True Blood: what happened to the famous cast members?

It started in 2008 and ended after 7 seasons and 80 episodes in 2014. We are talking about the successful series 'True Blood', whose cast was as big as the show.

But what did the actors and actresses do after the series that made them famous?

Image: HBO

True Blood was based on the books written by Charlaine Harries. In the HBO series, the show's main character, Sookie Stackhouse, was played by Anna Paquin, who had won an Oscar for her role in 'The Piano' (1993). But what happened when the show ended? Anna Paquin continued working and appeared in films like 'X-Men' in the role of Rogue, 'Alias Grace' (2017), and Martin Scorsese's movie ‘The Irishman’ (2019).

Stephen Moyer –also Anna Paquin's husband and father of twins— was the vampire, Bill Compton, for 7 seasons. After the show, some of his relevant works were 'Concussion' (2015) starring Will Smith and Alec Baldwin, and 'Killing Jesus' (2015), in the role of Pontius Pilate.

The handsome Swedish actor, Alexander Skarsgård, was the vampire Eric Northman and starred in every season. He has continued his work in successful projects such as 'Big Little Lies' (2018), 'Succession' (2021), and the movie, 'The Northman' (2022).

Rutina Wesley was the vampire Tara Thornton, one of the show's main characters. Once the series ended in 2014, we could see her in shows like 'Arrow' (2015-2017), 'Hannibal' (2015), and 'The Walking Dead' (2019).

Sam Merlotte was one of the protagonists of 'True Blood'. Where did we see the actor after the show? In movies like 'The Fault in Our Stars' (2014), 'About Ray' (2015), and the series, 'The Order' (2019). He has also starred in the films: 'I Am Wrath' with John Travolta and 'Imperium' (2016) with Daniel Radcliffe.

The superstar Joe Manganiello was an important character thanks to his role as the werewolf Alcide Herveaux. After the series' hit, he starred in 'Magic Mike XXL' in 2015, 'Justice League' in 2017, and more recently, in 'Metal Lords' in 2022.

Deborah Ann Woll was the young and attractive vampire, Jessica Hamby, transformed by Bill Compton in the series's second season. When the show finished, we saw her in 'Escape Room' (2021), its sequel in 2021, and in shows like Marvel's 'Daredevil' (2015-2018), 'The Defenders' (2017), and 'The Punisher' (2017-2019).

He was the medium Lafayette Reynolds throughout the entire show (2008-2014). Later, the actor starred in 'Get on Up' (2014) and had a recurring role as Shin Johnson in the series based on the Sherlock Holmes adventures, 'Elementary' (2016). Unfortunately, he passed away in 2017 due to complications with heart failure.

The oldest brother of the protagonist, Jason Stackhouse, was Ryan Kwanten who after the show appeared in the movie 'Blunt Force Trauma' along with stars like Freida Pinto and Mickey Rourke.

We saw her in a total of 13 episodes throughout the different seasons and was the original vampire who created Bill Compton. The show opened a door for her to successful series such as 'Criminal Minds' (2011), 'Dexter' (2011), and 'Devious Maids' (2013-).

He was the vampire king, Russell Edgington, in 11 episodes. You may know him from Ryan Murphy's series, 'American Horror Story'. He has also appeared in 'Law & Order' (2013), 'Big Little Lies' (2019), and 'American Gods' (2021).

The vampire Pam Swynford De Beaufort was played by the American actress, Kristin Bauer. Although we haven't seen much of her recently, she starred in Tom Ford's film, 'Nocturnal Animals' (2016).

He was the murderer Drew Marshall (known as Rene Lenier) in seasons 1,3 and 4. After that, he was part of the cast in TV series like 'Law & Order' (2011), 'The Walking Dead' (2012), and 'Once Upon a Time' (2012-2014).

Marshall Allman was Tommy Mickens, a Skinwalker, who showed up in the third season. He was in 22 episodes, between 2010 and 2011. Later, we have seen in him in 'CSI: Miami' (2011), 'Humans' (2016), and 'NCIS' (2018).

Fiona Shaw is known for being Aunt Petunia in the 'Harry Potter' saga, but in 'True Blood', she was the medium Marnie Stonebrook in 12 episodes. What has she done after that? In films like 'Pixels' (2015) and 'Colette' (2018) and shows like 'Killing Eve' (2018-2022).

The character of Luna Garza was able to transform herself into anything she wanted, and it was played by Janina Gavankar. The actress seemed to have a thing for vampires and superpowers because after 'True Blood', Luna participated in 'The Vampire Diaries'.

The police officer, Andy Bellefleur, that we could see throughout the entire show (in 64 episodes) was played by Chris Bauer. After the show, he sporadically starred in series like 'Law & Order' (2016-2017), 'American Crime Story' (2016), 'The Deuce' (2017 and 2019), 'Modern Family' (2017), and 'Homeland' (2020).

Hoyt Fortenberry was a simple human but survived throughout the entire series (51 episodes). It was interpreted by Jim Parrack who, afterward, worked with Brad Pitt in 'Fury' (2014), and in 'Suicide Squad' in 2016.

She was Rikki Naylor in 14 episodes as a member of the werewolf pack of Shreveport. Like many other actors from the cast, Naylor continued her work in the sci-fi realm being the protagonist of the show 'Van Helsing' (2016-2021).

In 2012, Lucy Griffiths joined the cast in season 5 as another vampire, Nora Gainsborough. She was in a total of 18 episodes, appearing in part of season 6 as well. But what happened after that? We saw her in movies like 'Constantine' (2014) and 'Preacher' (2015).

Michael McMillian was the reverend Steve Newlin. He was one of the leaders of the 'Community of Sun', an anti-vampire church that wants to recruit an army to fight vampires. The actor's career hasn't been a success, just making an appearance in 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' (2015).

Between 2013 and 2014, Jurnee Smollett-Bell was Nicole Wright. In 2020, we could see her as part of the main cast of 'Lovecraft Country'.

After playing "Eggs" Benedict Talley (2008-2009), Mehcad Brooks participated in 'Law & Order' and 'Alcatraz' (2012). In 2021, he was part of the cast of 'Mortal Kombat' as Jax Briggs.

Remember the waitress, Ginger? She was played by Tara Buck who was seen in projects like the show 'Ray Donovan' (2016-2017) and the film 'Inherit the Viper' (2019).

Where was Adina Porter after being Lettie Mae Daniels? The actress has starred in different seasons of 'American Horror Stories'.

She was the Merlotte's waitress Arlene Fowler from 2008-2014. Although playing one of the main characters, Carrie Preston hasn't worked much on anything as big as True Blood, except for a small appearance in episode 9, season 2 of the series 'Grace & Frankie'.

After playing Holly Cleary (2010-2014), Lauren Bowles hasn't stopped working and we have been able to see her in 'Scandal' (2014), 'The Messengers' (2015), 'NCIS: Los Angeles' (2015), 'Modern Family' (2017) and 'How to Get Away with Murder' (2020).

'The Mentalist' (2014), 'Grey's Anatomy' (2015), 'Blue Blood' (2015), 'Scream' (2015-16), and 'Criminal Minds' (2016) are some of the projects in which Amelia Rose Blair has been involved since playing Willa Burrell, the Louisiana Governor's daughter in the sixth season of the show.

In the fifth season, he played the father of Alcide Herveaux (Joe Manganiello). As an absolute veteran of the film industry, Robert Patrick has extensive filmography and a role in important shows like 'Sons of Anarchy' (2014), 'The Walking Dead' (2021), and more recently, 'Peacemaker'.

After her role in the first season of the show as Amy Burley (2008), Lizzy Caplan's career (who had already worked in big productions) kept on growing in projects like 'World War Z' (2012) along with Brad Pitt, with whom she also worked in 'Allied' (2016), and as the protagonist of the show 'Master of Sex' (2013-2016).

In the fifth season of the show, Christopher Meloni joined the cast to play the 500-year-old vampire, Roman Zimojic. After the show, he has been in 'Pose' (2018), 'The Handmaid's Tale' (2019), and 'Law & Order' (2021-).

After being the vampire James Kent in the sixth season of 'True Blood', the big opportunity for the actor came with 'Fifty Shades of Grey' (2015, 2017, 2018), where he played the brother of the protagonist.

In the seventh season, we had a different actor playing James Kent. It was the Australian actor Nathan Parson who later had a role in shows like 'Once Upon a Time' (2017) and 'Roswell, New Mexico' (2019-).

Kevin Alejandro was the brujo Jesus Velasques between 2010-2012. We have been able to see Velasques in 'Arrow' (2013-2014), 'Grey's Anatomy' (2015), and especially 'Lucifer' (2016-2021).

The actress who played the role of Sarah Newlin in the second season, Anna Camp, has participated in shows like 'The Office' (2009), 'Glee' (2009), 'Mad Men' (2010), 'The Good Wife' (2011-2016), 'How I Met Your Mother' (2013), and 'The Mindy Project' (2012-2013).