Nina Dobrev is set to reprise her role as Elena Gilbert for one final time in ‘The Vampire Diaries.’ The actress, who took on the part of Elena for six seasons on The CW thriller drama, took to Instagram and posted a photo on Thursday. She revealed that she will be making a comeback on ‘The Vampire Diaries’ season 8 finale.

“I’m thrilled to bring this show to an end the way we always intended — with Nina back to help us say goodbye,” executive producer Julie Plec said in an interview with Variety.

The 28-year-old actress said goodbye to ‘The Vampire Diaries’ when the sixth season ended, when Elena entered a deep sleep that can only be stopped when her best friend Bonnie (Kat Graham) meets her own death. During the past six seasons, Dobrev also played Elena’s vampire double- Katherine Pierce- and sometimes her lookalike’s ancestor, Amara. There have also been times that Dobrev took on multiple roles in a single episode.

Dobrev’s appearance in ‘The Vampire Diaries’ season 8 may come as no surprise to many as the actress left the CW show two seasons ago with which she made an agreement that she could make a comeback on the series finale. According to CW president Mark Pedowitz and Plec, who is helming ‘The Vampire Diaries’ season 8 finale, Dobrev’s return on the show’s concluding episode is critical.

"It's been a great journey, but at the end of the day, I'm not actually a vampire. The fairy tale has to end, and the next chapter has to begin," the actress said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in 2015.
Dobrev has been one of the cast members who exited ‘The Vampire Diaries’ in the past years. Both Michael Trevino and Steven R. McQueen left the series during the sixth season, although Trevino made a comeback in the current season.

Last July, ‘The Vampire Diaries’ cast members and executive producers made the announcement that season eight will be their last installment.

"Get ready, because it's going to be an epic ride," Plec told the audience at the Comic-Con International.

‘The Vampire Diaries’ season 8 finale is set to air on March 10, Friday, on The CW.