<Tr> <Th> Seasons </Th> <Td> 1--6, 8 </Td> </Tr> <P> Elena Salvatore (née Gilbert) is a fictional character and protagonist in the novel series The Vampire Diaries . In The Vampire Diaries, set in the fictional town of Mystic Falls, she is portrayed by Nina Dobrev . In the books, Elena was blonde, popular, selfish and a "mean girl". However the show's producers, Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson, felt that it wasn't the direction they wanted to go with their heroine in The Vampire Diaries television series . Instead, she became a nicer, relatable and more of "the girl next door" type, until her life gets flipped upside down when she meets the Salvatores . In April 2015, Nina Dobrev announced that she would be departing the series after the sixth season finale . </P> <P> Much of Elena's story revolves around her relationships with vampires Stefan Salvatore and his older brother, Damon . It is revealed that Elena is a Petrova Doppelgänger, which is thus responsible for her being identical to her ancestor, Katherine Pierce (née Katerina Petrova). This also has the implication of making her a supernatural creature . Dobrev portrayed the "conniving" Katherine as well, who is opposite of Elena . The actress stated that it has been a challenge distinguishing the two, and enjoys playing them both . In the television series's fourth season, Elena becomes a vampire and deals with the struggles that come with her change . She took the cure and became human again towards the end of the sixth season . In the finale of the sixth season, Kai linked Elena to Bonnie's life by magic . Elena will only wake up when Bonnie dies in around 60 years . She was locked inside the Salvatore tomb, which was changed in the seventh season, and was relocated in Brooklyn, New York . In late 2016, when it was announced that the eighth season would be the final season, Dobrev was in talks about returning to the television series to reprise her role in the final episode . After much speculation . Dobrev's return was confirmed on January 26, 2017, via an Instagram post . Dobrev appeared in the final episode of the show as both Elena and her evil doppelgänger Katherine Pierce . </P> <P> On March 9, 2009, it was announced that Bulgarian - born Canadian actress Nina Dobrev, known for her portrayal of Mia Jones on Degrassi: The Next Generation, had joined the cast of The Vampire Diaries as Elena . She was the second cast member to be announced following Steven R. McQueen, who plays Elena's brother Jeremy Gilbert . Steve West Cinema Blend said the vampire brothers' battle over Elena will wreak havoc on the entire town. ". Executive producer Kevin Williamson recalled Dobrev auditioning while having the flu, which he described as the "worst audition ever", and they "didn't even look at her a second time". Dobrev went back home to Canada, yet, still wanting the part, she submitted a videotape audition, which saw her cast as Elena Gilbert . </P>

When does elena go back to being human