Nina Dobrev (Mia) is leaving Degrassi because she nabbed the lead role in the new CW show “Vampire Diaries.” Now it’s just a matter of knowing WHEN she’ll be leaving.

Since there haven’t been very many details and no SPOILERS released about Season 9, no one knows yet when Mia will officially fade into Degrassi oblivion (Chester and Fareeza will have a new playmate!!).  If you’re like me I assume it’ll be very early in the season. 

Ian Somerhalder, Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley star in "Vampire Diaries."

Degrassi’s had a run over the past few seasons of actresses leaving the show within the first few episodes: Deanna Casaluce (Alex) left after only three episodes in Season 7.  Shenae Grimes (Darcy) left after four episodes in Season 8.

Exec. Producer Stephen Stohn has confirmed that the Season 9 premiere “Just Can’t Get Enough” will feature Mia and Peter, so I figure it’ll either be her final episode or (the more likely scenario) the setup for her goodbye.

Either way, they’d better not give Mia a crappy sendoff like they did Darcy…aka she’d better not magically land some massive modeling contract in Italy or something.  Sure, there have been plenty of times when Mia’s deserved to be punched in the face (mainly for her inability to act like a responsible teen mom), but I can’t stand when a main character’s departure is either contrived or anticlimactic.

“Twilight,” “High School Musical” and “Gossip Girl” have a combined 32 nominations for the 2009 Teen Choice Awards; that’s 32 more than Degrassi has so far. I’M SHOCKED AND OUTRAGED!!! I’M GONNA *CRAIG OUT* ON THE NEXT PERSON I SEE!!  

Hosted this year by The Jonas Brothers, The Teen Choice Awards airs Monday, August 10 on FOX.  Let’s face it; Degrassi has never been popular enough here in the U.S. to earn a nomination in the Choice TV Drama category, which is dominated by shows teens will ADMIT they enjoy like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Gossip Girl.”  If there’s any consolation, “90210,” which stars former Degrassi girl Shenae Grimes, is nominated in the category this year.

Instead, Degrassi’s going to once again place their hopes of winning a TCA in the to-be-announced-later “Summer” category.  Degrassi won Choice Summer TV Show  in 2005 and 2007, and they were nominated last year. 

Starting July 3, Degrassi’s going to finally catch up with CTV and air the final 10 episodes of Season 8.  That’s six regular episodes and the 2-hour (4-part) TV movie, “Degrassi Goes Hollywood.”

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If you care, or if you’re one of those poor souls who completely rely on The-N for their Degrassi information, here’s summaries for the episodes airing this Summer:

Jane Says (1 & 2): Noone understands why Jane hates her dad so much. Not even Jane, until she’s haunted by memories from her past.  Danny’s new girlfriend Leia doesn’t quite fit in with Danny’s group of friends.

Touch of Grey: Tired of only being known as Kelly’s girlfriend, Emma tries to create an identity of her own.  KC’s bad boy past is revealed.

Heart of Glass: Alli likes Johnny, and is willing to do WHATEVER it takes to keep him around.

Up Where We Belong: Everyone is stressed out with exams, and Mia makes a decision that will change her future.

Danger Zone: It’s just another night at The Dot until Spinner and Holly J are held at gunpoint.

Degrassi Goes Hollywood Trailer