“It’s so rare for a show to get to last this long, and what a privilege that Mark Pedowitz (President, The CW) and Peter Roth (chief executive of Warner Brothers Television) have allowed us to choose the time to end the journey on our own creative terms,” said showrunner Julie Plec in a statement. “It’s been eight of the best years of my life. I will miss it terribly, but I’m so proud to be here to see it to its proper end.”
The network also unveiled a goodbye reel for fans during the show’s panel.
The end of “The Vampire Diaries” had been rumored since original series star Nina Dobrev chose to leave the show after Season 6.
In April, Somerhalder apparently told fans that Season 8 would be the final season, though no official announcement came at the time.
“‘The Vampire Diaries’ has meant so much to so many fans around the world, and has meant so much to all of us at The CW,” said Pedowitz. “I am a huge fan of the show myself, and I’ve seen every episode. So I am very happy that we can give Julie and Kevin the chance to finish their story the way they have envisioned, and to give viewers a fantastic conclusion to eight spectacular seasons.”
The eighth and final season of “The Vampire Diaries” premieres Friday, Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.
13 Times Leads Left Their TV Roles Before the Show Ended (Photos)
After six seasons as the first-billed lead on "The Vampire Diaries," Nina Dobrev announced she would be leaving -- though the show would go on to a seventh season. "TVD" has since been renewed for a Season 8.
The CW
Christopher Meloni made an abrupt exit after the Season 12 finale of "Law & Order: SVU," and the show seemed doomed without one half of the Stabler-Benson partnership at its heart, but with Mariska Hargitay still on board, the show has just been renewed for a Season 18.
NBC
"Sleepy Hollow" shocked fans when it killed off its leading lady Nicole Beharie, the first billed actor on the show, in the Season 3 finale. The series has not yet been renewed for Season 4, but producers have already reassured fans they will continue without Beharie's Abbie Mills if good news does hit.
Fox
When "Homeland" began, it seemed to revolve around Claire Danes' obsession and relationship with Damian Lewis' maybe-terrorist character. But after Lewis' Brody was killed off in the Season 3, the show continued, and was recently renewed for Season 6.
Showtime
Before Season 3 even ended, "The Blacklist" killed off its leading lady Megan Boone, and her FBI character Liz Keen. This could course-correct itself, since Boone is out due to real-life pregnancy, but for now, producers are insisting she's really dead. It has already been renewed for Season 4.
NBC
"The X-Files" without Mulder or Scully? The quintessential partnership show did just that when David Duchovny left the show in Season 8, forcing Gillian Anderson's Scully to find a new partner. The show managed to go one for one more season ... Plus 2 movies and a revival, with Duchovny back on board.
Fox
Ahead of a Season 9 pickup, ABC confirmed "Castle" leading lady Stana Katic would not return -- but Nathan Fillion was already in negotiations to continue to play the titular role. Producers have already confirmed plans to reconfigure the show around Castle.
ABC
After 11 seasons, Shondaland drama "Grey's Anatomy" shocked its fans to the core when it killed off Patrick Dempsey's Derek Shepherd. Meredith Grey persevered, and so did the show, which has been renewed for Season 13.
ABC
Amid rumors of backstage drama, "The O.C." killed off its leading lady Mischa Barton, who played the troubled Marissa Cooper, in the Season 3 finale. The show lasted just one more season, with Autumn Reeser's Taylor Townsend being brought in to "replace" the dearly departed Marissa.
Fox
In one of the most high-profile and explosive separations between shows and their lead actors, Charlie Sheen didn't just burn his bridge with "Two and a Half Men" after 8 seasons, it was more like a nuclear blast. But the show survived, brought in Ashton Kutcher, and lasted 4 more seasons, for a total of 12.
CBS
Continuing her rocky relationship with Darren Star post "Beverly Hills 90210," Shannen Doherty's Prue Halliwell was killed off after 3 seasons on "Charmed." Rose McGowan was brought in to fill the void, and the show lasted for 8 seasons total.
The WB
After seven seasons as the lead on 'The Office," Steve Carell and his character Michael Scott said goodbye to the NBC sitcom. The show devoted multiple story arcs to finding his replacement, and ended after two more seasons, for a total of nine.
NBC
"One Tree Hill" fans were skeptical when it was announced that leading couple Chad Michael Murry and Hilarie Burton would not be returning to the show after Season 6, but Peyton and Lucas did indeed ride off into the sunset, and the show continued on for three more seasons without them.
The WB/CW
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From Christopher Meloni on “Law & Order: SVU” to Nina Dobrev on “The Vampire Diaries,” these series have had varying success following high profile exits
After six seasons as the first-billed lead on "The Vampire Diaries," Nina Dobrev announced she would be leaving -- though the show would go on to a seventh season. "TVD" has since been renewed for a Season 8.
The CW
NBC
