The "Vampire Diaries" family warmly welcomed new cast member Rick Cosnett in the upcoming Season 5 of the successful CW TV series. The Australian actor takes on the role of new villain named Dr. Wes Maxfield, a biology professor at Whitmore College that will bring trouble to Nina Dobrev's character Elena and her best friend Caroline Forbes.

Australian actor Rick Cosnett. Photo Credit: Twitter/@chloejohnston00

"Now I can tell the secret: Directed @RickCosnett in #TVD 5x02 and he was brilliant. Like @kendrick38, a MAJOR addition to the #TVDFamily," director Joshua Butler shared on his Twitter account @TheJoshuaButler.

The Hypable.com report on the casting news read: "Maxfield will quickly make enemies with the two leading ladies and things get more complicated as Caroline and Elena start to think he's hiding a dark and dangerous secret."

As the "Vampire Diaries" series get ready for a brand new season, cast member Ian Somerhalder teases the fans with the challenges that his character Damon Salvatore will face in Season 5 during an interview with TV Fanatic on Tuesday, September 3. Additionally, SpoilerTV posted an image from the "Vampire Diaries" Season 5 promo.

"Vampire Diaries" Couple Damon and Elena. Photo Credit: TVLine/SpoilerTV

According to actor Ian Somerhalder, his character Damon Salvatore will face new challenges such as keeping romantic relationship with Elena Gilbert and protecting Jeremy Gilbert while elder sister Elena enters college.

"The younger Gilbert will move into the Salvatore house when Elena is at college. If anything happens to Jeremy while he is under Damon's care, this could cause problems for the couple," Mr Somerhalder revealed according to the Examiner.com report.

Another revealed challenge that couple Damon and Elea will have to face is Mystic Falls where a "supernatural dark underbelly" can cause problems as well as the arrival of character Silas.

The 34-year-old heartthrob actor further shared that Silas will be able to fool everyone in town including the other Salvatore brother, Damon, since he will think Silas is really Stefan. TV producer Julie Plec previously divulged that the other TVD characters will find out soon about the Stefan-Silas character switch.

"The Vampire Diaries" Season 5 will premiere on October 3 at the CW television network. Its spin-off series set in New Orleans called "The Originals" will begin airing a week later starting October 8.

More "Vampire Diaries" Articles to Read:

Ian Somerhalder: 'Vampire Diaries' Actor Shares Behind-The-Scenes Video on Instagram - [READ]

'Vampire Diaries' Season 5: Damon Salvatore Reacts on Doppelgangers, Impostor Preview Video Released - [READ]

'Vampire Diaries' Season 5: CW Releases Promo Photo Featuring Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore, Katherine Behind Damon-Elena Breakup? - [READ]

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