'The Vampire Diaries' will shortly be back on air with its seventh season, and speculations are rife that this could be the final season for the CW vampire drama.
Talks of season 7 being the last heightened a few months back after its lead actress Nina Dobrev – who played Elena Gilbert -- left the show. And recent murmurs have been hinting at Ian Somerhalder too following suit and quitting the show for better prospects.
The actor's recent Instagram posts hinted at changes and many believe Somerhalder's stint as Damon Salvatore is coming to an end.
While it remains to be seen if there's any truth to these rumours, season 7 of "The Vampire Diaries" will definitely give Somerhalder ample screen time before his alleged departure.
Season 6 ended with a sleeping spell being cast on Elena, and the character bidding adieu to her friends in Mystic Falls. The story is now going to focus on the Salvatore brothers, their relationship with their mother Lily Salvatore and their new family, the Heretics.
Can "The Vampire Diaries" survive without Elena, who has been the central character since season 1? The season 7 ratings will answer that question, but not many are optimistic.
Whatever the outcome, a new Celeb Dirty Laundry report pointed out that now would be right time for Somerhalder to start making "connections and campaigning for roles" if he does not want his career to follow his ex-girlfriend Dobrev's.
Dobrev hasn't bagged any major acting role since her departure from "The Vampire Diaries", and various reports note that the actress now regrets her decision.
"Ian isn't blind, and as he watches Nina Dobrev struggle to find work, it probably sends a message to Somerhalder… If Ian wants a career after the end of his time on 'The Vampire Diaries,' he better start making connections and campaigning for roles now," the Celeb Dirty Laundry report stated. "Ian made it pretty clear that he does have his eye on his future, and doesn't want to end up like Nina Dobrev; desperate for a work and begging TV shows like 'Empire' and 'True Detective' for a role."
