My oh my, how we have evolved ... humans and vampires living in perfect harmony. Well, not quite, but at least the vamps don't have to feed on the blood of us mere mortals, anymore. Not since the Japanese synthesized blood for all vampire kind. Now, they can sit down at the local dive, and order a nice drink like everyone else.

Bloody Mary's will never be the same.

Adapted from the Southern Vampire Mysteries, by author Charlaine Harris, comes a new black comedy series premiering tonight (September 9th, 2008) on HBO, True Blood. Six Feet Under's Alan Ball returns with this bizarre satire on southern life, set in the small town of Bon Temps, Louisiana. Where 173 year-old vampire, Bill Compton, returns to his birth place, causing a bit of a stir among the residents. Local Barmaid, Sookie Stackhouse, becomes infatuated with the mysterious new arrival, and doesn't share some of the intolerance for the inclusion of vampires in modern society. You see, she knows what it's like to be different than everyone else, ever since she developed the strange ability to read others minds. Hooking up with Bill was a no-brainer, but ...

maybe having a vampire for a boyfriend isn't a bright idea ...

As she becomes torn between her feelings for Bill, and the urgings of her friends, family and co-workers to watch her step ... or neck. Most of the drama takes place at Merlotte's, run by it's namesake, Sam Merlotte. It is home to a host of human characters:

• Sookie Stackhouse, the telepathic waitress - oscar winning actress, Anna Paquin (Rogue in the X-Men films, Darkness, and next years horror comedy, Trick 'r Treat)
• Jason Stackhouse, Sookie's Brother - Ryan Kwanten (Dead Silence, Spellbinder: Land of the Dragon Lord)
• Sam Merlotte, Sookie's boss - Sam Trammell (AVPR: Aliens vs Predator - Requiem, Anonymous Rex, Undermind)
• Tara Thornton, Sookie's co-waitress and best friend - newcomer, Rutina Wesley
• Lafayette Reynolds, the shady short order cook - Nelsan Ellis (from another short-lived series I liked, The Inside)
• Adele 'Gran' Stackhouse - veteran actress, Lois Smith
• Sheriff Bud Dearborne - William Sanderson (HBO's Deadwood, Avatar, Babylon 5: Thirdspace, Blade Runner)

But, the vamps have their own hangout, as well, at Fangtasia:

• Bill Compton, the 173 year-old vamp - Stephen Moyer (from one of the best "vampire" tv series ever, Britain's Ultraviolet)
• Eric Northman, the 1000 year-old vamp - Alexander Skarsgård, son of actor Stellan (coming right off HBO's Generation Kill, as "Iceman" ... Revelations mini-series, and next year's scifi filck, Metropia)

... more on this cast, as the series progresses!

This ain't Buffy the Vampire Slayer, folks. Rather, a funny, contemporary twist on the relationship between vampires and humans. So, check out True Blood ...

Sunday nights on HBO:
http://www.hbo.com/trueblood/

For even more fun, check out the synthetic blood nourishment beverage, TruBlood:
http://www.trubeverage.com