the sidelines and into the scene.
She applied to the show’s casting calls on Facebook and waited impatiently for them to reach back out to her. When they accepted her application, she “was super excited.” In fact, she still has her booking email saved.
Working as an Extra
Kelly was cast in Season 5, Episode 3, during the scene when Elijah and Antoinette are in Central Park.
The costume director instructed her to show up to the filming at Lenora Park dressed like it was fall in New York. (In reality, it was August in Georgia!) Luckily the filming happened at night, but she remembered it was still very humid.
Kelly was on set from 6 pm to 6 am, watching the filming and enjoying the free food. It was a lot of waiting, but she still enjoyed the experience. (And it was much calmer than when she spent 5 hours rollerblading for a Black Lightning scene that got cut!)
In the end, the directors blurred out the background, so you can hardly see her, but Kelly still had a great time. “I liked watching how they set everything up and then going back and seeing how they put it all together on TV.”
Extra Vs Fangirl
On the sidelines with Nina Dobrev
While she enjoys occasionally working as a cast member, Kelly says that she likes watching from the sidelines just as much because they’re different experiences.
One of the biggest drawbacks of being an extra is the inability to interact with the core cast members. “If I know a scene is going to have a cast member I’ve never met before, I don’t want to work it,” Kelly said. She’s also opted out of a few special episodes she wanted to watch unfold, like the Season 8 finale of TVD.
Personally, it seems like she’s found the perfect balance of the two because her list of autographs and selfies includes Joseph Morgan, Daniel Gillies, Phoebe Tonkin, and pretty much every major character to roll through both shows.
Kelly with Originals actor Daniel Gillies
Kelly also has a treasure trove of knowledge about the show from watching the filming take place over the years, which she’s happy to share on one of our Originals tours!
If you’d like to book a special behind-the-scenes tour with Kelly or one of our other expert guides, fill out the form below and reserve your spot today!
And if you’d like to read about what it was like to be an extra on The Vampire Diaries, check out this interview with Christie Copeland!
Guide to The Perfect Vacation in Georgia’s French Quarter
How would you like to spend your vacation in a unique location that doesn’t come with the stress of big crowds and high costs?
We’ve got the perfect spot: Georgia’s French Quarter™!
Olde Towne Conyers, Georgia, has an ideal blend of NOLA vibes, film tourism, laid-back activities, and good ole southern cooking. Not to mention our small-town atmosphere is perfect for disconnecting from the outside world and living in the present (or the past—it’s your choice!). And who knows, you may even catch a show or movie filming in progress!
If that sounds like your kind of trip, check out our top suggestions for the perfect vacation in Georgia’s French Quarter™.
Shop Your Way through Olde Towne
Our historic center has plenty of one-of-a-kind boutiques and stores to discover during your stay. You never know what treasures you’ll find, from unique candle and soap shops to wine and jewelry!
Pretend You’re in New Orleans
Commercial Street has a special surprise for visitors: a row of French-Quarter shops! These colorful buildings were able to keep their ornate balconies after filming for the NOLA-based TV show Originals ended. As a result, it feels like you hook a turn right into Louisiana!
Catch a Show
As a hot filming location, it’s no surprise that our community puts a big emphasis on local theatre! Check out the latest performances at the New Depot Players, 3 Graces Theatre, or the Conyers-Rockdale Council-Arts.
Revisit TV and Movie Scenes
Speaking of filming locations, Olde Towne Conyers is brimming with opportunities to relive your favorite screen moments. Filmed in the South offers an exclusive tour of Georgia’s French Quarter, featuring filming locations from the hit TV shows The Vampire Diaries and Originals.
If that’s not your cup of tea, there’s plenty more film history around town to enjoy. You can retrace the steps of many hit productions, including Dukes of Hazard, In the Heat of the Night, Doom Patrol, Ozarks, Goosebumps, Sweet Home Alabama, and more!
Fill up on Local Bites
No matter what you’re craving, Olde Towne has plenty of tasty cuisines for you to try. We’ve got an Irish tavern, a sandwich shop, an old-fashioned soda fountain, ice cream, bars, a southern kitchen, and more! We guarantee you won’t walk away hungry.
Find and Create Art
We love art in Olde Towne! Visit the historic Train Depot to pick up a self-guided art tour around town. Then, sign up with the Sketching Pad for a Painting Party! Interested in a unique Originals-themed art event? Register here.
Wander the Gardens
Take a walk through the 1.5-acred Lewis Vaughn Botanical Garden for a quick but beautiful visit with nature, complete with koi fish and a fountain.
Brush up on Olde Towne’s History
The Train Depot also offers a self-guided history tour you can take through Olde Towne. Grab a map and stroll through our historic streets to learn more about Conyers!
Start Your Perfect Vacation with a Film Tour
Behind the Scenes with a Vampire Diaries Extra
If you’ve ever wondered what it would’ve been like to be on the Vampire Diaries, this post is for you! Today, we’re taking you behind the scenes with one of our tour guides, 3-time Vampire Diaries extra Christie Copeland, who was also on-site for all eight seasons of filming.
Christie’s Story
For most of Season 1, Christie wasn’t into the show. But when some friends invited her to watch the on-site filming, she was immediately hooked.
It’s no surprise that Ian Somerhalder is what initially caught her eye. But aside from the chance to meet the cast, Christie loved watching the TV show come together. “So much goes into it. They’d film the same thing for 8 hours, and the clip could be 5 minutes. ”
At the end of season 1, Christie and her friends were cast as extras for the finale. “I think we all probably screamed and yelled,” she said. “It was just exciting to think about being on a show that you like.” She added that at that time, they had no idea how big the show was gonna be.
Working as an Extra
Christie made her debut in “Founder’s Day.” She’s in the crowd standing over Mayor Lockwood after the siren for the vampires makes him drop. It’s a short scene, but it actually took quite a while to film.
“When we worked the “Founder’s Day” episode, they had extras for 4 days. We worked 3 of them, 12 and 14-hour days.” She clarified that much of that time was sitting around waiting to be called on. But she enjoyed it because she wanted to see what they’d do next. “It could get long and monotonous, but overall we loved it.”
Christie ended up getting cast two more times on Vampire Diaries, including the school barbecue scene in Season 2, Episode 12 (“The Descent“), and the graduation scene in the Season 4 finale (“Graduation“).
The casting director always gave general instructions on what to wear (no red, white, or green because it always conflicted with the lighting). The extras had to find an appropriate outfit and then wear it for the next 3 days!
Christie also recalled working crazy hours, like 3 pm to 3 am. But that didn’t bother her because she spent many Friday nights outside until 5 am, watching the film crews from the sidelines.
She actually enjoyed being on the sidelines just as much as being an extra because (spoiler) you can’t talk to the cast when you’re an extra! You have more opportunities to get pictures with the cast when you’re a spectator. But if someone catches you doing that as an extra, you could get banned from working there again.
In Christie’s case, she booked enough hours cheering on the sidelines to meet every major cast member and develop relationships with some of them. That gave her some leeway to interact with the cast in seasons 2 and 4 when she was an extra.
“We put in the time,” she said. “If you stand back and you’re respectful, they treat you that way.” (BTW, Ian Somerhalder knows her by name, and she has a collection of selfies with him that would make any fangirl jealous, so it paid off!)
Her advice to others thinking about applying to be an extra is “Go do it! Try it and see what you think” because you might not get another chance.
Film Tourism is Better in Olde Towne Conyers!
Did you know that approximately 70 different movies and TV shows have been filmed in Conyers, GA? While you may not suspect it on a quiet day when filming’s not in progress, our small town is quite the hot spot for the entertainment industry! In fact, Olde Towne Conyers is pretty much the ideal place to visit for film tourism!
What is Film Tourism?
Put simply, “film tourism” is when people visit a destination because they saw it in a movie or TV show. Sometimes they visit because they think the scenery is beautiful (like the thousands who visit New Zealand every year because of The Lord of the Rings). Other times, people visit a place to see the exact locations where their favorite scenes happened and hope for an encounter with some of the stars.
Klaus and Elijah in front of the voodooshop in Conyers
Film Tourism in Olde Town Conyers
Olde Towne Conyers is a perfect film tourism destination for on-location filming. As the home base for the hit show The Originals, many of our visitors are fans coming to tour Georgia’s French Quarter©. After all, how often do you see a Georgia street decked out in New Orleans style with real parts of a TV set?
The Sandwich Shop kept its balconies from the Originals
But we have quite a bit going on for fans of other shows and movies, too. Some of America’s most popular shows and movies were filmed right on our streets, including:
- Goosebumps
- Sweet Home Alabama
- Ozark
- Stranger Things
- The Resident
- Dukes of Hazard
- In the Heat of the Night
We even have a few projects filming in town right now, including the popular Vampire Diaries spin-off, Legacies, The Resident, and Sweet Magnolias.
Here’s another great reason to visit: on filming days, it’s not uncommon to see a movie or TV star walking down the streets of Old Towne or enjoying their lunch break at one of the local restaurants. But you should keep your eye out anytime you visit because you never know who you might see! Several stars from past productions loved our area so much that they decided to buy homes in Rockdale County.
Like regular tourism, film tourism is great for our local economy, which benefits from the film crews and more visitors coming to town. It also creates the opportunity for new, film-centric businesses to start and enhance the whole experience with behind-the-scene looks and special activities. Take us, for example, or this Airbnb used in The Originals. And unlike some film destinations, like Hollywood, you won’t be fighting the crowds to take pictures or get a bite to eat.
Visit the Celtic Tavern for a bite to eat in a former TV set
Visit Olde Towne!
If you come to visit us during filming seasons, please be respectful of the actors and film crews, and let them do their jobs.
And for the best behind-the-scenes looks at Conyers greatest productions, book a guided tour with Filmed in the South and let one of our local guides take you on an exclusive tour for your favorite show!
See Where the Vampire Diaries Filmed in Conyers, GA!
Did you know that the Vampire Diaries did some filming in Conyers? That’s right! Long before the Originals turned Conyers into Georgia’s French Quarter©, TVD used our streets and buildings for filming.
Today, we’re giving you all the details you need to see exactly where they filmed in our town, so you can revisit your favorite scenes!
“Bloodlines” Season 1, Episode 11
The first time Vampire Diaries came to Conyers was in the episode “Bloodlines,” when Damon and Elena take an impromptu trip to Atlanta. They end up at Bree’s Bar, which is owned by one of Damon’s former love interests.
The Conyers Welcome Center (901 Railroad St, Conyers, GA 30012) was used for the exterior of Bree’s Bar! You can see it in the background while Damon and Elena are in the parking lot.
“Ordinary People” Season 3, Episode 8
In “Ordinary People,” Stefan’s humanity is turned off. Damon frees Stefan from Lexi’s “rehab” and takes him to a bar, hoping to convince Stefan to turn his humanity back on.
That bar is The Whistle Post Tavern (935 Railroad St NW #5259, Conyers, GA 30012)! You’ll recognize it in the background as Damon and Stefan talk, starting around 17 minutes into the episode. Better yet, you’ll get to see the bar Damon dances on with the bartenders while Stefan drinks from a patron nearby (26 minutes, 46 seconds).
“We’ll Always Have Bourbon Street” Season 4, Episode 8
In “We’ll Always Have Bourbon Street,” Stefan and Damon return to New Orleans to retrace their steps from 1942 in search of a way to break Elena’s sire bond.
The first place you’ll want to visit for this Vampire Diaries episode is The Celtic Tavern on Commercial Street (918 Commercial St NE, Conyers, GA 30012). The interior of this Irish pub was used in several scenes during the episode. It’s where Damon meets Charlotte (the girl sired to him) in 1942, and she snaps a man’s neck (10 minutes, 30 seconds).
It’s also where Lexi and Stefan find Damon right before Stefan ships off to war, and Damon promises to join him (15 minutes).
When Damon fails to break Charlotte’s sire bond, he leaves her at the corner of Bourbon and Dumaine with the command to count every brick in New Orleans. The brothers find her there, still waiting for Damon (20 minutes, 22 seconds). The building they talk in front of is the backside of Creamberry’s Ice Cream (925 Commercial Street, Conyers, GA 30012).
Finally, head back to our Welcome Center to see the train station where Damon goes to meet Stefan. Inside, Lexi tells Damon to stay behind because he’s a bad influence. Both the interior and exterior were used for this scene (33 minutes, 50 seconds).
“Moonlight on the Bayou” Season 7, Episode 14
The last stop is a quick one, but don’t miss it! In “Moonlight on the Bayou,” Stefan is being chased by Rayna Cruz. He stops at a gas station to buy a charger. When he parks the car, you can clearly recognize our Milstead Food Mart (1355 Milstead Ave NE, Conyers, GA 30012). They even kept up the original signs for filming!
If you’d like a guided tour of these locations with more insider information, reach out to our team at Filmed in the South to book today!
