Alan Ball

TRUE BLOOD Co-Executive Producer Mark Hudis Replacing Alan Ball as Showrunner for Season Six

by Ethan Anderton    Posted: May 23rd, 2012 at 10:12 am

Alan Ball has been a good sport and stuck with his steamy, bloody vampire series True Blood on HBO for a few years now, but as we learned in February, the Six Feet Under creator is leaving at the end of the fifth season. Now, Deadline has word on a new deal with HBO for True Blood co-executive producer Mark Hudis to take over the reins as the main executive producer and showrunner for the cable series if it gets renewed for a sixth season, a decision that likely won’t be made until at least the premiere of the fifth season on June 10th.

Apparently, Hudis’ new deal is for two-years and also includes a development aspect for him to create new shows on his own. Hudis has been a part of True Blood for season four and now season five and actually has a history with Ball having written some episodes of the comedy series Cybill together back in 1997 and 1998. However, the two have long been friends since working at AdWeek about 20 years ago. It sounds like Ball really trusts Hudis with his show, so hopefully that will settle down some of the fans who have been worried. Of course, they might not even care if this fifth season doesn’t deliver. Ball will still be involved with True Blood, but just not running the show. We’ll have to wait and see how this pans out after the fifth season starts this summer.

Elizabeth Banks Toplines WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH MARGIE?, Alfred Molina and Freida Pinto Star in DESERT DANCER, Sean Bean Joins the 4th REICH

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: May 18th, 2012 at 8:04 am

Let’s start the day with some casting, shall we?  Here are the headlines:

• Elizabeth Banks will topline What’s the Matter with Margie?, a dark comedy from Alan Ball.
• Alfred Molina and Freida Pinto are set to star in Desert Dancer, based on the life of Iranian dancer, Afshin Ghaffarian.
• Sean Bean will join The 4th Reich, an action-horror film set in World War II.

Hit the jump for more on both projects.

TRUE BLOOD Season 5 Promo

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: April 1st, 2012 at 7:02 pm

While everyone is currently hyped up for the return of HBO’s Game of Thrones, a little show called True Blood popped up to remind us that season five of the supernatural series starts this summer. We’ve previously brought you the first promotion and more recent teaser trailers from everyone’s favorite guilty pleasure, but now we have a teaser montage of clips from the upcoming season. With news that showrunner Alan Ball is overseeing this season but stepping down from the day-to-day responsibilities of the show for a possible sixth season, it will be interesting to see how this summer’s run turns out. Also, with new cast addition Christopher Meloni, the old gang of supes could be in for quite a shake up, but Christopher Heyerdahl steals the show with his chilling narration of the new season five promo. Hit the jump to check it out.

Simon Pegg May Join L.A. NOIR, Ulrich Thomsen to Co-Star in BANSHEE

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: March 14th, 2012 at 7:22 pm

After what’s been years of successful action/comedy/horror films for Simon Pegg, the versatile actor is now reportedly looking to the small screen for a more dramatic project in L.A. Noir. Pegg is circling as a guest star in the pilot written and directed by Frank Darabont. He will join lead actor Jon Bernthal (The Walking Dead), as well as Neil McDonough (Minority Report) and Milo Ventimiglia (Heroes) in the TNT period drama. Set in the 1940s and 1950s, L.A. Noir chronicles the war between the LAPD’s Captain William Parker (McDonough) and the mobster, Mickey Cohen. Bernthal stars as Joe Teague, an ex-Marine turned LAPD cop who gets caught up in the conflict, while Ventimiglia stars as a former Marine who served with Teague in WWII and becomes a lawyer for the mob. THR reported on Pegg circling a guest role, but so far there are few details as to his character.

Hit the jump for a casting update on True Blood-creator Alan Ball’s Banshee.

Alan Ball Leaving TRUE BLOOD After Season Five

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: February 27th, 2012 at 6:00 pm

With all the supernatural death and destruction we’ve come to love and expect on HBO’s True Blood, the last person you’d expect to be axed is showrunner Alan Ball. Word from HBO and Ball himself now confirms that if the show moves on into a sixth season, Ball will not be the day-to-day man. He does, however, have an overall contract with the network and is currently executive producing Banshee for sister station, Cinemax. It seems like a good deal for both parties: HBO will keep Ball in the loop while Ball will be (somewhat) free to go after other creative pursuits. The upcoming fifth season of True Blood starts this summer. Hit the jump to see what HBO and Ball had to say.

TRUE BLOOD Creator Alan Ball’s Drama BANSHEE Gets Series Order from Cinemax

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 25th, 2012 at 12:48 pm

True Blood creator Alan Ball is gearing up to pull double-duty. While Ball is currently in the midst of filming the fifth season of the hit HBO supernatural series True Blood, the cable channel’s sister network Cinemax has commissioned as series order for Banshee on which Ball is the executive producer. The action drama centers on an “ex-convict and master thief who assumes the identity of the sheriff of Banshee, PA, where he continues his criminal activities even as he’s being hunted by the shadowy gangsters he had betrayed years earlier.” Deadline reports that Cinemax has given a 10-episode order to the series, and Emmy-winning director Greg Yaitanes (House) will helm the pilot.

I found the first few seasons of True Blood to be incredibly engaging, but the show has delved too deep into soap opera territory as of late for my taste. Ball is also developing a medical drama called Witchita at HBO, so it’ll be interesting to see how involved he becomes in Banshee and if/when he departs the showrunner position on True Blood.

HBO Developing College Athlete Comedy PLAYERS with Tom Hanks, Medical Drama WICHITA with Alan Ball

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: October 22nd, 2011 at 12:44 pm

HBO has recently landed some heavy hitters with the incomparable Tom Hanks and the bankable Alan Ball both developing projects for the network. Hanks, teamed with long-time producing partner Gary Goetzman, will reunite with the network for Players, a half-hour comedy following the lives of college athletes.

Ball is switching tactics from the campy, sexy success of True Blood to develop Wichita, an hour-long medical drama about a Kansas abortion doctor caught at the nexus of a political, cultural and ethical conflict. Ball will executive produce the project, based on the life of Dr. George Tiller, along with Devin Friedman, who authored the related GQ article “Savior vs. Savior.” Hit the jump for more on both projects.

HBO’s Richard Plepler and Michael Lombardo Talk About the Future of GAME OF THRONES, TRUE BLOOD, and More at the TCA’s

by Christina Radish    Posted: July 29th, 2011 at 8:45 am

Prior to the HBO presentation at the Television Critics Association Press Tour, the network’s Co-President Richard Plepler and President of Programming Michael Lombardo took some time to discuss where they’re at with the development of some of their upcoming projects, what they’d like to improve on with their programming, their desire to keep Alan Ball around as showrunner on True Blood and, of course, lots of Game of Thrones talk. Here are the most interesting points:

• If they could do 12 episodes of Game of Thrones, they would, but they feel the quality of the series would suffer for it.
• They’re optimistic in being able to carry the Game of Thrones story through to the end, and completely believe in and trust the vision for the series.
• Alan Ball is definitely signed on as showrunner for Season 5 of True Blood, and they hope that he will stay for as long as it’s on the air.
• The new Michael Mann/David Milch series Luck, centered around a horse-racing track, will premiere in January 2012.
• Boardwalk Empire returns September 25th with 12 episodes and Bored to Death returns October 10th with 8 episodes.
• Even though Michael Lombardo is not a fan of the fantasy genre, and he hasn’t actually read George R.R. Martin’s books, he loves what David Benioff and Dan Weiss have done with Game of Thrones.

More info and the interview after the jump:

Comic-Con 2011: TRUE BLOOD Panel Recap; Alan Ball Promises Ghosts in Season 4 and More Supernatural Creatures in Season 5 [Updated with Trailer]

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: July 22nd, 2011 at 8:41 pm

In a massively attended panel, the cast and creator of the ever-popular HBO series True Blood teased audience members with scenes from the current season and hints about upcoming seasons. Attended by Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer and Alan Ball, as well as Alexander Skarsgard (Eric Northman), Ryan Kwanten (Jason Stackhouse), Rutina Wesley (Tara Thornton), Nelsan Ellis (Lafayette), Deborah Ann Woll (Jessica Hamby), Kristin Bauer van Straten (Pam) and Kevin Alejandro (Jesus), the cast took fan questions as well as shedding some light on some interesting turns we can expect in the quaint town of Bon Temps. Hit the jump to check out the Q&A.

[Update: HBO has uploaded a new trailer.  Watch it after the break.]

TRUE BLOOD Season Three DVD Review

by Rob Vaux    Posted: June 19th, 2011 at 8:00 am

True Blood hasn’t become a breakout hit by resting on its laurels. Each season seemingly reinvents the wheel: taking another in the series of Sookie Stackhouse novels and interpreting it in a way that places its characters in an entirely new light. Season 3 has its ups and downs, but – as the new DVD set shows – when it hits its stride, it can’t be beat. Hit the jump for my full review.

Comic-Con 2011: GAME OF THRONES and TRUE BLOOD

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: June 17th, 2011 at 12:08 pm

HBO has announced two extremely exciting panels that will appear at this year’s Comic-Con: Game of Thrones and True Blood. The cable channel’s new hit series Game of Thrones is making its first appearance at the convention. George R.R. Martin, who wrote the books off of which Thrones is based and serves as a producer/writer on the show, will be moderating the panel. Showrunners David Benioff and D.B Weiss will be joined by stars Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington, Jason Momoa and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau will appear at the panel which is scheduled for Thursday, July 21^st, just days before season two begins production.

Additionally, Alan Ball’s True Blood is making its fourth consecutive appearance at the Con, with Ball and stars Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell, Ryan Kwanten, Rutina Wesley, Kevin Alejandro, Kristin Bauer van Straten, Nelsan Ellis, Joe Manganiello and Deborah Ann Woll scheduled to appear at the panel on Friday, July 22^nd. Hit the jump to read HBO’s full press release.

TRUE BLOOD PaleyFest Recap: Includes Spoilers on Season Four

by Tommy Cook    Posted: March 6th, 2011 at 8:21 am

At PaleyFest Saturday night, the cast (and by cast, I mean the whole cast – as in pretty much every featured player on the show) and creator Alan Ball stopped by to preview the upcoming fourth season of True Blood and reminisce on the unapologetically “soapy” show. Besides Ball, in attendance were Anna Paquin (Sookie Stackhouse), Stephen Moyer (Bill Compton), Sam Trammell (Sam Merlotte), Ryan Kwanten (Jason Stackhouse), Rutina Wesley (Tara Thornton), Chris Bauer (Andy Bellefleur), Nelsan Ellis (Lafayette Reynolds), Jim Parrack (Hoyt Fortenberry), Carrie Preston (Arlene Fowler), Alexander Skarsgård (Eric Northman), Todd Lowe (Terry Bellefleur), Deborah Ann Woll (Jessica Hamby), Kristin Bauer (Pam De Beaufort), Marshall Allman (Tommy Mickens), Kevin Alejandro (Jesus Velasquez) and Joe Manganiello (Alcide Herveaux)…whew. For spoilers/teasers on the upcoming season, hit the jump.

Rutina Wesley and Deborah Ann Woll Exclusive Interview TRUE BLOOD: ALL TOGETHER NOW Vol. 1; Plus an Update on Season 4

by Christina Radish    Posted: February 27th, 2011 at 1:58 pm

To celebrate the huge success of the first True Blood comic series, All Together Now, cast members Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley and Deborah Ann Woll signed copies and greeted their adoring and devoted fans at the Barnes & Noble at The Grove in Los Angeles.

The New York Times best seller is a compilation of all six issues from the first series of comics, and it features the same romance, wry humor, intriguing mystery and suspense the show has become known for. Developed with show creator Alan Ball, along with series writers Elisabeth Finch and Kate Barnow, and co-written by David Tischman and Mariah Huehner, the story gives readers new insights into their favorite characters and helps fill the gap for fans, as they wait for Season 4 to premiere in June on HBO.

In this exclusive interview with Collider, co-stars Rutina Wesley and Deborah Ann Woll talked about why True Blood is the type of show that works in other mediums and what it was like to see themselves in comic book form. They also talked about how Season 4 is coming (they’re just finishing up shooting Episode 4) and gave a few hints about how things will be different for their characters. Check out what they had to say after the jump:

TRUE BLOOD Creator Alan Ball to Direct Dark Comedy

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: November 1st, 2010 at 8:25 pm

True Blood creator Alan Ball will return to the big screen soon, as he’s just been set to direct a dark comedy written by Elan Mastai (Alone in the Dark).  Risky Business reports that Ball developed the idea with Mastai and they recently pitched the project to Paramount.  Ball will also produce the film through his Your Face Goes Here Entertainment production company.

This will be Ball’s second feature film directorial effort, after his debut with 2007’s Towelhead. He won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for writing 1999’s American Beauty, and is currently enjoying a wildly successful run as showrunner on HBO’s hit TV series True Blood.  He also recently made a deal with HBO to develop another series, this one an adaptation of the Charlie Huston crime novel The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death.  Ball is set to begin filming season four of True Blood in the coming months, with the show returning to HBO airwaves next summer.

HBO Orders Pilot ALL SIGNS OF DEATH from TRUE BLOOD Creator Alan Ball

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: July 9th, 2010 at 10:31 am

If you’re HBO, and Alan Ball comes to you and says “I want to adapt this series of books into a series,” you say yes.  True Blood — Ball’s adaptation of Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire Mysteries novels — has been an immense success for the pay network, even landing an Outstanding Drama Emmy nomination yesterday.

So naturally, HBO has ordered a pilot based on the 2009 Charlie Huston crime novel The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death, which Ball will produce and direct.  Huston scripted the adaptation himself, which centers on “an inveterate twenty-something slacker who stumbles into a career as a crime scene cleaner, only to find himself entangled with a murder mystery, a femme fatale, and the loose ends of his own past.”  Hit the jump for Ball’s comments as to his approach.

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