‘The Vampire Diaries’ To End After Season 8 — Cast Says Goodbye In YouTube Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCnHIhIdHoY

In a shocking, albeit unsurprising, turn of events, it has been announced that The Vampire Diaries will say farewell after its upcoming eighth season.

As reported by Deadline, co-creator Julie Plec shared the news with disheartened fans at San Diego Comic-Con early Saturday afternoon, and although it ultimately confirmed rumors that were started in April of this year when TVD lead Ian Somerhalder mentioned that the show would not see a season 9 (he eventually backtracked those claims, so says TVLine), it didn’t go over well.

“[Saying goodbye to The Vampire Diaries] is bittersweet and emotional,” Plec stated to the heartbroken fans who attended the panel, before giving them something a bit promising — original head writer Kevin Williamson, who walked away from the series after Season 2, will be returning to the fold as the show starts its final run come fall.

??? #TheVampireDiaries will end with season 8: https://t.co/J2e4UtAwvV ? pic.twitter.com/oEUnBTkGZ6

— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) July 23, 2016

As a way to quell the upset nature of fans and possibly stop social media users from lashing out as well, a nearly nine-minute video was immediately released once news of The Vampire Diaries ending went public entitled, “TVD Forever.”

“For the past seven years, you’ve invited us into your homes,” states Graham, who plays witch Bonnie Bennett.

“We’ve gotten to know each other,” follows Paul Wesley, who portrays one of the main characters of The Vampire Diaries, vampire Stefan Salvatore.

“And we’ve fallen madly in love,” adds the voice of Ian Somerhalder, better known by TVD fans as Damon Salvatore, Stefan’s brother.

Along with the video, Somerhalder also released a written statement that was shared by JustJared to further express his gratitude to viewers of The Vampire Diaries.

“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,” he explained. “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.”

Wesley followed suit shortly thereafter.

“Being cast in The Vampire Diaries has changed the trajectory of my life, to say the very least,” Paul expresses. “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.”

Everything amazing always have to come to an end. Thank you for introducing us to the characters #TheVampireDiaries pic.twitter.com/Hj3Bzrzeon

— lizzy! (@dayasangel) July 23, 2016

As sad as most fans probably are over the news, it is an announcement that many begrudgingly saw coming once actress Nina Dobrev, who portrayed Elena Gilbert, the main romantic focus of the Salvatore siblings, as well as one of the three main characters of The Vampire Diaries, departed the series after Season 7. As for whether or not this development brings her back, no one knows for sure. But Plec, who had several discussions with Dobrev about such a return, seemed optimistic about her return (her character is currently in a coma-like state following events that took place during that particular season).

“Nina has always said that if there’s something for her to do in the series finale, she will be there to do it,” Plec expressed to Entertainment Weekly. “When she left, she said, ‘I want to see this character to its end at the end of the show, so I can’t wait to come back and put her to bed again.”

The final 16 episodes of The Vampire Diaries begin Friday, October 21 at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.

[Photo by The Vampire Diaries/Facebook]