The second spin-off ofThe Vampire Diariesfranchise followingThe Originals,Legaciesfocused on various characters at the Salvatore Boarding School for the Young and Gifted, including witches, vampires, and werewolves. The series ran for four seasons, and was a solid spin-off to one ofthe CW’s best shows. What makesLegaciesgreat is all the character relationships and the dynamics with one another, as the setting brings together a diverse range of different types of characters. One character in particular only appeared in one season, but she made a massive impact.
Penelope Park shined in season 1 ofLegacies, where she was seen as the evil ex-girlfriend of Josie Saltzman, a witch and student at Salvatore. Played by the wonderful Lulu Antariksa, Penelope was also a witch, and her relationship with Josie was a main focus for the character duringLegacies' first season. Even though Penelope Park’s time on the show was short, leaving towards the end of season 1, she made a lasting impact with her vibrant personality and her dynamic with Josie, and it is a shame that she never came back to the series.
Penelope And Josie’s Breakup Explained
Josie’s Toxic Relationship With Lizzie Was The Main Problem
While many in theLegacies’fandom were hoping that Penelope and Josie would get back together during the events of season 1, it’s a good thing that they never did.In fact, the two dated and broke up before the series actually began.Despite that,the couple’s former relationship inLegaciesinformed their interactions throughout the first season, and it was clear that it would never have worked out, given several factors.Arguably the biggest issue facing the relationship between Josie and Penelope was Josie’s codependency on her twin sister, Lizzie.
The “Posie” ship was a fan-favorite in theLegacies’fandom.
Josie consistently put Lizzie first, and Penelope just wanted her girlfriend to realize and embrace the power she had in herself. At that point in her life, Josie wasn’t ready to do that, and because of this, Penelope was made to seem like Josie’s evil ex. Of course, that wasn’t really the case, as Penelope really did love Josie. She just let Josie believe that she was the villain to make the break-up easier. Despite many wanting to see them get back together, it’s a good thing they didn’t, as it could have just damaged them all over again.
Penelope Left Legacis, But She Shouldn’t Have
Despite being a fan favorite throughout season 1, Penelope ended up leavingLegaciesin episode 14, “Let’s Just Finish the Dance.” Unable to see Josie continuously put herself second, realizing her efforts with Josie were futile, Penelope decided to leave Salvatore Boarding School and finish her year at an elite school in Belgium. It was a heartbreaking moment for fans of the character, and those hoping that Penelope and Josie would eventually form a relationship again.Even if Josie and Penelope never got back together, it still feels like a mistake to have her leave the show entirely.
Her unknown backstory made her a compelling character that could have been explored, and her dynamics with other characters were some of the highlights of the first season.
There was still so much to learn about Penelope Park outside of her relationship with Josie, and being known as her evil ex-girlfriend. Penelope’s unknown backstory made her a compelling character that could have been explored, and her dynamics with other characters were some of the highlights of the first season.It would have been amazing to see Penelope progress as a person outside of her tumultuous relationship with Josie.Lulu Antariksa did such a good job with the character already that it would have been great to see her take Penelope in new directions.
What Legacies' Creator Said About Penelope’s Departure
There Was A Possibility That Penelope Could Have Returned
Penelope leaving towards the end of season 1 was a big deal, given how important of a character she was, especially with her relationship with Josie. Of course, things don’t always last, but it seems like at one point there was the possibility that Penelope could have come back. In a 2019 interview withKVUE,LegaciescreatorJulie Pleck, talked about her departure, how Josie could grow from it, and if Penelope would ever return. Despite the possibility of her return, Penelope never came back to the show. Pleck said:
I think whenever you have a character that is that successful there is always hope that you will see them again. For those who have watched my shows over the years, they have found that to be true. I can’t make any promises, but we love that relationship. [But] I look forward to seeing Josie – now that she’s stepping into her own light and really finding herself – go through the range of romantic emotions that all high school girls do when they start to figure out who they really are. And, I think that there are plenty more people in the future that she will be drawn to that will give Penelope a run for her money.
How Penelope Could Have Come Back
She Could Have Chosen To Make Amends With Lizzie
It’s a shame that Penelope Park never returned and Lulu Antariksa’s wonderful performance as the character never had a chance to shine outside of her time spent with Josie. Still, there was always a chance that Penelope could have returned at some point in the series,given that she wasn’t killed off or forced to leave, as she made the decision on her own. It’s possible that Penelope could have returned for an episode or two during a big event at Salvatore, or she could have returned as a permanent cast member, maybe sparking up her relationship with Josie again.
When The Originals & Legacies Are Set In The Vampire Diaries Timeline
The Vampire Diaries inspired two spin-offs: The Originals & Legacies. Here’s how the timeline between the shows intersects and where they diverge.
Even ifLegaciesdecided not to explore her relationship with Josie further, Penelope could have made a great addition to the main cast of characters as she was one of the most compelling during her time in season 1.One reason that Penelope could have returned was to make amends with those she hurt, particularly with Lizzie, whom Penelope thought was holding Josie back during her time on the show. In turn, that could have helped to strengthen Josie and Penelope if they got back together or decided to be friends.
Lulu Antariksa’s Career After Penelope
She Has Appeared In A Few Projects
While it was sad that Lulu Antariksa leftLegaciesand the character of Penelope behind, fans of the actress were excited to see what she would do next given how great she was in the show. AfterLegacies, Lulu Antariksa had a few other roles here and there, including the short films,The Lonely Host,Dear Veronica, andThe Angkasa Legacy. She also appeared in an episode ofThe Rookie: Fedsas well as an episode ofStation 19, both in 2023.
Where To Watch Legacies Online — Is It Available To Stream For Free?
There are plenty of options to watch Legacies online and though every option is free, different platforms offer the series in multiple countries.
Outside a few roles in television and short films, LAntariksa also had a significant role in the 2021 filmWitch Hunt, which follows a teenager helping two young witches escape modern America, where witchcraft is illegal.Most of Antariksa’s projects came beforeLegacies, though, with that show being the last major role for her at the moment.It’s a shame that she hasn’t appeared in more things since then, as her work as Penelope inLegaciesis a testament to her talent.
