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Paul Wesley

Paul Wesley

Actor and director, also producer · Born July 23, 1982 (44) · New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA

Paul Thomas Wasilewski known professionally as Paul Wesley, is an American actor, writer, director and producer. In addition to English, he also speaks Polish, having spent four months of every year in Poland until the age of 16. His television debut was on the now-defunct soap, NBC's Another World where he portrayed the character of 'Sean McKinnon'. In 2001, Wesley, then credited as Paul Wasilewski, was one of the main cast members of the short-lived CBS television series Wolf Lake, playing the role of Luke Cates.  Wesley has also had a number of roles in television shows such as 24, 8 Simple Rules, American Dreams, Army Wives, Cane, Everwood, Guiding Light, Smallville, and The O.C.. He is best known for starring as Stefan Salvatore on the supernatural drama series The Vampire Diaries, as well as his role as James T. Kirk in the Paramount+ original series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Throughout the years, he has also appeared in a variety of films. He appeared in the 2008 CBS television film The Russell Girl, and had the lead role in the 2007 ABC Family miniseries Fallen and its' sequels.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 23, 1982 (44)
From
New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
Works as
Actor and director, also producer
Titles
38 on MovieCove · 52 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26Down 42% in 30 days

What are Paul Wesley's films like?

Across their 18 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Self.

Genres

Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 12th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
30%
Self
22%
Bonds
19%
Survival
15%
Society
8%
Power
5%
Ideas
2%
Family bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival5 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGuilt2 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 14 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 7 · Serious 3 · Dark 4

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 11 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 2 · Charged 10 · Intense 2

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 7 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 8 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 6 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 8 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 2 of 6 analyzed roles.

Hero
2 of 6
Ally
2 of 6
Shapeshifter
1 of 6
Shadow
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
10
Melancholic
9
Warm
6
Hopeful
6
Dread
3
Other
12

How their films linger

Hopeful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 6 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet6
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous5
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Paul Wesley's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 28 of their 38 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Paul Wesley's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

52 credits, 38 with a MovieCove page; 5 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • He Bled Neon(2026)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Abel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Director

  • History of Evil(2024)

    Executive Producer · as Ron Dyer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Flowers in the Attic: The Origin(2022)

    Show 4 episodes · as John Amos

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Star Trek: Strange New Worlds(2022)

    Show 7 episodes · as Captain James T. Kirk · as James T. Kirk · as James T. Kirk / Maxwell Saint · as UEF Captain James T. Kirk / James T. Kirk

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Batwoman(2019)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all shows

  • Roswell, New Mexico(2019)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Medal of Honor(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Clint Romesha

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Tell Me a Story(2018)

    Show 10 episodes · as Eddie Longo · as Tucker Reed

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Legacies(2018)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Ashmina (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Executive Producer

  • The Late Bloomer(2016)

    as Charlie

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Mothers and Daughters(2016)

    as Kevin

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Before I Disappear(2014)

    Producer · as Gideon

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Amira & Sam(2014)

    as Charlie

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Originals(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Stefan Salvatore

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • The Baytown Outlaws(2012)

    as Reese

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Beneath the Blue(2010)

    as Craig Morrison

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The Vampire Diaries(2009)

    Show 171 episodes · Director · as Stefan Salvatore

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Elsewhere(2009)

    as Billy

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Killer Movie(2008)

    as Jake Tanner

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • The Russell Girl(2008)

    as Evan Carroll

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Cane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 3 episodes · as Nick

  • Fallen III: The Destiny (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Aaron Corbett

  • Fallen II: The Journey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Aaron Corbett

  • Fallen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 4 episodes · as Aaron Corbett

  • Army Wives(2007)

    Show 5 episodes · as Logan Atwater

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Shark(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Justin Bishop

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Fallen(2006)

    as Aaron Corbett

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Peaceful Warrior(2006)

    as Trevor

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Lenexa, 1 Mile (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Rick Lausier

  • Cloud 9(2006)

    as Jackson Fargo

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Roll Bounce(2005)

    as Troy

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • CSI: NY(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul Deacon

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • The Last Run(2004)

    as Seth

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Cold Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Petey Murphy (2008)

  • The O.C.(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Donnie

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • American Dreams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 11 episodes · as Tommy DeFelice

  • CSI: Miami(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack Warner Bradford

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • 8 Simple Rules(2002)

    Show 2 episodes · as Damian

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • Everwood(2002)

    Show 9 episodes · as Tommy Callahan

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Young Arthur (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Lancelot

  • 24(2001)

    Show 4 episodes · as Stephen

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Smallville(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Lucas Luther

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Shot in the Heart(2001)

    as Gary (Age 15-22)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order: Criminal Intent(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Luke Miller

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Crossing Jordan(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Quentin Baker

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • The Education of Max Bickford (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Wolf Lake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 9 episodes · as Luke Cates

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Danny Burrell · as Luke Breslin

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Another World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1,585 episodes · as Sean McKinnon

  • Isabel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · Producer · Writer

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 52 titles, 51 of them dated from 1964 to 2026; peak year 2005.

Biggest box office

Peaceful Warrior (2006)

$4.3M worldwide

Highest rated

Before I Disappear (2014)

Midcredits 85th

Most popular right now

The Vampire Diaries (2009)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19642026

Peak 2005 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 4 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting46 of 52: 43 only acting, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score59thDirecting6 of 52: 4 only directing, 2 with another roleWriting1 of 52: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleProducing4 of 52: 1 only producing, 3 with another role

52 titles, 4 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 1 of them.

By decade

1960s1 · acting1990s1 · acting2000s31 · 31 acting · 1 crew2010s13 · 9 acting · 5 crew2020s5 · 4 acting · 2 crew

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 21% of 14 roles
0510

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Paul Wesley's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 29th percentile, the median of all 17; across their 14 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 28th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

28thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Approval · how many liked their films

32ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Reach · how many have seen their films

68thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Midcredits score across 38 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th13
  • 25th to 49th4
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

19 of their 38 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser19
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed7

Most divisive · actor

He Bled Neon (2026)

98th percentile spread · 52% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

24 (2001)

Midcredits 94th · 89% liked

Reviewers score the acting 56/100 in their films, across 13 reviewed titles; fans 72, detractors 36. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Paul Wesley's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity and profanity run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles26–77 · median 66 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity6 titles33–57 · median 47 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity5 titles38–70 · median 65 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 63 · intenseMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 53 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Paul Wesley work with?

People who share at least 2 of Paul Wesley's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Lucan Toh shares the most, 3.

Actors

Producers