Nelsan Ellis Talks True Blood At The London MCM Expo

In True Blood, the character of Lafayette has taken on new life beyond his book existence, and Nelsan Ellis couldn’t be more pleased. The Julliard-trained actor is very different from the sassy, cross-dressing Merlotte’s fry cook, but that just makes the job all the more fun. At the MCM Expo in London, Nelsan answered audience questions and received lots of cheers from fans excited about the possibility of some Lafayette-Eric dream scenes.

In the beginning, Nelsan thought Lafayette would meet the same fate as his character had in Book 1 of Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire Series. He read the books before auditioning, and when he got the part, he signed a one-year contract with the understanding that he would die after 12 episodes. Nelsan says he was “cool with that,” but he was thrilled when he found out that he was surviving:

“[I was] elated! Because I still had a job! Alan Ball told me after we had the table read of the twelfth episode. So, up until that point, I thought I was dead. He went, ‘You know you’re not dying, right?’, and I said, ‘I didn’t, but thanks for telling me!’ “

That turn of events is just a testament to what a fantastic actor Nelsan is and the way that he channels Lafayette. Alan didn’t want to lose him from the show and viewers were overjoyed when they discovered that he was alive in the season two premiere. Nelsan is very flattered when people appreciate his work. I think we can all agree that he deserved to keep his job because he’s so good at it! He really enjoys getting to be bold and crazy as Lafayette:

“Every chance I get to where I could be something that’s not me, I jump at it. Because I’m guarded and I have these rules on how I should behave, but whenever I get to jump out of those rules and go f-ing crazy, I do! Lafayette is a dream role for me.”

His favorite scene to play was the AIDS-burger scene, which he thought was really well written and allowed him to show off his toughness. To create the character, he gathered inspiration from a variety of places:

“It was a collaboration. We all threw in some ideas. The scarf thing is ’cause my momma used to wear a lot of scarves. I think there’s some Prince influence in there. We did research, went to a whole lot of gay clubs, we’d go down on the strip, so we just came up with it. We also threw in some ideas into this stew of his wardrobe.”

The most difficult stuff to portray has been the post-traumatic stress disorder of the second season. That was tough for Nelsan because he was used to Lafayette being fun and then had to shift to being broken down by the disorder. Working on True Blood has allowed Nelsan to bond with his cast and crew and to learn a lot, as well. He has a close relationship with Rutina Wesley who plays Tara, especially because they went to school together, and he has also become good friends with Alexander Skarsgard. Nelsan is making use of all the opportunities he can to learn from Alan Ball:

“He’s a god among men. He really is a genius at what he does. I get to rub elbows with him on a daily basis. He writes some of the episodes, and he directs some of the episodes, so I end up being a sponge, soaking up all his genius. When he directs you – and I’m like, this dude has won Oscars – he knows what he’s doing.”

Nelsan adds so much flavor to True Blood with his portrayal of Lafayette! It will be amazing to see what else happens to him season three and beyond, especially since it will be a surprise even to fans who have read the books.

SOURCE: denofgeek.com

(Photo credit: backstage.com)

Nelsan Ellis Will Be Appearing At The London MCM Expo

Calling all UK True Blood fans!!! Nelsan Ellis who plays our hysterical and beloved Lafayette on Alan Ball’s hit HBO TV vampire series True Blood has confirmed that he will be attending the London MCM Expo to sit on the True Blood panel. The Expo will take place on October 24th and 25th at the Excel in London. You may purchase tickets for the event from The London MCM Expo website. If you are planning on attending the Expo why not get a picture with Nelsan! That’s right, the Expo will be offering a chance for you to get your photo taken with the star of your choosing. What an amazing keepsake that would be! For more information on these photos you can visit the Expo’s webpage here.  The prices for the photos will be listed on the Expo’s website as the event date gets closer. Who would pass this opportunity up?? So get your tickets now!!

A very special thank you has to go out to the people at UK Truebies on facebook who posted the information first.

SOURCE:  London MCM Expo

Photo Credits: HBO Inc.

Nelsan Ellis Attends RCN Party In Chicago

RCN Corporation is a leading provider of all-digital and high definition video, high speed internet and premium voice services.  RCN hosted a Fangtasia event on Sept. 11 and Nelsan Ellis made a guest appearance.  Two hundred fans showed up for the event and the line stretched down the block.  To turn Hamilton’s into Fangtasia, the building was filled with coffins and tombstones.  Their version of True Blood was also being served along with food and other refreshments.

Twenty fans were able to meet Nelsan and get autographed photos.  Nelsan is a Chicago native and is best known for his role as Lafayette Reynolds on True Blood.  Tom McKay, general manager of RCN Chicago, says:

“The turnout for ‘Fangtasia‘ surpassed our expectations. Thanks to our partnership with HBO and Nelsan Ellis, who was very interactive with the crowd, the event was an excellent way for us to reach out to our customers including college students in the surrounding area.”

RCN will also be sponsoring blood drives at the University of Illinois Medical Center on Sept. 17 and 24 to continue with the True Blood theme.  Donors will be receiving giveaways.  Visit www.rcn.com/fangs for more information.

Source:  marketwire.com

Photo Credit:  (Vi Photography)

Nelsan Ellis On What’s Coming For Lafayette

Lafayette: cousin of Tara, gay, cook at Merlotte’s, day-time construction worker, drug and vampire blood dealer. Aside from these character back stories, I am truly fascinated with the other side of his character. He has an unwavering wittiness, sassiness and outrageous behavior, which never fails to entertain me. Indeed, Lafayette Reynold has catapulted Nelsan Ellis into vampire and Hollywood history.

I for one believe that his acting skills are perfect already. But despite his success in portraying Lafayette, Nelsan is still critical about his performance, which is why he watches each episode 20 times in order to critique his own acting. However, he acknowledged fans attention as “very flattering” – a doubtlessly humble remark.

Moreover, Nelsan spoke about his character who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after being held hostage by Eric and then later was set free in season two. He said:

“I didn’t understand why they took me in such a drastic direction in season 2, but then again, somebody who is used to being on top because of his charms — once he’s completely powerless to defend himself, that can be completely traumatizing.”

He also revealed that he wouldn’t mind if his character was turned into a vampire or if Lafayette and Eric had more scenes together in the future. Nelsan said:

“I love working with Alexander Skarsgard. He brings such gravity to a scene,”

As season three production begins on December, I hope that we can still see more of Lafayette. I’m sure everybody does. We would all want to know the story behind his past and the reason why he’s got a fierce attitude. Well, we just have to wait because Nelsan will mention his idea to Alan Ball about some flashback scenes with Lafayette and his mother. This is like a breakthrough in the sense that he doesn’t usually talk to the show’s writers, regarding what’s coming for his character.

“There are so many lines about how his mother treated Lafayette. It would be nice if we found out in the flashbacks that she was a vampire.”

And for those people who would still want the show to stick with the storyline of the books, Nelsan noted that season three may not follow the books. He said,

“I think Alan has been great in keeping even fanatical readers of the Harris’ books on their toes. He’s changed things”.

Though Nelsan Ellis has already received accolades for his True Blood participation, his parents may not count. He said that his mother is deeply religious and his father doesn’t approve him of portraying a character like Lafayette.

Don’t worry Nelsan. True Blood fans are here to support you and you’ve done such a terrific job already.

Source: featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com

(Photo Credit: buzzine.com)

Remembering Favorite True Blood Moments

The countdown to the season two finale has definitely begun! As the excitement grows until we finally get to see the resolution to Maryann and her sacrifice, IGN TV recounted their favorite moments of True Blood up to this point.

“Couple of the Year,” referring to Bill and Eric – “The southern gentleman and the euro-hipster in a tracksuit”– at the clothing store. The saleswoman might have gotten the wrong impression when she saw these two together but it’s not a bad idea! Especially when you look back at the scene from season one where Eric is waiting in Bill’s bath (”I texted you three times. Why didn’t you reply?”) Forget Sookie — man love is clearly on the horizon and the formation of a new team: Team Bill-n-Eric.

“Eddie’s End,” the inevitable demise of the pathetic vampire who was just looking for companionship and ended up getting used for his V juice. He brought out a new side in Jason:

Not only were Jason’s scenes with Eddie touching but they showed us how quiet and successfully emotional this show could be when it tried to.

If only Amy hadn’t staked him and reduced him to a messy pool of blood and guts…

“Bill’s Beginning,” the flashbacks to human Bill from “Sparks Fly Out.” The weary soldier’s goodness and loyalty to his wife and children showed Lorena that he was worthy to stay alive but she turned him into a vampire so that he could be hers.

Seeing Bill watch his family from a distance and ultimately say goodbye with a bloody tear, was heartbreaking.

“AIDS Burger,” Lafayette’s memorable outburst against bigotry. The fry cook may wear have some effeminate qualities but he can stick up for himself. Alan Ball says in an episode commentary that he didn’t think Lafayette would have survived as a gay black kid growing up in rural Louisiana if he weren’t tough. And the beatdown of Royce, followed by the comment, “Tip your waitress,” was enough to show us that True Blood wouldn’t be the same without Lafayette.

“Sex and Candy,” Jessica’s entrance into Merlotte’s when she finally found herself free of her mainstreaming maker, Bill. She may be an annoying, impulsive young vampire but she proved that there was still some sweetness in her:

She entered Merlotte’s with the worst of intentions and met up with a young man with the best of intentions. Hoyt.

“The Other White Meat,” dream scene or not, seeing Eric and Sookie naked in bed together drove the fans wild. Stephen Moyer’s Bill has been much more prominent than the book character but that doesn’t mean that Eric is not going to be part of Sookie’s romantic future. Who knows when the relationships will actually shift but until then, there’s this scene, where you get to see the big Viking “smile and act cuddly.”

“Three Dog Night,” when Sookie went to sleep with a dog and woke up with naked Sam. After learning her friend’s secret and getting over the initial shock, it brought them closer together because they could relate in their shared weirdness.

“Kablammo!,” the bomb going off in the lair of the Dallas vampires.

It was a powerful and unexpectedly grim turn for the Fellowship of the Sun, who up until this point, thanks to its leadership, seemed like a bunch of soft, although impishly wicked, evangelical twits.

Luke walked away from the almost-battle in the church when Godric broke things up but he showed how strongly he felt about his cause. Plus, Eric had the opportunity to shield Sookie and trick her into drinking his blood.

“Digging the Grave,” when Sookie decapitated Rene with “a freakin’ shovel!” She’s gotten kicked around quite a lot over the two seasons but Sookie is not a helpless victim. She will fight for her loved ones and her town. Her hand giving off that energy against Maryann was just another sign of how strong Sookie is becoming.

“Make Up Sex,” Bill and Sookie show their passion for each other after fighting in the season two premiere, “Nothing But the Blood.” Sure, there are lots of sex scenes in True Blood but IGN TV picked this one as the best because of how it re-invested viewers in the show.

It’s what we all want to see when we watch an adult show about vampires.

For myself, I would have put Bill and Sookie’s first time on here instead because of the moment when his fangs come out — he thinks she won’t want him anymore but she kisses him anyway, truly accepting him for the vampire that he is. But I agree that the make-up sex is hotter.

“Sunspots,” Godric’s farewell on the hotel roof. Eric’s tears and pleading with his maker showed a depth of emotion that we can only imagine, after their 1,000 years of connection. Godric’s gentleness made us feel the loss of him, even though we had only seen him in a couple of episodes.

A couple moments that I would add to this list: When Jason and Andy save Sam from the possessed mob by pretending to be “the god who comes.” Also when Eric punishes Royce for the silver and asks Lafayette if there’s blood in his hair.

What are some of your favorites that aren’t on here? And I don’t know about all of you but the only way I’m going to get through the long months of True Blood withdrawal will be to watch these scenes repeatedly.

SOURCE: tv.ign.com

(Photo credit: HBO Inc.)

Romantic Dilemma Brewing For Sookie Stackhouse On True Blood

MTV’s Hollywood Crush asks True Blood fans to “find out which Bon Temps Man is your Perfect Match.”  It’s looking more and more like Alan Ball is setting up poor Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) for a tough choice.  Maybe Sookie should take a look at MTV’s handy guide so she can make a more informed decision.

She’s already taken a pass on “the do-good loner,” Sam Merlotte (Sam Trammell) in Season 1. You know the type, the one that would bring you breakfast in bed than ditch you for the big game. The only problem is you don’t really know him since he won’t tell you about his childhood.

With current flame, Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer), he has lit Sookie’s passion and won her love. It seems that Sookie loves:

“The southern gentleman. A guy who’ll open doors, carry your packages and even risk frying in the sun to ensure your safety.”

He is the quintessential man (vampire) who sweeps you all your feet with his southern charm and makes you feel that you are the most important person in the world to him and you would always know that his love for you is eternal.

However, now that Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgård) is making a play for Sookie and has tricked her into drinking some of his thousand-year-old blood, she’s finding that he’s more than the tough guy we got to know in Season 1.  She’s learning that Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) is:

The bad boy with the big heart. Your guy is like a Tootsie Pop: hard on the outside, but soft and gooey on the inside — once he lets you in, that is.

Sookie’s dilemma will likely not be resolved in Season 2, so viewers have a lot more romantic drama to look forward to with Season 3.

Which Bon Temps man would you choose?  Maybe you crave the wise, old soul type. A man who knows a lot about himself and the world around him.  If that is the case then Godric (Allen Hyde) would be the one to fulfill your fantasies.

Perhaps you prefer the brawny, blue-collar worker type who always looks good with his shirt off and you don’t mind having to teach him a few things about staying away from the wrong crowd.  He could sure teach you a few things that you never knew about as well.  Then your type would be Jason Stackhouse (Ryan Kwanten) who is adorable both inside and out.

If you like your man to be good with his hands and a good fixer-upper but,  don’t mind he has a few skeletons in his closet then Eggs (Mehcad Brooks) is the one for you.  The perfect guy to nurture those old wounds that are not visible on the surface.

Or maybe you just want some fun-loving guy you can party with and not worry he will every take advantage of you and will always tell you the truth about how you look in those jeans. If you want a man like that then Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) is the guy you want.  You may not be his type but, you would always know you can rely on him to be there for you when things get tough.

Check out MTV’s perfect match descriptions to see all the choices.

SOURCE: MTV’s Hollywood Crush

(Photo Credit: HBO Inc.)

True Blood Season 2: Episode 9 – “I Will Rise Up”

After a suicide bomber obliterates the Vampire party, Eric takes advantage of Sookie’s kindness and sucks her into his web of deception. After Sookie swallows some of Eric’s blood, she starts to see him in a new, sexier light. In a dreamscape, Eric shows that he does have a softer side.

Sookie and Jason reflect on the past, covering old wounds that seem finally able to heal. Jason admits that he still has not dealt with their grandmothers death and after realizing that the siblings are the only surviving members of the Stackhouse family, resolves to do things right from here on in.

Lafayette and Lettie Mae storm Sookie’s house in an attempt to save Tara from Maryann’s influence. The move was spawned from an earlier visit to Merlotte’s where Lafayette attributes his cousins facial bruises to Egg’s hand. Tara is carted away from Sookies house while putting up possessed resistance

Hoyt introduces his mother to Jessica in a dinner meeting that ends up in bloodied tears due to the harsh words of Maxine. Bon Temps jail is filled to capacity with people who have been picked up due to misdemeanors and upon learning that Sam has flown the coop Maryann lets every last reprimanded person free.

In Dallas, Eric and Godric deal with the PR backlash of the bombing and recent events with Nan Flanagan. Godric chooses to take the fall and step down as Sheriff, and decides to meet the sun as Sookie stays by his side as a favor to Eric.

Top 5 of I Will Rise Up

1. NO ORGY SCENES! Thank GOD! NUMBER ONE REASON THIS EP ROCKED.
2. Eric in Sookie’s dream state, there seemed to be a little bit of chemistry between those two characters. As Bill fades into a shadow of what he used to be in season one, maybe this would spice things up.
3. Bill explaining that since Sookie has some of Eric’s blood in her, then she would experience a sexual attraction to him. Is this why she is attracted to Bill?
4. Godric’s parting scene. Some amazing dynamics between Godric and Eric helped make the whole scene work well. Each episode we are shown some top dramatic performances.
5. Tara being taken from Sookie’s house. This makes me interested in finding out what is going to happen when Sookie returns to her house being taken over by Maryann. I would say that due to us having three more episodes to go- this leaves room for it to get U.G.L.Y.

Make sure you tell us your top 5’s in the feedback below!

[Editor's Note: Or.. if you're the editor you get to sneak them in here!]

1. NO ORGY SCENES! Thank GODRIC! NUMBER ONE REASON THIS EP ROCKED. WORD DUDE!
2. No Maso/Sadi/Anarchy Sex at all.  I don’t mean to sound like a prude but man that was such an awful scene between Tara and Eggs last week!
3. Hoyt tellin’ his mama off.  He’s a grown assed man, Maxine! It was a long.. time comin’.. someone cue Sam Cooke!  The casting department of this show just rocks, every time attention turns to someone who was a minor character last season they rise to the occasion.  Jim Parrack is rockin my world this season.  Warm, sensitive and strong. (Do I need to even say how much I love Jessica???)
4. Lafayette and Lettie Mae staging an intervention.  You go, girlfriends!  I swear Lafayette has more courage than can fit into one human body, even one as sexy as his.  He KNOWS true horror but he still ‘mans up’ every single time (and I use that phrase “mans up” in a totally omnisexual sense.)
5. Everything Eric this episode, Alexander did a superb job. He looked like he was faking when he was supposed to without looking campy, he looked sexy in bed (even if he is too darn tall ), he looked like his heart was ripped out when Godric went to meet the sun.   I’m sure the Eric/Sookie Shippers are happy.  Although I didn’t have the same take as Dan, I thought that Sookie imagined Eric having a softer side not that he actually DOES have one.  Although it’s not technically one scene, kudos to Mr. Skarsgard.

Special all time favorite top five scene: Godric meeting the sun.  It was simple, it was elegant, it was horrible and beautiful and somehow just perfect.  I loved Godric but it was the right decision to let him meet the sun.  How long could such pathos go on without wearing thin?  Kudos to the FX guys, the lighting department, the camera men, the location scouts, the film editors, the writers, the director, the casting department, the actors and most of all Alan Ball for making the right call.  It’s right up there second only to the pie scene for tear jerker and 3rd favorite overall (Sookie’s run through the cemetery to Bill is my all time favorite scene!).

Scene that peeved me this week:  Each week there seems to be one scene that gets under my skin.  Sometimes, it’s unnecessary explicitness, sometimes it’s a small plot hole, this week it was Sookie sucking the silver, and blood, out of Eric’s chest.  I understand they needed a plot device to connect Sookie to Eric to test the bond between Sookie and Bill.  The problem I have is that I HATE it when women are written as dumb as an ox, sister to Jason or not, blond or not. Seriously, not only should you be suspicious that Eric is faking when Bill walks away and leaves him there, and when Godric isn’t hovering over him to be sure he’s OK, but was anyone else sucking the silver out of other vampires anywhere in the room?  Many of them had their humans there.. yet you’re the only one SUCKING the silver out?  Why wouldn’t you just dig it out with your finger?  I mean, come on..!  Has that ‘a snake bit my penis and I’m going to die if you don’t suck the poison out’ line ever worked in the history of humans, of primates? Not EVEN if you see the dead snake laying in the room.

And the worst part is, it wasn’t necessary to make Sookie this incredibly stupid.  She could have quite simply gotten some of his blood in her mouth as he protected her from flying silver during the explosion.  Or maybe have Eric even ‘wipe her mouth’ while she’s still stunned with a bloody hand if you want him to be a devious rat.  It makes it very hard for me to care what happens to Sookie when she’s this stupid.  Just like I have found it hard to care what happens to Jason half the time.

Despite that rant, I have to say this was my second favorite episode this season for all the other reasons listed.  I dreaded the episode ending and it went for too fast and was too darn short!  And now I’m torn between, “Is it Sunday yet?” and OMGodric it’s almost the end of the season!

I now return control of the horizontal and the vertical, sorry for the rant.  Awaiting your comments below!

(Photo credit: HBO)

True Blood is Delicious in Blu-Ray

As if we could love Sookie, Bill, Eric, Lafayette, Arlene, Pam, and the rest of HBO’s True Blood any more, they’re trotting out Season One in Blu-Ray. I have died and turned into a vampire I am so excited. Although I have it on regular DVD, the Blu-Ray experience is soooo much better!

An editorial review of the DVD set from Amazon.com says:

What makes True Blood smarter than pure soap opera is the parallels it draws between its monster mash and actual, familiar societal problems. Sookie and her friends watch the news, where Evangelicals bash vampires and prohibit mixed marriage, and everyone is addicted to V, a.k.a vampire blood, that effects like psychedelic heroin. Even its gore reflects a mix of serious and silly, as vampires explode into red, sticky goop.

This new boxed set comes with a full complement of extras – commentaries by the actors for six of the episodes, production notes, fake advertisements. The music will be crisper, and the neon above Merlotte’s will shine even brighter thanks to the new formatting. The creators stuck to the three episode per DVD format, to ensure there would be no compression issues.

I can’t wait to get my hands on this, and Season Two, which I’m sure will come out immediately on Blu-Ray!! As always….all the fans want more, more, more!

Source: HomeCinemaChoice.com, Amazon.com

Photo Credit: Amazon.com

True Blood Season 2 Spoiler: A Glance At Episode 9

True Blood’s Episode 9, titled “I Will Rise Up“, is full of surprising twists and turns. The episode begins immediately after Luke’s detonation of an explosive device while time strapped with silver. You have to love a show that always picks up right where it leaves off!

Apparently Allan Hyde’s character Godric plays a very important role in this episode. Hopefully we will see him really push Godric to his limits and become a larger presence on the scene. Televisionaryblog.com says this of the upcoming episode:

So what is “I Will Rise Up” about then? For one, it’s about the notion of forgiveness, both in terms of the divine and the mundane. None of the characters on the series have been saints (it’s rather hard to do so in a series overflowing with blood-thirsty vampires) but there are several scenes that speak to the redemptive power of compassion and grace.

We should expect to see many secrets revealed – secrets that rock relationships to their core. The dynamics of the show, and more than a few relationships, will undoubtedly be forever altered. Alliances not seen before will emerge, family bonds will be affected, and friendships will end.

And what of Sookie and Eric’s newly strengthened bond? We all know by now that Eric on the surface is never what Eric on the inside is – he maneuvers situations to play out the way he wants them to be. So don’t be surprised if he toys with Sookie a bit. Sookie is nothing if not sometimes blind to the wiles of the mysterious sheriff.

Where do Hoyt and Jessica stand? We know Maxine, Hoyt’s overprotective mother, would never approve of her precious baby boy dating a vampire. Hoyt may just decide to take a stand on this one – he seems to really love Jessica. The two of them together is one of the sweetest relationships on the show. Both are shy, unsure of how to be in a relationship, and nervous about how to be with one another. Both play their characters extraordinarily well.

In the world not exactly related to vampires, Lafayette and Lettie Mae join forces to overcome Maryann’s hold on Tara. Strange alliance there, but nice to see the family coming together for the good of a woman they both love.

“I Will Rise Up” promises to be a game changer this season. Expect twists and turns, major shifts in characters, maybe a few surprising deaths, and an appearance by squeaky clean Nan Flanagan. Exciting, yes?

SOURCE: Televisionaryblog.com

Photo credit: HBO Inc.

True Blood and Society’s Vampire Fascination

Peter Bowes from BBC News looks into society’s fascination with Vampires in his article titled “Vampire Show Goes For The Jugular”.  He looks into the genre using True Blood as an example for the continuing fascination we have with, as he calls it “bloodsuckers”.   In his overview he starts with a synopsis background of True Blood:

“In the wake of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off Angel, society’s enduring fascination with vampires has spawned another US TV show about bloodsuckers. Based on the Southern Vampire Mysteries novels by Charlaine Harris, True Blood is the brainchild of Alan Ball – best known for writing the Oscar-winning film American Beauty and producing Six Feet Under. Set in Bon Temps, a fictitious small town in northern Louisiana, it is a coming-out story in which vampires are striving to be accepted in normal society. Having recently emerged from their coffins, the bloodsuckers co-exist with humans with the help of a synthetic blood substitute.”

Anna Paquin (who plays Sookie Stackhouse) talks about her feelings on “the crazy ride” True Blood takes:

“All sorts of odd, weird, creepy and scary stuff starts happening as soon as vampires start emerging,” explains the 27-year-old, who admits her violent, sexually explicit show is not for the squeamish. “If you have a weak stomach you may need to close your eyes a few times.”

On the author’s intellectual perspective of the show:

“The storyline focuses on the conflict between man and vampire and the varying degrees to which the monsters are accepted in society”

To which Stephen Moyer (who plays Bill Compton) responds:

“I was just blown away by how funny and brilliant the script is,” says British actor Stephen Moyer, who plays Paquin’s 173-year old boyfriend. “Alan has built this framework which just looks like a vampire story. But underneath it’s a very intellectual take, in a very popcorn way, on what the vampire mythology is.”

On Mr. Moyer’s perspective of the parallels of Twilight and True Blood:

“By the very nature of the overused term ‘zeitgeist’, when two things are thought of at the same time there’s a friction in the air and everybody jumps onto it,”

Nelsan Ellis who plays Lafayette Reynold gave a bit of a different perspective stating:

“That True Blood “is not a family show”.  There is a lot of blood, a lot of guts and a lot of nudity,” he says. “Twilight is very safe and you can bring the kids.”

Stephen Moyer shares his take on what the attraction is for vampires:

“They are incredibly powerful,” says Moyer. “They have a magnetism and they can hypnotize.”Women are treated quite well but quite roughly at the same time. I think that’s very romantic and sexy.”

Anna Paqiun finishes up with her opinion on the subversive story line of True Blood:

“I didn’t set out to push the boundaries, but I’ve never been particularly conservative in my taste,” says Anna Paquin. “If you’re going to commit to a job for possibly seven seasons, it had better be something like this where there’s a lot to engage.”

To read the for the full article:
news.bbc.co.uk

(photo credit: HBO)

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