From playing one of the very first vampires in existence in the CW’s hit series The Vampire Diaries to becoming a brilliant, yet complicated surgeon in NBC’s summer series Saving Hope, Daniel Gillies has proven that he has the ability to take on any type of role and make it as memorable as the last.

In The Vampire Diaries, Daniel plays Elijah, the “original vampire” who was determined to save Elena and rid the world of his sadistic brother, who wanted to create an army of hybrids. While at first, viewers were unsure whether to warm up to this intense character, it wasn’t long before Elijah earned a spot in the hearts of the dedicated fans of the series.

Daniel’s latest gig finds him playing Dr. Joel Goren, a surgeon with a mysterious background who arrives at Hope-Zion Hospital just as the Chief of Surgery is in a horrific car accident that lands him in a coma. Although Dr. Goren is a gifted surgeon, he is a bit of a wild card who often puts his own ego before the needs of his patients.

I had the pleasure of speaking with this incredibly talented actor about his roles in both popular series, how he got started in the biz back in New Zealand and what it was like for him to step behind the camera…

• Interview with Daniel Gillies
• More About Saving Hope
• More About The Vampire Diaries

^{Photo: Quantrell Colbert/The CW © The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.}