Steven R. McQueen has resurfaced at a fan convention in Paris, his first major public appearance in roughly seven years.
The 38-year-old actor, best known as Jeremy Gilbert on The Vampire Diaries, appeared at a Vampire Diaries convention in Paris, France, last week, drawing an enthusiastic response from longtime followers of the supernatural drama. McQueen, who exited the CW series in 2015 after six seasons, had maintained a notably low profile since his last onscreen role in 2020.
Fans who encountered him at the event quickly shared their excitement across social media platforms. “I had been waiting to meet Steven for a long time so I booked this con specifically to meet him,” one attendee commented on Instagram beneath a photo from the gathering. “I am so glad he felt the love from us all, we were all so happy he came! Can’t wait to see him again soon.”
Another fan wrote simply: “Love to see Steven again with fans.”
The return marked a significant shift for McQueen, whose public appearances had grown increasingly scarce. One of his last notable outings came in 2019 at the Thirst Project’s 10th Annual Thirst Gala. Since then, the actor has largely withdrawn from the entertainment industry’s spotlight, never formally announcing a retirement but clearly stepping away from performing.
McQueen’s departure from The Vampire Diaries came during the show’s sixth season, when Jeremy Gilbert left Mystic Falls to train as a vampire hunter. Speaking to the outlet in 2015, McQueen expressed satisfaction with how the storyline concluded. “What I really enjoy about this goodbye is this time, I’m alive,” he said. “I can come back for an episode or two.”
He continued at the time: “It was nice because I knew at the beginning of the year that this was what was coming, so I took the time to say goodbye to everybody and really enjoy my last couple moments there.”
True to his prediction, McQueen did briefly reprise the role for the series finale in March 2017.
Following his Vampire Diaries exit, McQueen joined the Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. Universe for two seasons. His acting credits effectively halted after 2020, coinciding with a period of personal difficulty. McQueen’s father died in 2024 from organ failure following an injury sustained four years earlier.
At the Paris convention, attendees emphasized how meaningful the reunion felt after years of absence. “He was my fav character and absolutely adored him so much,” a third fan wrote on Instagram, adding: “Seeing him again brought back those feelings.”
Another echoed the sentiment: “It was lovely to meet him today for photo and auto. So glad you got to host him and ease back into convention world.”
McQueen originally landed the role of Jeremy Gilbert as the adoptive brother to Nina Dobrev’s Elena, anchoring a central family dynamic throughout the show’s early seasons. His character survived numerous supernatural threats before the actor chose to move on, deliberately avoiding the permanent death that befell many co-stars.
The Paris event represents McQueen’s most visible engagement with fans since his retreat from acting, though he has not indicated whether further appearances or a return to performing might follow.