Ian Somerhalder

The Vampire Diaries' Damon Salvatore showed a bit of his emotional side last season, but the wry, angst-ridden vampire we fell in love with early on is back in full force when the series returns.

"The guy tried everything," Ian Somerhalder told TVGuide.com. "He tried to be the romantic, he tried to be the big brother, but no one listened to him and it all went to sh--. He's now saying, 'You know what? I tried, it didn't work, screw you. This is who I am and this is what I do."

Vampire Diaries Video: Tough times ahead for Caroline and Tyler?

When the fourth season of the CW series premieres (Thursday, 8/7c), Damon will not only be extremely upset at his brother Stefan (Paul Wesley) for not saving Elena (Nina Dobrev), but he'll be also be an important guide for Elena as she transitions into a vampire.

Vampire Diaries Video: Nina Dobrev says you'll be surprised by what Elena does as a vampire

"I think Damon is the key to her understanding a lot of what's going on during the transition," Somerhalder said. "He even [tells Stefan], 'She's not going to be able to understand this blood lust, so let her feel the urge and the pain and hunger. That way, she knows what she's up against."

Watch the full interview below: