Originals Boss Talks Extended Season 4 Time Jump, Teases TVD's New Theme 

Heads up, vampire enthusiasts: The following article requires you to do a little bit of math. (I know, I’m sorry.)

The Originals‘ Phoebe Tonkin Ponders Hayley’s Season 4 Journey, Guesses Hope’s First Word

are justifiably disappointed that they’ll have to wait until early 2017 for their fix of Mikaelson madness, The CW’s decision to delay Season 4 actually worked in the show’s favor — at least as far as its timeline is concerned.

“When they shifted the air date, it actually gave us the freedom, weirdly, to shift the timeline in our favor so that we could have more time pass in

,” executive producer Julie Plec explains to TVLine. “So we get to add an extra couple years on to our time lapse between seasons. It’s actually a good thing. It’s positive to not have to worry about being side by side.”

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which returns Friday, Oct. 21 at 8/7c — Plec says she’s “really excited” about Season 8’s theme, “which should become very clear the minute [The CW starts] announcing episode titles.” Sadly, that theme probably

involve the return of a certain ’90s-loving Gemini witch, much to Plec’s dismay.

“Every day in the writer’s room, we’re pitching Kai comeback ideas,” she says. “Maybe one day we’ll hit on a good one!”

RELATEDVampire Diaries Finale: The Story Behind Nina Dobrev’s Surprise Cameo

‘s Christina Moses will remain in the fold, playing a bisexual werewolf in

‘ fourth season, while Kristen Gutoskie is joining

as the nanny of a pair of supernatural girls. Plec says her dream is “to be able to find ways to get [

‘s] George Young, Demetrius Bridges and Zach Unger somewhere into the

‘ upcoming seasons? Drop ’em in a comment below.

My hopes for next season are more Klaroline scenes and crossovers ;)

Noooooooooo cross over with Caroline and Klaus.. def not a fan of Caroline character

Realy happy for more steroline l only have hope writets will.do better this season

I also am a Klaroline shipper somehow :D this thing sure is big <3

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