Click on the image to see the video…

EW also has a series of portraits of the cast:

This last pic of Joe Manganiello, reminds me of Harry Potter. Just sayin’.

And here’s one more of Kristin and Joe…

… here are some videos to tide you over.

Enjoy!

~M.

__________________________________________

Happily, the US vs England game was a draw.

~M.

Remember, right click on image and view and then enlarge the image.

Images from True Blood Fans, Getty and Wire Image

At the event Alan Ball stated, “My job is so much fun it doesn’t feel like work.”

We’re jealous.

~M.

by Marc Malkin and Dahvi Shira- eonline.com

Kyle Rover/startraksphoto.com

Good news for True Blood fans!

We’re told we can expect much more nudity during season three of the hit HBO vampire series, which began filming again last month.

“A lot of people will be getting naked this season,” T.B.’s Todd Lowe (aka Terry Bellefleur) told us at the 16th Annual SAG Awards Saturday night.

In fact, according to castmate Carrie Preston, baring it all is especially a cinch for hunky 33-year-old Swede Alexander Skarsgård…

“Alex is not shy about getting naked at all!” said Preston, who plays Arlene Fowler. “And there will be lots of those kinds of scenes with Alex this season.”

Lowe said, “He’s already been naked a time or two so far since we’ve gotten back to filming.”

Nelsan Ellis, who plays same-sex-lovin’ Lafayette, said, “There are a lot of hunky dudes and beautiful women who have been added to the cast, so it doesn’t surprise me that more clothes are coming off.”

At the recent BAFTA/L.A. tea party, Sam Trammell, who’s already gone practically full frontal as Sam Merlotte, said that he’d like to have a bigger share of the fangelicious hanky-panky.

“I’m not having any sex yet,” Trammell told us. “They really should provide Sam with more sex.”

But then he added, “There is a surprising—well, shocking—scene in the first episode. Some people will be happy and some people will not.”

Brian Zak/Sipa Press via AP Images; Lester Cohen /Getty Images

It might be time for another Vampire Wars throwdown. Werewolves are coming to HBO’s True Blood this season, and according to Nelsan Ellis, who plays fan favorite Lafayette, Blood’s werewolves compare quite favorably to Twilight werewolves like Taylor Lautner. He tells us, “I like Taylor, but our werewolves have a little more gravitas, they’re edgier-looking, and they’re just much meaner. They’re vicious.” And apparently True Blood’s wolf pack, led by Joe Manganiello’s Alcide, is not too hard on the eyes, either. Nelsan says, “They are some good-lookin’ chaps! All the eyes on the set turn to the werewolves. They’re like the GQ bastards.”

Want more True Blood season three news? Here’s the scoop from Nelsan (you know you love him) about Lafayette’s new boyfriend, played by Kevin Alejandro, his crazy mother, played by Alfre Woodard, and his plans for Angelina Jolie if she were a True Blood castmember:

OK, Nelsan, spoil us silly. What can you tell us about season three? According to the star, “The werewolves are coming in. They’re going to be good. Also, I get a love interest, and I have a mama now, played by Alfre Woodard. She’s completely insane, so we’ll see where that storyline goes.” Lafayette’s mom is insane? Oh, we cannot wait to see how those scenes play out!

So, if it’s true that we’ll be learning a lot more about Lafayette this year, including his mom and a new boyfriend, how does that tie into the overall mythology of the show? According to Nelsan, “It doesn’t, because Lafayette’s storyline is completely new, considering that I’m not supposed to be in the series. Lafayette was supposed to die the seventh episode of the first season. If I have a tie into the mythology it’s my tie into the vampires. I’m Eric’s henchman (Alexander Skarsgård) now. So that’s my tie to the mythology, but my other storyline is human, and it’s all new.”

HBO/Jaimie Trueblood

Eric’s henchman, huh? There are worse jobs a guy could have!

As for the other man in Lafayette’s life, well, that’s going to be the delicious Kevin Alejandro, who tells us of his role, “I just started last week, and I honestly don’t know a whole lot, but there’s definitely an interest between myself and the character of Lafayette.” Can’t wait!

Last but not least, we asked Nelsan whom he would like to see appear on the show and he told us that his pick would be Angelina Jolie, as a vampire queen. “She would slay the show.” Excellent choice, sir!

Who is your dream True Blood guest star? Are you as excited as we are to meet both Alcide and Lafayette’s new lovah when True Blood returns this summer? Hit the comments!

Source

and the best for last…

Yes, I know… all you Alex fans out there are jumping for joy.

Have a great day!

~M.

This was originally posted on Den of Geek.

 One of the esteeemed guests at the MCM Expo back in October was Nelsan Ellis, whose performance as Lafayette in the southern-fried vampire series True Blood has brought the actor to the attention of TV fans and slash-fiction writers the world over. As part of the Expo’s festivities, he took part in a Q&A session on the main stage, fielding queries from all and sundry – speaking of his introduction to True Blood, the creation of Lafayette, and working with show creator Alan Ball.

What is it like for you, when you come to conventions like this, and you see all these people who respect your work?

It’s flattering. When an actor experiences people appreciating his work, it feels good.

How did you first become involved in the series?

I auditioned! I had four auditions, and for some reason, Alan Ball hired me.

Did you know anything about the books [The Southern Vampire Mysteries series] before you auditioned?

I did not know anything about Charlaine Harris’ books. My agent told me to audition, and I read seven of the books – I think at the time she had only seven done. My character dies after the first book, so I was like, ‘damn!’, but I read all seven before the audition.

And, of course, you read that, and know your character is going to die. How did that change your performance?

Well, it was straightforward. They gave me a one-year contract, and said ‘you’re gonna die after 12 episodes’, and I was cool with that.

And when you didn’t, how did you feel?

Elated! Because I still had a job! Alan Ball told me after we had the table read of the twelfth episode. So, up until that point, I thought I was dead. He went ‘you know you’re not dying, right?’, and I said ‘I didn’t, but thanks for telling me!’.

Your character has been described as a homosexual, drug-dealing chef. What was the biggest challenge out of having to do all of those? Can you cook?

I cannot cook! [laughs] In fact, my son rarely eats my food. But, it’s make-believe! And I have a strong imagination, so I think I’m pretty good on all the stuff.

How is it playing a role that is so different from how you are as a person?

It’s fun. Every chance I get to where I could be something that’s not me, I jump at it. Because I’m guarded and I have these rules on how I should behave, but whenever I get to jump out of those rules, and go fucking crazy (excuse my language), I do! Lafayette is a dream role for me.

What gave you the urge to audition for the role?

My agents, they told me to audition – so I did!

What has been your favourite moment playing Lafayette so far?
The AIDS-Burger scene [cheer from audience] was my favourite moment. I’m a rough type of dude, I was in the military, so I like physical activity, so I got to do that, and beat some ass. That was my favourite, and plus it was just a well written scene. (Link)

How did you come up with the Lafayette character?

It was a collaboration. We all threw in some ideas. The scarf thing, is ’cause my momma used to wear a lot of scarves. I think there’s some Prince influence in there. We did research, went to a whole lot of gay clubs, we’d go down on the strip, so we just came up with it. We also threw in some ideas into this stew of his wardrobe. Especially his head-wraps.

Do you relate to your character in any way?

Absolutely! I don’t know how. His toughness, his aggressiveness. What else? I’m a creature from the street, so his street-smarts. I’m not as bold as he is, in all situations, but I’d like to be.

Has the show caused much controversy in the American South?

I think so. We’ve been banned in Shreveport, Louisiana, from shooting in certain places, because they’re morally against the message the show gives. So, there are some places in the South where I think there’s some controversy.

Who are your friends on the set, and who would you like to work with again?

I’m probably the closest to Rutina [Wesley], because we went to school together. But the person I’d like to work with most is Alexander Skarsgård, because he’s a good actor, we’ve become good friends, and I like the dude a lot.

Speaking of Alexander Skarsgård, will we actually ever see any of Lafayette’s dreams with Eric?

[Laughs] I think I heard Alan Ball say there might be a scene or two… Why, do you want to see that? You wanna see me and Alex getting it on? [plenty of slash-fic screams/applause from the audience]

What has the toughest part of playing Lafayette been so far?

Well, I’m going through some post-traumatic stress disorder in the second season. And that was tough, because I’m used to Lafayette being fun, and so for him to be breaking down with this disorder, it’s kinda hard.

What’s it like working with Alan Ball?

He’s a god among men. He really is a genius at what he does. I get to rub elbows with him on a daily basis. He writes some of the episodes, and he directs some of the episodes, so I end up being a sponge, soaking up all his genius. When he directs you – and I’m like, this dude has won Oscars – he knows what he’s doing.

Lafayette came about from a collaboration between myself and Alan. He set out the course, for how he wanted this character to be played, because Lafayette in the books is different… and that’s because Alan Ball wanted Lafayette on True Blood to have more dimension than what Charlaine Harris gave the character in the books.

You’re appearing in The Soloist at the moment, can you tell us anything about that?

Joe Wright, who’s from here, he casted me as one of the homeless people. And Jamie Foxx couldn’t come to the table read, so he, just, off the cuff, said ‘hey, you read Jamie Foxx’s part’… I said ‘cool, I’ll do it’. So we did a table read, and after the table read, he gave me a bigger part – the part of David, who ran a homeless shelter.

If you weren’t an actor, what would you like to be?

A lawyer, because I’ve got a lot of criminals in my family to represent!

(chicagotribune.com)  As the wild and largely enjoyable second season of HBO’s “True Blood” came to a close on Sunday, most of the residents of Bon Temps, La., wanted to put the insanity that had gripped the town behind them.

No one was more interested in sweeping things under the rug than Lafayette Reynolds, the cook at Merlotte’s, Bon Temps’ favorite watering hole.

Like most of the people in Bon Temps, Lafayette had fallen under the sway of the charismatic Maryann (Michelle Forbes), who was actually a creature known as a maenad.

Over a period of weeks, Maryann had turned more and more townsfolk into her unhinged acolytes, and though Lafayette had held out longer than most, he eventually succumbed.

[Events from "True Blood's" Season 2 finale will be discussed below. If you haven't seen the episode, be forewarned.]

Once the town’s maenad encounter was over — and it took a clever scheme from a vampire and a shapeshifter to engineer Maryann’s demise — most of the Bon Temps residents could not recall what insane or criminal things they’d done under her influence. And according to Nelsan Ellis, the Chicago native who plays Lafayette, that was just fine with the tart-tongued Merlotte’s cook.

“He tells [waitress] Sookie [Stackhouse], ‘I know you know what happened. Take it to your grave,’” said Ellis.

The actor, who was born in Harvey, spent much of his youth in Alabama, and returned to the Chicago area at age 14 to attend Dolton’s Thornridge High School. He later studied at Columbia College Chicago, at Illinois State University and at New York’s prestigious Juilliard School.

As Lafayette, Ellis has been a rousing success since 
”True Blood” debuted in 2008. The character, a gay man in a small Southern town, is a favorite among fans for his wit, his outrageous style and his ferocious desire to hustle his way into a better life.

Ellis couldn’t be less like Lafayette; the actor is humble and seems flummoxed when his status as a fan favorite is brought up.

“I don’t understand that, maybe because I’m so critical” of his performance, said Ellis, who watches each episode 20 times in order to critique his acting. But the attention is “very flattering,” he adds.

So what’s next for Lafayette? Ellis says he doesn’t usually talk to the show’s writers about what’s coming for his character, though he will mention to executive producer Alan Ball one idea he has for Season 3, which begins production in December. He wants Lafayette to get some flashback scenes with his mother.

“There are so many lines about how his mother treated [Lafayette],” Ellis said. “It would be nice if we found out in the flashbacks that she was a vampire.”

That kind of situation wouldn’t be unusual in Bon Temps, which is full of creatures that aren’t quite human. Sookie (Anna Paquin) can hear people’s thoughts, bar owner Sam Merlotte (Sam Trammell) is a shape-shifter, and Sookie’s true love, Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer), is a vampire — just one of many on the show.

Ellis has read the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris, which were the original inspiration for the TV show, so he knows that in Harris’ third book, werewolves are introduced. But the third season of the TV show may not closely follow the books, Ellis noted.

“I think Alan has been great in keeping even fanatical readers [of the Harris books] on their toes. He’s changed things,” he said.

As Season 2 came to a close, Bill was kidnapped by persons (or creatures) unknown. Were they agents of Sophie-Anne (Evan Rachel Wood), the capricious vampire queen of Louisiana? She certainly wasn’t happy that Bill knew Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgard) was dealing in “V” or vampire blood, which, in the world of the show, is a powerful illicit drug. Sophie-Anne, it seems, is orchestrating V sales through Eric, and the more Bill knows about her V operations, the more dangerous that could be for her.

Whether or not the queen was behind Bill’s disappearance, as Season 2 closed, there were echoes of the end of Season 1, when Lafayette went missing. During Season 2, things got even worse for Lafayette, who, at times, sold V in Bon Temps and worked occasionally as a prostitute as well.

“I didn’t understand why they took me in such a drastic direction [in Season 2], but then again, somebody who is used to being on top because of his charms — once he’s completely powerless to defend himself, that can be completely traumatizing,” Ellis said.

One of the things that traumatized Lafayette was being held hostage by the powerful vampire Eric. To heal wounds incurred while he was with Eric, Lafayette had to drink some of the vampire’s blood, which has healing properties. The result was a special psychological bond between the two men (a bond that is deeply uncomfortable for Lafayette, who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after being set free by Eric).

Ellis said he wouldn’t mind if his character was turned into a vampire, or if, at the very least, Lafayette and Eric have more scenes together in future.

“I love working with Alexander Skarsgard. He brings such gravity to a scene,” Ellis said.

And Ellis brings a lot of charm, skill and energy to “True Blood.” His parents may not be fans of the show — Ellis said his deeply religious mother and father don’t approve of their son playing a character like Lafayette — but the actor said he gets praise from unlikely quarters.

“I have the most straight-arrow men coming up to me and saying, ‘I like your hustle. Keep doing your thing,’” Ellis said.

Below are a few more thoughts from me, Maureen, about the “True Blood” Season 2 finale.

I had thought there was a good chance that the finale would be a bit of a mess, but what actually transpired was more organized and cogent than what I’d been expecting.

I’ve talked a lot in previous “True Blood” posts about how the central couple of Bill and Sookie don’t do all that much for me, but I have to admit, the proposal scene won me over more than I had thought was possible. Bill’s emotional vulnerability was touching, as was Sookie’s visible distress. She has been through so much, and her confusion was understandable, as was her ultimate assurance that Bill was the right man for her. It really capped what has been a gradual process during Season 2 — the mellowing of Sookie to the point where I actually don’t mind her, or even like her a little. I’ve always enjoyed Bill, but now I can see more than before why the two characters make sense as a couple.

So now I guess I’m invested in that relationship, which last season would not have remotely been possible for me. And now we have to wait until next year to find out what happened to Bill. That’s going to be a long wait.

As for Maryann’s “wedding,” well, that was “True Blood” in full-on crazy mode. That aspect of the show can be fun, but I’m glad those scenes weren’t dragged out. The way that Sam and Bill worked together to kill off Maryann was interesting, and I didn’t need to see any more of the black-eyed townsfolk, given how long that particular story line had been stretched out.

It was a bit ungainly for the show to suddenly stop with the crazy and then calmly revisit every character for the last half of the episode, but I did appreciate “True Blood” trying to close off or tie up all the open story threads.

The resolution that was least effective was the Eggs story line — why wasn’t he able to accept that all of the townsfolk did bad stuff when they were “under the influence” and thus weren’t accountable for their actions? Why didn’t Sookie have the sense to refuse to help him dredge up those memories? Why did Eggs have to, in his distress, throw a policeman on the ground and mime stabbing him with a giant knife, thus resulting in Eggs being killed by Jason?

Then again, every episode features a character or two or three doing something dumb because the plot requires them too. But as has often been the case this season, there was so much other relatively enjoyable stuff going on that I didn’t quibble over the sigh-inducing stuff that much.

I’m sad that Maryann is gone, mainly because Michelle Forbes is so wonderfully compelling in everything she does. But dragging out that arc any further would have been a disservice to the character and to the audience, so I’m presuming the maenad and her nutty parties are gone for good.

So to sum up, we got a wedding, a half-human sacrifice, a proposal, and a funny line (”You may have your faults, Andy, but at least you have your pants on”). We saw Hoyt finally tell off his mama and Jessica revert back to her teen-vamp-vixen ways. We saw life more or less returning to normal (whatever that is) in Bon Temps. We saw that Sophie-Anne and Eric are quite a devious team, and something tells me we’re not done with the diva-licious vampire queen yet. And perhaps most intriguing, we saw Sam pursue his birth parents, who, I have a feeling, will turn out to be more trouble than he bargained for.

So long, “True Blood.” Don’t wait too long to bring us another tasty jambalaya of drama, melodrama, comedy, crazy and creatures.

This was originally posted at Bay Windows.

∞Debbie

Two of the stars of HBO’s hit series True Blood, Nelsan Ellis (Lafayette Reynolds) and Rutina Wesley (Tara Thornton), were at the Kings bowling alley and restaurant on Dalton St. Saturday night. By 10 pm the line was already out the door and down the block with fans dying for a peek at the stars. Bay Windows was there to ask them a few questions.

BW: Nelsan Ellis’ character Lafayette is gay, even though Ellis isn’t. True Blood has garnered a huge queer following. How do you guys feel about that?
Rutina Wesley: I think the fact is this audience is what is keeping us on the air…at the end of the day they’re moved by out stories.

BW: What’s it like working with Alan Ball, the director/creator of the Golden Globe and Emmy Award winning series Six Feet Under?
RW: Working with Alan Ball is an actor’s dream. He knows how to communication and not make you run into the corner crying. [He’s] an actor’s dream. I feel lucky to be part of the show.
NE: A god among men. He’s a terrific boss, terrific writer, terrific director, he’s great.

BW: What is the most challenging part of playing your characters?
RW: Her range of emotions. It’s like a Hamlet for me-I get to go through and go there deeply. After the season ends, it takes a couple of months to get Tara out of my body.
NE: [Lafayette] has no structure. No family issues…he’s the only character who is independent of everyone. It’s hard having nothing to go on. And kissing a man.

BW: What is your favorite part about your character?
RW: I get to play a black woman on TV who is not stereotypical, and it allows me to create my own Tara that is very different from the books.
NE: [Lafayette’s] strength and his willingness to be who he is despite what society says. And he does it with pizzazz. His defiance I love.

BW: What do you think of the movie ’Twilight’?
RW: I think ’Twilight’ is for the teens and True Blood is for the adults. It’s raw.
NE: I like ’Twilight.’ It’s a little PG for me but it opens it up to people like my kid who couldn’t watch True Blood.