July 20, 2017

The endgame has been set for The Originals. As many had been expecting, the Vampire Diaries spin-off will be concluding its run after its upcoming fifth season. The announcement was made today by creator Julie Plec, who broke the news on Twitter with a goodbye message to the show's fans.

While never the breakout hit that its predecessor once was, The Originals has been able to draw a consistent level of viewership over the course of its run as a companion to The Vampire Diaries. But with the flagship series signing off earlier this year, it became more apparent that The Originals was nearing the end of its time as well.

The series follows Klaus from The Vampire Diaries and his clan, who are part of the original vampire family in New Orleans. One thousand years after they pledged to always remain together, family bonds are starting to break. With the passing of time, tensions have risen and tragedy has taken its toll, with the hunger for power corrupting its members.

Look for the farewell season of The Originals in the midseason of 2017-2018.