Creation Entertainment's The Vampire Diaries Con Boston final panel recap

Phoebe Tonkin

Tonkin was a last-minute addition to the convention line-up, seemingly stepping in to replace Steve R. McQueen, who'd cancelled. Although fans were surely disappointed about McQueen, they were happy to have Tonkin there and she was a delight. She came across as very likeable and down to earth in her panel and she happily answered questions -- about the show, other experiences she's had, and more. Here's what she covered:

• When asked how it feels to play an inspiring, spirited character, she said the show is very female-centric, particularly behind the scenes. They create all the female characters to be strong and independent, especially Hayley. "Even though she's supernatural, she's one of the most human characters... she has flaws," said Tonkin.
• Hayley's priorities have shifted from boys and such to her child and her pack, as Hayley has evolved. "To play that is fun, interesting, it's nice, you're not the damsel in distress," said Tonkin.
• She knew that she'd be on The Originals before she signed on for TVD but she didn't know what the show would be about, beyond rumors. But she trusted Julie Plec and jumped on board. "It's an interesting, dynamic character I've played for 3.5 seasons," said Tonkin.
• She does think Hayley is going to be looking for revenge against Klaus because what he did was irreparable, because she's going to miss even more of Hope's life if she's stuck as a wolf.
• When asked why Hayley thought she'd be able to escape Klaus by running, Tonkin said that Hayley wasn't thinking of logistics. She probably thought she was strong and tough enough that it'd be enough, but really she was just focused on getting away.
• When asked to describe Hayley in three words she said "strong-willed, loyal and good mom."
• She's excited that Claire Holt/ Rebekah will be back on the show this season.
• Now there's so many Australians on set (about five), she "may as well be in Sidney," said Tonkin.
• On what it's like playing a mother she talked about how great the two 18-month old girls who play Hope are. Tonkin loves them, especially -- Tonkin joked -- since she gets them for the fun stuff, but their mother is on set for the bad stuff.
• When asked how Hayley felt about being saved by her baby's blood, Tonkin said that Hayley would have thought, "if she's drinking the blood of her newborn to survive, that's not the world she envisioned for her kid, it's a violent world to bring a kid into."
• On if she'd want to crossover to Teen Wolf to join her former Secret Circle costar Shelley Hennig, she said Hennig and and Britt Robertson are currently her phone background. She'd love to reunite with Hennig on Teen Wolf for an episode, maybe as a coyote friend.
• In a round of either/or questions fired off by Micah Parker, Tonkin said a favorite vacation spot is Bali, she chose sneakers over shoes, said she's never seen Game of Thrones or Breaking Bad, she chose to be a witch over a vampire, she chose Charles Michael Davis over Daniel Gillies and Joseph Morgan, and she revealed she's not a vegetarian.
• If she could go back in time, she'd go to the 70's, to the Woodstock era because she loves music.
• If she hadn't become an actress she would've pursued a career in communications/journalism.

  

• About her journey on the CW from lead on a show to guest starring in a show to a lead on a spinoff show, she said she feels like she's breaking a record for being on one network -- "three shows, and hopefully not the last." She enjoys the CW environment, and feels like the creative team is open to and listens to her ideas. "I feel like I'll get another job and be surprised," said Tonkin.
• About the scene with the baby in the church, Tonkin said, "It was the hardest, not acting-wise but it takes a lot out of you to be put in that position." She said that the crew tries to make things quiet for the scene and it was very emotional -- one cameraman even got worked up because his wife had recently had a baby so he was sensitive.
• Regarding Hayley's growth, she said when viewers first met the character she was on a kamikaze mission, she was only thinking about herself and trying to learn about her family and who she was, she didn't care about sacrificing others to that end. But having had Hope, her priorities have changed and now everything she does is for Hope and her pack.

Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder

Wesley and Somerhalder were a bit random, getting distracted by each other's answers or simply running off on tangents. But there was a down-to-earth, casual vibe about the panel that made it feel more intimate, and having the guys up there together showed fans how much chemistry they have off screen. They started off by commenting on the excessiveness of their intro music, which led to talking about their favorite music (Rage Against the Machine and Taylor Swift were mentioned), which led to Ian talking about his distaste for Coca-Cola. Then things got a little more coherent (though still random at times). Here's what came up:

• When asked about what his personal theme song would be, Somerhalder talked about being relieved on his 28th birthday since so many musicians died at 27. Paul mentioned MC Hammer's "Too Legit to Quit."
• He talked about his trip to the Social Good Summit, an annual forum which aims to bring together big and small businesses to discuss problems of today's world.
• Ian talked about a way of fishing that he learned in Hawaii. I don't remember why.
• When asked what they do if they're having trouble getting into a scene, Somerhalder joked that it happens to Wesley every day. Then he said "Call Ghostbusters," followed by "think about how your career is going to end and start crying." After some more rambling (see below) Somerhalder said, "I do my best to not find myself in that predicament."
• Wesley's strategy is to "throw it away." He counts to three and just goes.
• Apparently Somerhalder used to always try to open beer bottles with his teeth to be cool and one time he cracked a bottle and his tooth. To this point, Wesley took up a Southern accent and talked about opening up a wine bottle with a shoe. "So you'd want to get stranded on an Island with me," he said.
• Wesley enthusiastically (half-kidding) suggested that people smoke and watch What We Do in the Shadows. He thinks it's very funny.
• When asked what they'd do if they were vampires, Somerhalder said he'd go tell the CEOs and presidents and politicians of the world to stop "dickin'" around and get things done. Then he added that he'd also go to an island and drink white rum, and eventually take off his daylight ring.
• Wesley said he'd "just keep chillin' bro." But Somerhalder said that he wouldn't want to live without love, to which Wesley said you can just turn anyone you love into a vampire. They bantered about this some more.
• A hair stylist at a salon Somerhalder has gone to in England got fired for selling his hair for $2,000.
• If Damon and Elena get back together in the future, Wesley thinks Stefan will be fine and he'll stay with Caroline (rather than, as a fan suggested, take his daylight ring off in distress). He joked that Stefan and Caroline will do their thing over here and Damon and Elena can do their thing over there.
• When asked who they'd want to be sired to in real life, Somerhalder joked that they are sired to each other. Then, after Wesley told him not to say his wife, Somerhalder said Barnabus Collins. Wesley said Donald Trump and told people about a Youtube video about Trump and China.
• Somerhalder hates Donald Trump. He was upset about having to stay at a Trump hotel once because "anyman who says climate change is not happening, it's weather... if that's the type of leader we want, we're so screwed it's not even funny," he said.
• Somerhalder has not been offered the role of Jack Hyde in the next 50 Shades of Grey movie, despite there apparently being rumors that he has.
• When asked if they'd want their humanity switch on or off, Somerhalder said "a little bit of both because too much of one is not good." Wesley agreed it'd be nice to go back and forth so you don't get sick of either lifestyle.
• Somerhalder was excited to play a badass so when he saw the Rose episode where Damon cries, he thought it was a joke. It wasn't what he wanted to play but they made him realize with a 100 plus episode arc, Damon couldn't just be bad the whole time. He had to have ebs and flows.
• Somerhalder likes ripper Stefan.
• One of Wesley's favorite vampire film/show/etc is A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night.