The characters from the TV show True Blood are sure to be some of the most popular Halloween costumes this year.  True Blood is an HBO TV series that was created and is mostly written by Alan Ball.  Alan Ball is most famous for his TV show Six Feet Under which chronicled the life and family relationships of the Fischer family and their family owned mortuary.  Six Feet Under was wildly popular with fans and won a lot of critical acclaim for its brilliant writing and sharp cinematography.  True Blood has shown to have the same grit, wit, humor, insight and edgy darkness that Six Feet Under had.  True Blood has developed a loyal cult of followers who are hooked on the show. The unique characters on this Southern Gothic steeped vampire show are ideal for Halloween costumes.

The show is based on a series of books called the The Southern Vampire Mysteries.  The show is built around a young telepathic waitress, Sookie Stackhouse, who works in a bar called Merlotte’s in the small town of Bon Temps Louisiana. In the True Blood world vampires and humans live side by side because of the creation of a synthetic blood substitute that the vampires use to survive instead of human blood.  Some humans aren’t exactly comfortable with this arrangement but they tolerate it as long as the vampires and other creatures of the night don’t cause a lot of trouble.  Sookie’s boss at the bar is Sam Merlotte, a shape shifter. Sam is protective of Sookie and often changes form into that of a big black dog and watches over her. Jason Stackhouse, Sookie’s brother, eventually joins an anti-vampire church and begins flirting with religious zealotry and starts to develop a deep hatred of vampires. Bill Compton is Sookie’s love interest, a vampire who has remarkable compassion for humans.  Bill was turned into a vampire during the Civil War Era but has never lost his love and empathy for humans. Originally Sookie is drawn to him because she cannot read his thoughts the way that she can read other people’s thoughts. Eric Northman, another vampire, is interested in Sookie. Eric is the sheriff of one of the five local vampire precincts and is known for his vehement punishment of any crimes against vampires.

Other important human and vampire characters in Bon Temps include Jessica Hamby who is a teenager that was turned into a vampire by Bill Compton at the end of season 1 of the show. Bill was forced to turn Jessica after he killed a vampire who threatened Sookie. Sheriff Bud Dearborne, a human, is prejudiced against vampires and was very good friends with Sookie’s parents so he takes a special interest in her and her brother Jason and is not happy about Sookie’s relationship with Bill Compton. Another human, Tara Thornton, is Sookie’s best friend and an important part of the story.

Like Six Feet Under True Blood has gathered viewers from many different social groups. The quirky, edgy characters and Southern Gothic roots of the stories appeal to old and young alike.

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