Although Lexi’s exit in The Vampire Diaries season 4 finale seemed rather permanent, actress Arielle Kebbel hopes to see her back in season 5.

Wetpaint has spoken to Arielle Kebbel about whether she could potentially return to The Vampire Diaries in the future, and she has some encouraging words for Lexi fans.

“I always say anything can happen at Mystic Falls. I’m ready when they’re ready,” Kebbel says, although she won’t reveal whether or not any appearances are currently planned.

She adds that if she could see Lexi do anything on the show, it’d be to simply, “come back on the show.”

Going on to talk about Lexi and Stefan’s relationship, Kebbel says, “Lexi will always have Stefan’s back. Whether she’s back on the show in real life or from the other side. For eternity, she’s got his back.”

Kebbel also talks about the passionate fanbase, saying, “I love the fans. The fans are die-hards, and man, they keep Lexi alive.”

Lexi was already killed off in season 1 of The Vampire Diaires, but the fan-favourite character is continuously brought back for flashback sequences, and has also appeared as a ghost.

In the season 4 finale, several ghosts were given the option to pass on after seeing their storylines concluded, and as Lexi disappeared after believing that Stefan had let go of Elena and was leaving Mystic Falls, it’s possible that her character is gone for good.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t still see her in flashbacks! Here’s hoping.

The Vampire Diaries season 5 premieres October 3 at 8/7c on The CW with episode 1, titled “I Know What You Did Last Summer.”