'The Vampire Diaries' cancelled news 2016: Ending after season 8; Nina Dobrev to return in series finale?

It's going to be a sad time for all "The Vampire Diaries" fans. The show is ending soon and it's never coming back.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, it's now official that The CW's supernatural drama series will end after season 8. The producers of the show announced the news during the annual San Diego Comic-Con.

"We all have discussed it and we've made the decision that this is it," executive producer Julie Plec told fans Saturday, July 23. "This is going to be the final season of The Vampire Diaries," she said.

Fans were hoping that the series will move forward further but the departure had already been anticipated ever since series stars Ian Somerhalder and Kat Graham announced their plans to leave by the end of the eighth run. It's also revealed that the final season will be cut down to 16 episodes only.

However, it's not all sad as Plec revealed that there's a possibility that Elena Gilbert will return in the series finale. Nina Dobrev's departure after season 6 had fans wondering if she will ever come back. Her storyline in season 6 finale was left hanging so it seemed like it was meant to be that way in case Dobrev wanted to return again as Elena.

In season 7 finale, fans were treated to a major teaser after Elena's voice was featured. It was even revealed later on that it wasn't an old recording of Dobrev's voice but a new one as the actress personally came to the studio to record the lines. The scene sparked rumors that Dobrev will be back to give the show a proper send-off.

When asked about Dobrev's return, Plec said that nothing has been in place yet but the Bulgarian-Canadian actress did make a promise before she left the series that she would make a comeback and be part of the goodbye. Plec said that she is only holding on to that promise for now but she is certain that Dobrev will fulfill it.

"The Vampire Diaries" season 8 will premiere on Oct. 21 on The CW.