'The Originals' series regular Claire Holt has left the show before the end of the first season, according to TVGuide.com. Tuesday's episode concluded with Klaus (Joseph Morgan) setting Rebekah (Holt) free of her familial obligations - though it now appears that her exit is permanent.

Claire HoltClaire Holt Is Leaving 'The Originals'

According to sources, Holt decided to leave The CW's new hit series as a regular, though the door has been left open for her character to return as a guest star.

Holt's character Rebekah Mikaelson was first introduced as a villain on The Vampire Diaries in 2011, appearing in nearly 40 episodes. 

A source close to Holt told BuzzFeed that the actress never actually intended to play Rebekah for as long as she did.

Before The Originals and Vampire Diaries, Holt got her break on series 'H2O: Just Add Water' before starring in the TV movie Mean Girls 2. From there, she landed the role of Samara on Pretty Little Liars.

Watch Claire Holt in the 'Blue Like Jazz' trailer:

The Originals, a spin-off of The Vampire Diaries set in New Orleans, was recently renewed for a second season. It focuses on a group of 'original' vampires, Klaus, Elijah (Daniel Gillies) and Rebekah who are battling the Klaus's nemesis protégé Marcel (Charles Michael Davis) who is now in charge of New Orleans. 

What do you think of Claire Holt's exit from The Originals. Where can season two go from here?