Common Sense Media Review
By Kari Croop
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Vampire spin-off is as steamy, bloody as the original.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Originals
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 31 parent reviews
Based on 81 kid reviews
Kids say the show is highly engaging, featuring strong family themes and character development, although it includes a significant amount of violence and some sexual content. Reviews suggest that while the portrayal of gore is frequent, the violence often appears unrealistic, making it suitable for mature preteens and teens, especially those familiar with similar genres.
- family importance
- graphic violence
- mild sexual content
- age recommendation
- character development
- engaging storyline
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Involving characters from the CW drama The Vampire Diaries, THE ORIGINALS follows "original vampire" siblings Klaus (Joseph Morgan), Elijah (Daniel Gillies), and Rebekah (Claire Holt) Mikaelson back to New Orleans after a decades-long exile. Vampire-werewolf hybrid Klaus swore he'd never set foot in the Big Easy again, but word of a plot to destroy him has changed his mind -- as has unlikely news that a beautiful werewolf (Phoebe Tonkin) he once slept with is now carrying his child. Meanwhile, Klaus's one-time protege, Marcel (Charles Michael Davis), has become the city's most powerful resident.
Is It Any Good?
If The Vampire Diaries' improbable plots don't already give you pause, then you'll probably find The Originals an easy pill to swallow. But if you're coming at it with a fresh pair of eyes, it might take you a while to figure out the who, what, when, where, and why -- and in the end, you just might conclude, "Who cares?"
Given the ongoing appeal of supernatural stories, however, there are plenty of people who do care. And one welcome twist here, at least, is that the series is set in picturesque New Orleans, a city not only renowned for its beauty but also for its fascinating diversity. That means that, in addition to vampires, werewolves, and witches, you'll see faces from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds. But when it comes to power, men -- for the most part -- are still running the show.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the ongoing popularity of supernatural beings on television and in movies, books, and the like. What's the appeal? How does The Originals compare to other shows out there?
What messages do the show's main characters send about gender and power? Do you think males have an advantage in the world of The Originals?
If you've read the books that inspired The Vampire Diaries (and, subsequently, this spin-off), how does The Originals fit into the fiction? How true to the books and their characters did the show's creators stay?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 3, 2013
- Cast : Claire Holt , Daniel Gillies , Joseph Morgan
- Network : CW
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Book Characters , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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