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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. The Vampire Diaries Cast Before They Were Stars! 1. The Vampire Diaries Cast View Photo The Vampire Diaries Season 6 returns October 2! Take a look at the TVD cast before they were stars! 2. Ian Somerhalder in Young Americans One of Ian Somerhalder’s early roles was as Hamilton Fleming in Young Americans. Fleming thought he might be gay, but as it turned out, he was in love with a girl hiding her sex to gain admission to an all-boys school. 3. Ian Somerhalder on LOST Ian Somerhalder’s big break came from his portrayal of stranded rich guy Boone Carlyle on LOST. He was sort of in love with his stepsister. It was weird. 4. Ian Somerhalder on The Vampire Diaries View Photo Ian Somerhalder’s most famous role, aside from being an environmentalist, is that of Damon Salvatore on The Vampire Diaries. Damon Salvatore. SWOON! Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 5. Paul Wesley on Guiding Light Paul Wesley appeared as Max Nickerson on Guiding Light under his birth name Paul Wasilewski. He’s not the only TVD star to have gotten his start on a daytime soap opera. 6. Paul Wesley on Everwood Wesley played badboy drug dealer Tommy Callahan on Everwood and nearly stole Amy’s innocence. 7. Paul Wesley on American Dreams Wesley played another Tommy, DeFelice, on American Dreams, a football player, which makes a nice transition to his role on TVD Season 1. 8. Paul Wesley in The Vampire Diaries View Photo TVD fans will remember when Stefan Salvatore played football for Mystic Falls High School in an effort to appear more normal. He’s come so far since then. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 9. Nina Dobrev in Too Young to Marry Nina Dobrev played Jessica Carpenter, a teen who gets married (and divorced) in Too Young to Marry before landing her most famous pre-TVD role on… 10. Nina Dobrev on Degrassi Degrassi!! Dobrev played single teen mom Mia Jones on several incarnations of Degrassi before leaving the series for fangs and international fame. 11. Nina Dobrev in Never Cry Werewolf But before TVD, there was this, a tv movie called Never Cry Werewolf. Looks like Neens needed to test out the supernatural waters before she decided on Team Vampire. 12. Nina Dobrev on The Vampire Diaries View Photo The role that launched Nina Dobrev into the stratosphere of superstardom has to be Elena Gilbert on The Vampire Diaries. Where will we find a heartbroken Elena in TVD Season 6? Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 13. Steven R. McQueen on Everwood Steven R. McQueen’s big break came from his role as Kyle Hunter, a piano prodigy tutored by Ephraim Brown, on Everwood. (Fun fact: One of Julie Plec’s favorite shows is Everwood.) 14. Steven R. McQueen on The Vampire Diaries View Photo Jeremy Gilbert is all grown up, and man, do we love it! Steven R. McQueen’s first few appearances as Elena’s little brother had us wondering if he would survive in this supernatural world. 15. Candice Accola in Pirate Camp Candice Accola’s first onscreen role came as she played a camper in Pirate Camp! And she was a RED HEAD! 16. Candice Accola in Dating Rules For My Future Self Prior to playing everyone’s favorite control freak, Candice Accola was attempting to control her destiny as Chloe Cunningham on Dating Rules For My Future Self. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 17. Candice Accola on The Vampire Diaries View Photo Now Candice Accola is best known as Caroline Forbes on The Vampire Diaries. She developed feelings for her best friend Stefan during Season 5. 18. Michael Trevino on Summerland Michael Trevino’s first role was as Tim Bowser on Summerland. And yes, of course he was shirtless. That’s why we remember his one-episode appearance. 19. Michael Trevino on CSI: Miami Before he landed a recurring role, Michael Trevino filled his resume with guest appearances, like the time he visited CSI: Miami as Matthew Batra. 20. Michael Trevino in 90210 But we can’t forget his days as Ozzie Cardoza in The CW’s 90210 reboot. That role paved the way for… Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 21. Michael Trevino in The Vampire Diaries View Photo Michael Trevino started his tenure on The Vampire Diaries as jerky jock Tyler Lockwood. His role was expanded when writers decided to pursue a werewolf storyline. Now he’s human again. 22. Kat Graham in The Parent Trap Kat Graham’s first screen appearance came when she played Jackie, a camper, on The Parent Trap with a pre-crazy Lindsay Lohan. 23. Kat Graham on Hannah Montana Then Kat Graham played Allison on Hannah Montana with a pre-crazy Miley Cyrus. We’re sensing a trend here… 24. Kat Graham on The Vampire Diaries View Photo Now Kat Graham plays a maybe-dead-for-good Bonnie Bennett on The Vampire Diaries. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 25. Zach Roerig on As the World Turns Zach Roerig’s first big break came as Casey Hughes on As the World Turns. He also played Hunter Atwood on One Life to Live. 26. Zach Roerig on Friday Night Lights But then he donned a cowboy hat and some boots and traveled to Texas to play Cash on Friday Night Lights. 27. Zach Roerig on The Vampire Diaries View Photo Now he’s a burger-slinging friend of supernaturals on The Vampire Diaries. Just how long will he stay human? Or alive? 28. Matt Davis in Legally Blonde Oh, Matt Davis. He first wowed us with the role of Warner, Elle Woods’ boyfriend on Legally Blonde. You know, the one who told her she couldn’t become a lawyer? Yeah. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 29. Matt Davis on What About Brian Then Matt Davis went on to play a lawyer–Adam Hillman–on What About Brian. 30. Matt Davis on Cult Between his stints as Alaric Saltzman on The Vampire Diaries, Matt Davis starred in The CW’s Cult, which never really made it off the ground because it was so freaking confusing. 31. Matt Davis on The Vampire Diaries View Photo If there’s ever a character we’re happy to see come back from the dead, it’s Alaric Saltzman. Matt Davis, you complete us! The End. Up Next: ” The Vampire Diaries Cast Before They Were Stars! .” We’ll be redirecting you shortly… 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. 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. 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? 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! 25 Hottest Nina Dobrev Pics 1. Nina Dobrev Esquire Photo View Photo Nina Dobrev looks downright sexy in this photo from Esquire. We love her on The Vampire Diaries. 2. Nina Dobrev Swimsuit Pic View Photo Nina Dobrev looking gorge in a swimsuit. She looks gorge in anything really. 3. Nina Dobrev Bikini Yoga Photo View Photo Nina Dobrev does yoga in a bikini. It’s a sight to behold on so many levels. 4. Nina Dobrev Sexy View Photo Nina Dobrev is so sexy, it’s hard for us to even put it into words. So just look at the pic. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 5. Nina Dobrev Cosmo Cover View Photo Nina Dobrev is featured on this cover of Cosmo. She talks inside about her friendship with Julianna Hough. 6. Nina Dobrev Yoga Pose View Photo Nina Dobrev shows off her flexibility here and sends a message to Ian Somerhalder: you made a big mistake, buddy! 7. Nina Dobrev Bikini Shot View Photo Nina Dobrev laughs it up in this hot bikini photo. She’s on a well-deserved vacation. 8. Ian and Nina View Photo Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev. What a hot couple they are (or were). Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 9. Nina Dobrev Nylon Photo View Photo Nina Dobrev is beautiful on this cover of Nylon. We’re big fans of The Vampire Diaries star. 10. Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley View Photo Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley pose here for a promotional photo. We adore these three on The Vampire Diaries. 11. Paul Wesley and Nina Dobrev EW Cover View Photo Paul Wesley and Nina Dobrev represent The Vampire Diaries very well on this cover of Entertainment Weekly. It’s safe to say we’ll be picking up the issue. 12. Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder Naked! View Photo Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder absolutely sizzle on this cover of Entertainment Weekly. Don’t worry, it’s not awkward. They date in real life. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 13. VD on EW View Photo This just in: Nina Dobrev is a very, very lucky woman. Just look at her posing here with fellow Vampire Diaries stars Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley. 14. Nina Dobrev at Comic-Con View Photo Smile, Nina Dobrev! The Vampire Diaries star poses here at a Comic-Con after-party. 15. Nina Dobrev Cleavage View Photo Nina Dobrev in a cleavage-tastic red dress. You’re welcome, Vampire Diaries fans. And fellas in general. 16. Nina Dobrev Bikini Photo View Photo A photo of Nina Dobrev in a bikini. The Vampire Diaries star is gorgeous in real life as well as TV. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 17. Vampire Diaries Actresses View Photo Kat Graham, Nina Dobrev, Candice Accola and Claire Holt hang out here in bikinis. Yes, The Vampire Diaries cast is very attractive. 18. Ian Somerhalder, Nina Dobrev Picture View Photo Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev have broken up after three years. 🙁 19. Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder Picture View Photo Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder are one very hot couple. 20. Ian Somerhalder, Nina Dobrev Photo View Photo Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev looking hot in a photo. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 21. Nina Dobrev Bikini Photograph View Photo Nina Dobrev rocks a bikini in Ibiza. She looks good in one, too, it goes without saying. 22. Nina Dobrev Bikini View Photo Nina Dobrev rocking a bikini in Ibiza. She looks good in one, too, it goes without saying. 23. Nina Dobrev Selfie View Photo We adore Nina Dobrev. The actress posted this photo to Instagram around the holidays in 2014. 24. Nina Dobrev Sleeping Be very quiet. Nina Dobrev is asleep. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 25. Captain Canada Move over, Captain America! The End. Up Next: ” 25 Hottest Nina Dobrev Pics .” We’ll be redirecting you shortly…

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The Vampire Diaries: Can it Survive Without Nina Dobrev?