Do you eat, breathe and sleep The Vampire Diaries? Think you know the Salvatore brothers like your own? Perhaps you even know which blood type Caroline prefers. There are a few facts however that some fans aren’t aware of. Like how a real-life love triangle went on behind the scenes or that one character was going to be written off early.

Blood-thirsty? Sink your teeth into these 25 Vampire Diaries facts…

1. Stefan and Damon Almost Had a Different Surname

Stefan and Damon’s surname was going to be “Whitmore” but producer Plec decided it was best to stay true to the books and keep the name “Salvatore”.

2. Tyler Lockwood Was Almost Cut Out the Show

Tyler Lockwood’s character began as a “supporting role”. It was his future werewolf/hybrid storyline that kept him around. We thank all the TV Gods for saving Tyler’s character!

3. The Cast are Multi-Lingual!

Supernatural abilities aren’t the only things the characters can brag about! Nina Dobrev can speak Bulgarian and French, Paul Wesley can speak Polish and Kat Graham knows Spanish, French and Hebrew.

4. Ian Somerhalder Originally Wanted to Star in True Blood

Ian Somerhalder (Damon) auditioned for the role of Jason Stackhouse on HBO’s hit show True Blood. We’re glad he didn’t get the role because we can never imagine anyone else playing the role of Damon. #sorrynotsorry

5. Steven McQueen is Older Than Nina Dobrev

Jeremy is older than Elena in real life. Steven McQueen is 6 months older than Nina Dobrev so she’s basically his younger sister. Well, not really, but you get what we mean.

6. Season 6 Was Dedicated to 90’s Songs

All episode titles in Season 6 are named after 90’s songs. That makes sense considering that’s the era Bonnie and Damon got trapped in.

7. Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev Were a Real-Life Couple

Delena was real! Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev dated from 2011 until 2013. According to Life & Style, the gorgeous duo broke up because Ian wanted to settle down and get married but Nina wasn’t ready. Although Ian is now married to actress Nikki Reed, he still remains close friends with his ex-costar.

8. James Van Der Beek Almost Played Alaric!

James Van Der Beek (aka Dawson Leery) could have played the role of Alaric. That would have been weird because James will always be Dawson to us no matter what.

9. Zach, Michael and Paul Wesley Originally Auditioned to Play Damon

Zach Roerig (Matt Donovan), Michael Trevino (Tyler Lockwood) and even Paul Wesley (Stefan) all originally auditioned for the role of Damon. We’re glad they didn’t get the part because no one else can ace that sarcasm and mystery like Ian Somerhalder can!

10. Nina Dobrev is Bulgarian

Beleive it or not, Nina Dobrev only moved to Canada when she was two-years old. She was born in Bulgaria to her two Bulgarian parents, Aleksandar and Michaela Dobrev. In fact, her real name is Nikolina Konstantinova Dobreva. That explains why Katerina Petrova spoke the language so well!

11. Steven McQueen Has a Very Famous Grandad!

Steven McQueen is the grandchild of actor Steve McQueen! So that’s where he gets his talent from! Heck, we can almost see the resemblance!

12. Kat Graham Isn’t Just an Actress

Kat Graham is not only an actress but a singer, too. Not only did her vocals feature on will.i.am’s single, I Got it From my Mama, Kat has also released a few of her own songs including Put Your Graffiti on Me and 1991. She’s a witch of many talents!

13. Zach Roerig AKA Matt, is a Daddy in Real Life!

That’s right – Zach Roerig (Matt Donovan) has a daughter, who was born in 2011. He battled to get full custody after the mother of his child was incarcerated in a federal prison.

14. Fans Got Treated to a Recorded Message from the Cast

In Season 2, episode 12, Isobel’s phone number was shown. Fans that actually called her number at 919-399-2507 were treated with a recorded message from Stefan, Elena and Damon. Damn it, we’re 6 seasons too late!

15. There are More Supernatural Creatures in the Books

There are more than just vampires and werewolves in the book version of the series. The books feature other supernatural things like angels and foxes. Well, there’s always room for these supernatural beings in a spin-off season!

16. Candice King Has Dated Two Cast Members!

Caroline has gone from Matt to Klaus to Tyler but in real life she’s dated Steven McQueen and Zach Roerig! Today, Candice King is happily married to The Fray musician, Joe King and also has a baby girl!

17. Ashlee Simpson Almost Played Elena Gilbert

The network originally wanted to cast Ashlee Simpson as Elena Gilbert. Just imagine someone else other than Nina Dobrev playing our favourite damsel in distress!

18. Paul Wesley Was Caught Up in a Love Triangle on Set

Paul Wesley experienced a real-life love triangle behind the scenes. It began when he married co-star Torrey DeVitto (Meredith Fell). After splitting in July 2013, he soon got together with Phoebe Tonkin (Hayley Marshall) in September 2013 but they broke up in early 2017.

19. Taylor Kinney AKA Mason, was Engaged to Lady Gaga

Taylor Kinney who plays Mason Lockwood was engaged to pop superstar Lady Gaga. They split in 2016. Apparently, the break-up was due to conflicting work schedules.

20. Katherine Pierce Wasn’t Supposed to be Around for so Long

Katherine Pierce was only supposed to be around for beginning of season two. Does that mean Caroline would still have been human now?

21. “Vamp Mode” is a Long Process

Turning into a vampire isn’t as quick and easy as it looks on the show. Transforming the cast into the blood-sucking monsters takes a lot of work. The show’s makeup artists have revealed that putting the actors in “vamp mode” is a long makeup process involving contact lenses, fitted fangs and prosthetics. Not just that – there’s also a special team that does all the airbrushing and finishing touches, like blood effects!

22. Ian Somerhalder Wanted Damon to Stay Bad

As you may recall, Damon was introduced to us a total douchebag. Although he still has his moments, he certainly isn’t as nasty as he used to be. Apparently Ian Somerhalder was against this change. During an interview with ET Online, Ian revealed that he “hated” it when Damon first went soft.

23. Damon Salvatore is a Real Person (kinda)!

Okay, don’t get too excited. Apparently the executive producer of the show knew a guy named Damon Salvatore! While he didn’t take the form of Ian Somerhalder, he was reportedly just as much of a rebel and badass according to Les Morgenstein. Gosh, can you imagine a real life Damon doppelganger?!

24. Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder Have Directed a Few Episodes

That’s right. Those Salvatore brothers are multi-talented! Ian and Paul have both taken a few turns in directing episodes of The Vampire Diaries – and they’re pretty good at it, too! Ian has directed episodes including The Downward Spiral while Paul was in charge of the Detoured on Some Random Backwoods Path to Hell episode.

25. Season 8 is a Homage to Season 1

Not only is it the final season of The Vampire Diaries but each episode apparently has a special meaning. Every episode title in season 8 is named after a quote from the first season. #Memories!

Read all 25? Great! But you can’t consider yourself a true fan of the show unless you own at least one of these awesome Vampire Diaries gifts…

This article was originally posted on April 15, 2015