Would you believe it’s been four years since Stefan and Damon Salvatore said those words for the last time, causing us all to cry uncontrollably?
The Vampire Diaries became a pop-cultural sensation, based on the popular novel series by L J Smith and tapping into our young love with attractive bloodsuckers.
Fans are still interested in Mystic Falls updates, whether it’s real-world cast reunions or fan-favorite character news from its ongoing spin-offs, although it aired its final episode in 2017 and did not return for a ninth season.
Why did the program – which initially aired on The CW – come to an end with season eight, with so much interest still there (and more viewers engaging in the epic Elena Gilbert love triangle thanks to Netflix)?
There was no one-size-fits-all solution, according to showrunner and co-creator Julie Plec. In 2017, she told the Hollywood Reporter, “There were a lot of reasons that went into [the decision to terminate the series].”
“Some were logistical, some contractual, and you were just like, ‘OK, is the show still going to be good if this guy doesn’t come back?’ What if they do return, but we don’t find out until the very last moment?’ You’re not supposed to talk about a lot of that foolish things. It’s all quite logical “Plec completed the sentence.
She also stated that the decision was ultimately based on the storytelling and that it seemed like the proper time to wrap the Vampire Diaries.
“Once we started talking about quote-unquote ‘hell’ and quote-unquote ‘peace,‘ which is the Vampire Diaries’ version of heaven, it felt like if we’re telling those stories, and we’re telling stories about our characters trying to find their ultimate redemption and salvation with the result being peace or hell, then it certainly now feels like this is the last season,” Plec said at the time. “After all, why are we telling these stories in the first place if we can’t take those journeys to their conclusion?”
There was no one-size-fits-all solution, according to showrunner and co-creator Julie Plec. In 2017, she told the Hollywood Reporter, “There were a lot of reasons that went into [the decision to terminate the series].”
“Some were logistical, some contractual, and you were just like, ‘OK, is the show still going to be good if this guy doesn’t come back?’ What if they do return, but we don’t find out until the very last moment?’ You’re not supposed to talk about a lot of that foolish things. It’s all quite logical “Plec completed the sentence.
She also stated that the decision was ultimately based on the storytelling and that it seemed like the proper time to wrap the Vampire Diaries.
“Once we started talking about quote-unquote ‘hell’ and quote-unquote ‘peace,’ which is the Vampire Diaries’ version of heaven, it felt like if we’re telling those stories, and we’re telling stories about our characters trying to find their ultimate redemption and salvation with the result being peace or hell, then it certainly now feels like this is the last season,” Plec said at the time. “After all, why are we telling these stories in the first place if we can’t take those journeys to their conclusion?”
Nina Dobrev, who has played Elena Gilbert from the show’s start (not to mention Elena’s villainous doppelgänger Katherine Pierce), has agreed to return for the season eight finale.
Many have theorized over the years if her departure – which was depicted on screen in an emotional season six finale – played a role in the eventual decision to stop the show.
The star first revealed the news on Instagram in 2015, telling fans that she had “just spent the most amazing weekend on Lake Lanier in Georgia with my own TVD Family, the cast and crew of The Vampire Diaries,” and that “it wasn’t just a holiday celebration, it was a goodbye party.”
Dobrev also claimed that she “always knew I wanted Elena’s story to be a six-season adventure,” describing it as “a once-in-a-lifetime odyssey.”
Julie Plec called Nina’s departure “bittersweet and wonderful” in a statement to US Weekly.
“Nina is delighted to extend her wings, get some rest, see the world, and also take it by storm,” Plec added.
The continuation of The Vampire Diaries was also confirmed at the time: “We look forward to the ridiculous and exciting task of continuing to develop stories about our Salvatore Brothers and our much-loved and gifted ensemble.”
For many, though, it was Elena’s epic romances with vampire brothers Stefan and Damon (especially Damon) that drew them in. How long might VD survive without one-third of the trio?
The writers were astute in incorporating Elena’s absence into the tale. Even though she wasn’t seen on-screen, her presence was felt right up until the big reunion in season eight’s final episode.
The show’s ratings were believed to be declining, and while this can’t be attributed to Dobrev’s departure – the numbers were already falling – others speculated that this could have been one of the logistical factors in the show’s eventual cancellation.
“We hadn’t had the plug pulled – we had chosen to say goodbye,” Plec previously stated (via Variety).
The finale of The Vampire Diaries gave fans closure and an emotional pay-off for every significant relationship that viewers had invested in since the pilot episode.
Read more:-
Sabrina Season 5 Release Date: Leaks on Cancellation & Confirmation!
Are You The One? Season 9 Release Date: Leaks on Cancellation & Confirmation!
Comments are closed.