Vampire Diaries' Season 7 Rumors And News Updates: Nina Dobrev's surprising exit from The Vampire Diaries at the end of last season left the future of the series in a state of flux, according to Ian Somerhalder in an interview with Variety.

 "I personally think everyone thought it was going to be a huge departure after Elena was gone," Somerhalder told Variety.

"And I was one of those people... I thought it was going to be a huge departure for the typical formula of the show ... What we've just started shooting is such a departure."

Fans are already hoping that Dobrev may make a return for a short appearance this season and reunite with her former on- and off-screen boyfriend, Ian Somerhalder.

"I'm definitely ready for there to be a shift in dynamic. I think it's cool that we're exploring a different theme this season," Somerhalder said.

"Elena's gone, so there's going to be a natural shift in the show. The original triangle of Damon, Stefan and Elena is what made the show a big hit and it brought the fans - but we don't want the fans to leave. The show needs a fresh spin, so it feels like a fortuitous opportunity to do something new."

Somerhalder joined many fans who were sad to see Dobrev go.

"This is Mystic Falls without Elena Gilbert, so we want to go back to the storytelling of season one and season two, which was fun, sexy and volatile. We just want to go back to the human side of the show and tell some really great stories - and not compromise."

Co-star Paul Wesley talked about the possibility of Dobrev returning as Elena in an interview with TV Insider.

"Elena's still a very big part of the story. Her body's in danger in the first few episodes, and Damon is doing everything he can to make sure it stays safe if and when she wakes up," Wesley said. "We all had imagined this complete reboot where Elena was gone, but she's talked about so much!"

Annie Wersching, who plays Lily Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries, recently spoke about the difference between Stefan and Damon.

"You want to assume that your mum is a great person and that she's really going to love you. I think Stefan is going to be prone to forgiveness and naivety, as opposed to Damon. Stefan thinks his mother is redeemable, but he thinks that about everybody.

"Damon is very cynical, suspicious and wary of her. This creates an interesting and polarising effect because Damon is not as inclined to trust her," the actress recently said.

"It's going to be fun to see what happens. Stefan's hoping his mum is a good mum, but she ends up being a psycho," added Paul Wesley, admitting that the relationship between brothers Stefan and Damon will be strained.

"This season, their mother is going to drive them apart. You know how mums can get? They have their favourite son. Stefan is the momma's boy and I think she's going to get inbetween them," Wesley said.

"There's definitely a sense of abandonment and hurt. They are wary of her, but they also have a natural maternal pull.

Rumors of a reunion between Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev are not limited to the screen. Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev were a couple both on and off screen. The pair dated during the filming of the show and while Somerhalder is now married to Nikki Reed of "Twilight" and Nina is in a relationship with actor Austin Stowell, fans of The Vampire Diaries won't keep that casket closed.

Season 7 of The Vampires Diaries continues Thursday nights on The CW