'The Originals' season 4 return date, news, plot updates: Series loses showrunner; upcoming season to be about rekindling and hope

The executive producer of "The Vampire Diaries" spin-off series has taken a deal with ABC Studios, leaving the show in the hands of Julie Plec. Meanwhile, season 4 will focus on rekindling relationships and finding hope in new ones.

The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that Michael Narducci is exiting Warner Bros. Television to join ABC Studios to work on projects that are TV's greatest hits, such as "Grey's Anatomy" and "American Crime."

Narducci's exit will not impact "The Originals" season 4 because production is already finished. If the show is renewed for another season, it will fall into the hands of "The Vampire Diaries" executive producer, Julie Plec.

The CW president, Mark Pedowitz, shared at the Television Critics Association winter press tour that the decision to push for a fifth season will happen in May after the show's ratings have been evaluated.

Pedowitz shared that he is a big Julie Plec fan, according to Entertainment Weekly, and that he is hopeful that the show will continue.

Meanwhile, "The Originals" season 4 will be all about rekindling relationships and finding hope in new ones.

Narducci teased to TV Line that Hayley (Phoebe Tonkin) and Elijah (Daniel Gillies) will finally be reunited and that it will be "one of the emotional cores of the season." Aside from the two, even Klaus (Joseph Morgan) will be patching up his relationship with Marcel (Charles Michael Davis), after which Narducci says that there is "hope of healing some wounds."

There will be hope in the form of a new relationship for Freya (Riley Voelkel), as the showrunner revealed that she will be getting a new love interest, which will build another dimension into the development of Voelkel's character.

Narducci added that Rebekah (Claire Holt) will also have a journey of her own and that her storyline will be followed for about half of season 4.

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