For those of us living in fear that HBO might cut off our much-needed summer supply of supernatural angst, I bring relief. HBO has officially renewed bloodsucking drama True Blood for a new season. There's no word yet which Sookie Stackhouse book season five will be based off, or if the entire cast will return. But season three villain Russell Edgington will be making another appearance, according to his actor, Denis O'Hare.
While the news of the renewal is comforting, it's not particularly unexpected. Most popular HBO shows, like The Wire, Six Feet Under, and The Sopranos, run for at least five seasons, and True Blood is still popular and profitable. The question is if True Blood will return for a less-likely season six, or an unprecedented (except for Entourage) season seven.
Season five of True Blood will run the usual 12 episodes, and begins production later this year for a 2012 release.
Source: THR
