Elena's Parents Finally Revealed!

Courtesy of TV Guide

TV Guide released an exclusive photo of Elena's parents, Grayson and Miranda Gilbert (James MacDonald and Erin Beute) from the season finale episode.  As previously stated, her parents will be seen in a flashback that will show what Elena's life used to be like before the tragic accident that killed her parents. Since Elena was also in the accident, we will finally get to see what happened when Stefan rescued her. To prepare for the role, both Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley had to take scuba lessons, and Nina even went so far as to become certified.  The season 3 finale episode airs on May 10, 2012. 

"It's something I hopefully will never have to experience in real life — trying to survive underwater while trying to save other people. It was quite intense and a little scary. I'm used to being underwater with a tank, but having to act without the tank is completely different. We were in the water two days for eight hours a day. By the end, I was exhausted and slept like a baby."

Source: TV Guide