Rutina Wesley Discusses Number of Seasons for True Blood

In a recent interview with SciFiNow, Rutina Wesley talks about where her character has been, where she’s going, and how much more True Blood we have to look forward to.

She certainly doesn’t give a definitive answer, but Rutina guesses that the show could run for several seasons because people are so drawn to it and there’s nothing else quite like it:

“I think it will run for as long as… I mean, there are nine books out there, and [Charlaine] is going to do three more, but I don’t know if we will that long. People seem to think that True Blood is going to be one of those shows that will run for five or six seasons if not more. It’s going to depend on audience ratings and stuff like that, but I can’t imagine it not running for a long time because the books are so juicy and Alan Ball has also made everything so vibrant, colorful, and imaginative. So I think it’s going to be a show that people are going to be dying to watch for a long time.”

She was also asked whether they might ever do a True Blood movie, but she says that would depend on timing and when the show ended. She already feels like each episode is a mini-movie in itself.

As for what Tara has been through on the show, Rutina was glad she got to show her softer side in Season two. She was less defensive and more open to being taken care of:

“It feels good to be starting a new romance with this beautiful man who serenades her with his guitar. It’s almost like living in a fantasy world a bit.”

Sadly, as those of us who have seen the end of Season two know, happiness couldn’t last forever. Tara will probably be in a dark period in her life when the show returns for season three this summer. Rutina suggests that there may be “some grieving and maybe even a new romance with Sam.”

Working on the show has been an amazing experience for Rutina, one that she still can’t quite believe has actually happened. It’s been an amazing experience for us as viewers, too, so we hope the adventure continues for many more seasons as she seems to think!

SOURCE: scifinow.co.uk

(Photo credit: julliard.edu)

True Blood Season 3 Casting News: Meet Rev. Daniels

More True Blood Season 3 casting news with the introduction of Gregg Daniel (NYPD Blue, Desperate Housewives) as Reverend Daniels. Mr. Daniel will be sharing the scene with Rutina Wesley and Adina Porter as, according to casting calls, he will be trying to offer comfort to Tara, and suggests that all her hardships are part of God’s plan to bring her back to her mother. The scene becomes a bit uncomfortable for him when when Lettie Mae’s hug goes on a little bit too long.

SOURCE: EW.com

(Photo credit:  Matthew mitchell via IMDb.com)

True Blood Season 3 Casting News: Meet Franklin Mott

More True Blood Season 3 casting news today as The Tudors star (as Thomas Cromwell) James Frain will be joining the cast of True Blood as Franklin Mott, Tara Thornton’s (Rutina Wesley) over-protective vampire squeeze, according to Michael Ausiello from EW.com.

The English actor, whose TV credits include recurring roles on Invasion (as Eli) and 24 (as Paul Raines), will debut in the second episode of the show’s upcoming third season.

The casting call describes Franklin Mott as a tall, dark, and handsome vampire who seems to have an “immediate and torrid” connection to Tara, but he may not be as warm and loving as he first appears.  It will be very interesting to see him in this role as he plays the sly, devious types very well.  I recall him in the role of J.F. Villifort in the 2002 edition of the “The Count of Monte Cristo” where his good demure hid a devious person.

This is very exciting news as Mr. Frain will certainly bring a interesting flair to the character that will be mesmerizing.

SOURCE: EW.com

(Photo credit: IMDb.com)

VIDEO: Rutina Wesley Talks Season 2 and Some Season 3

Rutina Wesley recently spoke with Premiere.fr, a French film site when she was in France in promote Season 2 of True Blood.

The video opens with a clip of the infamous Season 2 Promo, though with different background music, which leads into the first question for Rutina, which is about how Tara is going to change in season 2. As is the usual in these interviews, Rutina gives only the barest of information about meeting a certain woman, a special new boyfriend, and how insane life will be in Bon Temps.

Rutina also talks about the mother/daughter relationship of Tara and her mother Lettie Mae and how it works throughout season 2. She followed that up with comments on how she sees Tara as almost a “wounded animal,” because she’s never had to care for herself, just those around her like Lettie Mae.

This leads to Rutina’s take on the current global love affair with vampires, and how True Blood is the modern adult version of that. More specifically, Rutina calls True Blood a world where “reality meets fantasy, and anything can happen,” a comment I have to agree with since as we’ve all seen, anything regularly DOES happen in little Bon Temps! This is evidenced by the next question, in which Rutina talks about the orgy scene and how it went.

Her first comment? “It was freezing!” Second? Rutina talks about how hard it was, and how grateful she is for how professional the set was. In fact, Rutina mentioned how fun it was for everyone, despite the cold and early awkwardness of the cast involved with the scene.

Finally, the video ends with a question about Tara and possible romance. Rutina hedged in answering this question by answering about how she’d like Tara to have a romance… Followed by an awkward edit that leads to Rutina saying that there may be a new romance, but she doesn’t know who it is.

Yes, this was a pretty short interview (under 4 minutes), but it does make you wonder a bit about Season 3 and how Tara will fare with love in the future.

SOURCE: Premiere.fr

(Photo credit:  HBO Inc. screencap by James)

Rutina Wesley Promotes True Blood Season 2 in France

True Blood love is spreading around the world! The next country that will be able to get caught up in the show is France, with Season two starting to air this week. Some of the cast were able to travel there to do press conferences and get people excited about True Blood. Rutina Wesley did an interview with TouteLaTele.com, in which she spoke about developing the character of Tara and being part of the beloved vampire series.

The complete departure from the minor supporting character of Tara Thornton in Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse series has given Rutina, executive producer Alan Ball, and the other writers the opportunity to develop an interesting, outspoken, emotional young woman for Sookie’s best friend. Rutina says that she is glad to be acting outside of the source material of the books because of the freedom she has in creating all the different levels to Tara:

“It allowed me to be present in the first season and have a little more importance. I wanted to create Tara in my own way with the writers.”

To embody her character, Rutina had to think about how Tara didn’t really have a childhood and was forced to grow up very fast. It made her defensive, but also intelligent and instinctual. Somehow, she also manages to be capable of deep love, which is why Rutina often says that she is like a “hard flower.”

In response to the analysis that many give that True Blood uses the vampires as a metaphor for minorities, Rutina agrees that if they really did exist they would receive negative reactions for being different. Rutina states that she understands the feeling of being considered a minority. She mentions it is one of the points about True Blood and it gives people an understanding of what it is like to be a minority. Rutina also thinks that the show helps to teach tolerance and about living and relating to people who are different than you, as seen in the way that the humans and the supernaturals interact.

“No doubt. Some viewers may wonder, for example, can they fall in love with a man who can turn into a dog? (laughs) But we must see it as a metaphor: what it means is, can I love someone who is different then me? Personally, I’m married to a man of another race than mine and I can understand that sentiment perfectly. True Blood delivers a very positive message: we can live together, coexist and communicate … although vampires must drink their Tru Blood!” (laughs).

When asked about the criticisms of the characters for being stereotypically Southern or black, Rutina disagrees, believing instead that True Blood has characters who are complete people, with flaws and desires. People often come to her saying that she reminds them of Tennessee, or a cousin or aunt from Mississippi. She mentions there are people who speak in the same manner as Tara does in the southern U.S. so she is portraying them accurately.

The show balances some serious themes with lots of fun and sexiness, too. Rutina laughs about how crazy people are about vampires and how they dream about being bitten by Bill and Eric:

“I think it has much to do with the imagination and fantasizing about something that we can’t have. In my opinion this is one reason for the success of the series–viewers dream of being part of True Blood, of crossing the television screen and entering this world.”

She especially loves the complicated emotions portrayed in the title credits with the “combination of the baptisms and the images of the body and how everything is mixed.” In regards to the sexual vibes on the show and how the women are seen Rutina states that the women are represent in a very sexual way however, there is not in a degrading manner. It is a positive vision of the supernatural community. A world that is so different where you are dealing with people who fly or who can turn into a dog.  She states that the sexy scenes are very well done and in a tasteful manner, “except the orgies.” (laughs).

True Blood fans do indeed find themselves completely captivated by the stories and the characters on the show and cannot wait for season 3 to return.

If you would like to discuss this topic further with other True Blood fans don’t forget to head over to the forum.  Just let others know you will be there in the comment section is you wish.  Click here to be taken to this article on the forum.

SOURCE:  Translated from toutelatele.com

(Photo credit: B. Griffin / HBO)

Rutina Wesley at the 2009 Scream Awards

Rebecca Murray recently interviewed Rutina Wesley, for her online Hollywood movie blog at the 2009 Scream Awards. We all know that Rutina’s character, Tara, has been through more than any one person should be put through this past season on True Blood. Well, Rebecca asked Rutina what she thought could possibly be up next for Tara.

Rutina explained that Tara has a long grief process ahead of her, but that she will, hopefully, find comfort in her friend, Sookie. Rutina is ready for whatever is up next for Tara as long as she doesn’t get killed. Rutina also admits that she wouldn’t mind revisiting the Tara and Sam storyline.

Wesley feels that Tara was really falling in love with Sam, but just wasn’t ready for it. Rutina also discussed the inner aspects of her character and how she has really been able to deeply understand Tara and where she comes from. Rebecca also asked Rutina if she ever gets used to being on a show where you hang out with vampires and shapeshifters all the time. Rutina laughed saying that she never gets used to it, especially when the actors have their fangs in.

We want to thank Rebecca Murray for sharing her awesome interview with Rutina with us. If you would like to see Rebecca’s video interview with Rutina you can go here.

SOURCE:  Rebecca Murray

Photo Credit: Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos

Rutina Wesley Attends The Opening Of The Royal Family On Broadway

Rutina Wesley was recently spotted at the opening night of “The Royal Family” on Broadway in New York City. The play is being presented by the Manhattan Theater Club and is a revival of the 1927 play of the same name written by George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber.

The play is about the glittering, drama-filled life of the Cavendishes, a fictional acting family based on the real-life Barrymore clan, headed by famed siblings John, Lionel, and Ethel (and currently represented by Drew Barrymore). The production, directed by Tony Award winner Doug Hughes (Broadway’s Doubt and Frozen), stars several real-life Broadway stars, including Rosemary Harris and John Glover.

If you would like to see the shots taken of Rutina at the show’s opening you can take a peek here. Enjoy!

SOURCE:  Exposay, New York Show Tickets

Photo Credit:  Jill Bednar / PR Photos via exposay.com

Rutina Wesley Talks True Blood at NYC Fashion Show

In a interview with Fashion News Live at a recent fashion show in New York City, Rutina Wesley discussed how True Blood has become such a major hit and how pleased she is to see how fast the show has caught on with viewers.

She also talked about the steamy sex scenes in True Blood. Rutina explained that she is married and she always keeps it professional. She was also asked how much her life has changed compared to her life before True Blood. Rutina said that she still feels like the same girl she was before, but now people definitely notice her and she laughed about how fans run up to her now calling her “Tara”.

Rutina feels good being able to inspire her fans and appreciates that so many are moved by her work. Rutina was also asked about the notorious “black eyes” that we saw Tara and the citizens of Bon Temps had while under the control of Maryann. Rutina explained that they achieve that effect with the use of big contact lenses that she admits are pretty painful the first few times she used them, but after a while was able to get used the them. We all appreciate you, Rutina, and the wonderful work you do on True Blood!

SOURCE: Fashion News Live

(Photo credit: David Gabber / PR Photos)

Rutina Wesley Thinks Grief and Darkness Lie Ahead for Tara

Rutina Wesley recently talked with MTV about her character, Tara Thornton on  Alan Ball’s hit HBO TV vampire series True Blood. We all watched Tara go through a strange saga with her cohorts Maryann and Eggs last season. The question now is, what will Tara do now that the overwhelming presence of Maryann is gone and the love of her life has died? Well Rutina seems to think that grieving and darkness are ahead for her character in season 3, but hopes that the return of Tara’s beloved best friend, Sookie, will help Tara keep it together.

SOURCE:  MTV.com

Photo credit: Sylvain Gaboury / PR Photos via exposay.com

Rutina Wesley Seeks to Encourage Black Actresses for Leading Roles

Not only does Rutina Wesley get to star in a hugely popular show like True Blood, but her character, Tara Thornton, also gets to break out of stereotypes for black women.

In an article by the LA Times, Rutina gets very excited and emotional talking about how much she loves working on the show. She also expresses her wish that her role would pave the way for other black actresses to have interesting layers to their characters, beyond playing the common trend of the “BBF” or “Black Best Friend.”

A multidimensional leading character like Tara has given Rutina the chance to utilize her extensive classical training–she studied acting at Julliard and did Shakespeare at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Alan Ball appreciates well-trained actors like Rutina because “they can come in and know instantly how to play a scene.”

For her audition, Alan says she brought something unique and complex to her portrayal of Tara:

“Rutina just nailed the part from the beginning. She traded the toughness for vulnerability. She was really strong, present and funny in her audition. I didn’t see the actress, I saw Tara.”

Rutina’s conception of Tara has always been that, underneath all of the strength and outspokenness and troubled past, she still feels very deeply rather than becoming hardened to the pain:

“I immediately saw past her anger. You can scream all day long. That would be the easy way to play her. I see Tara more as a flower, a broken woman. People want her to do well, and she doesn’t know how. I try to make her softer. She is tortured, incredibly hard to play.”

Rutina considers herself blessed to get to have this interesting role on such a great series:

“I’m living a dream. I’m so crazy about this show and everything about it. I get so overwhelmed sometimes I cry.”

She also thinks about her situation on the broader scale of the work being done by other black actresses:

“It’s really maddening out there for dark-skinned actresses in terms of the opportunities we get. There’s just so much talent that is being overlooked. Viola Davis should be a household name. So should Angela Bassett.”

Being in the spotlight that True Blood provides, Rutina hopes that Tara would be a stepping stone and inspire other fascinating characters for black actresses to play. For her own future, she wants to continue to work on projects at a level of quality like True Blood has achieved, and to explore new and different roles.

SOURCE: latimes.com

(Photo credit: Kirk McCoy)

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