🚨 Obviously there are MASSIVE spoilers ahead! 🚨 1. First, Nina Dobrev left The Vampire Diaries after six seasons, so the show had Elena end up in a magical coma after Bonnie and Elena's lives were linked. The CW In a heartfelt Instagram post , Nina explained her exit, saying, "I always knew I wanted Elena's story to be a six season adventure, and within those six years I got the journey of a lifetime." One of the reasons for her departure was that her original contract for the show ended and she wanted to step "outside of [her] comfort zone" and try new things. ADVERTISEMENT 2. Christopher Meloni abruptly exited Law & Order: SVU in 2011, so the show had Stabler retire off screen during the Season 13 premiere. NBC A contract dispute is what led to Christopher stepping away from the series. Looking back on it, he called his sudden departure "inelegant." Now, Christopher will be returning as Elliot Stabler on Law & Order: Org