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Since 2009, fans of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals have cast their votes for their favorite ‘ships. Who doesn’t know the cute nicknames? Examples include Delena, Stelena, Klaroline, Benzo, Freelin, Bamon (Damon Salvatore and Bonnie), and of course, Steroline. Years after both series wrapped, there are still active discussions on social media and friend groups about which relationships deserved all the hype.

Though Klaus and Caroline disappointed many by never coming to fruition, TVD showrunner Julie Plec admitted that Stefan Salvatore and Caroline Forbes kind of sealed their fate way back in season 2.

Paul Wesley and Candice Accola at 'The Vampire Diaries' 2015 Comic-Con International panel
Paul Wesley and Candice Accola at ‘The Vampire Diaries’ 2015 Comic-Con International panel | Kevin Winter/Getty Images

How ‘Steroline’ came together in ‘The Vampire Diaries’ Season 2

The Vampire Diaries showrunner Julie Plec recently chatted with Entertainment Weekly for a look back at season 5. Actor Michael Trevino also joined the discussion to reminisce about his role as Tyler Lockwood and reflect on some of the series’ villainous moments. When talk turned toward fan wish lists for ‘ships, they brought up Caroline and her list of boyfriends and suitors.

For Plec, Caroline’s eventual romantic link-up with Stefan found its way into the cards, and a hint of it was seen in season 2. “Stefan actually for me, season 2 was when Caroline and Stefan had that one moment in the bathroom,” she said. “That to me was the moment. I knew then that if Elena and Stefan couldn’t be together, then Stefan and Caroline could be together. She was always accidental — we didn’t ever plan that.”

Which season 2 episode captured the first ‘Steroline’ moment?

Writers toyed with the idea of a Caroline-Stefan connection in a blink-and-miss-it interaction between the two. The season 2 moment Plec refers to happened after Caroline first turned into a vampire and fed on Carter, the guy who started crushing on Bonnie. She bled him dry and killed him at the school carnival. Run it back in the second episode of the series.

But Damon tried to kill Caroline right before Elena and Stefan showed up, and the latter whisked her away to a bathroom to clean her face. Stefan comforted Caroline as she cried it out, trying to understand why Katherine turned her. This exchange between the pair led to a blossoming and sometimes complicated relationship.

Candice Accola had chemistry with multiple actors

Plex explained that Candice Accola had a way on-screen that created magic with her co-stars. She noted how Caroline had dalliances with Matt (Zach Roerig), Tyler (Trevino), Klaus (Joseph Morgan), Stefan (Paul Wesley), and Damon (Ian Somerhalder), but it was Accola’s presence that did it.

“I don’t know what it is about Candice, but she just had that type of magical chemistry with everybody,” said Plec.

Plec stated they never planned for Klaroline to happen, but said they intentionally planted seeds in certain episodes just to invoke a will-they-won’t-they vibe among all the characters. When the spark between Caroline and Klaus caught fire, it took hold in the fandom and the writers’ room. But Steroline was lurking in the background.

Stream The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, and Legacies on Netflix.

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