"The Originals" Season 5 is rumored to be renewed after Nina Dobrev's confirmed return to "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8 finale.
On Thursday night, the 27-year-old "XXX: Return of Xander Cage" star posted a photo of the script for the finale. This served as Dobrev's way of confirming that she will reprise her role as Elena Gilbert. Her name is also stamped on top of all of the other information on the script.
Following her announcement, Dobrev was spotted spending time with her co-stars on the set of the hit The CW series. The actress' return is expected to boost the ratings for "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8. Unfortunately, it will not be of any help for the show's renewal because the network already confirmed its cancellation beforehand.
The fate of "The Originals" Season 5, on the other hand, has not yet been sealed. But with the increase in the finale's ratings, it is possible that the show will also the green light from The CW.
In a previous interview, then executive producer Michael Narducci said that the fate of "The Originals" has not been sealed yet because Season 4 has not even started. The CW will ultimately be looking at the ratings for Season 4 before deciding if Season 5 could be a go.
With Narducci's recent exit from the project, "The Originals" Season 4 has been handed over to "The Vampire Diaries" executive producer Julie Plec. Since Plec's baby show will be cancelled in March, she can have more time to focus on "The Originals" not only in Season 4, but in more seasons beyond that.
"The Originals" Season 4 will premiere on The CW on March 17 at 9 p.m. EST.