Someone may need to remind Ian Somerhalder he's not immortal anymore! The Vampire Diaries fans knew Somerhalder was putting his heart into his new TV series V-Wars for Netflix. But it sounds like his follow-up to Vampire Diaries also put him in the hospital.
Last week, Netflix finally gave fans a premiere date and new photos for V-Wars. Ian Somerhalder has the lead role of Dr. Luther Swann. He's playing a human now -- and a good one, not quite a bad boy like Damon Salvatore. But the show is about a mysterious disease transforming people into vampires. His Dr. Swann is pitted against his best friend, Michael Fayne (Arrow's Adrian Holmes), who is now a powerful vampire.
Ian Somerhalder isn't just a main star of V-Wars, he's also a producer and he directed one of the 10 episodes of V-Wars Season 1. While sharing the news of V-Wars' December 5, 2019 premiere date, Somerhalder told fans how big this experience has been for him, and how much it has taken out of him:
It's my first time as a producer delivering something like this. But I hope you like it. I put my heart and my soul into the show. It's been over a year of my life. It's put me in the hospital! But it's been an incredible journey. Please watch and let me know what you think.
Oh my! He didn't reveal more about what exactly put him in the hospital, but it's no surprise to hear this has been an intense experience for him. Ian Somerhalder gave fans a first look at his Dr. Luther Swann back in August 2018. Since then, the Lost alum has shared tidbits from filming -- including a snippet of him directing on set. Check out Somerhalder's brief new video, mentioning the hospital trip:
During a summer appearance at Wizard World Philadelphia 2019, he told the audience he had been up editing V-Wars until 3 a.m. that morning before traveling for the panel discussion:
I've been in post-production for eight months on this show. A 10 episode show! I've never heard of anything like it. It's not like this is Game of Thrones. It's not like it's a 20-day $15 million episode. This is a vampire show. Who knew I would leave vampires only to go back to vampires? And I married one, exactly.
Yep, he married Nikki Reed of Twilight. Also during that panel back in June, Ian Somerhalder said V-Wars was slated for December but he wasn't sure he would be able to deliver the show on time. But it happened! Took a lot of blood, sweat, tears, and at least one hospital trip, but it's done.
Whenever he gives an update on V-Wars, Ian Somerhalder always mentions wanting to come back for more. He hopes people watch Season 1 enough for Netflix to give them a Season 2. So I'm expecting Season 1 to end on some kind of cliffhanger, leading fans to post to Netflix that they want more.
Ian Somerhalder recently posted the new photos from V-Wars, saying he started working on the show in June 2018 and he hasn't stopped working on it since. He also noted that Season 1 is coming out just three days before his birthday -- he'll be 41 -- so he asked fans to watch it for him as a birthday present:
Paul Wesley may wish he could move his birthday to that week too. Ian Somerhalder's Vampire Diaries brother is premiering Tell Me a Story Season 2 on the same day, December 5. It'll be quite a day for TVD fans!
Here's more of what we know so far about V-Wars, including the rest of the cast and their roles. Now go text Ian Somerhalder to stay safe out there!
