Guys, the time has come. After years of speculation — especially after the departure of Nina Dobrev — it seems that the CW’s long-running series The Vampire Diaries is finally coming to a close with Season 8. The confirmation came during the show’s San Diego Comic-Con panel, causing grief to roll across the land.

A video has been released that shows the cast and creators saying goodbye, and also promising “adventure, passion, even a little danger” for the final season, as co-creator Kevin Williamson put it. Julie Plec said the final season will be an epic adventure, and also talked about the closeness of the cast and crew, who have worked with one another for 8 years now in Atlanta. Check out the video below:


So now, of course, it’s time to start speculating. Where will the show take things in this final season, and will we see the return of Elena? Back in January, our own Christina Radish spoke with executive producer Caroline Dries who hinted that it was likely that Dobrev would return: “If The CW called today and was like, “By the way, Season 7 is the last season,” then I think we would scramble to make sure that she was in the finale.” And, in fact, she was! Briefly.

Speaking to that, TV Line reports that Julie Plec suggests that we will see more of Dobrev in the final season, after commenting on that cameo (and before this final season announcement):

“It’s what she and I kind of agreed on when she decided to move on, and it’s what I’ve got in my head,” Plec explained. “Obviously things can change throughout time, if the show goes on longer than we expect it to, or if we all collectively decide it would be fun to bring her back earlier, and she wanted to. … I’m sticking with my side of the plan, which is to bring her back at the very end.”


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Image via the CW

Regarding the show as a whole, Kevin Williamson said in a statement that,

“I feel so blessed to have been a part of THE VAMPIRE DIARIES. It has been a magical, thrilling, life-changing experience. Working with Julie and our amazing cast and crew has been one of the highlights of my career and life. At its core, the show has always been about family and that’s what we have become behind the scenes as well — one big family. And while it’s sad to see it come to an end, I'm thrilled to be back and part of the final chapter. We’re very grateful to our loyal audience — they’re our family, too — and we hope to say thank you by giving them the last and most epic season ever. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Ian Somerhalder added,

“The sun, the moon and stars aligned for me one day in March when I got the official call that I had been cast in this very special role as Damon Salvatore. I’m so very grateful to those who fought for me to have this opportunity (you know who you are), for those that have worked so hard to make this show happen, and to those that have loyally watched it, making it part of their lives. This show has enriched my life greater than anything I’ve done in my career and it will live in my heart. We are a family and I will miss you. Thank you again to this amazing cast and crew, Kevin, Julie, Warner Bros., The CW and the most loyal fan base the world has ever seen. Wow, what a ride.”

Paul Wesley said of the show,


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Image via The CW

“Being cast in THE VAMPIRE DIARIES has changed the trajectory of my life, to say the very least I’m beyond fortunate for the experiences I’ve had and lessons I've learned over the last seven years. I want to thank Kevin and Julie, as well as Peter Roth and Warner Bros., Mark Pedowitz and The CW, our incredible cast and crew, and especially the TVD fans all around the world who are the reason this show became such a worldwide success. I am beyond grateful to have been a part of it.”

Finally, Julie Plec commented that,

“It’s so rare for a show to get to last this long, and what a privilege that Mark Pedowitz and Peter Roth have allowed us to choose the time to end the journey on our own creative terms. It’s been eight of the best years of my life. I will miss it terribly, but I’m so proud to be here to see it to its proper end.”

Season 8 of The Vampire Diaries will run for 16 episodes, and will premiere Friday, October 21 on the CW. For more renewal and cancellation news, check out our TV Lifeline


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Image via The CW
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Image via the CW
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Image via the CW