The Originals just doubled up on the actual number of Originals! Daniel Gillies will join Joseph Morgan on the upcoming spinoff of The Vampire Diaries.

When it was announced that The Vampire Diaries showrunner Julie Plec would be working on a Klaus-centric spinoff entitled The Originals, the first question fans had was whether any of his Original siblings would be joining him on the show.

The Hollywood Reporter has now learned that Daniel Gillies, who plays Elijah, has signed on to star in the series if it is picked up by The CW.

He will also appear in the episode of The Vampire Diaries airing April 25 which will serve as the spinoff’s backdoor pilot. The episode will see Klaus travel to New Orleans where he’ll meet up with his old protege Marcel and a psychology student named Cami (neither of whom have yet been cast).

Interestingly, this will not affect Gillies’ other commitment; he currently stars on the CTV drama Saving Hope, which films in Canada, but it seems like he will be able to do both shows. His role on this show was something Hypable’s Vampire Hype podcast speculated might prevent him from joining The Originals, so we’re relieved to learn that this is not the case.

Claire Holt (Rebekah) is currently on The Vampire Diaries, and Plec has stated that the character would be an asset to both shows. There is no word yet on whether the last living Original, Kol (Nathaniel Buzolic), will be a part of The Originals if the series is picked up.

The drama will also star Phoebe Tonkin, who plays the werewolf Hayley on The Vampire Diaries.

Are you happy that Elijah will indeed join The Originals? What do you think the writers will do with the two brothers now that they’ll be starring side by side on their own show?

Update: E! Online has further revealed that two additional characters will be introduced in the April 25 episode: the witches Sophie and Davina. Sophie is a “strong leader” with silenced magic who is planning a revolution, while the sheltered Davina has “some demons.” Interesting!

The Vampire Diaries returns Thursday night at 8/7c on The CW with 4×11 “Catch Me If You Can.”