The Vampire Diaries has been renewed for an eighth season, but a member of the cast has now revealed that season eight will be the final season of the CW series.

At the Stalker Walker event in Nashville on Sunday, Ian Somerhalder stated to the audience that season eight was definitely the end. The series will take him in a new direction next year. The official Twitter for the event shared the news after his appearance, and a fan shared a short video of his comments on Twitter as well.

“We have decided to do one last season to really do the story justice” @iansomerhalder #WSNashville pic.twitter.com/J92egjkF6x

— Walker Stalker Con (@WalkrStalkrCon) April 10, 2016

@iansomerhalder on leaving TVD 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/anlnBVBgWL

— sarah jewell |-/ (@SupSurruh) April 10, 2016

According to Entertainment Weekly, he said, “We have decided to do one last season to really do the story justice. My role is shifting in the show and we have a lot to do, basically.”

His statement is not all that surprising. Kat Graham announced recently that season eight would be her last season. The death of her character is tied to the return of Elena Gilbert, who was played by Nina Dobrev. She departed the series at the end of season six.

Ian Somerhalder also teased that next season could be the last season in previous comments. Entertainment Weekly and others did reach out for confirmation from CW, and their statement read that no decision has been made yet about the future of the series.

Are you surprised that Somerhalder has revealed that The Vampire Diaries will end after next season? Tell us what you think.