The Originals cast

The cast of The Originals

The Originals Film Tour

See how Georgia stands in for New Orleans in this Vampire Diaries spinoff.

The successful spinoff of the Georgia-filmed CW television series “The Vampire Diaries,” “The Originals” also was filmed in Georgia. The series tells the story of the Mikaelson siblings, the original vampires living in New Orleans. The power-hungry family becomes involved in supernatural politics, trying to take back the city they founded.

Conyers was home to the show for several seasons. The show also filmed in Madison, Macon and Rome. Explore these filming locations to see how Georgia stands in for New Orleans in the vampire drama.

Funeral scene for The Originals filmed in Olde Town Conyers

The Originals in Olde Town Conyers

Olde Town Conyers

The ornate gatework in Olde Town Conyers has been used to portray the French Quarter of New Orleans in several movies and television shows, including "The Originals." The quaint streets have shopping, dining and entertainment. Among the favorite attractions in town are the Lewis Vaughn Botanical Gardens, the Georgia International Horse Park and the Big Haynes Creek Nature Center.

Exterior nighttime view of the Celtic Tavern in Conyers, used as Gillespie's Pub in The Originals

Celtic Tavern in Conyers

Celtic Tavern in Conyers

The Celtic Tavern Irish Pub & Restaurant in Olde Town Conyers has been used as Gillespie's Pub in "The Originals." Opened in 2000, the tavern has patio dining overlooking the Olde Town Conyers botanical gardens as well as a menu of draft beers, fish and chips, and shepherd's pie. Weekly events include trivia, poker nights, acoustic open mic nights, live entertainment and karaoke.

Madison Town Park was used as New Orleans' Jackson Square Park in The Originals

Madison Town Park in Madison, Georgia

Madison Town Park

Madison's public green space was used as New Orleans' Jackson Square Park in filming for "The Originals" in 2015. The Great Lawn is used for concerts and events open to the public. Locals have been gathering in the space since the early 1900s. Town Park opened in honor of the town's bicentennial. The bandstand was designed to resemble the original Victorian bandstand that once sat there as well as a replica of the Cooke Fountain.

View from entry hall at the Hay House in Macon, which appeared in two episodes of The Originals

Hay House in Macon, Georgia

Hay House in Macon

Featured in two episodes on "The Originals," Hay House is known as the "Palace of the South." This Italian Renaissance Revival home was built in 1855 and was passed through the Johnston, Felton, and later Hay families until 1977. It was then transferred to the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. Features of the stunning antebellum home include 24 rooms, pocket doors, spiral staircases and stained glass windows. It's also a designated National Historic Landmark and open for tours.

Rome Downtown Heritage Trails were used in filming for The Originals

Rome Downtown Heritage Trails

The Kingfisher Trail in Rome

In 2016, parts of Rome’s Kingfisher and Silver Creek trails were shut down for filming of "The Originals." These paved paths are a part of the 7-mile Rome Downtown Heritage Trail System that winds through town. This path goes along the Etowah River between Myrtle Hill Cemetery and 12th Street.

Published: April 2019
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