'The Vampire Diaries' season 8 spoilers, plot news: Tristin Mays set to return as Sarah Salvatore, showrunner Julie Plec hopes Nina Dobrev keeps promise to return for series finale

After being confirmed to end after season 8, the return of "The Vampire Diaries" this coming Fall will surely be bittersweet for fans who have been following the series since day one. On the brighter side, actress Nina Dobrev and several familiar faces might be coming back before the series comes to a close.

During the recently-concluded Comic-Con, showrunner Julie Plec shared her hopes to see the old cast members of the show for one last on-screen reunion. "There're a dozen and more familiar faces that we miss," Plec told TV Line. "... There's a lot of people we loved as characters on the show... and this is a year about celebrating what the series has been and what it has felt like to be together and love these characters. We will find interesting and creative---whether it's through memory or flashbacks or some other surprise---ways to just say hello and goodbye to those characters."

Contrary to Ian Somerhalder's statement regarding the season 8 plot focusing on the core cast members, Plec is not closing her doors on the return of some beloved personalities. Dobrev, who was the original lead actress in the program, is probably the character fans miss seeing the most after she decided to quit last year.

The 27-year-old actress promised a comeback for the series finale and Plec can only hope that she keeps her word. "Not to put too much pressure on anything Nina Dobrev, but a promise was made," the showrunner continued. "An emotional promise that I'd like to see come to life. You heard it here. There's been friendship promises made, and now we'll see if we can deliver on them."

Fortunately, one of those familiar faces set to return has been named: Tristin Mays as Sarah Salvatore. Her business in Mystic Falls is yet to be revealed but being Damon's sole surviving relative, Sarah may have a role in helping him out of the darkness.

Tune in to all-new episodes of "The Vampire Diaries" season 8 which premieres on Friday, Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. ET. on The CW.