Alan Ball to step down as “True Blood's” showrunner

by Dimitris Ioannou

Only a few months before the highly anticipated premiere of “True Blood's” season five this June and the rumors have finally been confirmed! The shows creator Alan Ball is stepping down from his duties as showrunner if the HBO hit series returns for a sixth season next year. However he will still have a supervisory role according to the network's statement: When we extended our multi-year overall deal with Alan Ball in July 2011, we always intended that if we proceeded to “True Blood’s” sixth season that Alan would take a supervisory role on the series and not be the day-to-day showrunner.If we proceed to season six, the show will remain in the very capable hands of the talented team of writers and producers who have been with the show for a number of years.This is the best possible world for both HBO and Alan Ball. Alan will remain available as executive producer to consult and advise on “True Blood” and he will be free to develop new shows for both HBO and Cinemax. “Banshee”, on which Alan serves as executive producer, is the first in house series for Cinemax and is expected to begin production this spring.

On the other Ball on his statement says, “True Blood has been, and will continue to be, a highlight of not only my career but my life. Because of the fantastic cast, writers, producers and crew, with whom I have been lucky enough to work these past five years, I know I could step back and the show will continue to thrive as I look forward to new and exciting ventures.”

The HBO's vampire pop culture phenomenon is based on Charlaine Harris’ best selling books about the charismatic waitress Sookie Stackhouse and the charming vampire Bill Compton. Placed at the fictional town of Bon Temps, Louisiana, the book adapted by Ball into the television series in September 2008. The high ratings every summer made “True Blood” the network's most popular series since “The Sopranos”. It's not the first time that Ball works for HBO, as he is the creator of the drama “Six Feet Under” run from 2001-2005.

About a month ago the first teaser of season five broadcasted online. The 37 seconds video has the title “Buried” and introduces us to next season without actually saying nothing at all. Take a look...