Even though only two episodes of the third season have aired, HBO has already announced that "True Blood" has been renewed for its fourth season.
HBO has ordered 12 new episodes for the fourth season, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The fourth season will debut in the summer of 2011.
"I am beyond thrilled to be able to continue working with this amazing cast and crew," said "True Blood" creator Alan Ball. "This is the most fun I have ever had."
Last week's third season premiere scored 5.1 million viewers, nearly 40% higher than the previous season's opener. The ratings for last night's episode have not yet been publicly released, but presumably HBO is pleased with the reaction to the third season thus far.
"True Blood" is based on "The Southern Vampire Mysteries" novel series by Charlaine Harris and was developed by Ball for HBO. The series takes place in a fictional town called Bon Temps, in which humans and vampires live together openly. Anna Paquin stars as Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic waitress who falls in love with a vampire named Bill Compton; portrayed on the series by Stephen Moyer.
Alexander Skarsgård, Rutina Wesley, Sam Trammell, Nelsan Ellis, Deborah Ann Woll and Evan Rachel Wood also star in the series. New episodes of the third season of "True Blood" are currently airing Sundays at 9PM on HBO.
