'Legacies' Season 3: From Danielle Rose Russell to Kaylee Bryant, meet the returning cast of The CW show
With the third season of 'Legacies' on The CW just around the corner, fans are no doubt waiting for the anticipated return of the magical series that was spun off from 'The Originals' which was, in turn, spun off from 'The Vampire Diaries', keeping Julie Plec employed with the same network for more than a decade. 'Legacies' features the descendants of the original characters who drew us in. Set in a magical high school, 'Legacies', however, takes a much lighter approach and features much more diversity in its actors and plotlines.
The final episode of Season 2 was not filmed as a finale but ended up being so because production was halted prematurely due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the episode did feel like a finale, with the lives of two main characters being in danger. Whether Hope Mikaelson (Danielle Rose Russell) and Landon Kirby (Aria Shahghasemi) will be okay remains to be seen, but let's take a look at the cast and characters of 'Legacies' as we await its return.
Danielle Rose Russell
When young actress Danielle Rose Russell was cast as the daughter of Klaus Mikaelson (Joseph Morgan) and Hayley Marshall-Kenner (Phoebe Tonkin), viewers were impressed by how much she looked like her onscreen mother. Russell's appearance as Hope was so good that The CW had no trouble greenlighting 'Legacies'. As Hope, Russell has been instrumental in making 'Legacies' another fan-favorite in 'The Vampire Diaries' universe.
Before 'Legacies', Russell was best known for her roles in 'The Originals', 'Pandemic', and 'The Last Tycoon'.
Kaylee Bryant
Kaylee Bryant surprised viewers when she spoke fluent Japanese as Josie Saltzman spoke to a Samurai in a Season 2 episode of 'Legacies'. Fans then learned that Bryant is, in fact, part Japanese, with her grandfather being from Okinawa. As Josie, Bryant continues to take forward LGBTQ+ representation on television — though we admit that Season 2 was a bit of a letdown in terms of the representation. However, Season 2 was Bryant's best work as she brought Dark Josie to the forefront.
Before 'Legacies', Bryant was known for her work in 'Santa Clarita Diet' and 'Kickin' It'.
Aria Shahghasemi
Aria Shahghasemi was one of the few actors from 'Legacies' to have appeared on 'The Originals' before appearing on 'Legacies' as Landon Kirby. Landon was thought to be mortal before being revealed as part-phoenix at the end of Season 1. 'Legacies' is the Iranian-origin actor's best-known work.
Matthew Davis
Actor Matthew Davis has been stealing hearts since he appeared in early 2000s hits such as 'Legally Blonde' and 'Blue Crush'. He first started playing Alaric Saltzman in the first season of 'The Vampire Diaries', way back in 2009. He continued to play the character until the show's end in 2017, and even appeared as the same in 'The Originals'. He continues to be Julie Plec's good luck charm as he plays Alaric in 'Legacies'.
The show also stars Jenny Boyd as Josie's sister, Lizzie Saltzman, Quincy Fouse as Milton "MG" Greasley, Peyton Alex Smith as Rafael Waithe, and Chris Lee as Kaleb.
'Legacies' Season 3 will premiere on The CW on Thursday, January 21, 2021, at 9/8c.