!["The Originals" will air as a backdoor pilot to "The Vampire Diaries" on April 25.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/45/e1/1360799887_4301_rebekah.jpg?itok=bjkaGG_J ""The Originals" will air as a backdoor pilot to "The Vampire Diaries" on April 25.")
On Wednesday, fans got the news they’d been hoping for since it was announced that The CW was planning a “Vampire Diaries” spinoff. Claire Holt has signed on to be a lead cast member on “The Originals.”
Holt, who plays fan favorite Rebekah Mikaelson, will be joining her onscreen brothers Klaus (Joseph Morgan) and Elijah (Daniel Gillies) when they make the move from Mystic Falls to New Orleans if the network decides to order it to series. For now, the pilot is set to air as part of the April 25 episode of “The Vampire Diaries.”
“The Originals” will center on the Original family of vampires that first appeared during “Vampire Diaries” second season. Holt joined the show as a recurring guest star in the third season. In the pilot, Klaus will return to his old stomping grounds in the French Quarter and reunite with his former protégé Marcel (Charles Michael Davis).
Elijah will follow to try and keep his self-destructive brother on the path to redemption. There’s no word yet on what leads Rebekah to New Orleans, but we assume she’ll be helping her family in some way.
Other previously announced cast members include Phoebe Tonkin, who will resume her role as the werewolf Hayley, Daniella Pineda, who will play a witch named Sophie, Danielle Campbell, who will play a witch named Davina and Leah Pipes, who will tackle the only human lead role, student Camille.
“The Vampire Diaries” airs Thursdays at 7 p.m. CST on The CW. “The Originals” will air on April 25.
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