Actress Nina Dobrev confirmed that she will be leaving "The Vampire Diaries' after starring in the show for the past six seasons.
The 26-year-old actress announced on Instagram that she will not be coming back for the seventh season of the CW series.
Dobrev explained that she recently went on vacation at Lake Lanier in Georgia with the "TVD' cast and crew members not as a holiday celebration but as a farewell party.
In a long statement, the actress also shared her memories playing Elena's character in the supernatural TV drama series. Dobrev recalled playing a human, a vampire, and everything in between as she portrayed the role in the six-season adventure.
While she did not reveal details about the season finale in May, she did promise that it will be a big and exciting one.
Referring to the "TVD' cast and crew as an extended family, Dobrev shared: "Elena fell in love not once, but twice, with two epic soulmates, and I myself made some of the best friends I'll ever know and built an extended family I will love forever."
"TVD' executive producer Julie Plec, who helmed the series along with Kevin Williamson, shared an official statement to Us Weekly, confirming that Dobrev will indeed be leaving the show.
"We will miss Nina and the four hundred characters she played, but we look forward to the insane and exciting challenge of continuing to tell stories of our Salvatore Brothers and our much-loved and gifted ensemble," Plec stated.
Dobrev's career was boosted after landing a role on 'Degrassi' in Canada before obtaining the lead role for the 'TVD' pilot. She has starred in several movies while taking summer breaks from 'TVD', including 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower.'
In one of her posts on Instagram, the actress recalled how "seven years ago, a young Degrassi girl from Canada showed up in LA to audition for 'that Twilight TV show.'"
Dobrev is not the only member of the "TVD' cast who will be leaving the series this season. Michael Travino, who has portrayed Tyler Lockwood since the first season, will also exit the show.
Plec also assured the actor's fans that the show will find creative ways to ensure that he and his character will continue as part of the series but no further details were given.
