Big news fang fans. Ian Somerhalder has just confirmed during a panel at the Nashville Walker Stalker Con that season 8 of The Vampire Diaries will be his last. Yes, you read that right, Ian Somerhalder leaving The Vampire Diaries after next season.
"We have decided to do one last season to really do the story justice" @iansomerhalder #WSNashville pic.twitter.com/J92egjkF6x
— Walker Stalker Con (@WalkrStalkrCon) April 10, 2016
A quick lesson for those who might not be familiar with the show – Somerhalder plays Damon Salvatore, one of the three points of the original love triangle that kicked off the show along with Paul Wesley’s Stefan Salvatore and Nina Dobrev’s Elena Gilbert. Dobrev left the show at the end of it’s 6th season and many fans were surprised that show runner Julie Plec kept it going without the heart of the love triangle.
Somerhalder is not the only cast member who has discussed a departure after season 8. Kat Graham, who plays witch Bonnie Bennett, has also recently spoken about her intention to leave the show after the next season.
News of Somerhalder’s departure has been met with conflicting reactions, some fans are saddened by the news whereas others are certain that this spells the end of Mystic Falls. There are even some fans celebrating the show’s apparent demise. Of course this doesn’t mean the other actors would disappear from our screens. Both Paul Wesley’s Stefan and Candice Accola-King’s Caroline have recently crossed over to spin off The Originals, hell even Matt Donovan made an appearance in the most recent episode and fans are salivating at the prospect of a permanent reunion between Caroline and Joseph Morgan’s Klaus.
So how do you feel about the news? Sad that this could be the beginning of the end or are you happy that a show that has out-stayed its welcome is on the way out. Connect with us and let us know!
EDIT: the above tweet from the official Walker Stalker Convention twitter includes a quotation from Ian, it seems like season 8 will be the end of TVD.
