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'The Vampire Diaries' season 8 cast news, spoilers: Nina Dobrev returning? Matt Davis teases Alaric's new love interest

Jackie Villegas September 07, 2016 06:49 AM EST

Promotional image for The CW\'s \"The Vampire Diaries\" | Facebook/thevampirediaries

While there hasn't been any official confirmation on whether or not "The Vampire Diaries" alum Nina Dobrev is returning for the show's eighth and final season, an interesting blind item has recently had fans of the fantasy/supernatural drama speculating that she could show up in the season premiere.

According to TV Line, sources claim that a returning series from one of the Big 5 networks will be pulling off a stunt that could go down as the "coolest, most surprising" casting surprise of the year. The outlet noted that the twist was reportedly filmed in August and that the network is keeping the surprise a tightly guarded secret. TV Line also says that the casting secret will be unveiled in the highly anticipated season premiere of the series.

Dobrev, one of the show's original cast members, portrayed Elena Gilbert, the main protagonist, from seasons 1 to 6. She later returned for a cameo in season 7. Apart from Elena, Dobrev also portrayed Katherine Pierce, Elena's doppelgÃ¤nger. In season 5, she played the part of Amara, Silas' (Paul Wesley) true love.

Because the season 8 premiere is expected to have Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder) reuniting with his brother Stefan (Paul Wesley), fans have wondered if Dobrev's Elena could somehow be included in the reunion. The season 8 premiere is titled "Hello Brother."

Meanwhile, Matt Davis' Alaric Saltzman is set to have a new love interest in the upcoming season of "The Vampire Diaries."

Speaking with TooFab, the actor said, "You'll learn that Alaric has now taken over The Armory, and you'll see that he's got a new hot nanny who watches over the girls." Davis added that this new nanny could be a potential love interest for Alaric.

"Alaric hasn't had the best luck with women," "The Vampire Diaries" executive producer Julie Plec recently told TV Line. "I don't know if he should be jumping into anything anytime soon, but if he does, the hot nanny would certainly be viable," she added.

The "hot nanny," whose name is Seline, will be portrayed by "Containment" grad Kristen Gutoskie. Seline is described as a "warm" and "nurturing" nanny by day and a "small-town girl trying to find her place in a dangerous world by night."

"The Vampire Diaries" season 8 debuts on Friday, Oct. 21, on The CW.

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