New Pictures of Your Favorite True Blood Stars

Photographed by Entertainment Weekly at Comic-Con 2011:

True Blood actors were definitely a hit at the recent 2011 Comic-Con in San Diego. Even Entertainment Weekly had its eyes and ears there to catch all the action and the HOT stars of HBO’s vampire hit show.

The ensemble below consists of: Creator and executive producer Alan Ball, Kristin Bauer van Straten (Pam), Alexander Skarsgård (Eric), Kevin Alejandro (Jesus), and Nelsan Ellis (Lafayette).

The first solo picture that was shown in a recent online article is none other than Anna Paquin, who plays a bubbly girl-next-door waitress, with a knack for getting the attention of every supernatural in Louisiana, Sookie Stackhouse – which I might add is quite a few!

Next is Paquin’s super sexy husband, Stephen Moyer. He plays the sensitive vampire, Bill Compton, who since the very first episode has been a very big part of Sookie’s life. This picture of him looks wonderful. His dark hair has red undertones which really brings out his beautiful eyes. I can see why Paquin wants to wake up to his face every morning.

Rutina Wesley has always looked great throughout the last four seasons, but I feel like something about her this season has made her beauty completely stand out.  Maybe it has something to do with her character Tara Thornton “dipping into the lady pond.” Tara has always been Sookie’s best friend and even though there have been some blow ups, I still believe these two will come out on top.

Deborah Ann Woll has quickly become True Blood’s hottest vampire. She came on the scene during season 2, and has been turning heads ever since. While she plays a young vampire created by her maker Bill Compton, her ice blue eyes tell you she is ready to take charge. Her character Jessica has become a recent love interest of Hoyt, but it seems Hoyt may  have some competition from someone who is very close to him.

Ryan Kwanten is definitely the little brother that all of us wish our best friend had. This Aussie has stolen our hearts since his first scene as Jason Stackhouse. In this picture, you can see that one of his favorite pastimes is hitting the gym!

Last but certainly not least, is the man I wouldn’t mind waking up next to! Alexander Skarsgård plays the Viking vampire Eric Northman. He has not so patiently been biding his time for the attention of Sookie Stackhouse. It looks like he’s gotten what he’s been wishing for, just remember that old saying: “be careful what you wish for”.

Don’t they all look amazing, Truebies?

Source: EW.com- Comic-Con 2011 Star Portraits: Day 2

(Photo credit: Micheal Muller for EW)

HBO’s True Blood Comic-Con 2011 Panel: Spoilers and More!

The Cast and Alan Ball Answer Moderator and Audience Questions:

The True Blood cast came out on stage at Comic-Con to rousing applause and it’s clear from these videos, there were many die-hard fans in the room. Many spoilers were announced and teasers were uncovered. The panel included: Anna Paquin (Sookie), Stephen Moyer (Bill), Ryan Kwanten (Jason), Rutina Wesley (Tara), Alexander Skarsgård (Eric), Kevin Alejandro (Jesus), Kristin Bauer (Pam), Nelsan Ellis (Lafayette), Deborah Ann Woll (Jessica), and Alan Ball.

A few juicy bits gleamed from these videos:

• Rutina Wesley “secretly loves the UFC”.
• When an audience member asked if Eric will remember his time with Sookie, Alan replied: “I feel like that’s too much to give away…no, yes, maybe” Of course, the one question we all wanted answered!
• When asked if there was any hope for Bill and Sookie the audience started to cheer, but it quickly turned to boos.
• Anna takes you through the “sausage party” that consisted of her, Joe and Alexander filming the scene at the lake – minus the clothes for the men.
• The panel is asked what their favorite parts of the season have been so far – some answers might surprise you!
• The Comic-Con panel contains actors from many nations and it’s apparent when the audience starts asking questions that they are just as multinational.
• My favorite question of the night was to Alexander Skarsgård: “What in his (Eric’s) history created such a straight up badass?”
• The most interesting bit of news came from an audience member who asked if the show keeps up the pace it has with the books (a book a season). How long will this show stay on the air? Alan’s response: “As we get further down the road less and less, this season is based on the book…I think the show has a tremendous amount of life. I hope to get to the point where it becomes a problem for us in the writers room why the vampires are aging.”
• Noticable absences were Sam Trammell home expecting his baby twins, and Joe Manganiello who is working on a film project.

There is so much more to see in these videos. Check them out and tell us what questions you would have asked, or what answer you would have liked to hear!

 

Sources: Wetpaint: True Blood Comic-Con 2011 Panel Video, Part 1

WetPaint: True Blood Comic-Con 2011 Panel Video, Part 2

WetPaint: True Blood Comic-Con 2011 Panel Video, Part 3

(Image credit: Comic-Con.org)

A Little Birdie Told Me — True Blood PSAs

New PSAs From True Blood For “It Gets Better”:

Welcome Truebies to the new column, “A Little Birdie Told Me”. Here I will write about what the True Blood cast members are up to, from what they put up on Twitter and Facebook. The Twitter and Facebook pages are verified by HBO so we know that it’s the real actors and crew members. I HOPE YOU ENJOY!

This first article is courtesy of Kristin Bauer van Straten, and The Trevor Project, “It Gets Better”. Kristin posted the PSA to her Facebook page. I also found that Alan Ball, Alexander Skarsgård, and Rutina Wesley all did their own PSAs. You can view them below:

Kristin talks about a troubled time in her life, and what got her through it. In her touching, tearful message, she says, “You just never know what’s around the corner. Just stick around and see. It gets better.”

Rutina urges:

“Remember — you’re perfect, just the way you are. And believe in yourself, ’cause I believe in you. And know that you’re worth it.”

In Alexander’s PSA, he asserts:

“Every single human being has equal value.”

Alan shares his experience with childhood bullying, and says:

“Being different is what makes you, ‘you’. And if you’re fully ‘you’, then nobody can hold you back.”

If you want to take the pledge or see how you can help, please go to itgetsbetter.org.  Let us know your contribution to the “It Gets Better” campaign by leaving a comment below.

Source: True Blood official YouTube page

Video: True Blood Cast Interviews at Season 4 Premiere

The Buzz on the Red Carpet:

We have another video for you from the Season 4  premiere red carpet.  You’ll hear some of the cast members speak briefly about the new season, and see a few quick snippets from upcoming episodes.  Nelsan Ellis’s parting words:

“You know, you think the vampires are the baddest kids on the block — but this season’ll make you rethink that thought.”

Hear from Alan Ball and practically the whole cast by watching the video below.  Is it just me, or does Skarsgård look like he’s got a buzz going at the after party?

Source: The Buzz – True Blood Season 4 Premiere (HBO)
(Image credit: HBO, Inc.)

Video: Red Carpet Interviews at Season 4 Premiere

See What the Cast Has to Say About the New Season:

Chris Balish, co-host of KABC Television’s On The Red Carpet, was lucky enough to interview some of our favorite cast members at the Hollywood premiere of True Blood’s season 4.  According to Stephen Moyer (vampire Bill Compton), this season:

“We’ve got a lot of elements, we’ve got a lot of things in the air this year. I had very little to do with the witches, I do work with them a little bit and that’s been really fun. It’s very new, something completely different. They have a power that we’ve never explored before. ”

Speaking of the challenges writers of this genre might face, the actor further explains, interestingly:

“I think that the tough thing for any writer that’s doing a vampire show is to work out what is catnip and what is Kryptonite for the lead baddie, or the goodie — vampires. What is going to be something that can overpower them or something that is going to be attractive to them. So the witches are part of that element.”

Since working alongside his wife (Paquin) is all he knows, he seems to think that after filming has wrapped, he will become a “crazy stalker groupie”, tagging along on whatever project she works on next.  How sweet!  No doubt many of you would not mind that a bit.

Anna Paquin (Sookie Stackhouse), like the rest of the cast, is not allowed to divulge much, thanks to strict instructions from Alan Ball (series creator, writer and director).  She expressed relief that they’d be done filming soon (which they probably are by now!), saying:

“I’m so excited for everyone to finally see it so we can start talking about it and stop having to give these annoying interviews where I’m like, ‘I can’t tell you that!’”

Rutina Wesley, who plays Sookie’s best friend Tara, simply reiterated that we will find out where her character has been, that she’s better, and she obviously has a new ’do.

Deborah Ann Woll, the lovely New Yorker who plays baby vamp Jessica, shares that this season is her favorite.  She does love Jessica & Hoyt’s relationship, and hopes that things work out for them.

Spoiler Alert:

Marshall Allman, the youngun’ who plays Sam Merlotte’s little brother Tommy, reveals some interesting and possibly disturbing news:

“It definitely turns weird when Sam hits on Tommy. So he’s added incest and murder to his rap sheet. But, you know, Sam’s got some weird secrets up his sleeve.”

Finally, we have Joe Manganiello (werewolf Alcide Herveaux), who shares that this season we will see a new pack, one he dislikes.  There will also be tension among him and some shapeshifters.  Speaking of tension of an entirely different sort, when asked, “Are you going to get along with the faeries and the witches?”, he slyly responds:

“Well, Sookie being a faerie, yeah — I’d like to get along with her.”

 

Only one more day, Truebies!  Buckle up, it’s going to be a wild ride!

Sources: OnTheRedCarpet.com – True Blood’s Stephen Moyer, Anna Paquin, Rutina Wesley Dish Spoilers for Season 4

Deborah Ann Woll Talks True Blood

True Blood Actor Talks Odd Coupling

Joe Manganiello on True Blood Romance

(Image credit: HBO, Inc.)

Video: Rutina Wesley Jokes Around In Esquire

Beautiful with a Sense of Humor:

Known as True Blood‘s Tara Thornton, Rutina Wesley appears in a video on Esquire‘s website.

Highlighted as a beautiful woman telling a funny joke, Rutina tells a dirty little joke about Vegas. She also talks a bit about herself, her sense of humor, and her singing habits. There’s also a short bio on the actress, revealing her upbringing and her early dreams of becoming a ballerina.

You can check out the charming video and some pics of Rutina here, or just watch it below.

Source: Esquire.com – Rutina Wesley – Funny* Joke(s) from a Beautiful Woman

(Photo Credit: Chris Fortuna – Esquire)

Video: True Blood Withdrawal PSA

Waiting Sucks a Little Less:

For those of you who just can’t wait for your next fix of V, we have some encouraging words from the cast of True Blood.  Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Ryan Kwanten, Joe Manganiello, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Nelsan Ellis, Kristin Bauer van Straten, and Deborah Ann Woll have all pitched in to offer us a PSA on TBW: True Blood Withdrawal.  They offer one suggestion — visit HBO‘s new website, TBWithdrawal.com.

 

Here we have Ryan Kwanten flying solo:

 

What did you think, Truebies? Does it get any more tongue-in-cheek?

Source: HollyWoodCrush.MTV.com - Ryan Kwanten Offers Relief For ‘True Blood’ Withdrawal In EXCLUSIVE PSA

Rutina Wesley on Craig Ferguson

True Blood’s Tara on the Late Late Show:

Fans of HBO’s smash hit True Blood should know very well who plays the tragic Tara Thornton… the fit & fabulous Rutina Wesley.  Let’s all show her our support by watching her on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson this Friday, May 27.

The show airs on CBS at 12:37 am.  So either make it home from your Friday night shenanigans by midnight, so you can get comfy and cozy before catching the show, or record it — whatever you do, just make sure to watch!  You never know, she may spill something about True Blood.  One can hope!

Thanks for the scoop, Kerrie! Remember, Truebies, we welcome your contributions!

Contribution credit: Kerrie

(Photo credit: HBO)

True Blood at PaleyFest 2011: A Fan’s Perspective

Wow! I went to PaleyFest 2011′s True Blood panel, and I’m still blown away by how amazing it was! It felt like the entire cast was there (all major characters were well represented), including the brains behind the show, Alan Ball. I should also mention that this Paley Fest panel actually took place at Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, rather than at the actual Paley Center, which has far fewer seats.

The panel started late, and opened with a clip package from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Those of us in the audience who are/were Buffy fans cheered and clapped at this, since it can be argued that True Blood is the vampire show that took Buffy’s place on television and in film history. Afterwards, Alan came back to the podium to share a special clips package from True Blood seasons 1, 2, 3, and a special unfinished clip from season 4! The clip featured Jessica, Pam, Hoyt, and followers from the Fellowship of the Sun who were protesting in front of Fangtasia. Hoyt was a good boyfriend and defended himself, Jessica, and their relationship to the protesters. He told them that he felt he was a better Christian than they were because of the love in his heart, rather than the hatred. It was a beautiful scene, and I can’t wait to see the finished version when Season 4 finally begins this summer!

Right after that, the panel and it’s attendees were announced. My ears are still ringing from all the cheering for the cast! As shown in order in the photo below, there are 18 total people on stage. From left to right, they are: the moderator of the panel, Alan Ball, Anna Paquin (Sookie Stackhouse), Stephen Moyer (Bill Compton), Alexander Skarsgard (Eric Northman), Rutina Wesley (Tara Thornton), Sam Trammell (Sam Merlotte), Marshall Allman (Tommy Mickens), Ryan Kwanten (Jason Stackhouse), Chris Bauer (Andy Bellefleur), Carrie Preston (Arlene Fowler), Todd Lowe (Terry Bellefleur), Jim Parrack (Hoyt Fortenberry), Deborah Ann Woll (Jessica Hamby), Nelsan Ellis (Lafayette Reynolds), Kevin Alejandro (Jesus Velasquez), Kristin Bauer van Straten (Pam de Beaufort), and Joe Manganiello (Alcide Herveaux). Please click on the image of the cast to see a larger, cleaner version.

A majority of the panel focused on basic questions and answers, though lots of detail came out about the stars, their characters, and the future of True Blood. One of my favorite moments was when the actors all shared about their most embarrassing/awkward fan encounters, and Joe once again shared his story about a fan who asked him to lick her. Though the debacle has been shared before, the way in which Joe presented it had the audience groaning, laughing, and in my case, blushing furiously while trying not to laugh. Another favorite was Chris Bauer’s story, which ended up being a case of someone who didn’t recognize him, but instead told him that he had bird excrement on his back while at lunch with his wife. The audience howled at the story!

The story that I most appreciated came from Anna Paquin, and it wasn’t so much of a story as an experience she’s had several times over. Anna described how amused she is by fans who come over to say hi to her and Stephen Moyer, only to ogle Stephen and then pretend to be interested in Anna as well. Anna made the audience smile appreciatively after saying that she totally understands and is actually pretty okay with fans ogling her husband.

Several spoilers were spilled, and a couple of my favorites were very minor. When the moderator asked each actor who they hadn’t worked with yet but wanted to, Rutina and Kristin said that Tara and Pam should meet. Alan Ball confirmed that Sookie’s best friend and Eric’s right hand woman will meet in Season 4. The audience was ecstatic from the news and the cheers echoed quite a bit in the theatre! Once confirmed, Rutina and Kristin looked at each other and smiled.

Another spoiler I liked came from a question about what animals will be seen in Season 4. Of course, some are obvious, like dogs, wolves, and a few panthers. One that’s not so common? An alligator. When Alan confirmed that particular new creature, I was stunned to say the least. It leaves me curious as to why it might be important to the series.

One other comment made in the panel really made me think. When a fan asked if Bill and Sookie are still soul mates after everything that’s happened, the response was yes, but it will take a long time for them to get back together. While continuing to answer the question, Alan referred to Bill’s actions against Sookie as a “perceived” betrayal. That definitely leaves the show open to possibly have a flashback where we see what happened from Bill’s point of view, rather than just seeing what happened to Sookie and her take on it.

Aother sort-of non spoiler was about Jessica and Hoyt. We knew their relationship wouldn’t be easy (which was shown by that special clip aired at the panel), but I’ll be very upset if anything happens to them. I find them to be one of my favorite couples on True Blood, and they’re just so cute together!

Of course, a lot more was said, with hints for fans to not expect to see Niall yet (my fingers are remaining crossed that David Bowie will somehow play the part), more clues about Arlene’s evil baby, new shifters on the horizon, and some very important wiccans. Season 4 is going to be awesome!

To get a bit of a feel of what the panel was really like, check out this video clip that the Paley Center posted on their website:

Anyways, after the panel closed, fans rushed the stage to talk to the stars and get autographs. I became trapped in the throng, which was quite uncomfortable, but I did get to talk to Carrie Preston about her film That’s What She Said and tell her how excited I am to see it when it comes out. I also spoke to Todd Lowe as well as Alexander Skarsgard for a moment (he was very sweet to everyone and stayed later than almost all of the stars who were signing). Just when I figured that I couldn’t have any more luck, Sam Trammell came over and I got to speak with him as well!

As always, I came with gifts for a few members of the cast, but I was unable to deliver them to the stars by hand. Instead, one of the people at HBO took them from me and handed them out backstage. Kristin Bauer confirmed that she got my gifts, so I hope that everyone else did too.

I gave Kristin a pillow I created that was inspired by her character, Pam. (Though you can’t see it, the actual pillow within is made of a black fabric with silver spider webs on it in honor of Pam’s tough-as-nails-persona. The pink case is in honor of Pam’s favorite color.) I also gave Kristin a t-shirt I’d made previously that says Ravenscroft/Stackhouse 2012 on the front and ‘Pam for President’ on the back. (At the time I made the shirt, Pam’s last name had not been changed.) I also created a similar shirt for Anna, which says ‘Sookie for VP’ on the back. The final gift I brought was for Alan Ball. He too got a pillow, but that one was directly inspired by True Blood.

Kristin Bauer van Straten’s Pillow

 

Alan Ball’s Pillow

The True Blood panel at Paley was absolutely fantastic, and I still can’t believe I was lucky enough to get to go!

(Image Credits: Isis Nocturne)

True Blood Cast Talks Characters and Crazy Fans

A Q&A Session with the Cast of True Blood:

With all the secrecy surrounding Season 4 of HBO‘s True Blood, it’s a wonder we ever get any details.  Luckily, that hunger was sated, if just a bit, at this year’s PaleyFest.  Besides the spoilers, teasers, and videos that were shared, there was time for a little Q&A.  Sixteen of the cast members were on stage for the Q&A that follows:

Where would you like to see your character go?

Alexander Skarsgård (Eric): “Eric is lost. He is vulnerable and trying to figure out who he is. But I would love to see some flashbacks with Godric and Pam, to see how they all got here.”

Todd Lowe (Terry): “Terry thinks the evil can just be parented out of Arlene’s baby.”

Jim Parrack (Hoyt): “Mom will never accept her son’s chosen mate.” Despite that, Jim hopes that Hoyt and Jess can get married. “I would love to tackle the political implications – both on and off the show – of us getting married.”

Rutina Wesley (Tara): “You will be surprised to find out where Tara went after the season finale. Don’t worry, it’s someplace cool. We’ll see a more stable, happy Tara. I’d like to see some Tara and Pam action.”

(Image credit: DKNG Studios/Gallery 1988)

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