The first season of the

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, p ...

television drama In film and television show, television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or docudrama, semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humour, humorous in tone. The drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional te ...

series ''

True Blood ''True Blood'' is an American fantasy Horror fiction, horror Drama (film and television), drama television series produced and created by Alan Ball (screenwriter), Alan Ball. It is based on ''The Southern Vampire Mysteries'', a series of novels ...

'' premiered on September 7, 2008 and concluded on November 23, 2008. It consists of 12 episodes, each running approximately 55 minutes in length and was, for the most part, based on the novel ''

Dead Until Dark ''Dead Until Dark'', published in 2001, is the first novel in Charlaine Harris' series ''The Southern Vampire Mysteries''. It was adapted into ''True Blood'' first season. Like the rest of the series, ''Dead Until Dark'' is narrated by Sookie S ...

'', the first entry in ''

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 The New York Times Best Seller list, bestselling author Charlaine Harris. The first installment, '' ...

'' by

Charlaine Harris Charlaine Harris Schulz (born November 25, 1951) is an American author who specializes in mysteries. She is best known for her book series '' The Southern Vampire Mysteries'', which was adapted as the TV series '' True Blood''. The television sh ...

. The story takes place in the fictional town of Bon Temps, Louisiana, two years after vampires have made their presence known to mankind, and follows telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse as she attempts to solve a series of murders that seem to be motivated by a hatred of vampires.

HBO Home Box Office (HBO) is an American pay television service, which is the flagship property of namesake parent-subsidiary Home Box Office, Inc., itself a unit owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The overall Home Box Office business unit is based a ...

broadcast the first season on Sunday nights at 9:00 pm in the United States, with a repeat showing at 11:00 pm. The complete first season was released on DVD and

Blu-ray Blu-ray (Blu-ray Disc or BD) is a digital optical disc data storage format designed to supersede the DVD format. It was invented and developed in 2005 and released worldwide on June 20, 2006, capable of storing several hours of high-defin ...

on May 19, 2009.

Storyline

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 casting ...

(

Anna Paquin Anna Helene Paquin ( ; born 24 July 1982) is a New Zealand actress. Born in Winnipeg and raised in Wellington, she made her acting debut in the romantic drama film ''The Piano'' (1993), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Act ...

) is a waitress with telepathic abilities.

Stephen Moyer Stephen John Moyer (né Emery; born 11 October 1969) is an English actor and film director. He is best known for portraying the vampire Bill Compton in the HBO television series '' True Blood''. This was followed by the television film ''Lord ...

plays her love interest, vampire

Bill Compton William H. Compton, Jr. (October 6, 1945, Rockford, Illinois – August 27, 2007) was a mental health advocate in California who attained national stature. After a mental health crisis in 1989, he became heavily involved in self-help and ...

. Sookie works for

Sam Merlotte Sam Merlotte is a fictional character from ''The Southern Vampire Mysteries'' book series, written by author Charlaine Harris. He is introduced in the first novel of the series, '' Dead Until Dark.'' In ''True Blood,'' the HBO television adaptati ...

(

Sam Trammell Sam Trammell (born January 29, 1969) is an American actor, best 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 Richa ...

), owner of Merlotte's bar and a shapeshifter who has a crush on Sookie. Sookie's best friend

Tara Thornton Tara Mae Thornton is a fictional character in Charlaine Harris' ''The Southern Vampire Mysteries'' and its television adaptation, HBO's ''True Blood''. Fictional biography Tara Mae Thornton is a Louisiana native in her twenties and lifelong fri ...

(

Rutina Wesley Rutina Wesley (born December 21, 1978) is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Tara Thornton in the HBO fantasy drama series ''True Blood'', Nova Bordelon on the OWN drama series ''Queen Sugar'', and Maria in the HBO post-ap ...

) begins bartending at Merlotte's after quitting her job at the Super Save-A-Bunch. Also working at Merlotte's are Tara's cousin Lafayette Reynolds (

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

), a short order cook and hustler, and Arlene Fowler (

Carrie Preston Carrie Preston (born June 21, 1967) is an American actress, director, and producer. She is best known for her roles as Arlene Fowler in the HBO fantasy drama series '' True Blood'' (2008–2014) and as Elsbeth Tascioni in the CBS legal drama ...

). Arlene is a thrice-divorced waitress with two children who, over the course of the season, becomes engaged to Rene Lenier (

Michael Raymond-James Michael Raymond-James (born Michael Weverstad; December 24, 1977) is an American actor. He is best known for playing René Lenier in the first season of the HBO series '' True Blood'', Britt Pollack on the FX series ''Terriers'', Neal Cassidy/B ...

), a Cajun labourer who works on a road crew.

Jason Stackhouse Jason Stackhouse is a fictional character from ''The Southern Vampire Mysteries'' book series by author Charlaine Harris. Introduced in the first novel, '' Dead Until Dark'', Jason is Sookie Stackhouse's older brother and a road crew supervisor ...

(

Ryan Kwanten Ryan Christian Kwanten (born 28 November 1976) is an Australian actor and producer. He played Vinnie Patterson from 1997 to 2002 in the Australian soap opera ''Home and Away''. After his stint ended, he joined the American teen drama series '' ...

), Sookie's brother, is a labourer on a road crew and ladies' man. Jason's sexual relations begin to die, one after the other, and he is suspected of being a serial killer. Hoyt Fortenberry (

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

), Jason's co-worker, admires Jason's abilities with women. Adele Stackhouse (

Lois Smith Lois Arlene Smith (née Humbert; born November 3, 1930) is an American actress whose career spans 7 decades. She made her film debut in the 1955 drama film '' East of Eden'', and later played supporting roles in a number of movies, including '' ...

) is Jason and Sookie's grandmother who has looked after them since the deaths of their parents. Jason's love interest

Amy Burley ''True Blood'' is an American television drama series created and produced by Alan Ball, airing from 2008 to 2014. It is based on ''The Southern Vampire Mysteries'' by Charlaine Harris. This article includes main characters (i.e., characters pl ...

(

Lizzy Caplan Elizabeth Anne Caplan (born June 30, 1982) is an American actress. Her performances as Virginia E. Johnson in the Showtime series '' Masters of Sex'' (2013–2016) and as Libby Epstein in FX on Hulu's '' Fleishman Is in Trouble'' (2022) have e ...

) begins a relationship with Jason because of a shared addiction to vampire blood, or "V". They kidnap Eddie Gauthier (

Stephen Root Stephen Root (born November 17, 1951) is an American actor. He has starred as Jimmy James on the NBC sitcom ''NewsRadio'' (1995–1999), as Milton Waddams in the film ''Office Space'' (1999), and voiced Bill Dauterive and Buck Strickland on the a ...

), to use his blood. In the vampire community,

Eric Northman Eric Northman is a fictional character in ''The Southern Vampire Mysteries,'' written by Charlaine Harris. The character is introduced in the first novel, Dead Until Dark, as vampire living to be about a thousand years and is included in all subs ...

(

Alexander Skarsgård Alexander Johan Hjalmar Skarsgård (; born 25 August 1976) is a Swedish actor. A son of actor Stellan Skarsgård, he began acting at age seven but quit at age thirteen. After serving in the Swedish Navy, Skarsgård returned to acting and gained ...

) is the Sheriff of Area 5, which includes Bon Temps, and owner of the vampire bar ''Fangtasia''. Working for Eric, both in the bar and under him as Sheriff, are Pam (

Kristin Bauer 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'' ...

) and Chow ( Patrick Gallagher). The bartender Longshadow (

Raoul Trujillo Raoul Max Trujillo (born May 8, 1955) is an American actor, dancer, choreographer and theatre director. A former soloist with the Nikolais Dance Theatre, he is the original choreographer and co-director for the American Indian Dance Theatre. Hi ...

) is killed by Bill to protect Sookie. As punishment for killing a fellow vampire and to replenish the vampire ranks, Bill is taken to

the Magister ''The Magister'' is an accessory for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting of the first edition ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' fantasy role-playing game. The book, with product code TSR 9229, was published in 1988 by TSR. It was written by Ed ...

(

Željko Ivanek Željko Ivanek (; ; born August 15, 1957) is a Slovenian-American actor of Croat descent. Ivanek's film credits include '' Courage Under Fire'' (1996), '' Donnie Brasco'' (1997), '' Hannibal'', '' Black Hawk Down'' (both 2001), '' Unfaithful'' ( ...

) and forced to sire

Jessica Hamby Jessica Hamby is a fictional character in the ''True Blood'' series, portrayed by Deborah Ann Woll. In the series, which chronicles the life of human waitress Sookie Stackhouse and her friends after vampires make themselves known to humans, Jessi ...

(

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

). Jessica is cared for by Eric but when he grows tired of her he leaves her with Bill. In the middle of the season Tara's mother, Lettie Mae (

Adina Porter Adina Elizabeth Porter is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Lettie Mae Thornton on the HBO fantasy horror series ''True Blood'' (2008–2014), Kendra James on the HBO drama series '' The Newsroom'' (2012–2014), Indra on t ...

), undergoes an exorcism to rid herself of what she terms her "demons" - her addiction to alcohol. The exorcism is administered by "Miss Jeanette", an alias of Nancy LeGuare (

Aisha Hinds Aisha Hinds is an American television, stage and film actress and director. She had supporting roles in a number of television series, including '' The Shield'', ''Invasion'', ''True Blood'', '' Detroit 1-8-7'' and '' Under the Dome''. In 2016, s ...

). Following her exorcism Lettie Mae kicks Tara out. Following a crash and

DUI Driving under the influence (DUI) is the crime of driving, operating, or being in control of a vehicle while one is impaired from doing so safely by the effect of either alcohol (see drunk driving) or some other drug, whether recreational or ...

, Tara is taken in by Maryann Forrester (

Michelle Forbes Michelle Renee Forbes Guajardo (born January 8, 1965) is an American actress who has appeared on television and in independent films. She is a Saturn Award winner with three nominations. Forbes first garnered attention for her dual role in t ...

), who initially presents herself to Tara as some kind of social worker. While staying with Maryann, Tara meets "Eggs" Benedict Talley (

Mehcad Brooks Mehcad Jason McKinley Brooks (born October 25, 1980) is an American actor and former fashion model. He is known for his roles as Matthew Applewhite in the second season of ABC's series ''Desperate Housewives'' (2005–2006), Jerome in '' The ...

) to whom she feels a strong attraction. The central mystery of the season begins when Maudette Pickens (Danielle Sapia) is killed. Sheriff Dearborne (

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

) places his only detective,

Andy Bellefleur ''True Blood'' is an American television drama series created and produced by Alan Ball, airing from 2008 to 2014. It is based on ''The Southern Vampire Mysteries'' by Charlaine Harris. This article includes main characters (i.e., characters pl ...

(

Chris Bauer Chris Bauer is an American actor. He is best known for his television work in ''The Wire'', '' Third Watch'', '' True Blood'', '' Survivor's Remorse,'' '' The Deuce'', and the Apple TV+ original science fiction space drama series ''For All M ...

) in charge of finding the killer. Bellefleur suspects Jason Stackhouse, and that suspicion grows after the murder of Dawn Green (

Lynn Collins Viola Lynn Collins (born May 16, 1977) is an American actress. She has made television appearances in '' True Blood'' (2008), '' Manhunt: Unabomber'' (2017) and '' The Walking Dead'' (2021–2022), and is recognized for her roles in films such ...

). Andy's cousin

Terry Terry is a unisex diminutive nickname for the given names Teresa or Theresa (feminine) or Terence (given name), Terence, Terrance (masculine). People Male * Terry A. Canales, American politician * Terry A. Doughty (born 1959), American district ...

(

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 ...

) works as a cook at Merlotte's. The international conflict between vampires and humans is played out in the background, but two minor characters are introduced who become major characters in the second season: Reverend Steve Newlin (

Michael McMillian Michael McMillian 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-Girlfriend''. McMillian is a ...

) and his wife

Sarah Sarah (born Sarai) is a biblical matriarch, prophet, and major figure in Abrahamic religions. While different Abrahamic faiths portray her differently, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all depict her character similarly, as that of a pious woma ...

(

Anna Camp Anna Ragsdale Camp (born September 27, 1982) is an American actress. She portrayed the villainous Sarah Newlin in the HBO vampire drama ''True Blood'' (2009, 2013–2014), Aubrey Posen in the ''Pitch Perfect'' film series (2012–2017), and t ...

). They head the anti-vampire church the Fellowship of the Sun following the death of Steve's father, who was supposedly killed by vampires. A representative of the Fellowship of the Sun approaches Jason Stackhouse while he is in jail in the final episode of the season.

Episodes

Cast and characters

Main cast

as Detective

as Lafayette Reynolds *

as Hoyt Fortenberry *

as Lettie Mae Thornton *

as Arlene Fowler *

as Rene Lenier *

as Sheriff Bud Dearborne *

as Dawn Green *

as Adele Stackhouse *

as Eddie Gauthier

Guest cast

as Terry 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'' ...

Pamela Swynford De Beaufort Pamela "Pam" Ravenscroft, also known as Pamela Swynford De Beaufort, is a fictional character from the television series ''True Blood.'' Pam is portrayed by actress Kristin Bauer van Straten. The series was created by Alan Ball and is based on ' ...

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 ...

Mike Spencer Michael Spencer is an English record producer and recording engineer. He has worked with various pop acts, including Newton Faulkner, Jamiroquai, John Newman, Ellie Goulding, Alex Clare, and Emeli Sandé, among others. Many of his productions ...

* Alec Gray as Coby Fowler *

as Miss Jeanette *

Dale Raoul Dale Raoul (born Karen Dale Raoul August 16, 1955) is an American film and television actress known for her role as Maxine Fortenberry, mother of Hoyt Fortenberry, in the HBO television series ''True Blood''. Career Raoul was born in Missoula ...

as Maxine Fortenberry * Graham Shiels as

Liam Liam is a short form of the Germanic name William, or its Irish variant Uilliam. Etymology The original name was a merging of two Old German elements: ''willa'' ("will" or "resolution"); and ''helma'' ("helmet"). The juxtaposition of these ...

as Longshadow * Laurel Weber as

Lisa Fowler Lisa Fowler (also Shaw) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Lucy Benjamin. The character was introduced as a "home-wrecking blonde" by executive producer Matthew Robinson on 7 December 1998. The character ...

* Jeremy Denzlinger as Wayne *

Aunjanue Ellis Aunjanue L. Ellis-Taylor (; Ellis; born February 21, 1969) is an American actress. She has received List of awards and nominations received by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, several accolades, including nominations for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe ...

as Diane * Kanin Howell as Chuck *

as Maryann Forrester * Danielle James as Randi Sue *

as Reverend Steve Newlin * Caleb Moody as Royce Williams * John Prosky as David Finch * Stacie Rippy as Cindy Marshall *

Andrew Rothenberg Andrew Rothenberg (born January 26, 1969) is an American stage, television and film actor. Rothenberg is known for recurring roles in major television series, including Agent Phil Schlatter on ''Weeds'' and his portrayal of Malcolm on the HBO ...

Malcolm Malcolm, Malcom, Máel Coluim, or Maol Choluim may refer to: People * Malcolm (given name), includes a list of people and fictional characters * Malcom (footballer) (born 1997), Brazilian football forward * Clan Malcolm * Maol Choluim de Innerp ...

* Danielle Sapia as Maudette Pickens *

Jessica Tuck Jessica Tuck (born February 19, 1963) is an American actress, best known for her performances on television as Megan Gordon Harrison on the American Broadcasting Company, ABC soap opera ''One Life to Live'', Gillian Gray in the CBS drama series ...

as Nan Flanagan *

* Avion Baker as Young Tara * Tara Buck as

Ginger Ginger (''Zingiber officinale'') is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root or ginger, is widely used as a spice and a folk medicine. It is an herbaceous perennial that grows annual pseudostems (false stems made of the rolled bases of l ...

* Patrick Gallagher as Chow * Labon K. Hester as Young

Jason Jason ( ; ) was an ancient Greek mythological hero and leader of the Argonauts, whose quest for the Golden Fleece is featured in Greek literature. He was the son of Aeson, the rightful king of Iolcos. He was married to the sorceress Med ...

* Karina Logue as Denise Rattray * Melanie MacQueen as Faye Lebvre * Kevin McHale as Neil Jones * Tess Alexandra Parker as Rosie * James Jean Parks as Mack Rattray * John Rezig as Deputy Kevin Ellis *

William Schallert William Joseph Schallert (July 6, 1922 – May 8, 2016) was an American character actor who appeared in dozens of television shows and films over a career spanning more than 60 years. He is known for his roles on ''Richard Diamond, Private ...

as Sterling Norris * Zenali Turner as Young

Sookie Sookie, also written ‘Sukey’ or ‘Suki’, is a variant of the name Susan or Susannah, from Hebrew () meaning "rose" or "lily."Teresa Norman (2003) ''A World of Baby Names'', Perigee Trade; Revised edition Most famously, the name occurs in ...

* Cheyenne Wilbur as Bartlett Hale * Patricia Bethune as Jane Bodehouse * Michael Bofshever as Orry Dawson *

as "Eggs" Benedict Talley *

as Magnus the Magister *

Mariana Klaveno Mariana Klaveno (born October 25, 1979) is an American actress best known for her television roles as Lorena Ball (Krasiki) in the HBO series '' True Blood'', as the psychopath Abby in the Lifetime movie '' While the Children Sleep'', and as mo ...

as Lorena Krasiki * Adam Leadbeater as

Karl Karl may refer to: People * Karl (given name), including a list of people and characters with the name * Karl der Große, commonly known in English as Charlemagne * Karl of Austria, last Austrian Emperor * Karl (footballer) (born 1993), Karl Cac ...

Judy Prescott Judy Prescott is an American actress and poet. She has performed many roles on stage and screen since 1987 and is the author of the book ''Searching For Cecy: Reflections on Alzheimer's''. Early life Judith Neal Prescott, daughter of Mary Boo ...

as Sue Ann Merlotte * Stewart Skelton as Minister *

Martin Spanjers Martin Brian Spanjers (born February 2, 1987) is an American actor. He played Rory Hennessy on the ABC sitcom '' 8 Simple Rules'' from 2002 to 2005, for which he won a Young Artist Award in 2004, and as Justin in '' Good Luck Charlie'' (2010–2 ...

as Young Sam *

Sharon Tay Sharon Tay (born October 15) is a retired American television news anchor reporter. She was anchor of the '' KTLA Morning News'' and with KCBS-TV/KCAL-TV, and did entertainment news reporting with MSNBC. Sharon Tay Bio">KCBS/KCAL >> Sharon Tay B ...

as Sharon * Tanya Wright as Deputy Kenya Jones

Production

Crew

Series creator Alan Ball had previously worked with premium cable channel

on '' Six Feet Under'', which ran five seasons. In October 2005, after ''Six Feet Unders

finale Finale may refer to: Pieces of music * Finale (music), the last movement of a piece * ''Finale'' (Loggins and Messina album), 1977 * ''Finale'' (Pierrot album), 1999 * "Finale" (song), by Madeon * " Neo Universe/Finale", a single by L'Arc-en-C ...

, Ball signed a two-year agreement with HBO to develop and produce original programming for the network. ''True Blood'' became the first project under the deal, after Ball became acquainted with

' ''Southern Vampire Mystery'' books. One day, while early for a dentist appointment, Ball was browsing through

Barnes & Noble Barnes & Noble Booksellers is an American bookseller with the largest number of retail outlets in the United States. The company operates approximately 600 retail stores across the United States. Barnes & Noble operates mainly through its B ...

and came across ''Dead Until Dark'', the first installment in Harris' series. Enjoying it, he read the following entries and became interested in "bringing Harris' vision to television". However, Harris had two other adaptation options for the books when Ball approached her. He said she chose to work with him, though, because "

all All or ALL may refer to: عرص Biology and medicine * Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a cancer * Anterolateral ligament, a ligament in the knee * ''All.'', taxonomic author abbreviation for Carlo Allioni (1728–1804), Italian physician and pro ...

really 'got' me. That's how he convinced me to go with him. I just felt that he understood what I was doing with the books." Ball wrote and directed the pilot episode, double Emmy winner

Scott Winant Scott Winant is an American television director and producer. He is a member of the Directors Guild of America and Producers Guild of America The Producers Guild of America (PGA) is a 501(c)(6) trade association representing the interests Tel ...

, ''

Red Rock West ''Red Rock West'' is a 1993 American post-Western neo-noir thriller film directed by John Dahl and starring Nicolas Cage, Lara Flynn Boyle, J. T. Walsh, and Dennis Hopper. Its plot focuses on a drifter who is mistaken for a hitman while trave ...

'' writer/director

John Dahl John Dahl (born June 15, 1956) is an American film and television director and writer, best known for his work in the neo-noir genre. Early life John Dahl was born and raised in Billings, Montana, the second of four children (his brother is fi ...

, ''

Heathers ''Heathers'' is a 1988 American teen dark comedy crime film written by Daniel Waters and directed by Michael Lehmann, in both of their respective film debuts. The film stars Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, Shannen Doherty, Lisanne Falk, K ...

'' director

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.

, former ''

Deadwood Deadwood may refer to: Places Canada * Deadwood, Alberta * Deadwood, British Columbia * Deadwood River, a tributary of the Dease River in northern British Columbia United States * Deadwood, California (disambiguation), several communit ...

'' director

Daniel Minahan Daniel Minahan (born 1962) is an American television director and Filmmaking, filmmaker. Career Minahan has directed several episodes of the HBO original series ''Six Feet Under (TV series), Six Feet Under'', ''Deadwood (TV series), Deadwood'', ...

, ''

The Sopranos ''The Sopranos'' is an American Crime film#Crime drama, crime drama television series created by David Chase. The series follows Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), a New Jersey American Mafia, Mafia boss who suffers from panic attacks. He reluct ...

'' director Nick Gomez, ''

Pretty Persuasion ''Pretty Persuasion'' is a 2005 American black comedy film directed by Marcos Siega, written by Skander Halim, and starring Evan Rachel Wood, James Woods, Ron Livingston, Elisabeth Harnois, and Jane Krakowski. Its plot follows a manipulative, ps ...

'' director

Marcos Siega Marcos Siega (born June 8, 1969, in New York City) is a film, television, commercial and music video director. He has also worked as a producer, a musician and an artist. Career In the late 1980s, he helped to form the New York–based punk band ...

, ''

The Wire ''The Wire'' is an American Crime fiction, crime Drama (film and television), drama television series created and primarily written by the American author and former police reporter David Simon for the cable network HBO. The series premiered o ...

'' director

Anthony Hemingway Anthony Maurice Hemingway (born 1977) is an American television and film director. He has worked extensively in television, directing numerous episodes of '' CSI: NY'', '' Treme'', ''True Blood'' and '' Shameless'', among others. He has also dire ...

and '' Six Feet Under'' co-producer

Nancy Oliver Nancy Oliver (born February 8, 1955) is an American playwright and screenwriter who is best known for creating the 2022 miniseries Angelyne and her work on the successful TV series '' Six Feet Under.'' Oliver was nominated for the Academy Award f ...

directed subsequent episodes, with Ball directing the finale. Nancy Oliver joined Ball as a producer, in the same role she had on ''Six Feet Under''. Ball wrote the first three episodes with Brian Buckner, Alexander Woo, Raelle Tucker and Chris Offutt writing two episodes a piece, Nancy Oliver wrote and directed the eleventh episode, which marked her debut as a director. Buckner, Tucker and Woo were also credited as producers, Offutt was executive story editor for this season. Christina Jokanovich was an associate producer and Carol Dunn Trussell the line producer.

Reception

The first season of ''True Blood'' debuted at a very modest 1.44 million viewers compared to the network's past drama premiers such as ''

Big Love ''Big Love'' is an American drama (film and television), drama television series created by Mark V. Olsen and Will Scheffer that aired on HBO from 2006 to 2011. It stars Bill Paxton as the patriarch of a Mormon fundamentalism, fundamentalist Mor ...

'' which premiered at 4.56 million, and ''

John from Cincinnati ''John from Cincinnati'' is an American drama television series, set against the surfing community of Imperial Beach, California. It aired on HBO from June 10 to August 12, 2007. Overview ''John from Cincinnati'' is the result of a collaborati ...

'' which debuted at 3.4 million. However, by late November 2008, 6.8 million a week were watching; this figure includes repeat and on-demand viewings. The season finale's viewership was 2.4 million. At the time, ''True Blood'' had reportedly become HBO's most popular series since ''

'' and ''

Sex and the City ''Sex and the City'' is an American romantic comedy, romantic comedy-drama television series created by Darren Star for HBO, based on Sex and the City (newspaper column), the newspaper column and 1996 book by Candace Bushnell. It premiered in th ...

''.

Awards and nominations

The series won the

Primetime Emmy Award The Primetime Emmy Awards, or Primetime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Owned and operated by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), the P ...

for Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series.

won the

Golden Globe Award The Golden Globe Awards are awards presented for excellence in both international film and television. It is an annual award ceremony held since 1944 to honor artists and professionals and their work. The ceremony is normally held every Janua ...

for Best Actress in a Television series - Drama whilst the show was nominated for Best TV series - Drama. It also won best TV show, best horror actor for

, Best Horror Actress for Anna Paquin & best villain for

at the

Scream Awards The Scream Awards were an annual awards show run and broadcast by Paramount Network#Spike (2003–2018), Spike from 2005 to 2012. The premier Awards Ceremony was known as 2006 Scream Awards, Spike TV's Scream Awards 2006, however, for subsequent y ...

Ratings

United Kingdom

All ratings are taken from the UK Ratings website,

BARB Barb or the BARBs or ''variation'' may refer to: People * Barb (name), a list of people and fictional characters with the given name or surname * Barb, a term used by fans of Nicki Minaj to refer to themselves * The Barbs, a band Places * Barb, ...

Season 1 ending credits songs

Songs from the Season 1 ending credits in order by episode number."Music Season 1 - True Blood"
''TrueBloodWiki.HBO.com''. Retrieved 2011-09-19. #

Little Big Town Little Big Town is an American country music vocal group from Homewood, Alabama. Founded in 1998, the group has had the same four members since its founding: Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman (née Roads), Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook. Fa ...

– "Bones" #Vallejo – "Snake in the Grass" #Charlie Robison – "Good Times" #

Lynyrd Skynyrd Lynyrd Skynyrd (, ) is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1964. The group originally formed as My Backyard and comprised Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), Gary Rossington (guitar), Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Junstrom ...

– "

That Smell "That Smell" is a song by the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Written by two band members, vocalist Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Allen Collins. JoJo Billingsley also allegedly took part in the writing; however, she was never credited. It wa ...

" #

Nathan Barr Nathan Barr (born February 9, 1973; also known as Nate Barr) is an American film and television composer and musician. His television scores include ''True Blood'', ''The Americans'', ''Carnival Row'', and ''The Great''. He won a Primetime Emmy A ...

– "The Cabin" #Mark Seliger's Rusty Truck – "Cold Ground" #

Cobra Verde ''Cobra Verde'' (also known as ''Slave Coast'') is a 1987 German drama film directed by Werner Herzog and starring Klaus Kinski, in their fifth and final collaboration. Based upon Bruce Chatwin's 1980 novel '' The Viceroy of Ouidah'', the film d ...

– "Play with Fire" #

Eagles of Death Metal Eagles of Death Metal is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, formed in 1998. Founded by Jesse Hughes (vocals, guitar) and Josh Homme (drums), the band also includes a wide range of other musicians who perform both on the band's ...

– "I Want You So Hard" #

Rufus Thomas Rufus C. Thomas, Jr. (March 26, 1917 – December 15, 2001) was an American rhythm-and-blues, funk, soul and blues singer, songwriter, dancer, DJ and comic entertainer from Memphis, Tennessee. He recorded for several labels, including Chess Re ...

– "

Walking the Dog "Walking the Dog" (or "Walkin' the Dog") is a song written and performed by Rufus Thomas. It was released on his 1963 album '' Walking the Dog''. It was his signature hit and also his biggest, reaching number 10 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in ...

" #

Dr. John Malcolm John Rebennack Jr. (November 20, 1941 – June 6, 2019), better known by his stage name Dr. John, was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. His music combined New Orleans blues, jazz, R&B, soul and funk. Active as a session mus ...

– "I Don't Wanna Know about Evil" #

Gillian Welch Gillian Howard Welch (; born October 2, 1967) is an American singer-songwriter. She performs with her musical partner, guitarist David Rawlings. Their sparse and dark musical style, which combines elements of Appalachian music, bluegrass, coun ...

– "Pass You By" #

Crooked Still Crooked Still is an American band consisting of vocalist Aoife O'Donovan, banjo player Gregory Liszt, bassist Corey DiMario, cellist Tristan Clarridge and fiddle player Brittany Haas. They are known for their high energy, technical skill, unusu ...

– "Ain't No Grave"

References

External links

* True Blood 2008 American television seasons {{DEFAULTSORT:True Blood (Season 1)