Pilot (The Vampire Diaries)
"Pilot" is the pilot episode of The CW television series, "The Vampire Diaries", as well as the first episode of the series. It originally aired on Thursday, September 10, 2009. The teleplay was written by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec and it directed by Marcos Siega.
Ian Somerhalder
In June 2009, Somerhalder was cast in the role of Vampire Damon Salvatore as a series regular in The CW television drama series "The Vampire Diaries". The series premiere attracted The CW's highest premiere ratings of any season premiere since the network began in 2006. The series has continued to be the highest rated series on its channel with both Somerhalder's performance and the show receiving a positive response from critics. Somerhalder began directing The Vampire Diaries in its third season and produced the series at the start of season 8. Somerhalder has received several Teen Choice Award's and a People's Choice Award for his participation on the series.