INQUISITR.COM / Entertainment

‘The Vampire Diaries’ Season 8 The End? Ian Somerhalder Has This To Say

By Alexandria Ingham
Published on: 21:55 PST, Apr 13, 2016

Early this week, Ian Somerhalder said that The Vampire Diaries Season 8 would be the last. Now he has backtracked on that, taking to social media to share his apologies for making the statement at Nashville’s Walker Stalker Con.

As The Inquisitr previously reported, Somerhalder had said that The Vampire Diaries Season 8 would be the last, but the CW did not agree. While the CW has not said the show will get a ninth season, the door is open for it to continue. It will all depend on how next year goes in terms of storyline and ratings. The Vampire Diaries Season 7 was expected to be the last at one point, but the CW surprised many with the announcement to renew for the 2016-2017 season.

Somerhalder decided to say that Season 8 would be the last. With that in mind, the writers could create the best year yet and make sure the show went out with the bang it deserves. Fans have even suggested that it will be the end now that Kat Graham has announced that it will be her last year. With rumors that Somerhalder will step down at the end of the year, vampire fans wonder whether the show could last with two main cast members leaving.

However, the actor who plays older vampire brother Damon Salvatore has backtracked on his announcement. According to TV Line, Somerhalder took to Twitter to say that Season 8 of The Vampire Diaries is not necessarily going to be the last. He blamed end-of-season brain fog and confirmed that those who make the final decision over whether a show will be cancelled or not (the CW and WB) have not confirmed that Season 8 will be the last. He does suggest that it will be his last year, though.

“Hey all, so… Last weekend I talked to an audience at a Q&A about the end of #TVD and how excited I was to make what I believe – my last year – be as great as possible. Somehow in my infinite wisdom and end-of-season foggy brain, I managed to make it sound like the show was coming to an end. Cut-to the press running stories that the show would be done after Season 8. Thing is, the people who actually make that decision (the CW and WB) haven’t made it yet! So let’s take things one step at a time: Season 7 wrap, vacation, lots of sleep, let the writers get started on Season 8, and then we’ll all see where we go from there. Until then, much love ?
Love,
Ian”

This could change things for Nina Dobrev. She was rumored to be returning for Season 8, as it was suggested that it would be the last. As The Inquisitr previously reported, Dobrev would reprise her role as Elena for one or two episodes at the end of the season. The writers currently have plenty of time to make this work, but it is unclear whether she would want to return for a ninth season, if there is one. Plans to bring her back could be put on hold if Season 8 is not the end.

Right now, it is all speculation. Somerhalder makes it clear that even the actors have no idea when The Vampire Diaries is coming to an end. Only the CW and WB can confirm that, and they will likely wait until this time next year to make a final decision.

Julie Plec, the executive producer of the show, is not even thinking ahead to Season 9 right now. Her focus is on making Season 8 great, knowing that she will definitely lose character Bonnie Bennett with Graham’s decision to leave. There is plenty of time to create full storylines focusing on the various main characters and ensuring Bonnie has the exit that she deserves.

Whether that will be with her death or not is currently unknown. If it is with her death, it would suggest that Dobrev would have to reprise her role as Elena. Their life forces are currently linked, and Elena is only sleeping while Bonnie lives.

The Vampire Diaries Season 7 is still airing. The show will not continue until May 13, when it will wrap with its season finale. A confirmation date for Season 8 has not yet been shared, but it is likely to be October 2016.

[Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images]

Share this article: ‘The Vampire Diaries’ Season 8 The End? Ian Somerhalder Has This To Say
More from Inquisitr