New True Blood Season 2 posters have come out from HBO promoting the return of the second season of True Blood on Sunday, June 14, 2009 at 9PM/ET on HBO. There are 7 new True Blood Season 2 posters featuring Bill, Sookie, Eric, Sam, Jason, Tara and Maryann. So enjoy these tantalizing posters as we countdown to season 2 of True Blood.
SOURCE: HBO Inc.
Last time we left Sookie and Vampire Bill, Sookie was left speechless after watching Bill glamour and unarm a police officer. Checking out your human date’s neck for fang marks is apparently a huge faux pas in the vampire world. Needless to say, Sookie is a bit overwhelmed and as they pull up to her home Bill shuts of the radio playing Tuvan Throat singing. Sookie is quite upset at how Bill dealt with the police officer stating that he probably would had done more to him if she was not around. As Bill tries to explain to Sookie that she should not fear things that she does not know he sees that she is quite upset and tells her he will not call on her again. Sookie confides in Gran the next day, who offers some helpful advice, while simultaneously handling phone calls from angry Bon Temps residents about Bill’s upcoming speech at the Descendents of the Glorious Dead (DGD) meeting.
Tara is also a bit perturbed, and across town, she bursts into her cousin Lafayette‘s house, generally making a mess of the place. Tara‘s not exactly thrilled to learn that her cousin has been dealing V, especially considering the life changing evening she spent holding hands with Jason in the ER. Lafayette offers the obligatory apology, but when Jason stops by later, he offers to let him try some V again, this time “the right way.”
Sookie gets to work, having finally decided she will not see Bill again. Sam sees this as his golden opportunity and asks her to accompany him the the DGD meeting, to which she accepts (smooth move, Sam, take her out to a meeting at which her ex will be the main event). While Sookie is in the midst of accepting Sam‘s offer, she overhears Andy thinking about the alibi Tara gave for Jason at the police station. Tara arrives shortly thereafter, explaining that even though Jason is innocent, he’s not exactly a genius, and he’ll find a way to get himself back into trouble in no time. Tara also manages to pique Sookie‘s curiosity when she takes an interest in Sookie‘s plans with Sam.
Later that evening, as the townspeople gather for the DGD meeting, conversations are varied: some people are supportive, but others are disgusted. Poor old Maxine Fortenberry (Hoyt’s mom) tries to get Hoyt to pull down a cross that sits right behind the podium where Bill speaks. With no luck, the Fortenberry’s hastily throw a sheet over the cross to hide it from sight. (Side note: This is also the first time we are introduced to Mayor Norris. This is also the only time we see him in Season 1. Now, there is also a Mr. Norris in the books, but his first name is different. Book readers: anyone else notice this? Coincidence or more?) Gran reassures inquiring towns folk that they are plenty prepared, and no one should be frightened.
The crowd begins to settle, Sam next to Sookie, the trio of young rednecks (Chuck, Wayne and Royce– a real motley crew of morons), and Tara, who squeezes next to Sam and Sookie awkwardly. Jason even shows up, totally blazed on V, feeling “strong, alive.”
Gran introduces Bill, who has been seated in the back room, using his excellent hearing to scope out the crowd in the other room. When Bill notices the sheet covering the cross, he does something very important: he removes the sheet (as the audience gasps). Vampires can be in the presence of religious icons without dying or being injured. As Bill begins to tell the story of his service in the Civil War, the redneck boys press some cloves of garlic in a press in an attempt to set Bill off. But, garlic does no more harm to Bill than provide a temporary source of irritation– this is also important, because it is yet another common vampire myth debunked (and it provides a great little moment where we see Bill twitch his nose like Samantha in Bewitched before he continues).
There are two very important stories told at this point: one is of Tolliver Humphries, a friend of Bill‘s and a relative of one of the townspeople, who was killed in the war. Bill also receives a photo of himself and his wife and children, a moment which brings tears to his eyes. At this point he must conceal his hankerchief behind his back, for it is covered in tears of blood.
After the meeting, various townsfolk walk up to Bill and thank him for his speech including Terry Bellefleur who hugs him and tells him that others don’t understand (fighting in a war) and to stay strong. Then Sam and Sookie approach Bill to congratulate him on his speech and the favorable response from people. There has always (and will always) be tension between Sam and Bill, as Sam states that off hours he is not Sookie‘s boss though Bill does point out that Sam is still “legally” her employer when Sam drapes his arm around his date’s shoulders. Sam takes Sookie for pie and coffee, and asks her some personal questions about how intimate she has gotten with Bill (Sam, you see, believes vamps are naturally dangerous). Of course, Sookie doesn’t take too kindly to Sam’s prying, especially after he kisses her forcefully, and she demands to be taken home.
At Merlotte’s, Jason, still tripping on V, tells Tara how much he loves her as he caresses her hand at the bar. Tara, though holding on to a shred of hope, knows he’s just high and tries not to get too excited. Across the bar, the trio of rednecks has started causing trouble for Lafayette, resulting in a poignant and shocking scene in which Lafayette retaliates against the rednecks’ comments that he has made them “an AIDS burger.” This is the scene that defines Lafayette‘s awesomeness.
As Bill walks home from the meeting for a moment he “sees” his family sitting on the front porch of his home as he “hears” his young son say “look mama…papa.” The memories triggered by the photograph given to him by Mayor Norris at the meeting makes him relive the last time he saw his family. Just at that moment Andy and Bud stop by to ask Bill some questions and Bill invites them into his home as they reluctantly accept. Bill offers them a Fresca to which Andy decides a Fresca sounds nice, but complains when it’s warm (to which Bill responds “I don’t have a refriegerator”). Bill matter-of-factly explains that if the body’s that have been popping up all over town were full of blood, a vampire could not be a suspect to murder, as no vampire would be able to resist a free meal that enticing.
Notable plot point: This is the time we find out how Bill became a vampire. As a soldier trying to make his way home, he is taken in by a beautiful brunette in a cabin. She feeds him, and then feeds on him as he finds out that she is a vampire and has chosen him because he is a man of high morals because he would no take advantage of her. She states that she has waited a long time for a man like him and was now going to make him hers. Afterwards Bill is taken to see his family one last time, at which point his “maker” reminds him that he will never be able to return to them. She tells him to follow her, and he does so reluctantly as he has no control over what he wants to do and is completely controlled by her.
At the end of the episode, Sookie arrives home from her date with Sam, slips off her shoes at the door, and then slips on the kitchen floor in the dark. Hurriedly, she reaches for the light, flicks it on and sees a bloodbath right in front of her. The victim? Gran.
Until next time…
Carrie Preston talks about season two of True Blood and gives us some spoilers that will have fans excited and waiting anxiously for season two to begin. Now if you do not want to read any spoilers then do not continue reading. OK, you have been warned. Recently Carrie Preston had the opportunity to speak to SCI FI Wire where she was able to provide in the interview little tidbits of what we can expect when Alan Ball’s hit HBO TV series returns for season two. Carrie who plays Arlene Fowler, the redheaded bar waitress who has a knack of choosing the wrong men (she has been married four times and her latest boyfriend, well let‘s just say her late boyfriend had some character flaws), says that for season two True Blood is going to go deeper into the supernatural world. Carrie states that:
“Things are going to get a little crazy on the show,” … “There’s going to be a bunch of new sort of supernatural things that are being introduced. Besides the … the vampires. And, as far as Arlene goes, well, let’s just say that Arlene’s not the type of woman to be single for very long.”
The regular cast of True Blood from season 1 return with a few additional characters including Valerie Cruz, Anna Camp, Ashley Jones, Michelle Forbes, Mehcad Brooks and Deborah Ann Woll who will all have a part in the storyline for season two. According to Carrie Preston True Blood has just finished filming episode 5 and will be starting episode 6 marking the halfway point of filming (there are 12 episode per season).
SCI FI Wire asked Carrie if she could explain some of the supernatural aspects that are going to occur in season 2. As Carrie indicated she can not talk in detail but can state some general overviews of what will happen. One thing that Carrie did mention is that season two is departing a bit away from the books (Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse series which True Blood is an adaptation) and that the writers are expanding some of the characters and developing several different storylines occurring at the same time.
“…they’re fleshing out characters that are minor in the books, and they’re … changing some plot things, and they’ve really made it their own. … You’re going to see some characters doing things that you’re surprised at, which will be fun. So I think the show is going to kind of keep you on your toes, and there’s several different storylines that are spinning in the air. …”
The several different storylines that Carrie is referring to are ones involving Bill and Sookie, Jason and stuff happening with him, Tara and her experiences with her new friends and of course the others at Merlotte‘s will see some action too. When SCI FI Wire asked about Michelle Forbes‘ character, Maryann , Carrie stated that she is a mysterious character who is going to be prominent in season two. As to what she is and her powers, even Carrie states that “we’re still a little confused … as to what her powers actually are. But, you know, she is a very powerful force.”
Now the big question, does anyone die in season 2? Well all that Carrie could say is that you don’t know who is going to live or die and that goes for both the new cast members and the regulars. As Carrie says these are some of the questions she asks herself:
“… are you going to make it? Are you going to make it through the season? Especially now that they’ve departed from the books. Because when I got the job, of course, I read all the books to see if Arlene lives, and she does in the books, but who knows?”
SOURCE: SCI FI Wire.com
(Photo credit: HBO Inc.)
Last we left our heroine Sookie Stackhouse she had just escaped a run in with the Rattrays and was doing her best to dodge Vampire Bill‘s strange question “What are you?”
In Episode 2, Alan Ball shows us something really special that will become a pattern in nearly every episode: each new episode (with very few exceptions) begins at the exact tense moment the previous episode ended. What effect does this have on the viewer? It makes it very difficult to discern when an episode is about to end, but instead of waiting in anticipation (thinking “Oh, man, I bet this is almost over!”) you end up on the edge of your seat until that last second when something suspenseful gets cut off by the ending credits (which is, incidentally, exactly where the next episode begins).
Episode 2 opens with a horrifying beating, as Sookie is beaten and bloodied by the evil Rattrays. Just when she is on the brink of death, the dog frequently spotted at Merlotte’s distracts the duo, who is then quickly dispatched by a force moving so quickly it can hardly be seen. Then, a foot in front of Sookie’s face. Bill has come to save her (it’s only fair since she saved him).
Jason has to watch the tape of him bedding Maudette, where he thinks he’s killed her. Bud Dearborn and Andy Bellefleur sit watching with him, disgusted and unamused. It becomes clear from the tape that Jason is innocent and he is able to go home, for now.
Meanwhile, Bill heals Sookie by having her drink some of his blood, which he explains will have unexpected side effects for her (remember, vampire blood, or V, is often used as a drug by humans). Her wounds heal and she begins to feel better almost instantly– she even tells Bill about her telepathy and how “peaceful” being with him is since she cannot hear his thoughts. While Sookie fiendishly drinks the blood of Vampire Bill, Tara convinces her cousin Lafayette to pick her up to bring her to a party so she doesn’t have to deal with her drunk mother; Jason makes a house call to Dawn, and falls back on his usual coping mechanism: sex (where he unexectedly notices fang marks on Dawn’s neck). As Bill walks Sookie to her car, she presses him a bit about his past and learns how old he is. She also asks him if he will come speak to her grandmother’s club, The Descendents of the Glorious Dead. He accepts because he wants to make her happy.
The next morning Sookie notices some of the side effects of the blood she drank from Bill. Her grandmother’s breakfast tastes “more complex” than ever before (heightened senses are a common side effect of drinking V). Tara stops by and when Jason also drops in we see something new: the look in Tara’s eyes when she looks at Jason.
Later on, the bodies of the Rattrays are found amongst what appears to be the remains of their home, destroyed by a tornado. What srikes the authorities as odd is the fact that no bad weather was reported and the tornado didn’t “hop” like one normally tends to do.
Bill stops by to talk to Gran about speaking to The Descendents of the Glorious Dead, and Jason and Tara decide to hang around to see what he’s like (and to act like children, making rude comments). After the group talks for a bit, Bill takes Sookie on a walk, where they talk about the tornado. Sookie isn’t upset with Bill, but reminds him that he should be more careful. Sookie learns more about how vampires operate (and feed), and Bill unsuccessfully tries to glamour her (it’s unsuccessful because she’s a telepath). Bill also tells Sookie that since she has had his blood he “will always feel” her, which could “come in handy” when she’s in trouble.
Episode 2 ends when Sookie arrives at Bill’s to give him the names and numbers of some electritians who are willing to work on his house at night. She is greeted by three unfamilair vampires: Diane, a tall, curvaceous black woman with a sassy attitude; Malcolm, a scary, but funny vampire with a wonderful, slow Southern drawl; and Liam, the viscious vampire from Maudette’s tape, who ends the episode with his fangs extended and a rustling growl being emitted from his throat.
Bill and Sookie also share their first kiss, which is abruptly ended when Bill’s fangs uncontrollably extend and he decides to walk her home before things get out of control. Until next time…
Important things to remember: Alan Ball is quite clever. He uses certain elements as themes to shape parts of the story. Pay particular attention to the music that is played each time Bill and Sookie are in an intimate (even a perceived intimate) situation. The music is important, it’s part of the story, and it’s really beautiful. Also, don’t write off the way Bill constantly makes mention of Sookie’s “differentness.”
(Photo credit: HBO Inc.)
Rutina Wesley From True Blood attended the Essence Magazine’s 2nd Annual “Black Women In Hollywood” luncheon on Thursday, 19 February 2009 held at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, California. This year’s luncheon was hosted by Queen Latifah and honored Halle Berry (Power Award), Gina Prince-Bythewood (Visionary Award), Diahann Carroll (Legend Award) and Taraji P. Henson Lexus Star to Watch Award).
SOURCE:
Associated Press
Brownsista.com
(Photo credit: David Gabber / PR Photos)
Rutina Wesley’s character on Alan Ball’s hit HBO TV series “True Blood” doesn’t mince her words and tells people straight in their face what she’s thinking. Rutina Wesley portrays Tara Thornton, a foul-mouth, anger young woman raised by an abusive, alcoholic mother and best friend to the main character in “True Blood”, Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin). Rutina explains that people may have this image that she is tough like Tara but in reality she is the opposite of her. Rutina states that she can understand her character and the anger that is always simmering on the surface but can also convey a sense of vulnerability and sweetness lying deep inside of her. Rutina states that she herself may appear to people to have a very tough exterior but she is the opposite and is really very sweet inside.
For her audition for Alan Ball to get the part of Tara, Rutina had to act out the scene from Episode One where she is working at the “Super Save-a-bunch” store and bad mouths to a customer and her boss before quitting. Alan Ball chose this scene to cast the character because he wanted someone to
“establish her as the smartest citizen of the fictional backwater town of Bon Temps, La., but also as a hot-tempered, curse-happy person who doesn’t suffer fools. “Other actresses played it for laughs, like something on the CW,” Mr. Ball said. “But Rutina was the first person who showed her vulnerable side.”
Rutina’s character is perhaps the one character in Charlaine Harris’ books who has been changed the most by Alan Ball in his adaptation of “True Blood”. In the books Tara is Caucasian and is not foul mouth and in your face as Alan Ball’s version. In fact Tara doesn’t really have a large role in the Charlaine Harris’ novels however, Mr. Ball wanted to expand her character and change her around. Mr. Ball stated “It’s in Louisiana — it couldn’t be all about the Caucasians”.
On “True Blood” Tara may swear at people constantly and put them in their place but when it come to Sookie’s brother, Jason Stackhouse (Ryan Kwanten) she has a soft spot for him. Rutina states that Tara believes that one day Jason will realize that she is the one for him and they will get married, have children and live happily ever after. Unfortunately Rutina states that Jason see and treats Tara like one of his buddies.
Rutina’s decision to follow an acting career may have been influenced by her parents who were both being entertainers. Rutina’s mother, Cassandra Wesley, was a feather-headed showgirl and her father, Ivery Wheeler, is a professional tap dancer. Adding to the fact that she grew up 10 minutes away from the Las Vegas strip, the glistening lights may all have contributed to her decision to attend Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Performing and Visual high school. Afterwards she received a full scholarship to the University of Evansville in Indiana and majored in theatre arts. She states that it was a quite a culture chock for her during her freshman year there because of two main factors: she was the only African-American female in the theatre performance department and her hometown setting set her apart. She recently graduated from Juilliard and appeared on Broadway in David Hare’s “Vertical Hour” and a movie entitled “How She Move” (2007). “True Blood” is the first television series that she has worked on. Currently she is married to actor Jacob Fishel and divides her time between Los Angeles and Astoria, Queens. In closing Rutina states that the concept of vampires being seen as outsiders is something she can relate to and how sometimes people need to look beyond the surface.
“I get to create this girl and make her not the stereotypical — for lack of a better phrase — black woman with an attitude,” Ms. Wesley said of moments like these. “We see a lot of that. But with Tara we’re also going to see a woman who has been through a lot of things.”
SOURCE: “Television – Flesh and Blood in a Town of Vampires – NYTimes.com.” The New York Times. 2008.
(Photo credit: HBO Inc.)
KING-MAG.com had the opportunity to interview Rutina Wesley who plays Tara Thornton, Sookie Stackhouse’s best friend on Alan Ball’s successful HBO TV series “True Blood”. Rutina explained to KING-MAG that what attracted her to take the part in “True Blood” was the opportunity to work with Alan Ball. She stated that once she read the script she knew she could play the role of Tara Thornton because she understood the character and what she was going through and as a result she could related to her. She stated that she was nervous at the beginning of the show because of its graphic nature, however she states that she would not remove her clothes unless it is absolutely necessary. In regards to some people’s criticisms that her portrayal of African Americans may be stereotypical she states:
“I’m trying to make sure I always play a human being with a range of emotions, not this screaming robot. It’s funny—there are people who think I’m hilarious on the show and people who are offended, both black and white. They’re like, “I don’t talk like that. She’s ghetto.” I love hearing the differences, because there are people exactly like Tara—don’t lie and tell me there aren’t.”
She further explains that although Lafayette is a drug dealer in the show, Alan Ball has done “a great job of creating real-life characters that aren’t these stock ones we’ve seen in the past.”
To read the article you can visit KING-MAG.com and click the link below.
SOURCE: Killer Curves
(Photo Credit: AP Photo by Gus Ruelas)
The Tressie Souders Awards are hosted by the International Black Women’s Film Festival and is dedicated to the recognition and accomplishments of African American Women in Film, Television and Media. It pays homage to the first African American women filmmakers and is named after one of the pioneers, Tressie Souders, who wrote and directed A Woman’s Error in 1922. This year two actresses from HBO’s “True Blood” have been nominated for Best Actress in a Cable Series, Rutina Wesley (Tara Thornton) and Adina Porter (Lettie Mae Thornton). The Tressie Awards are judged by the general public and by a select jury of peers and nominations will end on March 31, 2009 at 11:59 p.m with winners being selected by April 30, 2009. The deadline for choosing a winner will coincide with the award host’s call for films deadline. You can cast your vote by clicking the link here.
SOURCE:
Tressie Souders Award for Best Actress in a Cable Series
(Photo credit: Janet Mayer / PR Photos)
Adina Porter as Lettie Mae Thornton
Lettie Mae Thornton – (Adina Porter) Tara’s alcoholic mother who declares her behavior and alcoholism is because she has been possessed by demons. Undergoing and exorcism by a Voodoo Witch, she seems to have gone from one extreme to being the “perfect” Christian and mother.
Sookie’s best friend
Classically trained actress, Rutina Wesley, always brings a passion and intelligence to her work whether it is on the stage or behind the camera. She has been likened by some to a young Angela Bassett, an actress with true range who can make an audience both laugh and cry at the same time.
Currently, Rutina is co-starring on the upcoming HBO series “True Blood,” based on Charlaine Harris’ popular “Southern Vampire” novels. The show is produced by Academy Award winner, Alan Ball, and tells the story of vampires living amongst humans buying synthetic blood and living in the American South. Rutina plays the role of Tara, best friend to Anna Paquin’s Sookie Stackhouse.
Rutina, a native of Las Vegas, made her film debut starring as the lead in the Paramount Vantage/MTV Films, “How She Move,” from British director Ian Rashid and produced by Canada’s Sienna Films. She played the lead role of Raya Green, a young girl who returns home to the inner city after the traumatizing death of her sister and her dismissal from an elite private school her family can no longer afford. She hopes her talent as a step dancer can win her enough money to escape back to the suburban private school life. Through her friends, Raya realizes that the secret to her future happiness lies not in escaping her past but embracing it. The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival (World Competition) and received high praise with numerous publications singling out Rutina’s performance. The Hollywood Reporter said, “Young Wesley displays an intense charisma and powerful moves in the central role…”
In the short amount of time following her graduation from Juillard, Rutina has amassed some high quality credits for her resume. She was a part of the pre-Broadway workshop of the Tony nominated musical “The Color Purple” and starred in “In Darfur” at New York’s esteemed Public Theatre. Rutina made her Broadway debut playing a role in the high profile production of “The Vertical Hour,” by acclaimed playwright David Hare, co-starring Two time Academy Award Nominee Julianne Moore and Bill Nighy. The show was directed by critically-acclaimed director, Sam Mendes and produced by Scott Rudin and Robert Fox.
Rutina received her BFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Evansville and prior to that she attended the Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts. She also attended the prestigious Juilliard School (Drama Division, Group 34). In addition to her studies at Juilliard, Rutina also spent a summer studying Shakespeare at the well-known and well-respected Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. While in the program, she was able to tackle the highly sought after role of Juliet in a production of “Romeo and Juliet” directed by Nona Sheppard.
She currently splits her time between Los Angeles and New York. Rutina is represented by Endeavor Talent Agency and managed by Inspire Entertainment, LLC…
Reporter Meredith Woerner from io9.com had the opportunity to interview Rutina Wesley who plays Tara Thornton on the hit HBO show “True Blood”. Rutina discusses the various problems that her character has to deal with and how she interprets them. Meredith Woerner asks what the viewers can expect from Tara in the future. The find out more click the link below.
SOURCE: True Bloods’ Rutina Wesley Tell I09 She’s Not The Huxtables
Rutina Wesley plays Sookie Stackhouse’s best friend, Tara Thornton on Alan Ball’s new HBO show “True Blood”. Rutina had the opportunity to speak with PopWrap to discuss her role and how she feels about the show. PopWrap examines the underlying dynamics that Rutina’s character explores and how it affects both her and her character. The full article can be found by following the link below.
SOURCE: “True Blood” Star: “Things Are About To Get Real Krunk!”
(Photo Credit: HBO / John P. Johnson)
We all love Tara Thorton on True Blood. Here is the latest interview!
Christina Radish from Media Blvd Magazine talks with Rutina Wesley about her career, True Blood, Tara and working with the other members of the cast.
Here is the full interview
Tara Thornton – Rutina Wesley. Though she won’t win any congeniality awards, Tara has been Sookies’s loyal best friends since childhood. She’s built up a though exterior taking care of her alcoholic mother at home, but the stress can make her quick to anger, and hard to emply. She may have found her perfect job, after talking her way into a bartending job at Merlotte’s where she can turn her temper to keep unryly customers in line. Still, she has a soft spot in her heart for Sookie and her brother Jason.