Exclusive Vampire Diaries First Look: Season 5 Looks Feisty and Fiery

The Vampire Diaries is heading into one fiery season.

In our exclusive first look at the Season 5 poster, the core cast is in stark black while Elena (Nina Dobrev) stands out in her sexy red, see-through skirt. "Blood lines are torched. Battle lines are drawn," the tagline reads.

The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Promo: Get a first look at a human Katherine

From the looks of the photo, doppelgangers Katherine (Dobrev) and Silas (Paul Wesley) don't appear to be going anywhere anytime soon. With Katherine now a human, she's overpowered — and overshadowed — by no-longer-newbie, vampire Elena. As for Stefan (Wesley), we assume he's the reflective image beneath the water being kept down by his shadow self. But why is Elena turning away from Damon (Ian Somerhalder)? At least he's sporting his signature sexy smirk.

As for the remainder of the group, fans can take comfort in Tyler (Michael Trevino) standing strong near his love Caroline (Candice Accola) while Bonnie (Kat Graham) and Jeremy (Steven McQueen), who have each reversed their sides of the veil, are closer than ever.

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In dead center of the photo is our favorite mortal Matt (Zach Roerig). Perhaps his position means he's about to get caught between two dueling sides? Or maybe he's the moral compass that keeps the gang together.

"This Season we're really going back to what we had in Season 1, which is what sucked everyone in to begin with," Somerhalder recently told us while on set in Atlanta. "Our director of photography is using light and darkness to paint the imagery of the story, really accentuating it and creating a mood that helps tell our story. This is a dark show."

Whatever is to come, we're more than ready.

Are you excited for the new season? Share your theories and thoughts below! The Vampire Diaries premieres on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 8/7c on The CW.

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