Exclusive: Steven R. Mcqueen Teases Jeremy's Farewell on TVD! 

It’s official, fang fans: Come Thursday night on

is heading off to art school and leaving his friends, family, and the crazy world of Mystic Falls behind! And though we are heartbroken at the prospect of saying goodbye to such a loveable character — one who’s literally grown up on our screens and who’s come such a long way from being the angry emo stoner we met six years ago — we are happy to see him a. make it out of this hellish town alive and b. finally get the chance to pursue his dreams.

That being said, in celebration of his final TVD episode, we caught up with Steven R. McQueen to get the scoop on Jer Bear’s bittersweet departure in 6×14, reflect on some of his favorite scenes, and discuss what’s next on his agenda. As it turns out, much like his television counterpart, the talented actor’s future is bright — full of promise and exciting roles!

Alloy Entertainment: The promo for “Stay” shows Elena and Jeremy spending quality time. What can you tease about their last day together?

Steven R. McQueen: It was so nice because Nina [Dobrev] and I had a few scenes during which we reflected on the past — talking, laughing, and saying our goodbyes. It was sweet.

Alloy Entertainment: As much as we love TVD for its romances and supernatural drama, the family dynamics keep the show grounded and give it heart.

What will you miss most about being a Gilbert?

Steven R. McQueen: Everything! We shot the pilot when I was 19, then starting the show when I was 20. I’m 26 now and I grew up there. I’ll miss being a part of this world, and more than anything, I’m going to miss my friends — the cast, the crew, [and]  the writers.

Alaric dropping Jeremy off at the bus stop and Damon giving him a special gift. Did anyone actually break down into tears at any point?

.] Funny you should mention that, because the last scene I shot, there was a foot on my face. It was literally a shot of a foot on my face and they shot it maybe ten times. Chris Grismer was directing that episode so I go, “Hey, Chris! What’s going on here?” And he’s like, ‘Eh one more time.’ And then I hear a door open and the entire cast and crew comes running out in Sib costumes, carrying a big cake, and shoves some of the cake in my face. I’m telling you that right then and there I choked up a little bit. But, I tried to act a little bit scary because I’m a badass. [

.] What? I don’t cry. Pssh! Except for when my dog and I watch

Alloy Entertainment: We’re glad Jeremy’s starting fresh in a safe, normal setting, but, technically speaking, he’s

a hunter. Is he setting his crossbow down forever or do you hope he returns at any point?

Steven R. McQueen: I mean, definitely! If they invite me back for an episode or two, I would love to come back and visit my family and friends filming in [Atlanta].

Alloy Entertainment: What do you personally envision happening in Jeremy’s future?

Steven R. McQueen: In a perfect world? I would love for him to run into Ra’s al Ghul or hang out with Batman. [

.] I actually just visited the Batman museum recently and was

Steven R. McQueen: Oh gosh! Well, okay, they had all the original masks there, including the Michael Keaton ones, and they had Christian Bale’s suit along with the ninja stars and the grapple gun — [aka] the batclaw. It was awesome! They also had the Joker costume and Catwoman’s. They even had a little model of the original Catwoman — Michelle Pfeiffer still takes it for me. [

Alloy Entertainment: Since we’re on the topic of comic book characters, Superman versus Thor: Who would win and why? Or would the Hulk eviscerate them both?

Steven R. McQueen: If it’s Superman versus Thor, then Superman takes it for sure. And if it’s Superman versus the Hulk? [Considering how] the Hunk grows stronger the angrier he gets, eventually he might be able to take on Superman. But right off the bat, I would pick Superman. He’s strong enough to take the Hulk and throw him into space. [

think though that the Hulk would win the round against Thor.

to ask you about Nightwing! You’ve talked about it a lot, and we’ve even written a post listing all the reasons you’re well-suited for the part. What is it about this superhero in particular that stands out to you, and why do you want to play him?

Steven R. McQueen: I’ll tell you what — I think that every kid wants to be Batman. But Batman is a character that dedicated all of his time to training; he was billionaire who had pretty much anything he wanted at his disposal and could focus on things that are well out of normal people’s reach. Whereas Nightwing, though his story is rooted in tragedy as well, he doesn’t have a fortune. He relies on sheer ability alone and is a bit more lighthearted; he’s the like the Batman you aspire to become.

Alloy Entertainment: There are so many side-by-side photos of you and Nightwing floating around on the Internet, and you definitely bear a striking resemblance to him.

Steven R. McQueen: Don’t mind me — I’m just sitting here blushing. [

.] But, yea, I honestly love the character and would love to play him.

Alloy Entertainment: As for your time on TVD, looking back on six incredible seasons, what would you say was Jeremy’s lowest point and his most triumphant moment?

Steven R. McQueen: That’s a good question. That a

good question. His lowest point would be when Bonnie disappeared, you know? At the beginning of the season, I talked to Julie and was like, ‘Look, I want to let [Jeremy] go. I wanna let his hair grow and have him go crazy.’ Jeremy’s lost a lot of people — starting with parents — and he’s gone through a lot. But to have found strength and hope and have that ripped from him? That definitely was a new low for him. As for his proudest moment, I would say it’s when they brought Bonnie back from the Other Side in Season 5. He got his love back, and even though she got taken away again, he was truly happy.

Alloy Entertainment: Speaking of happiness, any time a character on TVD experiences an ounce of joy, something terrible usually occurs to balance things out. Will Jer Bear encounter any danger on his way out?

.] I don’t know. I can’t tell you that — you’re going to have to tune in to find out

Alloy Entertainment: Julie Plec confirmed on twitter that Bonnie will eventually escape the prison world and return home. Would you like to see some closure between Jeremy and Bonnie? And if you could plan a special date for the two of them, what would it include?

Steven R. McQueen: I would undoubtedly love to see a reunion between them…

! As for a perfect evening, I’m picturing a comfy bed, chocolate-covered strawberries, and a nice, scented candle. [

Alloy Entertainment: You’ve shared scenes with so many wonderful people over the years — Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, Kat Graham, Zach Roerig and more. Who will you especially miss the most?

Steven R. McQueen: I’ll miss working with everybody; I’m so close with everyone on that set. Obviously the boys: Michael [Trevino[ and Zach — they’re the ones I hung out with the most and we always went out together. The last couple of years we’ve had so much fun, gotten in trouble together, settled down — it’s been a whirlwind. I’ll miss them a lot, whereas Ian and Paul [Wesley] constantly gave me advice, and they were like big brothers to me. So, I’ll miss everyone in different ways.

Alloy Entertainment: Is there any particular memory from your TVD years that sticks out from the rest?

Steven R. McQueen: The whole experience! I know everyone says that, but it’s true. The show represents different stages of my life. I mean, 19 to 26 — that’s a big chunk of time. So, from the pilot when all met each other not knowing that we were going to be spending the next few years together, to the last episode where everyone came in, put cake on my face, and still gave me hugs despite the cake on my face, it’s all been memorable.

Alloy Entertainment: As for our last question, do you have a message you’d like to relay to the fans?

Steven R. McQueen: Watch my next gig. Please! And if you’re a producer, give me a job. [

.] Honestly though, thanks for supporting the show and my character — it’s been an amazing experience!

We don’t know about you, but we’ll sure miss seeing Jeremy in action! Take care, Little Gilbert! Anyway, before we get all sappy (we’ll save that for the recap) watch the heartwarming goodbye video below, and don’t miss an all new episode of TVD Thursday at 8/7c!

*From Emo Kid with Attitude To Brave Vampire Hunter: See Jeremy Gilbert’s Incredible Evolution!*

But you had dimples so we overlooked your drug habit and truancy.

You\'ve felt pain. You\'ve lost loved ones.

You faced so many obstacles in your young life.

Please don\'t think we never cared because we did. Everyone did.

Making the ladies weak at the knees with your meaningful kisses.

But you always survived it all and showed us you were okay with a flash of that bright smile.

We\'ll even miss your funny faces....

We\'ll miss your warm hugs and genuince concern for others.

Here you are at Aunt Jenna\'s funeral. We never thought we\'d see the day when you\'d be gone from our midst as well.

We\'ll miss the way you slung your bookbag low on your left shoulder.

We worry about your sister. She\'s going through such a tough time.

You had such a fresh sense of humor. We loved all those light moments between you and Alaric.

You weren\'t afraid of intimacy and opening yourself up to the possibility of love.

If only your heart could beat just one more time....

Just so Damon can spend more training with you.

You knew how to have a good time, that\'s for sure!

You went from being enemies with Tyler....

How nice it\'d be to find out this was all a dream and you\'d be back in school joking around in front of your locker.

...to see you slip on a mask and make magic with Bonnie....

....and to watch you get rid of plaque alongside your big sis.

You were courageous despite all the curveballs life chucked at you.

This moment shattered hearts all around the world. Can we go back in time and change the course of your young life?

We wish we could have protected you from all the dangers of the world.

You became a man right before our very eyes. From Little Gilbert to Big Jer.

Ugh. We cried so hard over Alaric\'s death. Now we have to face yours as well.

You never let us down, Jer. We could always count on you to keep things true and simple.

You lived to tell the tale of being fed on by a starved Katherine Pierce.

How splendid it\'d be to peek over our shoulders one day in the future and see you sitting there grinning away.

You were so damn cute, Jer. Our crush on you never dimmed.

You were a good friend. Matt knows. You were his best friend.

You seemed like the coolest dude to hang out with.

What we\'d give to offer you a chance to be a normal teen guy without the weight of the world on his broad shoulders.

We know you understand. That this is the circle of life. But it\'s hard to accept.

Look at you -- filling Alaric\'\'s life with family and purpose again.

Aww. You were easily pleased. Hanging out with Matt in the back of his pickup truck was always a grand time.

It saddens us to know how Bonnie will go on after this tragic news.

Or how she\'ll be able to make it through a day without one of your infamous pick-me-ups.

You were always such a man of great literature. Look at you broadening your horizens!

But then we remember what truly happened and want to destroy everything in sight!

We\'re still in denial. That\'s the only way we can remain sane.

The two of you made a good team -- Big Brother mentor and his Lil\' Jer Bear.

We\'ll always look fondly upon the way you strutted around town like a boss.

And how your mere presence made everyone feel at ease.

You were so laid back and friendly. No wonder you had more pals than foes.

Seriously, you\'re bad ass. Remember the time you chopped off a hybrid\'s head with a meat cleaver? And you didn\'t even wipe the blood splatters from your face right away.

True, you tried to kill your sister. But it\'s alright because that was beyond your control. Plus, you killed one of Klaus\' hybrids in order to stop the Hunter\'s Curse from making her go cray cray.

Need help with that tie? We\'re here to assist you in any way possible.

Matt will be there to cheer you on and bolster morale.

Is this nightmare over? Please just wake up and go back to training.

Don\'t go yet. Let\'s play some XBox, okay?

Oh. We are going to REALLY miss your shirtless cave scenes.

And how you made friends so quickly. Who\'s going to watch out for April now? We can already sense the tears welling up in her eyes.

RIP those muscles in those white tank tops.

LOL. Death isn\'t funny but your horrified expression at Damon\'s idea of fun is. (Poor Uncle Mason. Poor you.)

The last time you left you packed up a few belongings. This time, you didn\'t pack any. You\'re gone for good.

Your passing has placed even Klaus in the doldrums.

Matt\'s alone in his truck crying his heart out. Can he (and we) ever survive the torture your death has cast upon everyone?

You talked to ghosts. Will you come back as one? We can at least drama.

Or at least give your amazing sister a chance to say a proper goodbye.

Your sister is past the point of grieving, past the point of no return. That\'s how much you meant to her.

She\'s turning it all off. Her love for you was -- and IS -- that powerful and immense.

You were her saving grace...all she had in this cruel world.

If only we can turn of this gut-wrenching anguish as well....

But guess what? We won\'t forget you. Not even for an instant.

But then you came back to life (thanks to Bonnie) and got stuck with Katherine Pierce babysitting duty.

But the highlight of your return? Letting Bonnie strip you naked.

Because that Beremy sex scene was beyond well-deserved!

Cheers to you, mate, for giving us an amazing six years. Farewell!

Theo is a television enthusiast/digital editor at Alloy Entertainment. A conspiracy theorist at heart, this Greek gal is constantly on the look-out for horcruxes and is still trying to make sense of Lost Season 6. All in all, she enjoys freshly brewed iced tea, ancient poetry, and Whedonverse. Follow her musings on entertainment at @theodorag13.

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