Before Mystic Falls: Joseph Morgan Returns as Niklaus in Netflix’s Highly Anticipated Prequel

For fans of The Vampire Diaries universe, 2025 is set to be a landmark year. Netflix has officially greenlit a new prequel series exploring the untold early years of Niklaus Mikaelson, the Original Hybrid, with none other than Joseph Morgan returning to reprise his iconic role. This announcement has sent waves of excitement through the fandom, reigniting interest in a character who has remained a cornerstone of vampire television lore.

Joseph Morgan’s portrayal of Niklaus Mikaelson in The Vampire Diaries and its spin-off The Originals was nothing short of groundbreaking. From a vengeful villain to a tortured anti-hero, Morgan brought a depth to Klaus that captivated audiences. The new prequel, titled Klaus: Blood Before the Fall, promises to explore the formation of this complex persona long before he ever set foot in Mystic Falls.

Set centuries before the events of The Vampire Diaries, the series will dive into Klaus’s earliest days after he first activated his werewolf gene and discovered his hybrid nature. According to early teasers, viewers will witness Klaus’s initial betrayal by his father Mikael, his complicated bond with his siblings—especially Elijah and Rebekah—and the devastating cost of immortality.

Joseph Morgan, who also directed several episodes of The Originals, has been brought on as an executive producer. His involvement behind the scenes adds a layer of authenticity and creative direction that fans are thrilled about. “This story has lived in my imagination for over a decade,” Morgan shared in a recent Netflix panel. “Now, we finally get to tell it.”

What makes this prequel especially unique is its darker, grittier tone. Unlike the modern-day settings of Mystic Falls or New Orleans, Blood Before the Fall is set against the backdrop of medieval Europe—where witches, werewolves, and humans existed in fragile, brutal coexistence. The aesthetic leans more gothic horror than teen drama, offering a fresh take on the franchise’s mythology.

Casting news has also sparked speculation and excitement. Young versions of familiar characters like Elijah, Kol, and Rebekah will be portrayed by new talents, allowing for more freedom in storytelling while keeping the emotional core intact. The show is expected to explore how Klaus developed his fearsome reputation—and how loneliness, betrayal, and survival shaped him into the hybrid monster viewers first met in Mystic Falls.

Netflix’s decision to expand the Originals universe aligns with its recent trend of reviving fan-favorite supernatural franchises. This move not only serves long-time viewers but also aims to attract a new generation of fans unfamiliar with the original CW dramas. With Morgan’s star power and creative influence, the prequel could mark a new golden age for vampire television.

The showrunner, Julia Plec—co-creator of The Vampire Diaries universe—returns to guide the narrative along with Morgan. Together, they aim to balance intense action with emotionally grounded storytelling. “Klaus was always more than a villain,” Plec said in an interview. “He was a boy who lost everything. This show will show us how he became the monster—and why.”

Though Klaus eventually found redemption in The Originals, Blood Before the Fall will focus on the scars that came first: the betrayals by family, the origins of his infamous temper, and the romantic entanglements that hardened his heart. Expect to see cameos from ancient witches, original vampire lore, and the violent birth of hybridism.

For Morgan, returning to Klaus is not just a role—it’s a legacy. “I’ve lived with this character for over ten years,” he noted. “Now I get to go back to where it all began. Not just for Klaus, but for me as an actor, a storyteller, and a fan of this world.”

Production for Klaus: Blood Before the Fall is already underway, with a tentative release date slated for late 2025. The first season is expected to have ten episodes, each running between 50 to 60 minutes, with a heavy emphasis on cinematic quality, moral ambiguity, and supernatural suspense.

As fans eagerly await their return to the world of the Originals, one thing is clear: Joseph Morgan’s Klaus is far from finished. In fact, his most terrifying—and most human—chapters may still lie ahead.