'The Vampire Diaries' Season 5 Promo Posters Feature Glamorous Cast, Ian Somerhalder Hints at Relationship Troubles

It’s time to climb the dirty steps up into rows of gray two seaters, barrelling along inside a giant yellow can. Yes, it’s time to go back to school. It’s time to recalibrate, hunker down and study, working to better your future and learn all you can while your mind is still a young, absorbent sponge. But most importantly, it’s time to look good. It’s time to throw out those faded summer clothes, ripped and muddy at the cuffs, the scent of summer romance still lingering on their collars. It’s time to up your game. You’re going back to school. You should look your best.

The vampires of Mystic Falls are well aware of what’s at stake. They’re heading off to college, where first impressions are essential. So naturally, they have to dress to impress. And that’s exactly what they did. In a series of brand new cast photos, the “Vampire Diaries” actors look better than ever, sporting their new looks and gearing up for what promises to be an utterly spectacular season. Take a look at the world’s most popular vampires in all their glory above.

As they prepare for life in college, most fans are eager to see how Elena and Damon will cope with their new long distance relationship. As actor Ian Somerhalder recently hinted, his burning flame for Katherine could present new problems.

“He got the girl, at a great expense. It’s got to be strange for this guy,” Somerhalder said. “He was so in love with Katherine for so many years, working off the naivety of a 23-year-old man.”

“To be in love with this woman who really broke your heart, and then all of a sudden to find a woman who is identical in every way, shape and form, who is 160 years his junior,” he added, illustrating why it was so easy for his character, Damon, to fall for Elena.

“What I love about [their relationship this season] is that it’s something the audience has really been wanting to see for a long time, but bear in mind that this is ‘The Vampire Diaries,’ so people being happy for long doesn’t exist.” That’s interesting. Perhaps he’s implying that their relationship won’t last as long as one might think, or at least he’s hinting that it could turn sour quickly. Fans will just have to wait and see.

“The Vampire Diaries” will return to The CW October 3.