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Bill and Sookie
After a wildly successful second season, True Blood executive producer Alan Ball says he and the cast and crew are already sinking their teeth into Season 3, promising that the sexy vampire thriller “just stays big and weird and fun.”
“After last season you would think things would sort of return to normal – but no, that’s not going to happen!” Ball told TV Guide Magazine. “No, there’s just as much weird stuff out there, and we’re going to meet some werewolves for the first time; we’re going to find out some roles vampires played in history, which is interesting and shocking and funny. It’s more of the same.”
I am looking at pictures of locations and looking at models of new sets and stuff, so we’re back,” said Ball. “I have four scripts that I am going, four first drafts, and I’m going over them and making some revisions with the writing staff, and we’ve already cast a major role: the vampire king of Mississippi, who’s going to be played by Dennis O’Hare, which I’m very, very excited about.” O’Hare’s a Tony-, Obie- and Drama Desk Award-winning actor best known to television audiences for his recurring role as Travis March on Brothers & Sisters.
While the rollercoaster relationship of Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) and Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) remains front and center, Ball revealed that several supporting characters will be sharing even more of the spotlight. “Definitely Eric has broken out and is a big important character now. Jessica and Hoyt are still trying to deal with everything that happened to them, and Arlene and Terry are going to have a little bit more of a life and more of a presence on the show.”
Sam Trammell
The creative team hasn’t been overly stressed out about topping the all-out mayhem of Season 2. “We have a great head start in that we have these fantastic books that Charlaine Harris wrote,” said Ball. “It’s not like we have a blank slate and say ‘Oh my God, what are we going to do?’ So we’re using book three as the model for Season 3. And there’s nine of them and she publishes one every year, so I feel like ‘Just keep ‘em comin’.’
And while Ball admits he felt a twinge of worry when he found out about the real-life romance between stars Paquin and Moyer, he’s thrilled that the couple is rock-solid now that they’re engaged.
“When I first found out I was like ‘Uh-oh – no!’” he laughed. “But by now it’s very clear that it’s the real deal and they’re very, very happy. Anna said to me at a party, after I said ‘You look fantastic,’ she said ‘Well, I’m happy, and happier than I’ve ever been in my life and a lot of it is thanks to you.’ It’s great to know that. I just want everybody working on the show to be happy, and so far they are.
…And a random picture of Sam.
Needs more Sam.
Anyone think Ball is influenced by the AP/SM relationship? He seems to bring them up a lot. Another reason for his push towards Bill/Sookie (though I would hope he’d be more professional)(I’m Bill/Sookie, so I don’t mind in the least)(it’s just a thought, not meant as a genuine theory)
I think Alan Ball is too professional to let personal relationships affect his decisions for the show. I think he knew what direction he was planning to go with TB from the beginning IMO…..of course I’m sure he allows a lot of room for change, like the Jessica character, she was to be temporary and now she seems to be more permanent.
THANKS AEM!
Thanks for posting. AB’s a good guy. Looking forward to Season 3 luvs.
I don’t think that’s a fair assessment of Alan Ball about him letting the Anna Stephen thing influence him in terms of the show just because he talks about them in interviews. In most of the interviews I’ve watched and read, everyone involved with the show has been asked about the Anna/Stephen relationship. Meaning they’ve all talked about it. It’s the big “gossip” of the show.
I agree. I remember reading early reports on what direction AB wanted the show to go. It had always been the Bill and Sookie show and how they strive for a relationship so deep and true, but only after having all these obstacles that they had to cross before they had this true love. Having SM/AP have the hots for each other just made the story easier!
Great interview! Actually, I read a similar interview on the HBO newsletter, and AB mentions that he is getting some new characters and maybe the Magister will be back! Back for who, shall we ask?? Eric to be punished for trying to poach Sookie of Bill or dealing with V?? Maybe Lorena, to be punished for kidnapping Bill??? Bring on Season 3!!!
I just don’t understand how he plans to use CH’s books as models if he wants to keep Bill & Sookie as the primary couple… I mean, is he going to completely ignore all other romantic (as well as character) developments? (yes, I admit that I’m more of an Eric fan, but still!) I’ve enjoyed the series so far, so I hope that he doesn’t veer TOO far from the author’s original path…
If he does away with the Queen, I will love him forever. I hate Evan Rachel Wood–she’s a terrible actress, and her performance on the show is so… high school drama production.