Alan Ball Talks about True Blood Season Three & Four
By Lividity on Jan 5 2010 | 23 Comments »
Alan Ball did a charming interview with Abbie Bernstein @ Buzzy Multimedia which was published today. There’s a lot of stuff in here that we have already heard, and some things that I don’t think we have. There are spoilers in here for those not finished with Season 1 or Season 2, so beware those of you that are behind. Of special interest, we find out that HBO has renewed True Blood for a fourth season (!), which should bring a smile to all you “Dead to the World” fans out there (and to all True Blood fans for that matter). See highlights below:
The cable network is so pleased with Ball and company that, Ball relates, “I just closed a deal to show-run True Blood for two more seasons, so I would assume that [the series is at minimum] going through Season Four.”
As True Blood continues, Ball says, “I think we’re always going to use the books as sort of a foundation, but I just don’t see how, as time goes on, you can’t diverge from them a little bit more each season. I don’t know, though. We’re starting to work on Season Three and we actually are really, really sticking to the books, at the beginning at least.”
Anything Ball can tell us about where Season Three is going? “Season Three is a big Eric [the vampire played by Alexander Skarsgard] season and Season Four is really big for Eric’s character, according to the books.”
Also, Alan remarks on the difference between the sex/violence shown in True Blood than what was originally written in the Sookie Stackhouse books:
True Blood the series has startled some of Harris’ fans by being more overtly sexual and violent than the books are. Even in the relatively tender romance between Paquin’s Sookie and Moyer’s vampire Bill Compton, Ball says, “Certainly, the first time that they get together, we made it pretty bloody.” The episodes are indeed harder-edged than Harris’ prose, Ball adds. “It’s a little more violent. The books are violent, but I think it’s one thing to hear about it and another to see it.” So far, he adds, HBO has not objected to what has been depicted on the show. “I have never had a situation where they’ve said, ‘You can’t show that.’ Obviously, there’s a lot of sex in this show, but it’s never going to be pornographic. I’ve never had a situation where [the network has complained]. But I’m sure if I did something graphically pornographic, they would say, ‘Whoa, whoa, what are you doing?’”
Read the entire interview at the source
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i love eric! i love him in the books way more than the show, they made him way more cruel in the show but i hope they lighten him up in these next two seasons.
WHAT…………..
Don’t get excited RC. There’s those old, “…at the beginning at least” and “according to the books.” This guy loves doing this. I’m just gonna wait and see. ‘Cause I’m the patient sort ;)
Yeah let’s wait… but i smell the Viking’s kingdom is coming!
You can smell him from that far away eh? Powerful…
Yuck!!!!! Season 3 is a big Eric season? Yuck! I’d rather have a big Jason season. and that’s not saying much.
Meh. Methinks AB is cleverly stirring the pot once again. Of course the beginning would be really close to the books because it’s the foundation and the beginning of the season is used to build that foundation. The difference between the books and the show is that we’re not seeing circumstances solely through Sookie’s eyes. The fact that we have so many characters with new POVs means we have a lot of new stories that can be told or expanded. I always thought that Bill was such an intriguing character for AB because he had so much story left to tell. For all his absence in the books he had to be out “there” doing something. That’s where AB can expand the story. I’m very interested in seeing what he comes up with. As we’ve all said as long as Bill isn’t marginalized we’ll be OK.
I’d rather Bill stay the main character instead of Eric and worry about Eric not being marginalized.
I agree with you, most interesting thing about bill in the books is that you can imagine he has whole other exciting life outside being with sookie. I’d love the show to explore that it would make much more interesting in the sho. Which is crazy because i duno how he can get anymore interesting bill is such an awesome character!
I am glad to see more eric because we have already seen alot of bills past and yet he is only 173 years old. Eric on the other hand, is 1000 years old. Can you imagine what they could explore. I imagine if season 3 and 4 focus on eric (and more soo eric and sookie together). Seasons after that, if eric is still around. The show may focus on eric’s 1000 years history which I find much more interesting than anything with eric and sookie together.
I wont more andy too!
actually I just want more of everyone….Right now! I really cant wait!!!
More Eric is all good with me! I do love that big hunk of Viking, yes I do! And it doesn’t mean less Bill time, I’m sure on that! My 2010 wish is to see both my boys in *every single episode* (preferably together, but whatever works) And I don’t mean those little 2 minute flashes, either. I want big, chunks of time devoted to Bill and Eric, so Alan Ball has made me happy…for now….but I don’t trust a work he spins…err..says :P He’s a sneaksy hobbit!
I keep saying, there is room up here on the vampwich train if anyone else wants to hop on….
*crickets*
*crickets*
Or not :P
LOL! I’m pretty positive you’re not alone on that train KF – you should come check out the Bellefleur bus, it’s a bit lonely, but it’s all mine ;)
Girl, I’m glad there’s a lot of room on that Bellefleur bus because I’m on it! AND I like to stretch out :). I also take a ride on the Vampwich train every now and then but I inevitably hop off.
Awesome! The bus is well stocked with food and beverages at all times making it not only the most comfortable bus around, but also the most friendly ;)
I think what AB means is that we will see what makes Eric tick and his background. Just like we saw Jason have a big part in S2. It did not mean that Jason was now the lead character, is just meant it was his turn to be seen and have a story arc, of sorts. Now it is Eric’s and I as sure we will see the others expanded as well. I mean, even though there was a lot of Jason, it did not mean there was all Jason and no one else! Eric is a big part but the others have a big part as well. Also, they can’t kick out SM as the lead male actor. It is not done!
Honestly, if they do a S/E hookup and or sex, i will truely PUKE!!!!! I would hate ti for those Erics to win. They are a pain in the a*rse now, imagine how they will be if there is a hookup! Please AB, NO!!
I agree, NO hookup. It’s enough that we have to suffer through the dreams.
Unfortunately, girls I think it will happen. BUT all is not lost. Bill might be down but when it comes to Sookie I don’t think he will ever be out. I always find it interesting that the rabid fans out there who dislike Bill so much focus on him so intently. If E/S are so fated then why sweat Bill? Because he’s a threat.
And Lizzie I agree with you completely. Look at a show like LOST. Just because someone has their moment to shine doesn’t mean all of a sudden the show revolves around them. I really do like Eric’s character. He is so different from Bill and it’s good to have that juxtaposition. But more importantly I don’t see the show being just about who gets Sookie. I think we’ll see that Bill has a lot to do with the core story of True Blood.
Cant wait for season 3 and glad there will be a season 4 too !
True Blood forum
http://www.truebloodforum.freeforums.org/portal.php
I agree. It all seems to be “who will get Sookie”. This is not a “Sookieverse” show, thankfully, but it does cause fights between the factions!! The Bookies cannot see beyond the Shower scene or the present giving or whatever they like in the book series. True Blood is an ensemble and each cast member will have their spot in the limelight. This is good television!
Agreed. I hate that braindead shipping shit. True Blood is art, its a fucking good yarn, its an ensemble piece. Stop having retarded Twatlight schoolgirl arguments over Bill and Eric, sheeeit. I prefer Bill to Eric physically and intellectually, but I don’t agree with reducing any discussion of the show to Sookie’s love life. I’m so bored with it and I can’t get away from it *bangs head against desk*
Ok – Both Eric and Bill are great and Sam and Jason and Lafeyette for that matter. I love them all. I am a bookie but am also enjoying AB’s series. It’s all about the cheek & strength and eventually the vulnerability of Eric’s character, the seriousness, devotion and gentleman ways of bill – but he could lighten up a little, the damn coolness and slick of Lafeyette, the love sickness and yumminess and warmth and frustration of Sam & that damn fantastic muscular symmetry of Jason and the brilliant way he (Ryan) portrays braun over brain, his ability to show discovery across his face is priceless and makes me laugh, his ego allows him to play his character so well and not feel threatened as an actor.
I will not give up on Bill and Sookie guys. I like Eric to just not with Sookie. Personally I would probably puk if they hooked up. I have a problem putting to brilliant characters together and then seperating. I would like to mention the guy who interviews them on the net. He said evertime they seperate the two leads the rating go down and then the show go down the toilet. Sorry I love the Sookie Bill arc and will love forever. I am helpless romantic. This is why I love True Blood. They gore and the love two of my favorite things. Just so everyone knows -even the rabids- I will not stop watching TB. The show freaken Rocks!!!! I will pine for Sookie and Bill and love Bon Temps to. Here is something to chew on -speculation- Bill gets amnesia and Sookie goes back to beloved Bill. That would kill the bad rabids. hehehehe-LOL evily -Sorry but that was fun to say. Love all my Truebee sises on the wiki -Go Bill and Sookie 4 Ever.
well for all you “I’d puke if eric and sookie got together” people, I’ll just say this. Yes, Alan Ball has made Bill more “appealing” in the romantic area of the show, because as we all know, AB is definitely pro Bill. Unfortunately, considering he gets all his ideas based from the book series itself, you’re all going to have to expect atleast some eric and sookie together. Especially if AB bases season four on book four. Also, if you’ve taken the time to read the books, which were original, btw, you’d see that most of the romantic shit Bill does for sookie, you know, constantly saving her life blah blah blah, you’d notice that TB bill is portraying everything Eric did in the books. It’s like Eric wearing a tiny bill suit. Which I find hardly fair. But I get it, tv/movies are never 100 percent like the books. But, Eric and Sookie were meant for eachother… considering thts how the AUTHOR has written it. Plus, Bills a total dick. Sorry, he is. “I let my gf get beat up so I could make her love me, hyuck hyuck” Yeah, real charming, ladies. I’ll go for Eric any day; he may always seem to be plotting something just for him, but in truth, hes never exactly lied to sookie, if she asked him, he told her. It’s not lying if you aren’t asked :P jk. But yeah, expect it. Even Alan Ball can’t change it that much, I’m sure CHarlaine Harris would be right ticked if he did.