'The Vampire Diaries' season 8 air date, spoilers, & updates: Elena Gilbert coming back for Stefan? Ian Somerhalder's role loses significance?

Will Nina Dobrev, who played Elena Gilbert on the series, be back for the eighth and final season of "The Vampire Diaries," the series that made her a household name? Fans want it to happen, but there are rumors a cast member is against it.

The show's executive producer, Julie Plec, has always been vocal about her desire to bring Dobrev back for the final season ever since the actress left at the end of season 6. However, Ian Somerhalder, who plays Elena's love interest Damon Salvatore, publicly opposed Plec's decision during the San Diego Comic-Con.

Apparently, Somerhalder was against Dobrev's return because his wife, actress Nikki Reed, was having a jealous fit. Somerhalder and Dobrev dated in real life and became an item for many years, and immediately after they broke up, Somerhalder hooked up with Reed and married her in what seemed like a whirlwind romance. Fans assumed Reed was a rebound girl.

Plec, on the other hand, is adamant to bring Dobrev back, and according to some reports, instead of seeing a reunion between Damon and Elena, or "Delena" to fans, the latter will be rekindling her romance with first love Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley), Damon's brother.

Fans of the series know that Elena met Stefan, or "Stelena," first and they were a couple for a long time. Eventually, Elena ended up with Damon, and it was the case until Dobrev left the show. With Damon embracing his darkest side when "The Vampire Diaries" season 8 returns, Elena might be repulsed by it and turn to Stefan for comfort. Should this happen, Somerhalder's character might be reduced to a minor role in the upcoming installment.

These developments, on the other hand, might push Caroline Forbes (Candice King), who is Stefan's current flame, to seek solace in Klaus Mikaelson (Joseph Morgan of "The Originals"). Klaus left Caroline and Mystic Falls with a heartfelt message that she will be his last love.

A "Klaroline" reunion in "The Vampire Diaries'" final season seems fitting for the two, as well as with Stelena, something that some fans and viewers of the show feel will be the most apt conclusion to the story. It remains to be seen if this storyline will be realized when the show returns to The CW this fall.

"The Vampire Diaries" season 8 premieres on Friday, Oct. 21, at 8/7c. In the meantime, stay tuned for more updates and spoilers about the show.