What happens to Marcel in The Originals? Character arc explored in detail

Marcel Gerard is one of the most important characters in The Originals, and his story goes back long before the show even starts. He was born in 1810 as a slave in New Orleans and had no name until he caught the attention of Klaus Mikaelson. After saving young Marcel from a brutal whipping, Klaus took him in, gave him the name Marcellus, and raised him like a son. He taught him to read, fight, and lead, making him part of the Mikaelson family.

Eventually, Klaus turned him into a vampire, which locked Marcel into an immortal life tied to the very family that took him in. The relationship, however, didn’t stay perfect. When the Mikaelsons left New Orleans in 1919, Marcel stepped up and took control of the city. By the time The Originals returned in 2013, Marcel was no longer a student.

He was the king of New Orleans and wasn’t ready to give that up. This put him on a direct collision course with Klaus, the man who made him. From slave to vampire prince to king, Marcel’s rise in The Originals wasn’t just dramatic. It was personal, full of loyalty, betrayal, power grab, and decisions that shaped the entire series.

How Marcel Gerard’s power shift changed the course of The Originals

Over the course of five seasons, Marcel Gerard goes through more changes than almost any other character on The Originals. When the Mikaelsons return to New Orleans, he is already in charge. He has the city under strict control, with his own rules. He offers vampires daylight rings, bans witches from doing magic without his permission, and keeps werewolves powerless.

He builds his own vampire army and positions himself as the ultimate authority. However, his power starts slipping the moment Klaus shows up again. Marcel tries to play it smart, but Klaus begins tearing apart everything Marcel built - starting with his inner circle. Eventually, Klaus kills his closest allies, forcing Marcel to give up control and submit.

After losing everything, Marcel slowly starts building his power back from the shadows. He keeps Davina Claire, a young witch, hidden away and protected from the coven, using her to gain influence over magic. Over time, Davina becomes like a daughter to him, one of the few people he genuinely trusts.

His bond with her becomes a turning point. When the Ancestors kill Davina, Marcel snaps. That loss pushes him to take Lucien’s serum, which turns him into something new - an “Upgraded Original.” He becomes stronger than Klaus, Elijah, or Rebekah, with venom that can kill them.

With his new power, Marcel doesn’t waste time. He bites Kol and Elijah, both of whom nearly die. He locks Klaus in a dungeon and puts a hex on Rebekah that drives her insane. At that point, he is done playing politics. He is ready to destroy the Mikaelsons completely.

However, his anger starts fading when he realizes he has lost more than he gained. Davina is still dead, and power doesn’t bring her back. When Vincent warns Marcel that the Hollow is rising, they both know it is bigger than any personal grudge.

As the Hollow threatens New Orleans, Marcel puts aside his feud with the Mikaelsons. He works with them to protect Hope and stop the dark magic from spreading. He doesn’t fully trust them, but he knows the danger is real. When Klaus sacrifices himself to destroy the Hollow once and for all, Marcel finally drops the fight.

In the end, he leaves New Orleans and chooses a quieter life. He gets engaged to Rebekah, and the two of them prepare to start over somewhere else. Marcel doesn’t just walk away from the city. He walks away from the war, the power struggles, and the anger that defined most of his life.

By the time the series ends, Marcel isn’t just a survivor, he is someone who has finally figured out who he wants to be. Not Klaus’s rival. Not the king of vampires. Just a man trying to live without losing the people he loves.

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