The Vampire Diaries Casts Eureka Star as Militia Leader

The Vampire Diaries has a new sheriff in town.

Eureka's Colin Ferguson has been cast as Tripp, TVGuide.com has confirmed. Tripp is a strong and disciplined head of a community militia and surrogate father to his young trainees who will do anything to protect his town. He'll first appear in the Season 6 premiere, which takes place following a significant time jump.

Executive producer Julie Plec first teased the news on Twitter writing, "He's in town to give Sheriff Forbes a run for her money." Ferguson, best known for playing  Sheriff Jack Carter on the Syfy series, also shared his excitement about joining the CW drama adding:

Hmmm.... Seem to have 'tripped' my way into a new role... Mystic Falls, hunh? This is gonna be fun :)

— Colin Ferguson (@colinferg) July 14, 2014

Vampire Diaries' Julie Plec on Damon and Bonnie's fate, magic-less Mystic Falls and more

Plec spoke to us about the finale, which left the lives of Damon and Bonnie (Kat Graham) hanging in the balance on the Other Side and their town of Mystic Falls rid of magic. "[We want] to really play this mystery of how they are going to live a life when none of them can come together at the Mystic Grill in their hometown without burning to death or whatever might happen to them," she said. "I'm excited to see the friends find their way back to each other." 

The Vampire Diaries returns Thursday, Oct. 2 at 8/7c on The CW.

(Full Disclosure: TVGuide.com is owned by CBS, one of The CW's parent companies.)

Watch our interview with Nina Dobrev: