Is Lost Boy Boone Really Dead?

Finally, one of Lost's biggest mysteries has been revealed. After months of warnings from cocreators J.J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof that a major character on their hit ABC drama would be killed off — and rampant speculation from fans about who it would be — Boone (Ian Somerhalder), the rich boy with the creepy attachment to stepsister Shannon (Maggie Grace), died in the April 6 episode. Somerhalder's exit was necessary because "it kicks off the character conflicts that build all the way into the season finale," Lindelof says. "It had to be him." Here, in an emotional TV Guide interview, Somerhalder speaks out about his departure and — spoiler alert! — reveals that he might not be the only one biting the dust.
TV Guide: Did the producers ask you to keep Boone's demise a secret from the rest of the cast?
Ian Somerhalder: No. They knew I wouldn't do that. These are my people, you know? There's no way in hell I wasn't gonna tell them. Foxy [Matthew Fox, who plays Jack] was the first phone call I made. Josh [Holloway, who plays Sawyer] was the second.

TV Guide: Will you still watch the show?
Somerhalder: Are you crazy? Of course! This is my show. I'm still such a part of this thing.

TV Guide: Is there a chance we haven't seen the last of Boone?
Somerhalder: Yeah, totally. By the end of the season, I'll be back in flashbacks. Here's the other thing: I'm gonna be coming back next season, too.

TV Guide: Wait — is Boone really dead?
Somerhalder: He's dead as a doornail. Trust me. He's in the ground. Dead, dead, dead.

TV Guide: So how will he be back next season?
Somerhalder: [The producers] have kind of told me what they have in mind, but I don't think they know in whole yet. But I can imagine it's gonna be pretty cool. And I wholeheartedly look forward to it.

TV Guide: What will you do in the meantime?
Somerhalder: I'm taking a trip to Iceland. Then I'm going to South Africa to shoot Wes Craven's new film.

TV Guide: There are rumors that Boone may not be the only main character dying. What can you tell us about that?
Somerhalder: There are going to be a lot more. I'm going to sound like an ass for saying this, but I'd rather be the first one off. It was all the more of a shock to me and the cast and to the story. You never forget the first, right?

For more of Ian Somerhalder's candid Lost dish — including his fiery reaction to the news of Boone's demise — pick up the new issue of TV Guide magazine with Star Trek on the cover.