The third season of the television series ''

True Blood ''True Blood'' is an American fantasy horror drama television series produced and created by Alan Ball. It is based on '' The Southern Vampire Mysteries'', a series of novels by Charlaine Harris. A reboot is currently in development. The ser ...

'' premiered on June 13, 2010 simultaneously on HBO and HBO Canada. It concluded its run on September 12, 2010 and contained 12 episodes, bringing the series total to 36. It loosely follows the plot of the third novel of ''

The Southern Vampire Mysteries ''The Southern Vampire Mysteries'', also known as ''The True Blood Novels'' and ''The Sookie Stackhouse Novels'', is a series of books written by bestselling author Charlaine Harris. The first installment, '' Dead Until Dark'' (2001), won the A ...

'' series, '' Club Dead''.

Plot

The third season loosely follows the plot of the novel '' Club Dead'', which finds Sookie teaming up with a werewolf sent by Eric, named Alcide in Mississippi in order to track down Bill, who has been kidnapped and is being held hostage by a vampire King. Season three is set throughout the course of 10 days.

Episodes

Cast and characters

Main cast

Anna Paquin Anna Hélène Paquin ( ; born 24 July 1982) is a New Zealand actress. Born in Winnipeg and raised in Wellington, Paquin made her acting debut portraying Flora McGrath in the romantic drama film '' The Piano'' (1993), for which she won the ...

Sookie Stackhouse Sookie Stackhouse is a fictional character and protagonist of '' The Southern Vampire Mysteries'' book series, written by Charlaine Harris. In HBO's television adaptation, ''True Blood'', Sookie is portrayed by Anna Paquin. Creation and cast ...

* Stephen Moyer as Bill Compton *

Sam Trammell Sam Trammell (born January 29, 1969) is an American actor, known for his role as Sam Merlotte on the HBO fantasy drama series ''True Blood''. He was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance as Richard Mi ...

Sam Merlotte Sam Merlotte is a fictional character from ''The Southern Vampire Mysteries/Sookie Stackhouse Series'' by author Charlaine Harris. Sam lives in the fictional town of Bon Temps, Louisiana, and is the owner of a bar named Merlotte's. Sam has stra ...

* Ryan Kwanten as Jason Stackhouse *

Rutina Wesley Rutina Wesley (born December 21, 1978) is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Tara Thornton on the HBO television series ''True Blood'', and Nova Bordelon on OWN’s ''Queen Sugar''. Early life and education Wesley was bor ...

Tara Thornton Tara Mae Thornton is a fictional character in Charlaine Harris's ''The Southern Vampire Mysteries'' and their television adaptation, HBO's ''True Blood''. Profile Tara Mae Thornton is a twenty-something Louisiana native and lifelong friend of ...

Kevin Alejandro Kevin Michael Alejandro (born April 7, 1976) is an American actor and film director. He is known for his roles as Nate Moretta in the crime drama '' Southland'', Forklift Mike in '' Parenthood,'' Jesús Velázquez in the supernatural thriller '' ...

as Jesus Velasquez *

Marshall Allman Marshall Scot Allman (born April 5, 1984) is an American actor. He is known to television audiences for his role as L. J. Burrows on the Fox television series ''Prison Break''. He is also known for playing Tommy Mickens on ''True Blood''. Earl ...

as Tommy Mickens * Chris Bauer as Andy Bellefleur *

Kristin Bauer van Straten Kristin Bauer van Straten ( Neubauer) is an American film and television actress, notable for her roles as vampire Pamela Swynford De Beaufort on the HBO television series ''True Blood'', Jerry's girlfriend Gillian ("man hands") on ''Seinfeld'' ...

as Pamela Swynford De Beaufort *

Nelsan Ellis Nelsan Ellis (November 30, 1977 – July 8, 2017) was an American actor and playwright. He achieved critical acclaim for his portrayal of Lafayette Reynolds in the HBO television series ''True Blood'' (2008–2014), for which he won a Sa ...

as Lafayette Reynolds * Mariana Klaveno as Lorena Krasiki *

Todd Lowe Todd Lowe (born May 10, 1977) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Terry Bellefleur, a PTSD-suffering Iraq War veteran who works as a short order cook at Merlotte's Bar & Grill on HBO's ''True Blood'' and as Zack Van Gerbig o ...

as Terry Bellefleur *

Denis O'Hare Denis Patrick Seamus O'Hare (born January 17, 1962) is an American actor, singer, and author noted for his award-winning performances in the plays '' Take Me Out'' and ''Sweet Charity'', as well as portraying vampire king Russell Edgington on HB ...

as Russell Edgington *

Jim Parrack Jim Parrack (born February 8, 1981) is an American actor best known for his role as Hoyt Fortenberry in HBO series ''True Blood''. He has also appeared in the film '' Battle: Los Angeles'' and as "Slim" in the 2014 Broadway production of ''Of M ...

as Hoyt Fortenberry *

Carrie Preston Carrie Preston (born June 21, 1967) is an American actress known for her work on the television series ''True Blood'', ''Person of Interest (TV series), Person of Interest'', ''Crowded (TV series), Crowded'', ''The Good Wife'', ''The Good Fight ...

Arlene Fowler ''True Blood'' is an American television drama series created and produced by Alan Ball. It is based on ''The Southern Vampire Mysteries'' by Charlaine Harris. This article includes main characters (i.e. characters played by a main cast member) ...

* Lindsay Pulsipher as Crystal Norris *

William Sanderson William Sanderson (born January 10, 1944) is an American retired actor. He played J. F. Sebastian in the feature film ''Blade Runner'' (1982), and had regular roles on several television series such as Larry on ''Newhart'' (1982–1990), E. B ...

as Sheriff Bud Dearborne *

Alexander Skarsgård Alexander Johan Hjalmar Skarsgård (; born August 25, 1976) is a Swedish actor. Born in Stockholm, he began acting at age seven but quit at 13. After serving in the Swedish military, Skarsgård returned to acting and gained his first role in th ...

Eric Northman Eric Northman is a fictional character in ''The Southern Vampire Mysteries,'' a series of thirteen books written by ''New York Times'' bestselling author Charlaine Harris. He is a vampire, slightly over one thousand years old, and is first intr ...

Deborah Ann Woll Deborah Ann Woll (born February 7, 1985) is an American actress and model. Woll played Jessica Hamby in the HBO drama series ''True Blood'' (2008–2014), which earned her a nomination for a Screen Actors Guild Award. She subsequently starred a ...

as Jessica Hamby

Special guest cast

Evan Rachel Wood Evan Rachel Wood (born September 7, 1987) is an American actress and activist. She is the recipient of a Critics' Choice Television Award as well as three Primetime Emmy Award nominations and three Golden Globe Award nominations for her work ...

Sophie-Anne Leclerq ''True Blood'' is an American television drama series created and produced by Alan Ball. It is based on ''The Southern Vampire Mysteries'' by Charlaine Harris. This article includes main characters (i.e. characters played by a main cast member) ...

* Adina Porter as Lettie Mae Thornton *

Alfre Woodard Alfre Woodard (; born November 8, 1952) is an American actress. She has received various accolades, including four Primetime Emmy Awards (tying the record for the most acting Emmys won by an African-American performer, along with Regina King ...

as Ruby Jean Reynolds * Tiffany Taylor as Nan's girl

Guest cast

* Theo Alexander as Talbot *

Grant Bowler Grant Bowler (born 18 July 1968) is a New Zealand-Australian actor and television presenter who has worked in American, Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian film, television, and theatre. He is known for playing the role of Constable Wayne ...

Coot Coots are medium-sized water birds that are members of the rail family, Rallidae. They constitute the genus ''Fulica'', the name being the Latin term for "coot". Coots have predominantly black plumage, and—unlike many rails—they are usually ...

James Frain James Dominic Frain is an English stage and screen actor. His best known television roles include Thomas Cromwell in the Showtime/ CBC historical drama ''The Tudors'' (2007–2009), Franklin Mott in the HBO drama ''True Blood'' (2010), Warwi ...

as Franklin Mott *

Joe Manganiello Joseph Michael Manganiello ( ; , ; born December 28, 1976) is an American actor. His professional film career began when he played Flash Thompson in Sam Raimi's ''Spider-Man''. His breakout role was as werewolf Alcide Herveaux in five seasons of ...

Alcide Herveaux Alcide Herveaux is a fictional character from the '' Southern Vampire Mysteries''/Sookie Stackhouse novels by author Charlaine Harris. He is a Were (a full blooded werewolf) who owns a construction company in Jackson, Mississippi with his father. ...

J. Smith-Cameron Jean Isabel Smith (born September 7, 1957), credited professionally as J. Smith-Cameron, is an American actress. She spent a majority of her career in theatre but began transitioning to film and television later in life. She is known for her suppo ...

as Melinda Mickens * Melissa Rauch as Summer * Gregory Sporleder as Calvin Norris *

Don Swayze Donald Carl Swayze (born August 10, 1958) is an American character actor, noted for acting in dramatic series and soap operas as well as several feature films, and theatrical work. Early life Swayze was born in Houston, Texas, the middle child of ...

as Gus * Tanya Wright as Deputy Kenya Jones * Natasha Alam as Yvetta * James Harvey Ward as Felton Norris *

Cooper Huckabee Thomas Cooper Huckabee (born May 8, 1951) is an American film and television actor who appeared in ''The Funhouse'', ''Urban Cowboy'', and as Harrison in the 1993 film '' Gettysburg'', among other roles. Career Huckabee played Buzz, one of the ...

as Joe Lee Mickens * Brit Morgan as Debbie Pelt *

Lauren Bowles Lauren Elizabeth Bowles is an American actress. Early life and education Bowles was born in Washington, D.C., to Judith (née LeFever) and L. Thompson Bowles. Her half-sister (on her mother's side) is actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus. She majored in ...

as Holly Cleary *

Jessica Tuck Jessica Tuck is an American actress, best known for her performances on television as Megan Gordon Harrison on the ABC soap opera ''One Life to Live'', Gillian Gray in the CBS drama series ''Judging Amy,'' and as Nan Flanagan on the HBO series ...

as Nan Flanagan * Tara Buck as Ginger *

Grey Damon Grey Damon (born September 24, 1987) is an American actor, known for his roles in '' Friday Night Lights'', ''The Nine Lives of Chloe King'' and ''Station 19''. He resides in Los Angeles. Beginning with its premiere on May 28, 2015, Damon co-sta ...

as Kitch Maynard * Lindsey Haun as Hadley Hale *

Željko Ivanek Željko Ivanek (né Šimić-Ivanek; ; ; born August 15, 1957) is an American actor, known for his role as Ray Fiske on '' Damages'', for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award. Ivanek is also known for his role of Ed Danvers on '' Homicide: Life on ...

as Magnus the Magister *

Lara Pulver Lara Pulver (born 1 September 1980) is an English actress. She has played Erin Watts in the BBC spy drama '' Spooks'' and Irene Adler on BBC's TV adaptation '' Sherlock''. She won the 2016 Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical i ...

as Claudine * John Rezig as Deputy Kevin Ellis *

Carlson Young Carlson Elizabeth Young (born October 29, 1990) is an American actress. She is known for her roles on Disney Channel's ''As the Bell Rings'', the film ''Premature'', Comedy Central's '' Key & Peele'', and as Brooke Maddox in the first two seas ...

as Tammy * Bryan Becker as Louie * Ronnie Gene Blevins as T-Dub * John Burke as Jerry McCafferty *

Greg Cipes Gregory Michael Cipes (born January 4, 1980) is an American actor. He was a cast member in the reality television program ''Twentyfourseven'' and had recurring roles in ''MDs'' and ''Peacemakers''. His voice acting roles include Beast Boy in ' ...

as Bufort Norris *

Gregg Daniel Gregg Daniel is an actor and stage director best known for his roles in the HBO show ''True Blood'' and '' Insecure''. Daniels also has a background in theater, including winning the NAACP Theater Award as "Best Director" for his production of ...

as Reverend Daniels * Kevin Fry Bowers as Turk * John Hillard as Hank *

Allan Hyde Allan Hyde (born 20 December 1989)"Allan Hyde"
''Danskefilm'', retrieved 14 September 2021 . is a < ...

as Godric * Kate Lyuben as Natalie * Andy Mackenzie as Creepy Biker *

Dakin Matthews Melvin Richard "Dakin" Matthews (born November 7, 1940) is an American actor, playwright, theatre director, and theatrical scholar. Best known as Herb Kelcher in ''My Two Dads'' (1987–1989), Hanlin Charleston in ''Gilmore Girls'' (2000–2007) ...

as Dr. Robideaux *

Michael McMillian Michael McMillian (born October 21, 1978) is an American actor and writer, known for his roles as Henry Gibson on '' What I Like About You'', Steve Newlin on the HBO series ''True Blood'', Owen on ''Hot in Cleveland'' and Tim in ''Crazy Ex-Girl ...

as Reverend Steve Newlin * Tess Alexandra Parker as Rosie * Dale Raoul as Maxine Fortenberry * Michael Raymond-James as Rene Lenier * Jeanne Baron as Hostess *

John Billingsley John Billingsley (, born May 20, 1960) is an American actor best known for his role as Doctor Phlox on the television series '' Star Trek: Enterprise''. Early life and education Billingsley was born in Media, Pennsylvania, and subsequently liv ...

as Mike Spencer *

Sean Bridgers Sean MacKenzie Bridgers (born March 15, 1968) is an American actor, screenwriter, and producer, known for his role as Johnny Burns on the HBO series '' Deadwood'' and on the SundanceTV original series ''Rectify'' as Trey Willis. Additional to m ...

as Big Bobby * Arielle Kebbel as Charlene *

Daniel Gillies Daniel John Gillies (born 14 March 1976) is a New Zealand-Canadian actor, film producer, director and screenwriter. He played the role of Elijah Mikaelson on the television series '' The Vampire Diaries'' and its spin-off '' The Originals,'' as ...

as Jon * John Prosky as David Finch * Stewart Skelton as Minister * Michael Steger as Tony * Jorge Diaz as Husband

Production

On January 20, 2010 HBO released a teaser trailer announcing that a third season of ''True Blood'' was in production, aiming for a Summer 2010 release date. The teaser featured images of bottles of TruBlood being manufactured on an assembly line. This was followed by a trailer featuring new footage and the song ''The Difference Between Us'' by

The Dead Weather The Dead Weather is an American rock supergroup, formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 2009. Composed of Alison Mosshart (of The Kills and Discount), Jack White (of The White Stripes and The Raconteurs), Dean Fertita (of Queens of the Stone Ag ...

. This was released by HBO on May 13.

Crew

Alan Ball returned to executive produce and run season three.

Michael Lehmann Michael Stephen Lehmann (born March 30, 1957) is an American film and television director known for directing the dark comedy ''Heathers''. Early life and education In 1978, Lehmann graduated from Columbia University.

, who had directed five episodes at the end of the second season, is expected to return again to direct three more. Writers Alexander Woo and Raelle Tucker also returned to script episodes.

Casting

, Stephen Moyer,

, Ryan Kwanten,

, Chris Bauer,

, Mariana Klaveno,

and

all reprise their respective roles in the third season. Additionally, Kristin Bauer, who plays vampire Pam in the series, is promoted to series regular. After a long search, it was announced that

was cast as werewolf

. He was later joined by Brit Morgan as Debbie Pelt.

is added to the third season as a series regular, cast as Sam Merlotte's younger brother Tommy Mickens and

plays Sam Merlotte's long-lost father.

was cast as Lafayette's mother and ''

Southland Southland may refer to: Places Canada * Dunbar–Southlands, Vancouver, British Columbia New Zealand * Southland Region, a region of New Zealand * Southland County, a former New Zealand county * Southland District, part of the wider Southland Re ...

'' actor

as Jesus, her caretaker and a potential love interest for Lafayette.

plays Russell Edgington, the Vampire King of Mississippi, while New Zealand actor

plays the leader of a werewolf biker gang and Theo Alexander plays the role of Edgington's partner Talbot.

Allan Hyde Allan Hyde (born 20 December 1989)"Allan Hyde"
''Danskefilm'', retrieved 14 September 2021 . is a < ...

has confirmed he will reprise his role as Godric in the form of flashbacks.

appears as Franklin Mott.

Awards & Nominations

The series won the GLADD Award for Best Drama Series, Alfre Woodard received a nomination for Best Guest Star in a Drama Series and the show received the "Holy Shit Scene of the Year" award at the Scream Awards for the scene in which Bill twisted Lorena's neck 180 degrees whilst the two were having sex.

Ratings

United States

United Kingdom

United Kingdom ratings data is taken from the

Broadcasters' Audience Research Board The Broadcasters Audience Research Board (BARB) is a British organisation that compiles audience measurement and television ratings in the United Kingdom. It was created in 1981 to replace two previous systems whereby ITV ratings were compil ...

References

External links

* {{ScreenActorsGuildAward StuntEnsembleTelevision True Blood 2010 American television seasons