Ian Somerhalder has officially confirmed his departure from The Vampire Diaries at the end of Season 8. While fans are still wondering if the hit series will end after Somerhalder’s exit, the actor is leaving because he wants to start a family with his wife, Nikki Reed.
In an interview with Extra TV , Reed confirmed her plans to start a family with Somerhalder. Not only did Reed express her excitement at the prospect of having children, but she also guaranteed that it will happen.
“I love kids… It’s gonna happen.”
Somerhalder has long been rumored to want a family. However, his commitment to acting and The Vampire Diaries has made it difficult to have children. Now that he is officially leaving the series, Somerhalder will have plenty of time to devote to Reed and their family.
Meanwhile, according to CelebBuzz , Somerhalder revealed his plans to leave the show during an appearance at Walker Stalker Con in Nashville. However, his big announcement was not without some controversy, as many fans took his comments to mean that the series would end after next season.
“We have decided one last season to really do the story justice,” Somerhalder told a crowd of fans during the event.
Following the massive online reaction, Somerhalder felt the need to clarify his comments. In fact, he posted a message on Twitter and explained that producers have not decided on ending the series just yet. While he did not confirm a ninth season, he did leave the door open for the series continuing without his character.
“Hey all, so … Last weekend I talked to an audience at a Q&A about the end of #TVD and how excited I was to make what I believe — my last year — be as great as possible,” Somerhalder wrote. “Thing is, the people who actually make that decision (the CW and WB) haven’t made it yet! So let’s take things one step at a time: Season 7 wrap, vacation, lots of sleep, let the writers get started on Season 8, and then we’ll all see where we go from there.”
Of course, some fans still believe that The Vampire Diaries will end after Season 8 and that Ian Somerhalder was only backtracking at the behest of the network. Considering how the series has suffered lower ratings since Nina Dobrev’s departure, it would not be surprising if the show only has one more year left.
![Nina Dobrev Will Return For Season 8 Of 'The Vampire Diaries,' After Ian Somerhalder Exit? [Image via The CW]](http://cdn.inquisitr.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Nina-Dobrev_TVD_Elena-Vampire_The-CW-670x388.jpg)
According to FanSided , The Vampire Diarieswould have a difficult time without Somerhalder’s Damon Salvatore. After all, Damon has been one of the main characters since the start of the show, and his importance increased after Dobrev left. If the series witnessed a drop in ratings after Dobrev’s exit, there’s no telling how many fans would tune out without Somerhalder in action.
At the same time, Kat Graham has announced her departure from the series, as well. Graham played the role of Bonnie on the hit series, and will leave at the end of Season 8. Like Somerhalder, Graham has also been with the series since the beginning, though her character played a lesser role.
With so many characters leaving the show, it isn’t clear how the series will continue on past Season 8. Even if producers and writers managed to carry the series on past next season, the end result would be nothing like previous years, especially without two of the show’s main characters.
Whatever the future holds, at least fans can rest assured knowing that there is one more season on the way. That being said The Vampire Diaries’other star, Paul Wesley, has yet to comment on the potential of a Season 9 or his future on the show.
Tell us! Do you think starting a family is the only reason Ian Somerhalder is leaving The Vampire Diaries ? Let us know in the comments and check out some of his best moments as Damon Salvatore in the video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0581psem6c
[Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images]