Despite such ratings being considered low on other networks, it remains the most-watched series on the network. The first season averaged 3.60 million viewers and following seasons have maintained an audience of over 2 million viewers. The pilot episode attracted the largest audience of any series premiere since the network began in 2006. As the narrative develops in the course of the series, the focal point shifts on the mysterious past of the town involving Elena's malevolent doppelgänger Katerina Petrova and the family of Original Vampires, all of which have an evil agenda of their own. As the series progresses, Elena finds herself drawn to Stefan's brother Damon Salvatore resulting in a love triangle. The series narrative follows the protagonist Elena Gilbert as she falls in love with vampire Stefan Salvatore and is drawn into the supernatural world as a result. The series takes place in Mystic Falls, Virginia, a fictional small town haunted by supernatural beings. The series premiered on The CW on September 10, 2009. The Vampire Diaries is a supernatural drama television series developed by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, based on the book series of the same name written by L.
