Fresh Blood

With True Blood a bona-fide cultural phenomenon, producer Alan Ball offers tantalizing hints about what to expect on season 3.

By Lesley Goldberg

STEPHEN MOYER ALAN BALL ANNA PAQUIN X390 (GETTY) | ADVOCATE.COM

Stephen Moyer, Alan Ball, and Anna Paquin

Out writer-director Alan Ball continues to win over the hearts of LGBT audiences, first with his Academy Award–winning screenplay for American Beauty, then with HBO's critically acclaimed and Emmy-winning drama Six Feet Under. Now, with two seasons of his intoxicating vampire drama True Blood under his belt, the writer and executive producer of the HBO fanger, based on Charlaine Harris’s Sookie Stackhouse novels, paused ahead of the October 28 Paley Center for Media writers roundtable to discuss staying true to the source material, why gay audiences love their vampires, and the slate of gay characters set to join the drama's third season next year.

Advocate.com: What initially attracted you to the Sookie Stackhouse novels?
Alan Ball: It was an impulse purchase and it was just so much fun. The minute I finished the first book, I wanted the second one; it was like crack. I got addicted. I guess it was somewhere around the third or fourth book where I thought, This just really holds up, I think this could be a great TV show.

Were the gay metaphors something you envisioned immediately as you read the books?
All that is in the books. Also, there are a lot of gay characters in the books as you get further and further into them. We'll be introducing some of those gay characters this new season.

What other gay characters will be introduced in season 3?
We'll be meeting the vampire king of Mississippi and his long, long-term companion -- and by long-term I mean really long-term -- Talbot. I think Lafayette may meet a love interest, and certainly Pam, who works with Eric, she's certainly got a lesbian vibe -- I don't know that that's all she is, but she certainly does seem to appreciate the women.

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Reader Comments

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Name: Luis Boki
Date posted: 10/31/2009 11:26:54 AM
Hometown: San Francisco

Comment:
Zee: Someone is writing a comment on a blog. I would suggest if you want to offer grammar lessons, this is not the most appropriate forum. That said, you are listed as being from Studio City. That says it all to me. Onto my comment on the show. "True Blood" has been one of the most enjoyable series I have ever encountered. I am selective about getting wrapped into a weekly series in general. I also am a bit of a coward so I was personally surprised that I took to this series so well. It really is a composite of great characters, great writing and intriguing storylines that go far beyond sensational blood and gore usually associated with vampires. I have a strong attraction to Stephen Moyer and Anna Pacquin's affair. It is so wildly romantic with more than a hint of danger. Between "Mad Men" on AMC and "Hung" on HBO, this past season made my Sunday evenings such sweet anticipation. Looking forward to Season 3. (Here's hoping that I do not get a failing grade from Zee).
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Donna Dutkiewicz
Date posted: 10/29/2009 9:14:48 PM
Hometown: Atlanta

Comment:
AQ smile! We as watchers and readers of Sookie Stackhouse novels do not see you smile that much when you are with SM during pictures and during Comic Con and of course this picture! What are you afraid of? We love ya! You are a great actress and do not let any relationship get in your way of your great acting!!! You have a long life ahead of you! Be yourself, especially acting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are all behind you!!!!!! SM - sorry but I seen your interviews and I " " , got really turned off and others got turned off, about your comment about Twilight's LEAD actor " ", you said " A poster boy for Diet Coke and other things, I will not mention". Would you like us to state that about you ---- like, "Diet blood for True Blood". Why not", you have gotten away with it! Why can't us watchers. Hint SM - fame can be fun but can turn what you say!!!!! Good luck!
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Name: Ness
Date posted: 10/28/2009 10:19:12 AM
Hometown: NYC

Comment:
I hope these gay character are hot . We all know how television loves to negatively portray the gays --over effeminate and extra flamboyant.
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Marshall
Date posted: 10/27/2009 11:26:17 PM
Hometown: Huntington

Comment:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bona%20fide. Well according to Webster, bona fide is a word.
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Zee
Date posted: 10/27/2009 4:00:22 AM
Hometown: Studio City

Comment:
This Q and A doesn't make any sense - was a question and answer left out or transposed? Also, "bone-fide" is not a real word. Q: Denis O’Hare has just been cast as a regular for season 3. His character Russell Edgington, the vampire king of Mississippi, is gay in the books, so is this something we can expect to see in season 3? A: I think the kings and queens of the various states are aware of each other, and yes, he definitely knows who she is. Whether or not they end up in a scene together I can't really say; it depends on actors' availability and scheduling and those kinds of things. But they definitely are aware of each other.

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