Everything you need to know about True Blood
True Blood follows the story of Sookie Stackhouse, a timid waitress at Merlotte’s Bar And Grill in the small town of Bon Temps, Louisiana.
In this world, vampires have “come out of the coffin” and openly walk among humans, with their official stance being they no longer need to drink blood as they have a synthetic drink now called True Blood.
But this has sparked a wave of equal rights debates with many considering them abominations against the natural cycle of life, and a divide within the vampire community between those who want to live “mainstream” and those who want to succumb to their violent instincts.
Sookie has always been fascinated by vampires, but none (that she knows of) have ever set foot in her town – that is, until Bill Compton walks into the bar, and changes her life forever.
At age 174, Bill has returned to Bon Temps after the death of his last living relative, and he’s immediately drawn to Sookie, particularly as she has something about her – she’s able to read the minds of other humans.
As the pair get closer and their relationship becomes intimate, soon more magical creatures begin to make themselves known - including werewolves, shapeshifters and witches – some of which closer to home than anyone realises.
First launching in 2008, True Blood became known for its portrayal of hard-hitting themes through a supernatural lens, most prominently political divides, discrimination, homophobia and the pursuit of power.
The series is based loosely on the book series The Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris, with the show developing its own narratives away from this basis as it progressed.
How many seasons of True Blood are there?
True Blood ran for seven seasons, totalling 80 episodes before it concluded in 2014.
There were plans for a True Blood reboot from 2020, with Riverdale creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa acting as showrunner.
However, in 2023, it was confirmed that this was no longer going ahead.
At the time of writing (December 2024) there are no plans for a continuation or reboot.
Who stars in True Blood?
The main cast that appeared throughout True Blood are:
Anna Paquin (Flack, A Friend of the Family) as Sookie Stackhouse
Stephen Moyer (Sexy Beast, The Gifted) as Bill Compton
Sam Trammell (Homeland, Reckoning) as Sam Merlotte
Alexander Skarsgard (Big Little Lies, Infinity Pool) as Eric Northman
Ryan Kwanten (Them, The Oath) as Jason Stackhouse
Rutina Wesley (Queen Sugar, Hannibal) as Tara Thornton
Chris Bauer (Heels, Fellow Travelers) as Andy Bellefleur
Nelsan Ellis (Elementary, The Stanford Prison Experiment) as Lafayette Reynolds
Jim Parrack (911: Lone Star, The Deuce) as Hoyt Fortenberry
Carrie Preston (Elsbeth, Claws) as Arlene Fowler
Todd Lowe (Gilmore Girls, Cold) as Terry Bellefleur
Michael McMillian (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Good on Paper) as Reverend Steve Newlin
Deborah Ann Woll (Daredevil, Children of Éarte) as Jessica Hamby
Kristin Bauer Van Straten (Once Upon a Time, Nocturnal Animals) as Pam Swynford de Beaufort
Joe Manganiello (Magic Mike XXL, Zack Snyder’s Justice League) as Alcide Herveaux
What is the age rating of True Blood?
The official rating of True Blood in the UK, as certified by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), is 18 for the overall series.
This means the series is considered suitable for adults only due to its mature content.
This includes
Scenes of an explicit sexual nature
Depictions of sexual violence including assault and abuse
Inferred scenes of child sexual abuse
Explicit nudity both male and female
Graphic depictions of blood and gore including dismemberments, decapitations and throat-ripping from vampires.
Frequent scenes of violence including creative kills and weaponry
Scenes of violence against animals including a dogfighting ring
Prominent use of profanity
Some scenes of drug abuse and allegorical themes of drug use
How to watch True Blood on Sky
True Blood is available in full now on Sky Max and streaming service NOW.