Alan Ball Is Pro-New Blood on “True Blood”

Adding a new cast member to an already tight ensemble can be tricky stuff. Chemistry can be slow to build, storylines sometimes feel forced and viewers tend to revolt initially, preferring the stasis of the characters they've come to know and love. But fear not, "True Blood" lovers. Alan Ball wants to make sure everyone is a happy camper.

The third season of the HBO series is expected to see a major influx of new supernatural characters, including Alcide, a werewolf who complicates things with Sookie (Anna Paquin) and Bill (Stephen Moyer) and Sookie and Eric (swoon-inducing Alexander Skarsgard).

"True Blood" creator Alan Ball promises that whether you were Team Bill or Team Eric (which we are, big time), Alcide (played by former "One Tree Hill" star Joe Manganiello) is sure to win hearts and minds.

"Take a look at Joe," Ball laughs. "Do you think [viewers] have reason to be worried? We were looking for a guy who was big, sexy, decent and heroic, with some darkness. And [Manganiello] showed us all of that in the audition."

"As in the book, he's helping her find [her kidnapped boyfriend] Bill," Ball continues, "and he has a business reason for owing Eric a favor. He's there with her during a very painful time in [Sookie's] life — and his life, actually. And they're thrown into some pretty intense situations together. And hello, he’s hot! And hello, so is she. Two hot people in some intense situations and, for whatever reasons, their significant others are not there… they're human."

Well, actually he’s a werewolf, and she's a freaky psychic with kinetic powers, but whatever.

As long as they don't resurrect MaryAnn or cut into our Eric time, new characters are more than welcome in Bon Temps. We welcomed Eggs with open arms, didn't we? While he'll be missed (and can now be seen on ABC's new series, "The Deep End"), we can't wait to get back to see what'll happen now that Bill is kidnapped and thinks Sookie has forsaken him, the vampire queen is selling contraband, Jessica is out of control (poor sweet Hoyt) and Sam has found his parents. 

The new season is going to be even more delicious than a bowl of gumbo from Merlotte's. Too bad we have to wait until it premieres in June on HBO.

Contact Us