Main Characters
* Nina Dobrev as Elena Gilbert/Katherine Pierce/Amara
* Paul Wesley as Stefan Salvatore
* Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore
* Steven R. McQueen as Jeremy Gilbert
* Sara Canning as Jenna Sommers
* Kat Graham as Bonnie Bennett
* Zach Roerig as Matt Donovan
* Matthew Davis as Alaric Saltzman
* Joseph Morgan as Klaus Mikaelson (recurring, later main character)
* Candice King as Caroline Forbes
Recurring Characters (Notable)
* Michael Trevino as Tyler Lockwood
* Nathaniel Buzolic as Kol Mikaelson
* Chris Wood as Kai Parker
* Rick Cosnett as Enzo
* Teressa Liane as Liv Parker
* Penelope Mitchell as Liv Parker
* Jasmine Guy as Sheila Bennett
* Todd Lasance as Julian
This is not an exhaustive list, as the show had many other recurring characters over its eight seasons. You can find a full cast list on websites like IMDb or Wikipedia.