'The Originals' season 5 renewal: season 4 to be show's end? CW president weighs in

The CW has renewed early a batch of shows for brand new seasons, but "The Originals" is not one of them, leading fans of "The Vampire Diaries" spinoff to be concerned whether or not the show's time has come.

When asked about the vampire drama's fate, Mark Pedowitz, the head of the network, said via TV Guide that like the fans of the Mikaelsons, he would still like to see the vampire clan once more.

"I hope The Originals can continue. A lot of it depends on its performance," he said. "I'm counting on [executive producer Julie Plec] to deliver for this season," the executive went on to say.

Pedowitz appears to be always hopeful with regard to renewals. Last year, he said that he wants to see "Reign" go on for more seasons after giving the nod to a fourth one. As fans know, that show was axed and is bound to end after four seasons.

There were rumors in the past that "The Originals" season 4 will be discontinued, and the show is yet to redeem itself in terms of ratings, which are on a decline.

Pedowitz's remark suggests that how the show does in its upcoming season will determine its fate. That being said, it looks like the show is safe for now.

"The Originals" season 4 is set five years after the events in the previous season. This means that when the show returns, Klaus (Joseph Morgan) and Hayley's (Phoebe Tonkin) daughter Hope is baby no more. She will be a major character in the upcoming season and will be played by Summer Montana. Spoilers have it that she will be asking Hayley about her father.

Klaus, as fans will remember, is still at the hands of Marcel (Charles Michael Davis) while the rest of the Mikaelsons are in a dreamscape waiting to be saved.

Without the family, Marcel is left to protect New Orleans from outside forces. He will easily find his hands full in "The Originals" season 4 with all the new threats looking to wreak havoc in the city.

"The Originals" season 4 premieres Friday, March 17, at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.