The Originals is an American fantasy supernatural drama television series that began airing on The CW on October 3, 2013.

The series follows vampire-werewolf hybrid Klaus Mikaelson as he and his family become embroiled in the supernatural politics of the French Quarter of New Orleans.

The backdoor pilot, "The Originals", which aired on April 25, 2013, also revealed that the werewolf Hayley, with whom Klaus had a drunken one-night stand in season 4 of The Vampire Diaries, is pregnant with his child, the first ever tribrid.

The Mikaelson siblings, having originally built the French Quarter, had been forced to abandon it when fleeing from their vengeful father, Mikael.

In their absence, Klaus's former protégé and adoptive son – and Rebekah's former lover – Marcel, took charge of the French Quarter as self-proclaimed king.

In an effort to battle the Mikaelsons, Lucien works with Tristan de Martel and his sister Aurora, who was also Klaus' first love – the first vampires sired by Elijah and Rebekah respectively.

This season is also the first one to have a crossover episode with The Vampire Diaries, with Stefan Salvatore coming to New Orleans seeking aid.

Marcel, now an Upgraded Original Vampire due to Lucien's creation, is ruling the city with an iron fist once more, while Hayley cures Freya, Elijah, Rebekah and Kol.

But the appearance of an evil ancient mystical menace, called the Hollow, puts them all at risk; especially Hope, who is targeted for her magical abilities and tribrid nature.

But when Klaus and an amnesiac Elijah meet, Hayley goes missing and Nazi vampires emerge, the entire family returns to New Orleans to fight these new brewing threats.

This season also acts as a soft backdoor pilot through small incorporations of the Salvatore School and future Legacies characters Alaric, Landon Kirby and the Saltzman twins.

Awakening gives answers to some questions about Kol's past, including the origins of his rivalry with his family and the unique backstory he has with the New Orleans witches.

[47][48] In August 2017, it was announced that a spin-off focusing on Hope Mikaelson (Danielle Rose Russell), the daughter of Klaus and Hayley, was in development.

Julie Plec, co-creator of The Vampire Diaries and creator of The Originals, wrote the script and is credited with creating the series.

It was also announced that The Vampire Diaries veteran Matt Davis would star in the project along with Aria Shahghasemi, Quincy Fouse, Jenny Boyd, and Kaylee Bryant.