Did you know the real reason behind Nina Dobrev's exit from The Vampire Diaries after Season 6? here's what happened next

Nina Dobrev’s departure after the sixth season of The Vampire Diaries came as an unexpected shock to fans. In 2015, Dobrev, who played the iconic role of Elena Gilbert in the popular supernatural series, left after portraying the character for six seasons.The Vampire Diaries centred around Damon and Stefan, two vampire brothers who fell in love with Elena, a human. The show revolved around a classic love triangle trope, with the brothers frequently saving Elena from supernatural threats. As the series progressed, the ensemble cast became essential to the overall plot. Dobrev's exit caused significant disruption, as the show continued without its main character.A Creative Twist After Nina’s ExitThe writers found a creative way to write off Elena’s character, leaving the door open for the actress should she wish to return. In the Season 6 finale, the antagonist Kai Parker cast a sleeping spell on Elena, linking her life to that of her best friend Bonnie. As long as Bonnie remained alive, Elena would remain in a deep, death-like sleep. Elena voluntarily entered that state to ensure Bonnie could live a full life. With Dobrev gone, Damon and Stefan took centre stage.

Nina’s Reason for LeavingAlthough fans were surprised by her decision, Dobrev later revealed that it had always been part of the plan. “That was the plan from the get-go," she told Harper's Bazaar in 2017. She wished to pursue other roles and, in her own words, stop playing a teenager.She added, "If anything, the fact that [leaving] terrified me drove me even more. I needed to feel that fear of 'Oh, my God, what if I never get a job again?' That just made me want to work five times as hard to make sure that didn't happen."Dobrev’s exit had a positive impact on the show’s direction. While she was the central character and everything had revolved around her, her absence allowed other characters to develop their own storylines.How Her Exit Changed the Show’s DynamicsThe brotherly bond between Stefan and Damon deepened. Caroline’s pregnancy and her romance with Stefan were explored in more detail. Bonnie experienced meaningful relationships with both Enzo and Damon.Although her absence was felt during the later seasons, Dobrev returned in 2017 for the series finale.

Fans had anticipated her comeback, and her guest appearance was fully utilised in the final episode, I Was Feeling Epic, which also featured a cameo by Elena’s vampire doppelgänger, Katherine Pierce. The return of both characters was seamlessly executed in the finale.A major portion of the episode focused on the characters’ attempts to break the sleeping curse and reach Elena in her suspended state. Simultaneously, they had to defend Mystic Falls from Katherine’s plans as the newly crowned Queen of Hell.

The Bennett family had to go to great lengths to prevent Katherine from burning the town down for good.Nina’s first appearance in the iconic blue dress was deeply emotional, before Damon and Stefan realised she was actually Katherine. Bonnie eventually broke Elena’s curse, although the show did not explain how. Once freed, Elena had a heartfelt reunion with Damon and all her friends. The finale later depicted Elena and Damon enjoying a happy life together, now that both were human.In April 2015, Dobrev announced her departure from The Vampire Diaries on Instagram, sharing a gold Polaroid of herself embracing TV creator Julie Plec. In a heartfelt post, she thanked the fans of TVD and paid tribute to her character, Elena.Nina Dobrev’s Career After The Vampire DiariesAfter leaving The Vampire Diaries in 2015, Nina Dobrev continued her acting career with roles in films such as Flatliners, xXx: Return of Xander Cage, Dog Days, Run This Town, Love Hard, and The Out-Laws.