SPOILER ALERT: You know the drill. If last night’s Vampire Diaries is still taking up space in your FauxVo, stop reading now. Everyone else, onward and downward…
This sucks. My favorite Vampire Diaries character, nascent fang-bearer Vicki, bit the dust thanks to a stake-wielding Stefan in last night’s bloody good Halloween-themed episode. Or did she… In this exclusive interview, Vicki’s portrayer, Kayla Ewell, reveals shocking details surrounding her onscreen death, including the identity of the original killer (it wasn’t supposed to be Stefan!) and how a clue in last night’s eppy may foreshadow her return.
Is Vicki really dead this time?
KAYLA EWELL: Sadly, yes. It’s funny because I almost died four times on the show.
Has it been hard keeping the secret?
EWELL: Yes. It’s a relief to finally be able to talk about it. People have been coming up to me in L.A. going, “Why aren’t you in Atlanta [working on the show]?” And I’m like, “Oh, I’m just here visiting my family. I had a couple of days off.” I’ve had to basically lie. But The CW and Warner Bros. wanted [my death] to be a big shock. And I think it will be.
How long have you known that Vicki would die?
EWELL: I knew very early on. But knowing it and actually going through it are two completely different things. Seven episodes is a lot of time to bond with people. Being back in L.A. has been harder than I thought it would be because this job was more special to me than any other job I’ve ever done.
So when you initially signed on you knew it was only for seven episodes?
EWELL: Yes. [Vicki's death] was something that needed to happen in order for Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) to go through a transformation.
At least you got a chance to play a vampire!
EWELL: It was such a gift as an actress to be the first [human] to turn. The audience got to go through the whole thing with me, which was really fun.
Was part of you hoping Kevin Williamson would change his mind?
EWELL: Of course. I’d be lying if I said [leaving] wasn’t difficult. But it was also the most amazing experience of my life.
What was it like shooting your death scene?
EWELL: Funny story: In the original script, Jeremy kills Vicki. And that’s what we shot. Jeremy is forced to choose between saving the love of his life or his sister, and he chooses his sister. We shot the whole thing and I [moved back to] L.A. Then about a week and a half later, I got an e-mail from Kevin and [coexecutive producer] Julie Plec asking me to come back to Atlanta to reshoot my death scene — only this time Stefan kills me.
Why the switch?
EWELL: They chose to have Stefan kill me because it makes him more of a hero since he saves Elena. There was also the question of would Jeremy know to actually stake a vampire in the heart?
Any chance you might return?
EWELL: Anything can happen on a vampire show. Dying doesn’t necessarily mean that someone’s gone forever… In the original script, when Vicki gets staked you see her disappear into dust. But in the [reshot scene that aired], Stefan pulls the stake out and Damon takes me away. So they left the ending open to interpretation.
PHOTO CREDIT: Quantrell Colbert/The CW
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Tonight’s episode was so intense!
This was quite a shocker. They did a great job keeping the secret because, after all the press I read, I was sure Vicki was going to kill someone and it was the complete opposite! It was nice to be surprised for a change.
i was definitely surprised hope Vicky comes back really enjoyed her character.
I thought she was kind of annoying. I’m glad that she won’t be jerking Jeremy around now.
I only enjoyed her as a vampire. Shame that I’ve only liked her for an episode or two then… and now she’s gone.
awesome kill off the show best character but keep around the 2 other boring girls…good job vampire diaries you are blowing through storyline like crazy and its just the first season
I agree! I was hoping they’d kill off the blonde girl! she’s so boring I don’t even remember her name!
I thought the exact same thing!
actually Vicki was quite annoying. Insecurity is not something attractive, and Vicki was really insecure. Caroline is quite fun.
Right? I mean I liked the way they killed her and it was a huge shock but they ARE blowing through storylines like none other. I do like how there’s something Jeremy doesn’t know now and such but I think they should make this show have only 13 episodes a season and contain they way they waste storylines!
That dude who plays Jeremy is really starting to look like his grandfather. I’m actually said Vicki dies. I liked her as a vampire. I loved her hating Elena. I will actually miss her and I’m surprised by that.
Once I read that the actor playing Jeremy is Steve McQueen’s grandson, I completely saw the resemblance, even though “Jeremy” is a brunette. The McQueen genes must be strong!
Ugh can she come back? She was so good! Even next season (please, Jesus. Please.) would be fine by me (I am basically in charge of the whole thing, btw
)
Please,Jesus.Please???
Wow molly get a grip
please jesus please? seriously?
I was kidding… so…yeah. Don’t actually believe in God, so any reference to Jesus isn’t serious.
So I’m guessing people aren’t as keen as me on a second season? haha
I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me.
Kayla Ewell was excellent as “Vicki.” CW blew it. Hopefully they’ll come to their senses and find a way to bring her back. Something to look forward to…
this sucks I love vicki and Jermey together =( they were my fav couple
Mine too! But too bad Jeremy thinks she’s still alive. Sooner or later he’ll fine out.
Gosh, i still couldnt believe how his own sister would control his feelings like that. “It’s for the best” It’s like saying “Forget her, you dont love her”
Im just glad this isnt real.
yah Kevin Williamson and the CW blew it big time Vicki was a great character and had so much left to give it was dumb move to kill her off already…And her and Jeremy where just great together bad bad move Kevin
Who is in charge at The CW anyway? They deserve to be fired. One of the best actors on the entire network and you let her die? Good lord people. I guess leaves her free for the real networks and the big screen.
ROTFL, that would be Dawn Ostroff, aka the woman who killed Everwood and Veronica Mars. So, no surprise here, although I doubt she actually plays any part in deciding which characters on her network live and die.
I LOVED veronica mars.
I’m glad she’s dead. She bugged me, even after her change. And Jeremy can finally stop whining about her too.
I am with you – I wanted her to die from like the first episode because she was so whiny and only thought about her next fix all the time. I was hoping that she would take out Tyler and Jeremy before she died so that all three of those characters could go away in one episode. I did know that they would have to kill her because either Stefan or Damon were going to get tired of running around after her trying to keep her in check – I honestly thought it would be Damon who would kill her.
yes i thought they were whiny and annoying together. i didn’t like her at all.
Finally someone with sense. Vicki was annoying. And Jeremy can finally move on.
Dude, didnt hear what Jeremy said? Vicki was the best thing that ever happened to him after his parent’s death. Losing both of your parents is tragic, how can you ever live your life again? And vicki just basiclly gave Jermey life again. You think Jermey would move on that easily after vicki’s disappearance without a goodbye?
Seriously? Did none of you see how AWFULLY she treated Jeremy when she was alive? Dragging him to hang out with her junkie friends in a cemetery, encouraging his drug use, toying with his heart by constantly going back to whatshisface-doofus-date-rapist-footballhead, and using Jeremy for his pharmaceutical stash? And even when he calls her on it, she pulls out the “I’m damaged, I’m junk, so if you can’t handle it, then leave” speech, COMPLETELY ignoring the fact that he’s also a damaged kid, having lost his parents. Please. She was “the best thing that happened to” Jeremy only in Jeremy’s very wounded, very troubled head. He’s better off without her, and I’m seriously glad her character’s gone, b/c no matter how much sympathy you felt for her troubled life, it doesn’t excuse her trying to drag Jeremy down with her. We’ve got Damon to handle to “evil villain” angle of the show, and he’s more interesting anyways, because at least we can see he does have some feelings in there somewhere for Elena. We didn’t need Vicki’s bratty, selfish, annoyingly immature villain, too. Congrats to the actress for scoring the role, nothing against her at all, but I definitely won’t be missing her character.
Erm, my reply was intended for eclipse and the others on this board who were slobbering all over Vicki, NOT most of those in reply to Zoey here. Sorry.
I’m also glad she if finally dead. I am really surprised that such a whinny and unlikeable character has so many fans.
And to the people who blame the network, do you really want to watch a show run by networks?
I want to know what was going on with Damon when Elena slapped him and then he is the one that turns up at her house to glamor Jeremy. Something very fishy about that….At the same time it was also a good scene where Elena has to turn to Damon to help save the day instead of Stefan and how broken hearted he was when she aggreed to let him do it… Its funny I knew Vicki was going to die but at the same time it was a shock to actually see it – she was really good as a vampire her and Damon made a good pair…
I couldn’t stand Vicki’s character. It was terrible to have her play two guys and the character had a serious drug problem that was starting to go overboard.
I think the actress is very likable, but the character was gratingly pathetic. I was glad to see the character go.
I agree. I’m excited about what this means for Jeremy. Poor kid’s been through so much already. I wonder what Elena’s gonna tell Matt though…
I was really surprised by her death! I thought they would spend more time with her as a newborn Vampire. I guess we’ll see how the show fares without it’s troubled druggie. She definitely shook things up in her 7 short episodes.
I’m sad she’s gone, I thought Vicki became really interesting as a vampire and Kayla Ewell has been really quite impressive imo. I hope to see her on another show soon.
I am sad that Vikki is gone. I hope that she comes back
I love the character and its going to be heartbreaking to see Jeremy go through the wonder of why his Girlfriend just up and left without saying goodbye. Though the mind may forget. The heart does not.
Vicki was an interesting part of the show. I was rooting for and felt sorry for her when she became vampire, but then realized her character had more potential. But after dying so many times on the show she is finally gone, or not. I have a feeling she will be back in some way.
I have read the book so it would have been more of a shock if she didn’t die due that she does in the books but i kinda don’t like that she died I thought she made the show more fun and entertaining.
Vickie wasn’t in the books, Matt was an only child 0.0. There was no Jeremy either…But, at the beggining of the show when Tyler was going to his car I thought they were going to make a plot turn and go with something that happenes with Tyler in the books and actually show when typer meets…Someone *Blinks* -Stephanie Meyer totally ripped off what I’m talking about lol-
She was in the books…
There was a Vickie in the books, but she wasn’t Matt’s sister.
Bookworm failed. lol
Umm.. Vickie was in the books. She was attacked by… “a vampire”… in the graveyard… and was subsequently under its thrall… She later dies in Book 4. Which apparently you haven’t gotten that far.
Although, I’m not a fan of the Twilight series… I will say this..Stephanie Myer didn’t rip off the Tyler plot in the books. Its completely different… Basically the only thing about Twilight that’s similar to Vampire Diaries is the love between a human girl and a vampire..that’s about it.
I kind of wish Jeremy would have died. He is such a Mr. mopey and annoying.
His parents died. I think I’d be a little messed up too if i lost my parents at such a young age.
Wow, yeah, shame on him for being all mopey and stuff since HIS PARENTS JUST DIED A FEW MONTHS AGO. Man, what a downer. FAIL.
well there has been alot of internet talk about Jeremy possibly having some Bisexual tendencies. perhaps this “transformation” jeremy is going to go through has to do with that
Jeremy: bisexual tendencies?!?! where did you here that from?
bisexual tendencies…. yum, but hes a bit young. make Damon bi that would be hotter lol
I think Vicki is definitely dead but Damon will use Vicki’s body for some purpose, as a vessel perhaps for Katherine’s soul?
I seriously doubt that scenerio. Katherine was a vampire so not so sure about having a soul.
I’m not so sure these vampires… don’t have souls… that’s never discussed. Unlike Buffy…where its clear they have no souls.
Nice theory on how they’re bringing Katherine back…although Kayla Ewell is no Katherine
Patrick, where did you hear that about Jeremy because i’ve only heard it thru word of mouth, i’d love to know if that’s actually going to happen or not, or where the rumor is coming from
Wah Wah Wah! You guys are such whiners. I predicted that she was going to get killed off since the pilot. I didn’t expect that it would happen so soon though. AWESOME TWIST! The story is progressing really fast. It just makes it sooooo… much better that they’re not dragging out the plot until the finale, like so many other shows.
Why the hell did they kill her!!!! She was great as a vampire.
Let’s hope they pull an Angel and resurrect her, like Darla.
Vivky adn Damon looked really promising as the evil vampire couple.
One of my favourite moment was when Damon and Vicki partying. I love Damon’s moves.
Hey Ausiello,
In the future, could you not put the picture of the person who dies write next to the column? I like reading your column, but am sometimes behind on shows. In the case of Vampire Diaries, I had only known that someone was going to die, so the picture of a character next to a spoiler warning kind of made the latter moot.
Thanks!
…all of the time!
Really? I mean…really? The title reads “Vampire Diaries SHOCKER,” and you were SURPRISED that the information and photo within were…shocking? Um…did NOTHING about the whole “shocker” thing maybe, just maybe, indicate to you that, um, perhaps a spoiler would be involved? I saw the headline here and guess what I did? It’s amazing, actually, I’m so brilliant: I WATCHED THE SHOW before clicking on the article. *gasp!* What a concept! Seriously, I’m so tired of all these whiners–here, Survivor, Top Chef, whatever–complaining about spoilers when it’s really, REALLY quite simple: don’t click on the article if you don’t want to know. Or, here’s another idea: why not find something else to do with your time (like, say, watch the show in question) instead of coming to EW.com and expecting not to see spoilers? Geez. It’s so simple it’s tragic.
The picture appears next to the column on the main page, before clinking any links to reveal the spoiler. Having read his weekly column, I knew someone was going to die, so the picture itself–even without clicking the link–is a spoiler. Sorry if I wasn’t clear initially, but thanks for your pleasant tone.
I hope you are right and they are leaving the possibility of her return open. I was LOVING her as a vamp. It was some of the best stuff on the show. So disappointed to see her go.
i’m glad vicki is gone! but what’s the deal with elena and stefan will they ever find their way back together?? i sure hope so!
considering Vicki was killed in the book too, i dont think they were going to keep her long term though i think they might bring her back some how maybe later on she might be …. you guys should read the books before you bitch at cw.
I really didn’t care either way about Vicki’s dead. I did question the whole not turning to dust, but I chalked it up to what Stefan said earlier in the show she was still transforming into a Vampire. Yeah, I really want Stefan and Elena to find there way back to each other. I think next week might get them closer because Elena is going to get really jealous and Damon is just going to egg her on by that jealousy.
She was supposed to turn to dust? That’s too bad she didn’t. I know it’s a Whedon thing to “dust vamps” but I expect ALL vampires to turn to dust now.
lol! me too!
In the books, the vampires DO turn into dust, but only if they lived a long time. Since Vicky was still transitioning, I’m assuming that’s why. She hadn’t been a vampire for very long.
While she didn’t dust, I did notice her body got all gray and withered looking. I kind of assumed that the body goes to the state it would have been in if they had been dead since their “turning”. So her body was like a week dead, gray and yucky but not dust like if had been 100 years.