‘The Vampire Diaries’ Season 8 possibly the last; Nina Dobrev-Ian Somerhalder Reunion Unlikely

‘The Vampire Diaries’ has been greenlit for an eighth season on The CW. It is speculated to be the show’s final season. Nina Dobrev’s return to the series to reunite with co-star Ian Somerhalder is not likely despite the growing rumors.

According to Zap2It, the incoming season may be the hit television show’s final run on the small screen especially since it seemed to have a hard time keeping ratings up for The CW. Ratings fell through for season 7 – with its finale, entitled “Requiem for a Dream”, making it to the bottom spot in the history of the long-running vampire drama series.

It was reported by TV Series Finale that the sixth season averaged a 0.72 rating in the 18-49 demographic. It managed to pull in only 1.54 million viewers. It was speculated that the schedule shift for a Friday time slot contributed to the decrease in audience numbers.

Meanwhile, speculations of original series mainstay Nina Dobrev reuniting with co-star Ian Somerhalder in the upcoming season began emerging after new voice work for Elena came up. However, an article from Wet Paint wrote that it was highly unlikely since she has long since moved on to other projects.

Dobrev played Elena Gilbert, the series’ main female protagonist, from seasons 1 through 6. She also made a cameo in season 6. Elena was introduced into the series as a seemingly harmless human girl but is later revealed to be a Petrova doppelganger. She eventually becomes a vampire in season 3.

Somerhalder plays Damon Salvatore, a vampire introduced into the series as an antagonist but eventually transforms into one of its lead protagonists. He later develops a relationship with Elena.

Dobrev announced her departure from the series after Season 5’s finale through a lengthy Instagram post. An excerpt read, “I always knew I wanted Elena's story to be a six season adventure, and within those six years I got the journey of a lifetime… I got kidnapped, killed, resurrected, tortured, cursed, body-snatched, was dead and undead, and there's still so much more to come before the season finale in May.”

Somerhalder and Dobrev began an off-screen romantic relationship sometime in 2010 and eventually split up in 2013. Somerhalder went on to date Nikki Reed of ‘Twilight’ fame on 2015. The two confirmed their engagement in February 2015 and got married on April of the same year.

It was speculated that tensions ran high on-set following Dobrev and Somerhalder’s break-up – enough to fuel more rumors of Dobrev’s real reason for quitting the series.

‘The Vampire Diaries’ is yet to announce season 8’s official air date.