Paul Wesley, star of the new Vampire Diaries show on the CW talked to Access Hollywood about getting the role and how it's changed his life.

“I had to work so hard to get this role… that when I did finally get it and I got on set, it was sort of one of these things where I just felt so challenged that I almost never settled in and went ‘OK, I can enjoy this. I can relax,’” Wesley, who is currently filming the sixth “Vampire Diaries” episode, said. “He’s a very complex character… and I’m starting to really figure him out.

He says he's not feeling any paparazzi pressure just yet:

“People come up to me, but it’s always just very civil,” he said. “I know that like, Brad Pitt or Robert Pattinson or any of the ‘Twilight’ kids, they literally can’t leave their house, and I certainly don’t feel that in the least bit. I just feel normal, it just feels totally normal.”

Paul is also going to be in a few upcoming episodes of 24 with Kiefer Sutherland, playing Elisha Cuthbert's husband.

“It was a pleasure to work on the show because it’s such a prestigious show and I just wanted to be involved in any way possible,” Wesley said of his small role, which began last season. “I love Elisha. She’s so sweet and I got to meet Kiefer Sutherland which is great because I’m a big fan.”

Vampire Diaries' third episode airs tonight on the CW. Have you caught this new series?

Photos by WENN