Before fighting off zombies and cannibals, Cohan dealt with werewolves and rival vampires as centuries-old bloodsucker Rose. Also, she brought us the first major explanation of the mystery of the Petrova Doppelganger.
2 of 12 The CW
Stephen Amell (Arrow)
Making his The CW debut as Brady, Mason Lockwood's vengeful werewolf buddy, Amell's two-episode guest stint was a pretty decent preview of his headlining role as vengeful vigilante Oliver Queen on Arrow.
3 of 12 Guy D'Alema/The CW
Gina Torres (Suits, Firefly)
Torres is no stranger to playing a badass lady, known for her roles as Zoe Washburne in cult fave Firefly and high-powered Jessica Pearson on Suits. Her take on Damon's former lover Bree may have been short-lived, but no less cool.
4 of 12 Bob Mahoney/The CW
Taylor Kinney (Chicago Fire)
Kinney's Mason Lockwood sizzles on-screen as Tyler's hot werewolf uncle, so it's no surprise he went on to fight actual fires with his smoldering good looks (and some firefighting equipment) in Chicago Fire.
5 of 12 Quantrell D. Colbert/The CW
James Remar (Dexter, Sex and the City)
Damon and Stefan's brotherly relationship issues don't actually start with Katherine, but with their father Giuseppie, memorably seen in flashbacks as Dexter's domineering dad figure Remar.
6 of 12 Quantrell D. Colbert/The CW
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6. Bianca Lawson (Pretty Little Liars, Teen Wolf, Witches of East End) After portraying powerful witch Emily Bennett, Lawson expanded her supernatural show cred with recurring roles in both Teen Wolf and Witches of East End.
7 of 12 Bob Mahoney/The CW
Janina Gavankar (True Blood, The League, The L Word)
Having guest starred on True Blood, Gavankar delivered on a season's worth of build up as the creator of the immortality spell and doppelganger curse, powerful ancient witch Qetsiyah.
8 of 12 The CW
Colin Ferguson (Eureka)
Ferguson trades in his Eureka cop uniform for a cold, hard stare and anti-vampire vendetta in his recurring role as season six antagonist Tripp.
9 of 12 Bob Mahoney/The CW
Gabby Douglas (Olympic Gold medalist)
The Team USA gymnast makes a blink-and-you-missed-it appearance on the supernatural romance drama as a Miss Mystic Falls Pageant contestant.
10 of 12 Quantrell D.Colbert/The CW
Kelly Hu (X2: X-men United)
Hu trades Lady Deathstrike claws for vampire fangs as Pearl, who's friendly with the ruthless Katherine Pierce but also a softie for daughter (and fellow vampire) Anna.
11 of 12 The CW
Melinda Clarke (The OC)
Matt's deadbeat mom Kelly Donovan adds some real-world levity to the series, showing that not all bad guys have to be of a supernatural nature.
12 of 12 Quantrell D. Colbert/The CW
Jack Coleman (Heroes)
Best known as the Man in the Horn-Rimmed Glasses on Heroes, Coleman continues his shady daddy tradition as vampire-hating Bill Forbes, who attempts to condition (read: torture) his daughter Caroline.