The Vampire Diaries, an American supernatural drama, was renewed for a fourth season by the CW network on May 3, 2012, seven days before the third season's finale. Unlike the previous seasons that aired in September, it premiered on October 11, 2012, to avoid competition from major television shows. The fourth season consisted of 23 episodes instead of the usual 22 episodes.
On January 11, 2013, it was announced that a back-door pilot focused on the Originals, titled The Originals, would air on April 25 in the hopes that that series was picked up.[1] On April 26, 2013, The CW announced that The Originals, The Vampire Diaries' spin-off series, had been picked up for a full season slated to premiere in the fourth quarter of 2013.
On February 11, 2013, the CW renewed the series for a fifth season.[2]
On May 3, 2012 The CW renewed The Vampire Diaries for a fourth season.[26][27] Unlike previous seasons, it started on October 11.[28] Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec, Leslie Morgenstein and Bob Levy were executive producers for the series. The season was concluded on May 16, 2013.
On August 7, 2012 it was announced that Phoebe Tonkin and Todd Williams would join the show as recurring characters in the fourth season.[29][30] Tonkin portrayed Hayley Marshall, a friend of Tyler's. Williams portrayed Connor, a vampire hunter.
The Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas made an appearance in "My Brother's Keeper" as a volunteer decorator for the Miss Mystic Falls Beauty Pageant.[31] On the CW website, an interview with Douglas shares her experience on set and with the cast.
Starting with episode 13, Charlie Bewley will join the show as Vaughn, like Connor a vampire hunter, and Camille Guaty as Professor Shane's dead wife Caitlin, who is going to reveal information about him.[32]
In February 2013, it was announced that Daniella Pineda was cast as the witch Sophie for episode 20 "The Originals". This episode serves as a backdoor-pilot for a possible spin-off series, revolving around the Originals and taking place in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
Based on 16 reviews, the fourth season holds a 69% on Rotten Tomatoes with an average rating of 7.81 out of 10. The site's critics' consensus reads, "Vampire Diaries gets the best out of star Nina Dobrev, but could use some fresh blood on the page as plotlines struggle to move the series forward."[33]
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