Julie Plec

Julie Plec – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the life and career of Julie Plec—American producer, writer, and showrunner best known for The Vampire Diaries universe. Explore her early path, creative philosophy, major works, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Julie Plec (born May 26, 1972) is an American television producer, screenwriter, and director known chiefly for her work in supernatural and fantasy drama. The Vampire Diaries and developing its spin-offs The Originals and Legacies, building what is often called the “Vampire Diaries Universe.” Her ability to blend genre, character drama, and fan engagement has made her a significant figure in the realm of serialized fantasy television.

Early Life and Education

Julie Plec was born in Park Forest, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago) on May 26, 1972. Northwestern University, graduating in 1994.

While at university, she also cultivated her interest in storytelling, genre work, and popular culture—interests that later shaped her career in television.

Career and Achievements

Early Career & Film Work

Plec’s early professional work included supporting roles in film production, particularly in collaboration with horror and genre filmmakers. She worked with Wes Craven on entries in the Scream franchise, serving as co-producer or associate producer on Scream 2, Scream 3, and Cursed. The Broken Hearts Club with Greg Berlanti.

These film experiences gave her grounding in production, collaborations, and genre storytelling, before she fully transitioned into television.

Television Breakthroughs

Plec’s television break came through her work on Kyle XY (2006-2009), where she was a writer and producer, helping shape the show’s narrative arc.

However, her most prominent success was with The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017), which she co-created (with Kevin Williamson) and served as executive producer and showrunner. The Vampire Diaries ran for eight seasons and developed a strong fan base.

She then expanded that world through spin-offs:

• The Originals (2013–2018), focusing on vampire mythology and character backstories.

• Legacies (2018–2022), which carried forward younger generations and new mythologies within that shared universe.

In addition to those, Julie Plec has been involved in other television endeavors such as Containment (2016), Roswell, New Mexico, Vampire Academy, The Girls on the Bus, and We Were Liars.

Her production company, My So-Called Company, holds an overall deal with Universal Television, and Plec continues to develop projects across platforms.

She also directs episodes occasionally—within The Vampire Diaries, Legacies, Vampire Academy, Roswell, New Mexico, and Riverdale.

Historical & Industry Context

Julie Plec’s rise came during a period when the television landscape was shifting: serialized storytelling, genre television, and fan interaction became increasingly vital. Shows using mythology, fantasy, and supernatural elements began to command large, passionate followings.

She capitalized on that era by not only telling stories of vampires and supernatural beings, but by building shared universes, crossovers, and deep mythologies that sustained fan investment over many years. Her work also highlights how showrunners in modern TV need skills across writing, production, audience engagement, and franchise conception—not just standalone scripts.

Additionally, Plec’s approach reflects a trend toward female showrunners in genre TV, challenging earlier assumptions that these spaces were male-dominated.

Legacy and Influence

• World-building in genre TV: Plec helped popularize extended universes on television—an approach that later shows (in both fantasy and superhero genres) have adopted.

• Fan-centric storytelling: Her shows often listened to and engaged with fan communities, building loyalty and sustained interest.

• Empowering voices: As a female showrunner working in fantasy and horror genres, she has become a role model for other writers and producers.

• Adaptive creative leadership: Plec’s shifting from film to TV, from writing to producing to directing, shows versatility and foresight in an evolving industry.

• Cross-platform development: Her continuing work in new series, reboots, and adaptations (e.g. We Were Liars) demonstrates the ongoing relevance of her creative vision.

Personality, Values & Creative Philosophy

Julie Plec is often described by colleagues and collaborators as energetic, decisive, and passionate, and one who deeply understands story structure, character, and pacing.

She supports causes such as racial justice (SURJ), the ACLU, and Fuck Cancer. These affiliations reflect her engagement with social issues beyond entertainment.

Her “About” page notes that she is known for fast responses and dedication: her collaborators emphasize that it's rare for her to leave questions unanswered for long, speaking to her hands-on style.

Famous Quotes by Julie Plec

Here are some notable quotations attributed to Julie Plec that reflect her perspective on storytelling, creative work, and life:

“If I walk into the editing room, it’s six hours lost. I’m massaging frames. … I will drive everybody crazy if left to my own devices in that room. So I try to do everything I can by staying out of the way.” “Showrunning is an arrogant job. You have to be arrogant and hold yourself strong in order for people to hear you. Confidence partners with arrogance.” “You can love and hate your family with equal measure, but the power of the bond you have to have with them, you can't really ever walk away.” “I suffer mightily at the 7 A.M. calls. I’m happy as a clam on the 7 P.M. calls.” “We have a rule: if you’re killing off a series regular, you have to tell them first.” “When you have to spread heroism across too many players, you don’t get to really dig deep into each of them as much as you’d want to.”

These quotes reveal her craft sensibility, her commitment to fairness with collaborators, and her understanding of narrative tension and character weight.

Lessons from Julie Plec

1. Master multiple hats.
   In modern television, being just a writer isn’t sufficient—Plec shows the value of proficiency in writing, producing, directing, and managing creative teams.

2. Build for longevity.
   Her approach of creating a shared universe (with multiple spin-offs) demonstrates how sustained storytelling can leverage loyalty and deepen world-building.

3. Respect collaborators.
   Her philosophy (e.g. telling actors first if their character will die) signals that human respect matters even in fictional worlds.

4. Balance confidence and humility.
   Plec’s quote about showrunning as “arrogant” suggests you need boldness to lead—but also self-awareness and restraint.

5. Keep evolving.
   Her shift from film support roles to showrunning, and her continuous development of new projects, shows that adaptability is crucial in entertainment.

Conclusion

Julie Plec’s career is a compelling example of how deep passion, genre ambition, and creative leadership can transform television storytelling. Through her work on The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Legacies, and beyond, she has built enduring narrative worlds while also charting a path as a female showrunner in a challenging industry.