You know that feeling when you're rewatching a show from the 2010s and you suddenly realize you completely forgot how much one specific character went through? That’s Jeremy Gilbert. If you’ve spent any time in Mystic Falls, you’ve definitely wondered who played Jeremy in Vampire Diaries and why he looked so familiar.
The actor is Steven R. McQueen.
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He didn't just show up and play the "angsty younger brother" archetype. He actually stayed on the show for the bulk of its run, evolving from a grieving stoner kid into a literal supernatural hunter with a physique that—honestly—became a bit of a running joke among the cast because of how much time he spent in the gym.
The Face Behind Jeremy Gilbert: Steven R. McQueen
Steven R. McQueen landed the role of Jeremy Gilbert in 2009. At the time, he was a relatively fresh face, though he had a Hollywood pedigree that most people didn’t realize initially. He’s the grandson of the legendary "King of Cool," Steve McQueen. You can see it in the eyes, right? That brooding, intense look? It runs in the family.
When the pilot aired, Jeremy was essentially the audience's window into the human toll of the supernatural. While Elena was falling for centuries-old vampires, Jeremy was failing history and dealing with the "accidental" death of his parents. McQueen played that vulnerability with a raw, slightly annoying authenticity that made you want to shake him and hug him at the same time.
He stayed as a series regular until Season 6. His departure was a massive deal for fans because it felt like the end of an era. By the time he left, Jeremy wasn't just "Elena’s brother." He was a member of the Brotherhood of the Five, a group of highly skilled vampire hunters.
Why the casting worked so well
Casting a sibling dynamic is tricky. You need actors who look like they share DNA but also have enough individual "main character energy" to carry their own B-plots. McQueen and Nina Dobrev had this weird, protective chemistry that felt real.
Think about the scene where Elena finds out Jeremy is using drugs again. Or when he dies—the first time, anyway. McQueen had this way of making Jeremy feel like a perpetual victim of circumstances who was desperately trying to claw his way into being a hero. He wasn't the strongest actor in the room when the show started, but by the time he was hunting Kol Mikaelson, he had transformed the character into something formidable.
The Transformation: From Emo Kid to Vampire Hunter
If you look at Jeremy in Season 1 versus Season 4, it’s like looking at two different people. Most of that is down to McQueen’s physical dedication to the role. As the plot demanded Jeremy become a "Potential" and then a member of The Five, McQueen hit the gym. Hard.
The show even poked fun at it. There are several scenes where other characters comment on his sudden "growth spurt." But it wasn't just about muscles. The character's shift from being a victim to being a threat changed the stakes of the show. Suddenly, the vampires weren't just fighting other vampires; they were being hunted by the very person they were supposed to protect.
Key Jeremy Gilbert milestones
- The Vicki Donovan Era: This was the start of Jeremy’s long, tragic history with women. He fell for a girl who was turned into a vampire and then killed in front of him. Brutal.
- The Anna Romance: Still arguably the best relationship in the show. Anna was a vampire, Jeremy was human, and their chemistry was electric. When she died, it broke him—and the audience.
- Seeing Ghosts: After being brought back to life by Bonnie, Jeremy started seeing his dead ex-girlfriends. McQueen did a great job portraying the isolation of that experience.
- The Brotherhood of the Five: This gave the character a purpose. He wasn't just "Elena's brother" anymore; he was a weapon.
Life After Mystic Falls
So, what happened to the guy who played Jeremy in Vampire Diaries after he hung up the crossbow?
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McQueen didn't disappear. He jumped almost immediately into another massive franchise. He played Jimmy Borrelli on Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. It was a different vibe—more grounded, less fangs—but he brought that same earnestness to the role.
He did eventually return to the TVD universe. Fans lost their minds when he made a cameo in the spin-off Legacies. Seeing an older, more weathered Jeremy Gilbert helping out at the Salvatore School was a nice full-circle moment for those of us who had been watching since 2009.
The Steven R. McQueen "Legacy"
It’s easy to dismiss Jeremy as a secondary character, but he was the anchor for Elena’s humanity. Without Jeremy, Elena’s stakes wouldn't have felt as high. McQueen understood that his job was to be the person Elena was willing to sacrifice everything for.
He also brought a lot of heart to his off-screen presence. He’s been a staple at fan conventions for over a decade, often joking about how many times his character died (it was a lot, even by CW standards).
Surprising Facts About the Actor
Most people don't know that McQueen is actually older than Nina Dobrev in real life, despite playing her younger brother. He was born in 1988; she was born in 1989. It’s a classic Hollywood trope, but they pulled it off so well that nobody really questioned it.
Another weird detail? His middle name is "R." Just the letter. It stands for "Robitaille," which is his stepfather's last name (Luc Robitaille, the NHL Hall of Famer). So he’s got Hollywood royalty on one side and hockey royalty on the other.
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What to Watch Next If You Miss Jeremy Gilbert
If you're feeling nostalgic for Steven R. McQueen’s performance, you don't have to just stick to The Vampire Diaries reruns.
- Chicago Fire (Season 4-5): You get to see him in a much more adult role. No supernatural nonsense, just high-stakes firefighting.
- Piranha 3D: It’s a bit of a cult classic horror-comedy. It’s campy, it’s bloody, and McQueen is the lead.
- Medal of Honor: He appeared in an episode of this documentary series playing a real-life hero, which really showed off his range.
How to Follow Steven R. McQueen Today
If you want to keep up with what the man who played Jeremy in Vampire Diaries is doing now, he’s fairly active on social media. He often shares glimpses of his life involving outdoor adventures, fitness, and occasional throwbacks to his days in Mystic Falls.
He has also leaned into his family legacy lately, participating in events that honor his grandfather's memory and his love for motorsports.
Final Insight for Fans
Jeremy Gilbert’s journey was one of the most consistent character arcs in the series. He started as a boy lost in grief and ended as a man who found his own strength, independent of the vampires surrounding him. Steven R. McQueen didn't just play a role; he grew up on that set, and that growth is etched into every season of the show.
If you’re planning a rewatch, pay closer attention to Jeremy in the early seasons. You’ll notice the subtle ways McQueen prepares the character for the hunter he eventually becomes. It’s much more intentional than it looks on the first pass.
For those wanting to dive deeper into the lore of The Vampire Diaries, your next step is to look into the "Brotherhood of the Five" backstory. Understanding the mythology of the hunters makes Jeremy’s transformation in Season 4 significantly more impactful. You should also check out the Legacies Season 1 finale to see his final (so far) appearance as the character.