Highlights
- The cast members of The Vampire Diaries have had varying degrees of success after the show ended.
- Sara Canning, who played Jenna Sommers on the show, has had a steady career in Canadian productions.
- Canning continues to focus on her acting career.
When a hit TV show ends, it's never a guarantee that every single cast member will continue on a successful path. It's been particularly interesting to follow along with the careers of The Vampire Diaries actors because they have each had very different journeys. Some of Nina Dobrev's movies have flopped, which has been a surprise for fans since she became famous for playing sweet teenager Elena Gilbert. Other stars like Steven R. McQueen have starred in several movies and TV shows that have been hits.
Sara Canning is one of the most beloved stars of The Vampire Diaries and she has also lived a compelling life after wrapping her time up on the popular show. She played Jeremy and Elena Gilbert's charming aunt Jenna Sommers in 46 episodes. Here's what the actress did afterward.
What Did Sara Canning's Career Look Like After The Vampire Diaries?
Kayla Ewell's life is different now that she isn't playing Vicki Donovan in The Vampire Diaries, and Sara Canning could say the same thing after saying goodbye to Jenna Sommers. She was a main cast member in The Vampire Diaries in seasons 1 and 2 and then came back for several episodes later on. Most of her episodes aired from 2009 to 2014, and then she returned in 2017.
While the actress is most recognized for playing Jenna, she did have a few starring roles in other TV series. Since she is Canadian, she has been working steadily in Canadian productions ever since she first began acting. Before playing Jenna Sommers in The Vampire Diaries, she starred in the Canadian movie Black Field, which was released in 2009.
RelatedWould Nina Dobrev Return To The Franchise After Quitting 'Vampire Diaries' Early?
Nina Dobrev left The Vampire Diaries early, but she might be willing to return to the franchise.From 2014 to 2015, Canning played Dr. Melissa Connor in Remedy, a Canadian hospital drama. The show aired for two seasons on Global and focused on the Connor family who all work at Bethune General Hospital.
From 2017 to 2018, she played Jacquelyn in the Netflix series Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events. It was cool to see the actress take on both of these roles as they are so different from each other. Canning is always an incredibly likable actress, and that was true even when she played the dark character of Jacquelyn.
In 2017, Sara Canning talked about these TV shows in an interview with Vancouver Is Awesome. She shared that while it was sad to learn that Remedy would be going off the air after only two seasons, that allowed her the space, time, and freedom to take on other projects.
She said, “I can make specific decisions about the stories I want to tell, and I think that’s a really powerful thing in any art form.” Many actors would likely agree that this is an amazing place to get to.
The actress also explained that it was a lot of fun working on A Series Of Unfortunate Events. She said, “It was the most fantastical experience. Every day I would go to work and I probably seemed totally crazy, because I’d be looking at everyone going, ‘Is this really work? What are we doing?’ I’d be just losing my mind in a corner somewhere. The costumes blew my mind. The sets were unbelievable. Neil Patrick Harris [who portrays Count Olaf] is not of this earth. He’s very funny and so perfectly cast.”
RelatedYears After Vampire Diaries Ended, What Is Candice Accola King Doing Now?
Candice Accola King played Caroline Forbes on 'Vampire Diaries' and audiences loved her. What is she doing now?It's particularly fun to watch Sara Canning in A Series Of Unfortunate Events because her character on The Vampire Diaries, Jenna Sommers, is much less mysterious and much more straightforward.
The actress also appeared in the popular TV shows Nancy Drew and Once Upon A Time. She played Nancy's mother Katherine Drew in five 2019 episodes of Nancy Drew. She also portrayed Gretel in an episode of Once Upon A Time that told the story of the famous fairy tale Hansel and Gretel.
What Is The Vampire Diaries Star Sara Canning Doing Today?
Sara Canning lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, and is still focused on her acting career. While she does have an Instagram account and is fairly active, there isn't a lot of information out there about her personal life. The Vampire Diaries fans who are eager to know if the actress is dating anyone will come up empty if they search for that answer.
However, she does seem to be very happy. In August 2023, Canning shared on Instagram that she was proud of having starred in the movie Sweetland. The film is adapted from the book by Newfoundland author Michael Crummey and tells the sad story of Moses, a fisherman who doesn't want to move away from his home, but who has been told by the government that he has to.
RelatedNina Dobrev Nearly Missed Getting Her Big Role In The Vampire Diaries
Nina Dobrev almost turned down 'The Vampire Diaries' for another big project.While the actress has only said yes to a few projects in the past few years, it seems that she chooses stories that feel right to hear. In 2022, she starred in the thriller Influencer, and in 2021, she appeared in the holiday movie A Christmas Star.
Sara Canning's Canadian identity seems very near and dear to her heart. In 2013, Canning talked about Vancouver in an interview with The Globe and Mail and she talked about calling the city her home base. She was born in Gandor, Newfoundland and spent time in Edmonton, Alberta as a child.
She shared that she was enjoying being in Vancouver and said, "It's really settled into my bones. I'm at the point now where when I get off the plane in Vancouver, I just sigh. I'm so blessed to be bicoastal. I'm just at home here as I am in Newfoundland. We're really close to Stanley Park, which I love."
While it's unclear what Sara Canning's acting career will look like in the future, she seems to have been working regularly since The Vampire Diaries. If the beautifully told film Sweetland is any indication, fans can expect the actress to keep starring in movies and TV shows that mean something to her.
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