Are you sitting down, True Blood fans? This one could sting: Series creator Alan Ball will reportedly step down as showrunner if HBO brings back the beloved vampire drama for a sixth season.
Says HBO in a statement: “When we extended our 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.”
Meanwhile, Ball issued his own, equally telling statement: “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.”
We still have season 5 — which premieres in a few months — to look forward to. Beyond that … well, we needn’t remind you of the drop-off following Walking Dead’s loss of its showrunner, Frank Darabont. But hey, that’s comparing vampires and zombies.
Source: EW
