The Vampire Diaries Season 8 To Be Final Season

The upcoming eight season of fan-favorite The Vampire Diaries will, unfortunately, be its last, a fact that was announced at San Diego Comic-Con at the Warner Bros. panel.

Co-creator Julie Plec was on hand, and expressed her disappointment with the announcement, calling it "bittersweet and emotional." Still, even though the show won't be returning, she's so thankful for the opportunity she and the team have had over the last eight years.

"It's so rare for a show to get to last this long, and what a privilege that Mark Pedowitz and Peter Roth have allowed us to choose the time to end the journey on our own creative terms," said Plec. "It's been eight of the best years of my life. I will miss it terribly, but I'm so proud to be here to see it to its proper end."

Season eight will also see the return of co-creator Kevin Williamson to the fold, who also offered some comments on the final season.

"I feel so blessed to have been a part of The Vampire Diaries. It has been a magical, thrilling, life-changing experience," said executive producer Kevin Williamson. "Working with Julie and our amazing cast and crew has been one of the highlights of my career and life. At its core, the show has always been about family and that's what we have become behind the scenes as well — one big family. And while it's sad to see it come to an end, I'm thrilled to be back and part of the final chapter. We're very grateful to our loyal audience — they're our family, too — and we hope to say thank you by giving them the last and most epic season ever. Thank you, thank you, thank you."

Mark Pedowitz, President of The CW, counts himself as a big fan of the series and is glad to see it end in the right way.

"The Vampire Diaries has meant so much to so many fans around the world, and has meant so much to all of us at The CW. I am a huge fan of the show myself, and I've seen every episode. So I am very happy that we can give Julie and Kevin the chance to finish their story the way they have envisioned, and to give viewers a fantastic conclusion to eight spectacular seasons."

The cast also weighed in on the series conclusion, including Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley. Somerhalder recalls when he was first cast in the role of Damon.

"The sun, the moon and stars aligned for me one day in March when I got the official call that I had been cast in this very special role as Damon Salvatore," said Somerhalder. "I'm so very grateful to those who fought for me to have this opportunity (you know who you are), for those that have worked so hard to make this show happen, and to those that have loyally watched it, making it part of their lives. This show has enriched my life greater than anything I've done in my career and it will live in my heart. We are a family and I will miss you. Thank you again to this amazing cast and crew, Kevin, Julie, Warner Bros., The CW and the most loyal fan base the world has ever seen. Wow, what a ride."

Wesley thanked the producers and Pedowitz for giving him such a wonderful opportunity.

"Being cast in The Vampire Diaries has changed the trajectory of my life, to say the very least," said star Paul Wesley. "I'm beyond fortunate for the experiences I've had and lessons I've learned over the last seven years. I want to thank Kevin and Julie, as well as Peter Roth and Warner Bros., Mark Pedowitz and The CW, our incredible cast and crew, and especially the TVD fans all around the world who are the reason this show became such a worldwide success. I am beyond grateful to have been a part of it."

The final season of The Vampire Diaries kicks off on Friday, October 21st.