This week on The Wayne Ayers Podcast, we sit down with the extraordinary Joseph Morgan, the man behind one of television’s most magnetic antiheroes, Klaus Mikaelson. From telling childhood bullies he was a vampire to channeling that same “dark secret” energy into his legendary performances, Joseph opens up about how embracing his inner outsider helped shape him into the actor he is today. In this intimate and revealing conversation, we dive deep into the psyche of Klaus Mikaelson, the tragedy of the Mikaelson family, and how Joseph crafted one of the most complex, misunderstood villains in modern TV history. He reflects on his most defining moments from The Originals and The Vampire Diaries, including Klaus’s most misunderstood scene, his ultimate sacrifice, and what he believes Klaus would whisper as his final words after a thousand years of love and pain. We also explore Joseph’s evolution beyond the vampire world, his powerful turns as Sebastian Sanger (Brother Blood) in Titans, James Ackerson in Halo, and his ongoing fascination with characters who straddle the line between heroism and destruction. He reveals how directing has changed his entire approach to acting, the importance of finding humanity in villains, and the subtle ways Klaus still lingers in his artistic toolkit. Plus, fans from around the world, including India, send in their burning questions about dream roles, legacy, AI in the film industry, and more. It is poetic, psychological, and deeply personal, a must-listen for anyone who has ever rooted for the villain, questioned what redemption really means, or simply admired Joseph Morgan’s craft.
