Full Breakdown
Ian Somerhalder Walks Away From Acting After Netflix Cancels *V Wars*
7/16/2026, 12:52:55 PM
Core Event
Former “The Vampire Diaries” star Ian Somerhalder announced that he has retired from acting. The decision follows Netflix’s abrupt cancellation of the 2019 vampire-horror series *V Wars*, which he led and partially self-financed after the streaming giant declined to fund reshoots.
Production Challenges and Success
Somerhalder said the original cut of *V Wars* “wasn’t even watchable,” prompting him to raise over $6 million to shoot additional footage in six days. The reshoots enabled the series to debut and achieve the No. 1 spot in 103 of 120 territories. Despite this performance, Netflix executives quietly pulled the series, a move that convinced Somerhalder to end his acting career.
Reflections and New Ventures
After leaving the industry, Somerhalder relocated to a Southern-California farm, focusing on sustainable agriculture and family life with wife Nikki Reed. He also co-founded Brother’s Bond Bourbon with former co-star Paul Wesley. In a 2024 interview with *People*, he expressed regret over minor lapses on the set of *Lost* but emphasized a broader desire to prioritize “family and the future of farming and food and energy and the big things.” He confirmed he has no intention of returning to acting.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You give everything, and then the show was a hit,” — Ian Somerhalder
- “I pulled the plug. That was it. I walked away,” — Ian Somerhalder
- “I don’t think I would really change anything other than maybe with Lost.” — Ian Somerhalder, speaking to *People*
- “ He continued: “I maybe complained about craft service or something, showed up late twice, actually really late once.” — Ian Somerhalder
- “Once you reach a certain level, you’re like, ‘Okay, I want to focus on family and the future of farming and food and energy and the big things.’” — Ian Somerhalder
