5 Times Vampire Diaries Proved Continuing After Dobrev Left Was a Mistake

In 2015, Nina Dobrev announced her departure from The Vampire Diaries after the sixth season, which came as a huge shock to the fandom. This news generated a lot of buzz, including speculation as to why the actress left the project.

It was later revealed that Dobrev quit the show because she just wanted to move on and star in other projects, and her decision had nothing to do with her breakup from Ian Somerhalder, as some fans suggested.

Either way, many thought that The Vampire Diaries wouldn't be able to go one without its lead actress on board, and their fears proved right. Without Elena, the show quickly went downhill, and some fans claim the remaining two seasons shouldn't have been filmed at all.

Here are five reasons why.

5. She was the central character

From the beginning of The Vampire Diaries, we watched the story largely from Elena's perspective — just like viewers, she was a normal human being who just happened to meet vampires Stefan and Damon. In this respect, Elena had even more importance to the story than the brothers, and that's why the show was bound to struggle after Dobrev's departure.

4. Stefan's storyline became unbearable

Yes, we definitely need to talk about how badly the writers treated Stefan. Viewers got incredibly invested in the character, admiring his positive qualities and genuine desire to become a better version of himself. But then, we got the unexpected plot twist that saw Stefan become a villain, and all of his victims suddenly decided to take revenge on him (with Damon going unpunished).

3. Elena's eternal sleep aftermath could've been handled better

For many, it would've been really interesting to see the gruesome aftermath of Elena's sleeping spell and how the brothers would have reacted to it. Would Damon be able to move on? Would he become a truly villainous character — or try to mend his ways while still under Elena's influence? Unfortunately, the writers chose not to delve too deep into the Salvatores' psyches.

2. Writing got a lot worse after S6

While Dobrev's absence might not have anything to do with that, the writers started cramming too many storylines into the show after her departure. Some of them were completely unnecessary and pathetic, like Bonnie and Enzo's romance or Stefan and Caroline's uncomfortable relationship.

1. Elena's arc (and the entire show) should've ended in S5

The whole plotline of Damon and Stefan trying to save Elena and feeling her presence without her actually there was a lame writing decision. Perhaps The Vampire Diaries should have ended right in Season 5, curing Elena of her vampirism and letting her enjoy a normal life without the Salvatore brothers in sight.