‘The Vampire Diaries’ Season 8 Release Date, News & Update: Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder To Continue As Elena Gilbert, Damon Salvatore After Kat Graham Exit?

Ian Somerhalder, who plays Damon Salvatore, worried during an interview that the "Lost" actor may have made fans believe that "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8 is the end for the Salvatores. However, The CW confirmed that "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8 will go on to S9 for now and, given executive Julie Plec's words, could see Ian Somerhalder continue reuniting Damon Salvatore with Elena Gilbert, played by "xXx: The Return of Xander Cage" actress Nina Dobrev.

TV Guide reports that Ian Somerhalder was quick to correct the impression that "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8 is the concluding or that Damon Salvatore is saying goodbye to Elena Gilbert alongside Bonnie Bennett actress Kat Graham. Ian Somerhalder credited end-of-season vacation excitement for what seemed a eulogy for "The Vampire Diaries."

Access Hollywood reports that The CW president Mark Pedowitz said "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8 could birth more years. TV By The Numbers reports that Mark Pedowitz qualified that fan support will determine continuation after "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8.

Deadline Hollywood points out that "The Vampire Diaries" has been seeing yearly downward support. However, the explosive response to a surprise by Nina Dobrev with Elena Gilbert during "The Vampire Diaries" Season 7 finale could mark a turn of tides.

Instead of a mash of old audio files stunned fans and Damon Salvatore heard a fresh audio, which Nina Dobrev chose to record, of Elena Gilbert at the "The Vampire Diaries" Season 7 end. TVLine reports that executive producer Julie Plec revealed plans to have Nina Dobrev reprise Elena Gilbert at the "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8 finale.

However, given fan response to the S7 finale and that, realistically, "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8 will need a boost to continue Nina Dobrev making another appearance as Elena Gilbert may come earlier than S8's end. The reawakening for Nina Dobrev's character is expected to happen as Bonnie Bennett makes the ultimate sacrifice for Damon Salvatore, Enzo St John and Elena Gilbert at Kat Graham's exit with "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8.

Who's to say however, that Nina Dobrev will not have Elena Gilbert reach out from limbo before Bonnie Bennett awakens her as "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8 plays out? Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder and Kat Graham will return for "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8 at the yet-to-be-announced premiere on The CW.