For the past six seasons, "The Vampire Diaries" has really built its story on the love triangle of mortal Elena Gilbert and vampire brothers Damon and Stefan Salvatore, but for the seventh season, lead star Nina Dobrev (Elena) decided to bow out of the show.
Ian Somerhalder (Damon) knows that with Elena gone, his character would have a huge gap to fill in his heart.
"All I can say about that is that they were great characters separate, they were great characters together, and they remain great characters separated," the actor told E! News while on the show's set in Atlanta. "Damon is still here and he's still evolving and he's still having a blast and he's still saying super-smarmy, ridiculously overly confident, very wildly embarrassing and degrading things and he will continue to do that, but with a little love for Elena in his heart."
Somerhalder also dismissed fans' hope that Damon and Elena would be reunited somehow, given the fact that she's tightly sealed in a coffin for the next couple of decades.
"It's not so great for a relationship. I would not recommend it," he jokingly said.
However, the actor encouraged fans not to give up on the show, since Elena's departure opens up a whole lot of possibilities for "The Vampire Diaries."
"I'm thinking that this is the evolution of the show," he said. "Obviously she is in his heart and he is going to have a very tough time understanding how to go on, but that's what drama's for."
With Elena gone, Damon is back to his old ways, flirting left and right with any girl he takes a fancy to. Somerhalder even teased that he would entertain "eight sorority girls" at a time just because he can.
"That's Damon Salvatore, you know what I mean? He's not married," he defended his character.
Aside from Damon, other mainstays in the show will continue in season 7 such as Stefan, Bonnie, and Caroline.
Caroline, who is played by Candice King might be pregnant this season given the fact that Candice herself is pregnant. Paul Wesley (Stefan) is pretty excited about the possibility of his character being a dad.
"Stefan would be a good dad, focusing all his energy on that kid," he said. "He'd grow up to be a sensitive, smart ripper."
"The Vampire Diaries" season 7 premieres on October 8 at 8 p.m. on The CW.
