Ryan Kwanten Honored with Australian GQ Award

The Sydney Morning Herald just reported on the winners of the Australian GQ Magazine Awards which were held in The Great Hall of Sydney University this past Thursday night. The GQ awards honored leading Australian men across the arts, sport, politics, business and community service. Australian born actor, Ryan Kwanten, who plays Jason Stackhouse on True Blood, was awarded the 2009 GQ Actor of the Year Award. Ryan won in recognition for his breakthrough Hollywood role on the phenomenal hit show, True Blood. Congratulations Ryan for the well deserved recognition!

SOURCE:  Sydney Morning Herald

Photo Credit:  vogue.com.au

Allan Hyde: Rising True Blood Star

“That was a fantastic experience when tiny little me stood in front of the camera

and my two meter tall cast mate Alexander Skarsgard fell to

his knees in front of me. I felt the magic of

being an actor then.”

Allan Hyde, the twenty year old Danish actor, has made quite an impression on HBO’s True Blood fans. Allan plays the 2000 year old vampire Godric, Eric Northman’s (Alexander Skarsgard) maker in the hit HBO series. Although he appeared in only four episodes of True Blood’s second season, Allan Hyde’s Godric has become extremely popular with True Blood’s viewers.

He is a man of many talents. Besides his native Danish, he also speaks English, German and French. He has won the literary Robert Award for Best Short Story (2009) and amazingly, he also finds the time to play the guitar and sing. In Denmark, Allan Hyde has a string of appearances on both the Danish stage and screen. On stage, he has, for example, played Gavroche in Les Miserables but he is perhaps best known for his part in Denmark’s TV3’s 2900 Happiness. He has also provided the voice dubbing for Ron Weasley in the Danish release of the Harry Potter films. However in 2009, he was cast in the critically acclaimed HBO series True Blood as the 2000 year old Godric and the rest, as they say, is history.

In 2009, international acclaim came knocking on Allan Hyde’s door. Allan Ball happened to need a Scandinavian teenager for True Blood. Allan Hyde’s agent heard about it and convinced Hyde to send a tape to Alan Ball who was so impressed with it that there was no need for Hyde to undergo a formal audition. Hyde, at this point, was two months away from graduating from his high school in Zealand, Copenhagen, but he seized at the chance and moved to Los Angeles immediately. He explains his seemingly hasty decision,

“It was my dream. To be a professional (full-time) actor. To live off what I love. And it wasn’t the most important thing about high school to get a certificate with grades on. Most important were the knowledge and friends I’d already won through those three years.”

We are thankful for his decision because the character Godric has proved to be highly popular with viewers and with creator Alan Ball. Hyde’s performance of Godric has brought Hyde acclaim, catapulting him into the hearts of True Blood’s fans. In a recent interview, Allan Ball has also hinted at the possible return of Allan Hyde as Godric in flashbacks in Season 3.

Of his role as Godric in True Blood, Allan Hyde says,

“When I agreed to do it, I had no idea how big it (True Blood) was. I hadn’t heard about True Blood yet. And to be completely honest, I felt that a vampire series was a little boring. I only knew Buffy and that was a girl’s show.”

True Blood, set against a vivid Southern Gothic mise-en-scene, has captured viewers’ imagination with its gloriously gory, fiendish, darkly funny script. Populated with charismatic vampires, small town kooks and other assorted supernatural beings, True Blood is hardly filled with the usual vampire clichés which were the initial responses of critics and naysayers who subjected True Blood to lukewarm reviews.

Instead, proving his critics wrong, Allan Ball, Academy Award-winning writer, has sprinkled his magic dust over the HBO series and bewitched critics and viewers alike. According to HBO, True Blood’s Season 2 averaged 10.8 million viewers per episode, up 39% from last season, proving to be an even bigger hit than HBO’s The Sopranos. Indeed, True Blood’s biggest strength lies in its ability to appeal across a wide demographic spectrum.

As Allan Hyde further explains,

“I realized at once that this would be a unique and intelligent series. Vampires are an allegory for the darkside of humanity. Their race is prone to a mixture of homophobia and racism, and that’s what the series deals with in a brilliant way, I think. That’s why I fell for True Blood – instantly and completely.”

Allan Hyde’s portrayal of Godric, an immortal being who also happened to be older than Jesus, was pitch perfect. But at the same time, Hyde acknowledges that, as the youngest cast member, he felt the least experienced,

“I was utterly inexperienced and everything was overwhelming. To be the show’s alpha among the vampires on top of all this felt like immense pressure on me. The directors wanted me to be exactly like I was on the videotape they fell for. But they had never seen me ‘live’. That’s why I had a certain insecurity in the beginning. Would I really be able to deliver or was the tape just a lucky coincidence? [...] There I was, in a foreign country and was supposed to play a character who was as different to mine as may be. At the same time, everything took place in English which meant that I needed to repeat my lines many times before every take or I’d stumble over the words.”

But it is a testimony to the highly talented and mutually supportive ensemble cast of True Blood that Allan Hyde rapidly became comfortable in his role as Godric,

“[...] I felt I caught the character and people around me backed me with praise and recognition. That was a fantastic experience when tiny little me little me stood in front of the camera and my two meter tall cast mate Alexander Skarsgard fell to his knees in front of me. I felt the magic of being an actor then.”

Now that Season 2 of True Blood has finished its run in the US, Allan Hyde has been a very busy man. He has, for example, auditioned for a new Gus van Sant movie. Allan Hyde explains:

“It is as if all the big shots want to see what I am able to do now. I’m going to lots of auditions that aspiring actors who have lived in Hollywood for years don’t even get close to. There’s no doubt that I have to play my cards now. I have to try and get more parts as my name is hot over here because the clock is ticking in L.A. It’s all business.”

Meanwhile, a stage role awaits him in Denmark in 2010. However, when it comes to English language roles, Hyde feels that one of the hurdles he faces is the language. While he speaks the language fluently (he has a Danish mother and a British father), he feels that it’s difficult for him to hide both the British and Danish accents. He elaborates,

“That’s the biggest issue right now. I’m doing everything I can to change it. I practice all the time and work with a dialect coach on a daily basis. I almost got the accent now because at my last audition they didn’t even realize that I’m a foreigner.”

However, it is new found fame that Hyde admits take some getting used to. He admits:

“It needs some getting used to and one has to forget about Danish Jantelovn. Over here, people would be offended if you wouldn’t show your pride and appreciate the chance you got. To downplay your own results is a Danish thing and one you should avoid here [...] At home, it’s not like everybody and anybody is writing to me that I’m ‘suerpcute’ and ‘superhot’ and therefore I’m immensely flattered. But on the flipside, I have no idea what kind of people they are. I’m not looking for praise on the internet but sometimes it’s unavoidable. And my mom’s reading it too. She’s my biggest fan and she’s sending me links whenever she finds something funny about me online.”

Judging from the recent interview with Allan Ball, fans of Allan Hyde can no doubt look forward to his appearances in Season 3 of True Blood. As to further appearances in his subsequent Hollywood career, we wish Allan Hyde all best wishes for his future roles.

SOURCE: www.fri.dk via alexanderskarsgardfans.com

Photo credit: HBO Inc.

Alexander Skarsgard On The Cover Of Swedish Magazine Cafe

Alexander Skarsgard seems to be keeping busy while on hiatus from True Blood.  Not only has he been busy working on other projects but has been doing interviews, attending events and posing in photo shoots such as this one.  Here Alexander graces the cover of the December issue of the Swedish Magazine, Cafe. What more is there to say but, enjoy!

SOURCE:  SkarsgardNews.com

VIDEO: Alexander Skarsgard on the Red Carpet at the GQ Awards

Alexander Skarsgard was interviewed on the red carpet at the GQ Men of the Year Awards where Alexander, along with Stephen Moyer and Ryan Kwanten were honored with the title of “The Men Who Saved HBO.”  Alexander explains how much he enjoys working on True Blood and you will see Alexander being playful with the interviewer when she asks him a question about Twilight.  A fun video with Alex which we know you will enjoy.

Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard and Ryan Kwanten Honored at the GQ Men of the Year Awards

True Blood stars Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard and Ryan Kwanten were honored last night, November 18, 2009 at the GQ Men of the Year Awards as “The Men Who Saved HBO.”  The event was held at the Chateau Marmont Hotel in Hollywood, and while Stephen and Ryan are both busy with film project set outside of the country, Alex was able to attend the event to represent the men of True Blood at the Awards.

While at the event RadarOnline.com was able to catch up with Alex and ask him some questions about what we can expect to see in season 3 of True Blood and with his character, Eric Northman.  Alex stated that:

“There’s a lot of nudity,” he said. “As far as Eric goes, there’s going to be a lot violence and a lot of sex — with women and men! So it should be interesting.”

Asked if his love scenes with Anna Paquin are tense or uncomfortable (since she is engaged to co-star Stephen Moyer), Alex responded:

“No. I mean, I can’t wait to get back to my L.A. family,” he said referring to the True Blood cast. “I love Stephen, we’re friends and I love Anna. They’re great together. I actually think it makes things easier that way.”

Of course RadarOnline.com asked he if there was a special lady in his life, in particular they asked about certain rumors about who he may be dating currently to which Alex remarked:

“I’m not dating anyone, those are just rumors,” he laughed. When asked if there were any special women in his life, the hunky actor replied “my mom and my sister.”

Now that is a very sweet response.  Although Stephen, Alex and Ryan were honored at the GQ Awards with the title of “The Men Who Saved HBO” let us not forget about Sam, Nelsan, Todd, Jim, Chris, William and Alan who should have be included in the list.  All of them would have looked great in tuxedos in the featured photoshoot in the December issues of GQ which is available at newsstand now.

SOURCE:  radaronline.com

(Photo Credit: David Edwards – DailyCeleb.com via Hollywood.com)

Ryan Kwanten To Appear On The Chelsea Lately Show

Ryan Kwanten, who play the lovable Jason Stackhouse on Alan Ball’s hit HBO TV vampire series True Blood, will be making a guest appearance on the Chelsea Lately Show on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 11:00pm EDT on the E! Network. Chelsea will be in Australia recording four of her episodes at the Sydney’s Foxtel Studios in front of a live audience that will feature Australian guests to be broadcast to a worldwide TV audience.  Along with Ryan, Guy Branum, Heather McDonald, and Wil Anderson will be guests on the show.  So don’t forget to set up your DVR because it sounds like it is going to be lots of fun to watch.

SOURCES:

interbridge.com

talkshownews.interbridge.com

tvtonight.com.au

(Photo credit:  Christina Radish / Agency Photos)

Stephen Moyer Opens Up about Work and Family

With production on True Blood’s third season set to begin in a matter of days, Stephen Moyer took a break from filming the futuristic thriller Priest to discuss the path that has brought him to happiness and success. Sitting down with Red Magazine, Stephen talked about finding fulfillment as an actor and in life, with fiancee and co-star Anna Paquin.

At age 40, Stephen tries to dispel the notion that fame happens instantly. It is only because he was a steady working actor that he got the coveted part of soulful, brooding vampire Bill Compton. Alan Ball had been searching for five months without finding the right person. At the insistence of his agent, Stephen read the pilot script and was instantly drawn in. He never would have been in that position, however, without effort and motivation to continue developing as an actor:

“I haven’t had to take a bar job since I left drama school. People like to think that you’ve suddenly been discovered, but if I hadn’t been working all along, I would have had to give up by now.”

Quite unexpectedly, his new job on True Blood became another source of joy when he met, and fell in love with, his leading lady, Anna Paquin. Stephen knew how talented she was, having seen her perform on stage in London, in addition to her Academy Award for The Piano when she was only 11 years old. He was thrilled to be working with her:

“I’m excited by it, more than intimidated. It helps you bring your A-game, doesn’t it?”

From the very first time they met, they were constantly joking around. He loved her sharp wit, sense of humor and straightforward manner. With Stephen and Anna being the only out-of-towners in the True Blood cast, HBO put them in the same hotel during the pilot shooting and the two of them spent a lot of time together:

“I knew some people in town, but wasn’t based here. So, I’m basically alone and the other person I’m doing all my scenes with happens to be seven doors along. HBO has only themselves to blame.”

I’m sure HBO is pleased by the match! Since disclosing their relationship early this year, the paparazzi have been following Stephen and Anna all over the place. The show certainly benefits from the publicity of its likable, engaging stars.

But the pregnancy rumors do not seem welcome to Anna. Stephen tells the story of one red carpet event to which she wore a loose-fitting dress, sparking talk that she was hiding a baby bump. His sweet but clueless response:

“I was like, ‘Can’t you just be flattered that they think you would be [pregnant]?’ But the next time we went out, she wore the most fitted dress!”

The couple divides their time between homes in Los Angeles and London. Having grown up in England, Stephen’s parents are still there, and they are incredibly proud of his success. Imitating his mother, with what the interviewer calls “a touch of Ricky Gervais,” Stephen rambles:

“I always knew he had such a good eye for the ball. He could have been anything, he could have been a footballer — lovely shoulders — could have been a swimmer. Could have been anything.”

Well, his mom’s confidence was not misplaced. Stephen found his calling as an actor and excelled at it, arriving at this point in his life where he has a dream job on True Blood.

He’s also got the support of his family, which is soon to include Anna. Stephen’s daughter, Lilac, has recently moved to L.A. with her mother but his son, Billy, still lives in England with his mother. Stephen says that they talk on Skype every day. It is perhaps understandable, then, why he offers this wisdom:

“There is this idea that home has to be one place and I’ve only just realized that home really can be as many places as you want it to be.”

When the people you love are spread across continents, you make each one your home. A beautiful thought from a beautiful man. And he does indeed have lovely shoulders, just like his mom said.

SOURCE: Red Magazine via The Vault

(Photo credit: paquinanna.com)

Fans Mingle with Stars and Give Blood During EyeCon’s True Blood Convention

During the EyeCon True Blood Convention in Orlando last weekend, Central Florida News Channel 13 caught up with the stars in attendance, including Todd Lowe (Terry Bellefleur), Ashley Jones (Daphne), Allan Hyde (Godric), Nelsan Ellis (Lafayette Reynolds) and Sam Trammell (Sam Merlotte).

No Season 3 secrets were shared with the newscast, though Ashley caught herself nearly giving away something that happens to Lafayette, saying, “He’s gonna get…a lot’s gonna happen to Lafayette.”  Todd also was careful about the next season, telling interviewers:

I’m incredibly tight-lipped. I can tell you I got the first two scripts just before I came here to Orlando and I poured through them veraciously. They’re great and I’m dying to tell someone.

Lucky fans who attended the convention had the chance to talk to their favorite actors with photo ops, panel discussions, a buffet banquet, and Masquerade Ball. A blood drive was held during the convention as well at Florida’s Blood Centers.

Click here to be taken to Channel New 13 for an exclusive video about the event.

SOURCE: Central Florida News 13

(Photo Credit: Central Florida News 13)

VIDEOS: Nelsan Ellis Q & A at the EyeCon True Blood Convention

The following is a series of videos taken by a True Blood fan named TammyDevil666 on YouTube at Nelsan Ellis’ question and answer session during the EyeCon True Blood Convention that was held from November 13 -15, 2009 in Orlando, Florida.  In the videos Nelsan discusses how much his life has changed since being on True Blood and the some of the scenes from the show. Thank you so much TammyDevil666 for the videos so all those True Blood fans who could not attend can take in a little bit of the convention. Enjoy!

(Photo credit:  Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos via exposay.com)

No True Blood Vampire Showdown

Recent rumors regarding comments made by Alexander Skarsgard from the set of True Blood are false (we will not repeat them here because they are untrue) according to a representative for Alexander. Gossip Cop was skeptical of these rumors and found them to be odd and set out to investigate.  Their doubts about the rumors were well founded as they spoke to a representative for Alexander who stated that:

“This is a complete fabrication and couldn’t be farther from the truth.” “Alexander is totally pleased with the direction of True Blood, the writing, and especially his friendship with Stephen Moyer and the whole cast.”

So True Blood fans if you came across these rumors you can all now be assured there is no vampire showdown happening on the show.

SOURCE: GossipCop

(Photo Credit: PRN / PR Photos via exposay.com)

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