"The Vampire Diaries" alum Nina Dobrev has finally reacted on rumors that Filipina-American actress Leslie-Anne Huff was cast on the hit The CW series to replace her.
According to Seventeen, Huff and Dobrev's physical resemblance cannot be denied. This is the very reason why fans also believe that the actress was cast to replace Dobrev after she left the series in Season 6. The publication also claimed that even though Huff's character Rayna will not deliberately replace Dobrev, she might play the role of Elena Gilbert's doppelganger.
"That long brown hair and brown eyes? She could be Elena's *GASP* doppelganger. Okay, no, you don't have to freak out about Rayna being another Elena doppelganger like Katherine (because, face it, the doppelganger storyline was soooo played out). Rayna is a whole different kind of villain - a dangerous vampire hunter!" the publication noted.
Additionally, they revealed that Rayna may have returned to Mystic Falls after she learned that Julian has been released from the mysterious Phoenix Stone. With this, Rayna will try to take down Julian and remind Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) that it's her job to kill the equally villainous character.
Meanwhile, executive producer Caroline Dries previously said that Huff was not cast to replace Dobrev. However, despite her explanation, fans still believe that the actress will serve as a replacement for those fans who are still not over her leaving the show.
In an interview with TV Line, Dries said that everything was just a coincidence. She added that Huff was cast because she did well during her audition.
"She's a great actress, and she's perfect for the role... We'll get to see her present-day story and then everything will click when you see her in the future," Dries said.
"The Vampire Diaries" season 7 will premiere on The CW on Jan. 29, 2016 at 8 p.m.