Warning: this article contains major spoilers for the latest episode of The Originals.
The death of Hayley on The Originals this week's episode has broken many a fan's heart, though it seems fans may be able to hold out hope yet.
While actress Phoebe Tonkin didn't confirm whether or not this would be the last we see of her character, she did tease that "you'll have to watch and see" if she pops up again.
Opening up about leaving the show, the star told Entertainment Weekly that she was prepared for her exit.
Related: Vampire Diaries spin-off The Originals is ending with its fifth season
"Every season we prepare to say goodbye for good as we never know if we will come back for another season or not till very last minute, but knowing this season would be [the end], it definitely made it easier to plan wrap gifts and say proper goodbyes to my buddies who I've spent 5 years with," she said.
What to Read Next
"My last scene sadly was at one in the morning, and the core cast weren't there, nor were some of the main crew members as there were two units shooting that day, so I basically ran around the studio yelling anyone's name so I could give as many tearful hugs and goodbyes before I left the studio for the last time."
The episode itself, 'What, Will, I, Have, Left', was directed by star Charles Michael Davis (Marcel Gerard), whom Tonkin praised for how he delivered her final moments.
"I love him so much. He's incredibly focused even though he's wearing both actor and director hats," she continued. "And he has a really great knack for giving great direction while still respecting that he's working alongside us as an actor.
"I was so grateful to shoot that scene with him. He did it with such grace and sensitivity to an obviously heartbreaking moment."
The Originals airs on The CW.
Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @digitalspy Twitter account and you're all set.
Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
