Since Nina Dobrev shockingly revealed she was leaving “The Vampire Diaries” back in April, she has been very vocal with her heartfelt goodbyes and thank yous to the show, the cast, and most especially to the fans. During this year’s Teen Choice Awards, the 26-year-old actress delivered an emotional speech while accepting her last Teen Choice Award for the hit The CW supernatural drama series.
Dobrev, who jokingly wore fangs while on stage but then removed it because she obviously does not need them anymore, says that her departure was a necessary part of life. As she accepted her surfboard for Choice TV Actress: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, she went on to say that change is scary, but it is vital for one to learn, to grow and to better oneself. The actress then reminisces her character, Elena, and how playing Ms. Gilbert for the past six years on “The Vampire Diaries” has significantly changed her life.
In near tears, Dobrev singled out the show’s creators Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson and thanked the two for giving her four roles in the show. Aside from Elena, Dobrev was also credited for playing doppelgangers Katherine and Amara on “The Vampire Diaries,” while she made a guest appearance as another doppelganger Tatia on the spin-off series “The Originals.”
On a serious note, Nina concluded her speech saying that she will always look back on “The Vampire Diaries” with a grateful heart and told the audience that change is coming and it’s going to be fun. Dobrev, together with her “The Vampire Diaries” co-star Ian Somerhalder, also won Choice TV: Liplock. As Somerhalder was a no-show, Nina appreciatively accepted the award on his former boyfriend’s behalf.
Everyone was taken by surprise when Dobrev announced that she wouldn’t be returning as Elena when “The Vampire Diaries” returns for its seventh season. Along with Dobrev, Micheal Trevino who played werewolf and vampire hybrid Tyler Lockwood also exited the series. Fans were in an uproar with Dobrev’s exit saying that the show will not be the same without Elena as she, along with Paul Wesley and Somerhalder who plays the Salvatore brothers are the show’s core.
Showrunner Julie Plec has stated that saying goodbye to Nina was both bittersweet and beautiful. She said that though it was heartbreaking that she decided to leave the show, they fully support her in her future endeavors.
Odds not in her favor
Even though showrunners welcome the possibility of Elena making a return on Mystic Falls especially with the fact that her character was not actually killed off during Season 6’s finale but was only put under a sleeping curse by Kai, it looks like Dobrev’s speech was a sign that chances are slim for her to reprise her role as Elena or her other three doppelgangers in the show.
“The Degrassi: Next Generation” alum has long reiterated that leaving “The Vampire Diaries” had nothing to do with not wanting to work with his ex-boyfriend Somerhalder, who plays her on-screen boyfriend Damon Salvatore. Somerhalder is now married to “Twilight” star Nikki Reed while Dobrev is currently dating “Whiplash” actor Austin Stowell.
Nina claimed she wanted to pursue a movie career and it was obvious as she landed a role in 2012’s “Perks of Being a Wallflower,” and in 2014’s comedy “Let’s Be Cops.”
But it looks like after leaving The CW hit show, the grass does not seem greener on the other side for Ms. Dobrev. According to the Inquisitr, since her heartbreaking exodus on “The Vampire Diaries,” she still has not landed a single role on films. With this, the actress reportedly is planning to head back to small screens, eyeing to land a role on HBO’s critically-acclaimed drama “True Detective.” Although the show, which featured the talents of Rachel McAdams, Matthew McConaughey, and Collin Farrel during its two seasons still has not been greenlit for a third season, it looks like the announcement would be for formality only as the renewal is definitely happening.
Dobrev, just like any other actor, is clamoring to be casted on the crime drama anthology. Reports say that the actress is hell bent on getting an audition for the “True Detective” Season 3. Rumors are also rife that the “The Final Girls” star is also trying to get a role on Fox’s “Empire.” The drama television series focuses on Empire Entertainment, a hip-hop music and entertainment company and the lives of its founders as they fight for its ownership. According to reports, Nina is pretty much driven on landing a role on the second season of “Empire” which is slated for a September premiere.