<Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> External links </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Website </Td> </Tr> <P> The Originals is an American television series that began airing on The CW on October 3, 2013 . Created as a spin - off of The Vampire Diaries, the series follows vampire - werewolf hybrid Klaus Mikaelson as he and his family become embroiled in the supernatural politics of New Orleans . </P> <P> On May 10, 2017, The CW renewed the series for a fifth season . On July 20, 2017, it was announced by series creator Julie Plec ahead of Comic Con that the series' fifth season would be its last . The final season debuted on April 18, 2018 . </P>

Is the show the originals a spin off