Back in 2008 at the height of the vampire craze, a little show calledTrue Bloodhit our screens. It was decadent, gritty, and downright addictive in true HBO style. Vampires had “come out of the coffin” and were now living amongst human society. They quenched their thirst with “Tru Blood” – the first synthetic bottled blood source. This allowed them to feed without, you know, killing anyone. However, not everyone kept their fangs to themselves.
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Whether you were Team Bill, Team Eric, or Team Alcide, there is no doubt that Sookie Stackhouse and her supernatural friends left a mark on all of our bloodsucker-loving hearts. Since the series wrapped in 2014, what are your favorites up to now?
Anna Paquin - Sookie Stackhouse
Sookie was just a little ol' waitress at Merlotte’s Bar and Grill in Bon Temps – oh, and she was slightly psychic, with the ability to hear the thoughts of others. These telepathic abilities were later attributed to her being a faerie, but that’s another story. Sookie was constantly torn between her first vampire love Bill, Viking-turned-vamp Eric, and werewolf Alcide.
In real life,Anna Paquinchose Bill, portrayed byStephen Moyer. The pair wed in 2010 and are parents to twinsCharlieandPoppy.Paquin most recently starred as Brenda Meoni inAmerican Underdog,based on the story of NFL quarterback Kurt Warner.She also plays publicist Robyn,the lead in Amazon Prime’sFlack.Off-screen, she is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ and women’s rights.
Stephen Moyer - Bill Compton
Affectionately known as “Vampire Bill” to the more progressive locals, Bill Compton was a 170-something-year-old vampire who fell for Sookie Stackhouse. With his beloved “Sook-eh” by his side (for the most part anyway), he enjoyed stints as vampire sheriff, king, and even the embodiment of the first vampire Lilith at one point.
Even though he didn’t end up with Sookie in the show, Stephen Moyer and Anna Paquin have been happily married for 12 years. Moyer has worked on a slew of projects sinceTrue Blood,most recently starring as Victor Strong in the thrillerConfession,and as Troy in the post-apocalypticLast SurvivorsalongsideAlicia Silverstone.
Alexander Skarsgård - Eric Northman
Eric Northman was the sexy vampire Sheriff of Area 5 and owner of “Fangtasia”, the hottest vampire bar in Shreveport. Eric was born in Sweden during Viking times, making him over 1,000 years old. Eric and Sookie actually marry in the books the show is based on, but sadly their relationship didn’t make it that far on screen.
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Alexander Skarsgårdhas arguably ended up as the most famous of the cast, starring in numerous blockbuster roles such as the lead inThe Legend Of Tarzan,Dr. Nathan Lind inGodzilla vs. Kong,and most recently as the Viking Amleth inThe Northman(coincidence much?). Skarsgård has also enjoyed stand-out roles on the silver screen, playing Perry Wright inBig Little Liesand Randall Flagg in the latest adaptation of theStephen Kingnovel,The Stand.
Kristin Bauer van Straten - Pam De Beaufort
Pamela Swynford De Beaufort was Eric’s badass progeny and co-owner of “Fangtasia”. She was known for her fierce loyalty to her maker, her penchant for wearing pink, and her one-liners. She eventually became a maker herself, creating a progeny out of Sookie’s best friend, Tara Thornton.
During her time onTrue Blood,Kristin Bauer van Stratenplayed another badass female–Maleficent onOnce Upon a Time. More recently though, she starred as Bree in the thrillerParadise Cove.Bauer van Straten also co-hosts HBO’sTruest Bloodpodcast with co-starDeborah Ann Wollwho played Jessica Hamby.
Ryan Kwanten - Jason Stackhouse
Sookie’s goofy but well-meaning brother has gotten himself into his fair share of trouble over the years. Jason Stackhouse was sucked in by the cult-like, anti-vampire “Fellowship of the Rising Sun” and then fell in with a bunch of “werepanthers” before finally finding his way as a police officer alongside Andy Bellefleur.
Ryan Kwantenhas landed a mix of TV and movie roles sinceTrue Blood,most recently starring as Jack in the dystopian romanceLoveland.Kwanten is also set to appear in the upcomingLovecraftian horror filmGlorious, recently acquired by horror streaming platform Shudder.
Sam Trammell - Sam Merlotte
Sam Merlotte was the owner of local hotspot Merlotte’s Bar and Grill. He was a shifter, able to shift into any animal, or even human form. Sam pined after Sookie for a long while until he eventually moved on with super-civil-rights activist Nicole Wright whom he shared two children with.
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Sam Trammellhas primarily worked in TV since hisTrue Blooddays, guest-starring as Ben inThis Is Usand President Ben Haynes in season 8 ofHomeland.He most recently starred alongsideDennis QuaidinThe Tiger Rising.
Joe Manganiello - Alcide Herveaux
Alcide Herveaux was the hunky werewolf who watched over Sookie at the behest of Eric. At one point he was pack master of the Shreveport pack however ultimately worked better as a lone wolf. Sookie and Alcide finally succumbed to their feelings for one another and started a relationship before his untimely death at the hands of human vigilantes.
Joe Manganiellohas a reputation for being hunky outside of Bon Temps too. He starred inMagic Mike XXLas Big Dick Richie, becoming a fan favorite. Manganiello has loaned his voice to numerous franchises includingThe Smurfs, Justice League, Star Wars,andAmerican Dad.He is currently filming the upcoming dark comedy thrillerThe Kill RoomalongsideSamuel L. JacksonandUma Thurman,and is married toModern FamilystarSofia Vergara.
Rutina Wesley - Tara Thornton
Tara Thornton was the best friend to Sookie and cousin to the fabulous Lafayette Reynolds. Tara suffered through a stack of trials and tribulations, namely dealing with her mother Lettie May’s alcoholism and reluctantly becoming a vampire. Tara took all of this in her stride, becoming one of the strongest female characters in the series.
AfterTrue Blood,Rutina Wesleyhad a brief stint as Reba McClane on the TV seriesHannibalhowever now is best known for her lead role as Nova Bordelon inQueen Sugar.Wesley also starred as Athena in the DC miniseriesDMZ.
Kevin Alejandro - Jesús Velasquez
Psychiatric nurse by day, Brujo by night, Jesús was a powerful practitioner of magic and a loving boyfriend to Lafayette. The pair originally met when Jesús was caring for Lafayette’s mother Ruby Jean. Over the course of their relationship, Jesús recognized Lafayette’s medium abilities and helped him to develop them.
These days,Kevin Alejandrois immediately recognizable for his role asDetective Dan Espinoza in Netflix’sLucifer.Alejandro fosters a passion for directing, even sitting in the chair onLucifera handful of times. He is the voice of Jayce in the animated seriesArcane.
Nelsan Ellis - Lafayette Reynolds
Lafayette Reynolds was the fabulous, funny, and charming cook at Merlotte’s. He was a loyal friend to many in Bon Temps and fiercely protective of his cousin Tara. Lafayette eventually found out he possessed medium abilities during his relationship with Jesús, which later helped him to communicate with his deceased lover.
Sadly, fan-favoriteNelsan Ellispassed away in July 2017 of heart failure at age 39. Before his untimely death, Ellis guest-starred as Shinwell Johnson inElementaryand played Tyrik inTrue To The Game.
