The Originals The series delved deep into the lives of the original vampires, the Mikaelsons, but it also featured some of the best supporting characters. Jackson Kenner, played by Nathan Parsons, the alpha of the Crescent Wolf Pack, was an entrant who quickly became a staple of the series, as he shared an intense and loving bond with Hayley Marshall. However, like many other beloved characters in Vampire Diaries spin-off, Jackson met a tragic end.

Born in New Orleans, Jackson had a bit of bad luck early on. When he was introduced to The OriginalsHe was one of the werewolves who had been cursed by Celeste Dubois to remain frozen in their wolf state permanently, except for the night of the full moon, which only happened once a month. Even as a wolf, he had been keeping a close eye on Hayley since she arrived in town, to protect her and keep her safe. Jackson saved Hayley and unborn Hope’s lives in his wolf form and continued to be his protector after the Crescent Curse was lifted. He was descended from a royal family of werewolves, and all he wanted was to be a good alpha and serve the other werewolves in a way that would benefit them and elevate them from the totalitarian reign of the vampires of New Orleans.

How important was Jackson in the originals?

First appearance (as a wolf): Season 1, Episode 3, “Tangled Up In Blue”

Jackson was no ordinary supporting character. He was descended from the Kenners, a royal family, who betrothed him to Hayley (then known as Andrea). She belonged to another royal werewolf clan, the Labonairs. Unfortunately, they never got to meet growing up, as Hayley’s parents were killed due to their vampire-friendly policies, leading Hayley to move away and be adopted. Jackson revealed this birth connection to Hayley in Season 1, Episode 13, “Crescent City,” When Hayley agreed to meet her brothers in human form, this marriage pact was made to strengthen and unite the Crescent wolves so that they could gain each other’s abilities and become a stronger werewolf species under a single alpha.

Although Jackson does not force Hayley to honor their engagement, they naturally fall in love with each other, which leads Hayley to agree to the unification ceremony (essentially a marriage) between them in Season 2, Episode 14 “I Love You, Goodbye”. While Jackson worked hard to obtain moonlight rings for all the werewolves in the Bayou, this marriage was the best thing he could have done for them. All of Hayley’s hybrid powers, such as her ability to transform at will, fatally bite vampires, and having complete control over her powers, were passed down to Jackson and then to all of their pack members when they married. This made them much stronger and also united them with the Mikaelsons. As Hayley’s husband, Jackson made it his mission to protect her and Hope. He raised the baby as his own and teamed up with the Mikaelsons to keep them safe with his pack supporting him. Essentially, Jackson served as someone who harmonized and brought the supernatural species of The Originals together – something few others have achieved.

What happened to Jackson Kenner?

However, Jackson paid a price for his involvement with the Originals and other vampires. Early in Season 3, he expressed his aversion to getting too involved with the Mikaelsons and their drama, which led to some marital discord between him and Hayley. She couldn’t stay away from them because they were her family, nor could she stop Jackson from getting involved in their battles with others. In Season 3, Episode 2, “You Hung the Moon”, Jackson meets Lucien Castle, who had slaughtered the Bayou werewolves in his attempt to capture their land. Lucien was the first vampire turned by Klaus, making him part of the Trinity, consisting of himself, Aurora de Martel, and Tristan de Martel. The Trinity may have been less powerful than the Originals, but they were inventive and vengeful: a combination that made them deadly antagonists in The Originals. After Aurora was captured by Klaus, Tristan used Jackson as a pawn to get his sister back from the Mikaelsons.

In Season 3, Episode 10, “A Ghost Along the Mississippi”, Hayley and Jackson are captured by the Strixand brought to Tristan de Martel. They fight valiantly, but constant injections of wolfsbane keep them in a weakened state. Many expected them to pull through, but in a tragic turn of events, Tristan rips out Jackson’s heart and decapitates him in front of Hayley, to get revenge on her for torturing him earlier. It was a heartbreaking moment for viewers, as Jackson was one of the purest and most principled characters in The OriginalsHe had a strong moral code and deserved to live, instead of being turned into a pawn in the Mikaelsons’ games. It was a very bad way for Jackson to go – his heart had been sent to the Mikaelsons in a box, with the threat that Hayley would be next if they didn’t return Aurora to Tristan.

Jackson’s Death in The Originals Was Inevitable

Although Jackson was a powerful alpha, a capable ally, and a loving husband, his death was inevitable. Hayley and Elijah’s attraction to each other was established very early in the series, and they were initially separated by Klaus’ anger at Elijah for falling in love with the mother of his child. Then, Hayley’s transition into a hybrid led her to doubt her identity, and thus Elijah’s affection for her in Season 2. Haylijah seemed like an “endgame” vessel, and Jackson was the third obstacle in their doomed romance. Haylijah fans were shocked and dismayed when Hayley agreed to marry Jackson for the good of all werewolves, but her interactions with Elijah made it clear that she was also very much in love with him. As a result, Jackson was delegated to a second place, and it was inevitable that his character would be written off in a season of The Originals in a way that would make him look like a fallen hero, which he was.

Hayley eventually came to regret her actions, regretting involving Jackson in the affair. While she did it for the greater good, she dragged a good man into complications that were not his to begin with. She also vowed to avenge his death, which she did when She killed all the Strix members who were responsible for her death with Elijah’s help. Hayley stayed away from any romantic relationships for several episodes after Jackson’s death, but her chemistry with Elijah was undeniable. Even Klaus told her to move on from Jackson and that she didn’t have to deny herself true love to honor his death. In Season 3, Episode 21, “Give ‘Em Hell Kid,” Hayley gave in to her feelings for Elijah, something fans had seen coming a while ago. It also proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Hayley would always come back to Elijah and the only way to take Jackson out of that equation was to kill him.