Paul Wesley gained widespread recognition during the golden years of The CW network for his portrayal of Stefan Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries.
Co-created by Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson, the show introduced audiences to the mysterious town of Mystic Falls, where humans and supernatural beings coexisted in fragile harmony.
Wesley’s character, Stefan, was a centuries-old vampire entangled in complex relationships and conflicts. Now, Wesley is returning to the vampire genre but from a fresh perspective.
According to Deadline, Wesley is serving as the executive producer of a new, untitled comedy series being developed for Fox. The project brings together a talented team, including writer Victor Fresco and director Liz Friedlander. The idea for the show originated with Wesley, Friedlander, and Aaron Kaplan, who later brought Fresco into the mix to develop the script.
This new venture marks an exciting shift for Wesley, who is well-known for his acting career. However, he won’t be stepping in front of the camera for the lead role. Instead, the series centers on a 25-year-old vampire grappling with a unique set of challenges.
The story shares similarities with HBO’s Barry, as it follows a character trying to break free from a predetermined path. In this case, the young vampire struggles to run his family’s business, managed by his overbearing and murderous vampire parents. At the same time, he dreams of leaving it all behind to pursue a career in acting.
Paul Wesley’s Journey After The Vampire Diaries
Wesley played Stefan Salvatore for all eight seasons of The Vampire Diaries, with his character meeting a dramatic end in the series finale in 2017. After wrapping up his role on the hit show, Wesley finds other acting opportunities.
He starred in Tell Me a Story, a CBS All Access anthology series, where he played Eddie Longo in Season 1 and Tucker Reed in Season 2. Despite the show’s cancellation after two seasons, it allowed Wesley to collaborate with Liz Friedlander and Aaron Kaplan, who are now working with him again on the upcoming comedy series.
Wesley has also made appearances in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, playing James St. Kirk, adding another iconic franchise to his resume. His ability to diversify his roles demonstrates his dedication to evolving as an artist, both on-screen and behind the scenes.
Fox’s New Direction in Comedy
Fox has recently shifted its strategy, focusing more on creating original scripted content. This approach has led to the cancellation of several licensed series, such as the 9-1-1 franchise. In their place, Fox has introduced new comedy shows like Animal Control and Going Dutch.
Wesley’s untitled project aligns with this new vision. However, the show is still in its early stages, with the lead role yet to be cast and no official premiere date announced.
For now, fans of Paul Wesley and The Vampire Diaries can revisit Mystic Falls by streaming all eight seasons of the show on Hulu. As Wesley steps into a new chapter of his career, audiences can look forward to seeing how his creative talents shine behind the camera.
