Ian Somerhalder Directing Season 6, Episode 16 of The Vampire Diaries 

Following in co-star Paul Wesley’s footsteps, Ian Somerhalder is set to direct his very own episode of

The Vampire Diaries! The 36-year-old hunk took to Instagram to reveal that he’ll be directing Season 6, Episode 16 (“The Downward Spiral”).

“This is pretty cool too… Who is directing the next episode? On set with him right now,” Ian captioned a photo of the script for the ep written by Brian Young and Caroline Dries. “Thank you to all involved in the decision-making process for giving me the opportunity to do this-I am so grateful. I\'ll do my very verry very best not to screw it up.”

How adorable that Ian thinks he could screw up! We’re sure that he’ll do a great job, just like castmate Paul Wesley. Who could forget Paul’s first time in the director’s chair? That was the episode we got to see an alternate universe where Stefan Salvatore and Elena Gilbert were married and had kids!

If Paul’s directorial debut gave us an epic Stelena moment, hopefully Ian’s will gift us an unforgettable moment between Damon Salvatore and Elena. While Paul’s got another self-directed episode coming up — Season 6, Episode 11 (“Woke Up With a Monster”) — this is Ian’s first-ever turn in the director’s chair, not just with

While we’re super stoked for Ian, we can’t help but be worried about the title of his episode. Whose downward spiral will we be witnessing? Hopefully nobody we love. Tell us more, Ian!

What do you think Ian’s directorial debut will be about? Hit the comments and sound off!

The Vampire Diaries returns with all-new episodes on January 22 on The CW.

Carson Blackwelder is an Associate Editor at Wetpaint Entertainment. Follow him on Twitter and Google+!

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