Can The Vampire Diaries exist without its leading lady, Elena Gilbert?
That’s the question of the hour now that the reality is sinking in about Nina Dobrev leaving The Vampire Diaries after Season 6 draws to a close next month.
Nina may not have broken the Internet a la Kim Kardashian nude in Paper, but she sure gave it a nice jolt with her departure announcement on Monday.
Her exit immediately raised the inevitable questions of why – and whether it was solely due to the engagement of her ex Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed.
Moreover, it has sparked debate over the hit show’s future on the CW, and whether it should even have one once its lead female star bows out in May.
The official answer is yes, the show will go on, at least for one year.
While it’s no longer a ratings juggernaut, TVD has already been renewed for Season 7 and, in turn, will return this fall to continue its wildly successful run.
How successful it will be sans Dobrev is another matter, though.
Will it experience a creative resurgence in her absence, or simply limp over the finish line, a shadow of its former self that we barely even recognize?
Shows have survived, and even thrived after major shakeups, but Dobrev is THE face of the show as Elena … and all the others who have shared her face.
Through thick and thin, The Vampire Diaries is very much Elena’s story, even if she’s been a character some might have argued (once) was expendable.
She may ultimately be replaced, but she’ll never be forgotten.
As you know if you watch The Vampire Diaries online, the series has dropped off from its past glory days as of Season 5, and has never quite recovered.
That’s not something you can pin solely on one character, though. Nor is it for lack of effort on Nina’s part, as she’s been a consistently strong actress.
Elena’s family history and romantic ups and downs have been the subject of controversy among fans, but it’s hard to argue that she doesn’t carry the show.
On the flip side, the Salvatore brothers’ bond is just as central to the series, and there are plenty of strong characters – old and new – left in Mystic Falls.
Perhaps Dobrev’s exit, whatever personal reasons prompted it on her end, will force the producers to think outside the box and inject new life into the show.
Is being forced into uncharted territory actually a good thing? Only time will tell, but it won’t be an easy road for producers to travel, that much is for certain.
You tell us: Can the show go on without Nina? Are you looking at this as a death knell or a blessing in disguise for The Vampire Diaries? Hit the comments!