Vampire Diaries season 8
Nina Dobrev's Elena is currently in a deep slumber due to Kai's magic spell Tina Rowden/ The CW

The final season of The Vampire Diaries is all set to premiere on Friday (21 October) and fans are hoping to see the reunion of Damon Salvatore and Elena Gilbert for one last time. Though Nina Dobrev has never really affirmed the rumours of her comeback to the popular CW series, show producer Julie Plec gave a major hint of her return.

"Elena has a very strong presence this season, in the entire season, similarly to how she did last year," she told TV Line. However, she avoided answering the question of Dobrev's physical presence in Vampire Diaries season 8.

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"We set up at the end [of Season 7] that Stefan had kept up with writing in the journal to keep [Elena] up to speed with everything they've been going through. We really keep that up at the beginning of the season. Everyone has their turn telling their stories in the journal. With that, we've gotten to both keep Elena's character alive, but also return to the nostalgia of Season 1 when 'Dear diary' was a thing," Plec added.

Click here to watch the episode live online.

The seventh season ended with Damon and Enzo trapped in the Armory vault but when Stefan force opened it, he did not find anyone inside. Episode one of season 8 will jump a few months ahead and fans will see the elder Salvatore brother on a killing spree along with his partner in crime — Enzo.

The Vampire Diaries
Stefan and Caroline reunited in TVD season 7 finale but Bonnie lost her magic Facebook/CW

The younger Salvatore vampire vows to save his brother from the devious trap of the Armory vault and free him from his demonic thirst for the blood. Hence, he will seek the help of Bonnie in this. According to the synopsis, Caroline and Alaric will have their fair struggle while battling an unknown entity that poses a major threat to their twins.

Here is the official synopsis:

Months after Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Enzo (Michael Malarkey) mysteriously vanished from the Armory vault, Stefan (Paul Wesley) tirelessly pushes forward with their search, while Bonnie (Kat Graham) struggles to hold onto hope that they will be found. Meanwhile, a dangerous encounter with an unexpected visitor leaves Caroline (Candice King) and Alaric (Matt Davis) fearing that someone - or something - may be targeting their family. Finally, after following some mysterious clues, Stefan realizes that whatever has a hold of his brother may have a more damaging grip over him than he could have ever imagined.

The eighth and final season of The Vampire Diaries premieres on Friday at 8pm CT on The CW.