THE VAMPIRE DIARIES: Nina Dobrev on Elena’s “New Life”

Elena dying (and then waking up a vampire) at the closure of The Vampire Diaries season 3 was a moment that became watercooler conversation for days after the airing of the episode. And although Nina Dobrev confirms that the storyline was always a plan, she was just as surprised as everyone else when she got the news.

“I didn’t even know I was going to become a vampire until two or three episodes before, and I’m actually kind of sad…I liked being both. I walked around set bragging about how I got to be human and a vampire, the best of both worlds. Now I have no bragging rights!” While Dobrev goes on to share that Elena is definitely “still figuring it out” in terms of her new life, she also notes that the transition won’t exactly be easy. “She didn’t want to be a vampire. I’d imagine she was sad she’ll never be able to have kids. She’ll never get married, have a normal life, go to college…she was constantly trying to hold onto her humanity, and now that’s gone forever.”

Elena may not be the first member of the Mystic Falls gang to grow fangs, but that doesn’t mean that her friends are going to necessarily be comfortable with her new life.

“Caroline kind of was accepted by the group as a vampire and I think for Elena, everyone is going to just be sad. They’ve just spent all this time doing everything in their power to protect her, and now she’s a vampire – so I guess she can protect herself.” And speaking of protection, with the year of the originals now past, is Klaus still a threat?

“He’s always a threat,” Dobrev answers quickly. “He’s the biggest, baddest vampire…he’s definitely going to be pissed off.” Add to the list another person that might be pissed off – the elusive Katherine, who, despite her long absence, is definitely not going to disappear quietly, especially in light of recent circumstances. “She’s going to be pissed,” Dobrev says. “She’s not going to be happy. She was hoping that the Salvatore brothers would get over the fad of being with Elena for one lifetime, and then she’d be back on the boys…but now she’s screwed.”

The Vampire Diaries returns for its fourth season on Thursday, October 11th at 8pm on the CW.