***Story confirmed and updated with official statements from HBO and Alan Ball*** Alan Ball is the creator and head writer of the True Blood TV series. If a recent report is to be believed, he's stepping down from his writing duties. According to Forbes, exhaustion and last season's mixed critical response may be to contribute:
"Sookie and her pals from HBO’s True Blood are losing their creator. Alan Ball, I have confirmed, will step down from being headwriter of the show about sexy vampires mixing it up in New Orleans. Explanations include exhaustion, and maybe that the show seemed like it had tired blood last season. Ball will still be with the show, I’m told, but a new regime will guide the fates of the characters into their new season. This could also very well be a money issue, as series tend to get more and more expensive as they drag on."
Although this hasn't been officially announced, it's very likely this report is true. True Blood Season 5 is currently filming and will be premiere this summer. It's unknown what Ball's role will be from this point on, but hopefully we'll have an official announcement and more details soon. We're curious about what impact, if any, this will have on the currently filming season.
***Updated*** New statements have been released by Alan Ball and HBO, clarifying the earlier report. Alan Ball will step down as showrunner on True Blood after the 5th season:
HBO: “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.”
Alan Ball: “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.”
Statements via Deadline
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