AceShowbiz - Ian Somerhalder is returning to the world of vampires on a new Netflix series. "The Vampire Diaries" actor will star as Dr. Luther Swann on a TV adaptation of novel "V Wars".

The first season will center on Swann as he battles a former best friend, who is turned into a zombie after coming down with a mystery disease. The friend subsequently becomes the leader of an army of zombies, while Swann tries to figure out how to save humanity.

Brad Turner will direct and executive produce the series, alongside IDW Entertainment president David Ozer and others. Somerhalder will also direct one or two episodes during the season.

"We could not have dreamed of a better choice than Ian Somerhalder to bring his keen understanding of this genre from his years of starring in 'The Vampire Diaries' to lead the cast of 'V Wars' as Dr. Luther Swann and to be a creative force on this series, as well as to serve as a director this season," a statement from Ozer reads. "We are thrilled to partner with Netflix to bring the multifaceted world that (author) Jonathan Maberry created to audiences worldwide."

It is unclear when the show will air, but news of the actor's casting comes over a year after he ended his eight-year run on "The Vampire Diaries" in March 2017.