November 29, 2011 08:01 PM PST

It's Official: Chris Meloni Joins True Blood as a Series Regular — Exclusive New Details!

Get More: Casting News, Exclusive, News, Scoop

Michael Ausiello

That noise you hear is the sound of Twitter exploding into a million little pieces over the following news: After weeks of negotiations, Chris Meloni is officially joining True Blood as a series regular in Season 5.

According to executive producer Alan Ball, the former Law & Order: SVU front man will play, ”An ancient, powerful vampire who holds the fate of Bill and Eric in his hands.”

Major True Blood Spoiler Alert: Meet Eric’s Vampire “Sister”

The gig brings Meloni back into the HBO fold for the first time since his days on Oz. It also mark a high-profile return to the small screen for the upcoming Man of Steel actor following his sudden departure from SVU last spring.

Urgent Notice: I’ll be revealing more details about Meloni’s vamp alter ego in the next 24 hours on Twitter, so best start following me at @MichaelAusiello now!

Tags: Chris Meloni, HBO, True Blood

Comments (190)

So maybe one of the Authority Council vamps?!
Comment by Carrie – November 29, 2011 08:03 PM PST Reply To This Post
- I WANT STABLER BACK AT SVU NOT SAME WITHOUT HIM NOLIVIA TOGETHER
  Comment by deedee – November 30, 2011 11:31 PM PST Reply To This Post
  - Yes life goes on…but Stabler needs to have some closure.
    Maybe Meloni will come back as a guest to tie up loose end???
    Comment by M A – December 2, 2011 06:26 AM PST Reply To This Post
    - I HOPE STABLER COMES BACK TO GUEST STAR..IT IS NOT THE SAME WITHOUT HIM..
      Comment by MELISSA NALL – December 18, 2011 05:22 PM PST Reply To This Post
  - ME TOO!!!!
    Comment by Judy Testerman – December 14, 2011 06:25 AM PST Reply To This Post
  - I agree I haven’t watch the show since and I miss that show.
    Comment by Bernadette – December 14, 2011 08:13 AM PST Reply To This Post
  - Well, he obviously felt it was time for a change and I personally can’t wait to see him in True Blood. I think that they made the right call in castin Chris Meloni in the series.
    Comment by parkepg – February 6, 2012 08:00 AM PST Reply To This Post
- I’m thinking Appius Livius Ocella, Eric’s true maker (in the book), since there’s a teaser about meeting Eric’s vampire sister (although in the book it was a brother)
  Comment by Chastity – December 13, 2011 05:15 PM PST Reply To This Post
  - That would be a good one, but how would they explain Godric then? It is common knowledge that on the show, he is Eric’s maker, not Appius.
    Comment by Tara – December 13, 2011 05:29 PM PST Reply To This Post
    - they have to deviate from the book a bit in any series they do,HP,twilight,all of em,but id say if hes comin in as the all time elder here,and is bein cast as some how eriks maker,id have to say that meloni’s new role would b the one who made gofric to begin with,the eldest of the elders,who knows really,but all i do kno is hbo needs to make more than 12 friggin episodes per season,especially seein how we all wait a YEAR to even see it,then its gone in 3 months,i h8 that,they claim its to give us the best true blood possible,but i dont see much difference in season 4 from season 1,weird stuff happenin,vamps,wolves,shifters,come on,lets get serious and we need WAY more jessica,titties and all,she is the hottest chik on tv rite now,hands down
      Comment by jogrondin – December 14, 2011 08:45 AM PST Reply To This Post
  - He also had a sister
    Comment by Heather G – December 14, 2011 06:29 AM PST Reply To This Post
  - I think they didn’t want to get into the whole Erics brother was a small frail child that appius forced him to do terrible things with him after being changed…very not TV friendly things that i don’t think alan ball wanted to touch with a 10 foot pole i am okay with the change of characters
    Comment by Ohnoes – December 14, 2011 12:03 PM PST Reply To This Post
- Yeah, but as who? Because if he’s one of the weretigers, They will kill the show…And I would hate for that to happen!
  Comment by Lucy – December 13, 2011 05:41 PM PST Reply To This Post
- JC how many new series regulars/recurring characters will there be? It’s going to be GA- our faves get only a few mins because of stupid newbies like April. Gah.
  Comment by lorna – December 13, 2011 06:26 PM PST Reply To This Post
- Why is this new info if the date is still November 29th?
  Comment by Tina – December 14, 2011 01:24 PM PST Reply To This Post
This is like manna from heaven: Chris Meloni returning to the network that gave us “Oz” and a glimpse of all things Meloni! Make it happen, Universe!!!
Comment by AndyLuvr – November 29, 2011 08:03 PM PST Reply To This Post
- And remember: “Oz” gave us a NAKED Chris Meloni.
  Comment by Awesome – November 30, 2011 01:08 AM PST Reply To This Post
  - Yes it did Awesome, yes it did.
    Comment by BJohnson – November 30, 2011 02:27 AM PST Reply To This Post
    - Is HBO reading my Christmas list or my diary? Oh wait, in this case, that’s the same thing.
      Comment by Christine – December 11, 2011 04:33 PM PST Reply To This Post
  - My thoughts exactly!
    
    We need Maloni naked! It´s been 8 long years since OZ ended, damn it!
    Comment by monika – December 14, 2011 11:57 AM PST Reply To This Post
That Meloni has been dying to get back on a cable show where he can have gratuitous nude scenes?
Comment by Deion – November 29, 2011 08:03 PM PST Reply To This Post
Dream come true! Looking forward to his next roles after SVU!
Comment by maiv – November 29, 2011 08:04 PM PST Reply To This Post
Wow, as if there weren’t enough people masturbating while watching this show!
I hope they make his character as dark as Keller on Oz.
Comment by Analysis Paralysis – November 29, 2011 08:05 PM PST Reply To This Post
- Yeah, I was sitting in a cafe when I read this – I had to restrain myself!
  Comment by nvek – December 13, 2011 06:32 PM PST Reply To This Post
Squee? It’ll be tough to see Stabler in any other role.
Comment by emmitwest – November 29, 2011 08:06 PM PST Reply To This Post
- Sorry, It was harder for me to accept Meloni as Stabler after the amazing performances he gave as Keller in OZ.
  Comment by Kvivik – November 29, 2011 08:13 PM PST Reply To This Post
  - It was fun when there was the overlap between “Oz” and “SVU” – one week you’d see Chris Keller displaying his entire body in an attempt to seduce Rita Moreno and then get it on with Lee Tergesen’s Tobias Beecher and on “SVU” he’s all covered up doing the boring procedural crime stuff.
    Comment by AndyLuvr – November 29, 2011 10:56 PM PST Reply To This Post
  - Even harder watching him in Harold and Kumar.
    Comment by steph – December 13, 2011 09:22 PM PST Reply To This Post
- Stabler is actually vicious serial killer with penchant for handsome guys. He had you fooled. There was never any “Stabler”
  Comment by Wendell – December 14, 2011 04:47 AM PST Reply To This Post
So… shirtless? I’m pro-shirtless.
Comment by aleksa – November 29, 2011 08:06 PM PST Reply To This Post
YES!!!! He was the star of one of my fav shows & heading over to another. I’m thrilled!!!
Comment by Cocoanilla – November 29, 2011 08:07 PM PST Reply To This Post
yes Yes YES! Absolutely. If this doesn’t go through someone has some explaining to do.
Comment by Mrs. A – November 29, 2011 08:08 PM PST Reply To This Post
OH MY GOD!! This has to happen. It would be absolute perfection.
Comment by Tad – November 29, 2011 08:09 PM PST Reply To This Post
wasnt really looking forward to new season of True Blood after last seasons fairy crapfest but this makes me look forward to True Blood again
Comment by ggny – November 29, 2011 08:10 PM PST Reply To This Post
- i mean witches crapfest not fairies
  Comment by ggny – November 29, 2011 08:10 PM PST Reply To This Post
  - I’m there with you. Witches or fairies, crap is crap…
    Comment by captain skirt – November 30, 2011 12:10 AM PST Reply To This Post
- Obviously you havent read the books or you wouldnt be talking smack about true blood!!!If you read the books it explains it all;and it makes sense.
  Comment by Teresa – December 13, 2011 06:57 PM PST Reply To This Post
  - I have read the books but, True Blood is very loosly based on them. That’s why people are confused they changed Eric’s story with the Godric storyline(Which I loved Godric)and they killed off Claudine too early and not in the way she dies in the books. Still no Niall etc. Ijust wish they would follow the books more closely.
    
    When I saw Meloni as being cast in True Blood I immediately thought Quinn. But, I was wrong since he is going to be a vampire. My guess is the new Magister or Andre.
    Comment by Wendy – December 14, 2011 07:14 AM PST Reply To This Post
    - I could kind of see him as being Quinn, kinda. (:
      Comment by Truebie – January 20, 2012 08:26 PM PST Reply To This Post
    - Ohh & I love True Blood, don’t get me wrong, but I love the books better. More descriptive and just much better all together. I was at first disappointed but nevertheless, addicted. (:
      Comment by Truebie – January 20, 2012 08:28 PM PST Reply To This Post
Excellent!! And we know from Oz he’ll do full-frontal nudity! YUM!!!
Comment by Snapy – November 29, 2011 08:12 PM PST Reply To This Post
- They don’t do full frontals on True Blood, but anything else is fair game. So possible we’ll be seeing his butt on TB as long as he has sex scenes.
  Comment by Ashley – November 30, 2011 07:35 PM PST Reply To This Post
  - Eric did a full frontal when he was having sex with a human. It was all Eric; all of him!
    Comment by roaringwoman1 – December 13, 2011 07:51 PM PST Reply To This Post
    - Is this in the episode where Eric is in Fangtasia’s basement and Sookie comes in while he’s f***ing a girl?
      Comment by Jamie – December 14, 2011 07:41 AM PST Reply To This Post
    - When???? Which episode?? I totally missed that! WTH is wrong with me?? LOL
      Comment by ruandvin – December 14, 2011 10:23 AM PST Reply To This Post
- okay, i thought i was the only one drooling when i saw Chris Meloni aka Chris Keller do a full frontal.
  Comment by Sunny – December 13, 2011 05:11 PM PST Reply To This Post
I’d love to see Christopher Meloni on True Blood, he is awesome. He made OZ & SVU just insn’t the same w/o him. Bring him back to TV now!
Comment by Marc – November 29, 2011 08:15 PM PST Reply To This Post
I will never be able to accept Chris as anything other than Elliot Stabler :’(
Comment by Ashley – November 29, 2011 08:16 PM PST Reply To This Post
- Stabler who? You mean Keller. There is absolutely no downside to Meloni on TB.
  Comment by tarc – November 30, 2011 12:27 PM PST Reply To This Post
I love how anyone tries to guess! They NEVER follow the books, so there is no point guessing who it could be! They rarely even cast properly!

James Frain was completely miscast as the dapper suave Fraklin Mott! He was easily Mickey!!!

Anyhoo, excited non the less…lol
Comment by TBGURL – November 29, 2011 08:16 PM PST Reply To This Post
- He was supposed to kind of be a combined character of the two. I actually thought he was amazing on the show.
  Comment by Ashley – November 30, 2011 07:33 PM PST Reply To This Post
He gave up $400,000 per episode for that???????? Duh. Sorry, but I will never forgive him for ruining my favorite show…
Comment by Jessica – November 29, 2011 08:26 PM PST Reply To This Post
- He played the same character in your favorite show during what? Twelve years? Whatever he does, I get that one needs to change and not be self complacent. I think you should try and get over it. Would you do the same thing over and over again if you had the luxury to shake things up? It’s a bold move and he should have done it earlier. Like five years ago. Better late than never I guess… He’s an amazing actor, fearless. SVU was too safe. He’s better in chalenging roles, like Keller. Just my two cents…
  Comment by captain skirt – November 30, 2011 12:25 AM PST Reply To This Post
  - For 8 million a year, yes I would do the same thing over and over and be damn lucky to do so! Seriously, who else is going to pay him that much? He was the star and now he’s going to take bit parts for personal growth and less money because he was bored?? I don’t feel sorry for him and think he was nuts to give up the golden goose. At least he could have did it mid season last year so all of us shippers could have had some closure after waiting 12 damn years for nothing!
    Comment by Jessica – November 30, 2011 06:15 AM PST Reply To This Post
    - Ah, Jessica. I hope someday you find work that you love so much it changes your mind.
      Comment by Thom – November 30, 2011 10:28 PM PST Reply To This Post
      - When I’m the star of a hit tv show that has made me 100 million dollars, ask me if I won’t stay one or two more seasons until the show ends, rather than be jobless and have to audition for bit parts on vampire shows and a D-list movie roles…
        Comment by Jessica – December 1, 2011 01:39 PM PST
    - If I had 100 million dollars I sure as f**k hope I would stop letting money make my decisions. Jesus Christ, some people are greedy.
      Comment by Ben – December 14, 2011 06:14 AM PST Reply To This Post
      - Haha! Exactly, just how much money does he need to make off of SVU before he’s allowed to enjoy his money? If you worked at a job you didn’t like, and then won the lottery, you would sure quit, wouldn’t you? It doesn’t matter that he made a lot of money there—he already HAS a lot of money. WHy should he keep doing the same job day in and day out for money?
        Comment by sockpuppet – December 14, 2011 01:42 PM PST
- Jessica, you’re an idiot
  Comment by Jessica's an idiot – December 13, 2011 07:53 PM PST Reply To This Post
He will always be Detective Elliot Stabler to me, regardless of how many people he kills.
Comment by Stephanie – November 29, 2011 08:27 PM PST Reply To This Post
OMG (repeat endlessly) my true love returning to me!! SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Comment by laurie – November 29, 2011 08:36 PM PST Reply To This Post
Preach on- to go from ‘Oz’ to ‘SVU’ was a transition for me too- I always expected Meloni to bite off JK Simmons’s face when he guest starred as the SVU shrink before he went to ‘The Closer’.
Comment by ang – November 29, 2011 08:44 PM PST Reply To This Post
Netflix ‘oz’ and ‘harold and kumar go to white castle’. You can thank me later :p
Comment by ang – November 29, 2011 08:46 PM PST Reply To This Post
- YES! I love him in both harold and kumars. i was sad he wasnt in the 3rd one. He should have played the mob boss in 3, but he was great in 1 and 2, especially the wacked out guy with hot wife. He was fantastic in OZ and only reason I watched SVU. I have watched oz 4 times now and he is one of the main reasons. He was fantastic with beacher!
  Comment by brutus – November 29, 2011 09:02 PM PST Reply To This Post
- I would also suggest people check out Wet Hot American Summer….classic!
  Comment by Rachel – December 13, 2011 07:35 PM PST Reply To This Post
I remember when he was on “First and Ten” for a season. I didn’t get to see last season as I don’t have HBO. I watch it later. I hope he joins the cast. I think he’d make a good Quinn if the powers that be ever decide to introduce that character.
Comment by Snsetblaze – November 29, 2011 08:58 PM PST Reply To This Post
Chris Meloni on True Blood? This news has me so excited, I need to go fondle my sweaters.
Comment by Nate – November 29, 2011 09:12 PM PST Reply To This Post
YAAAAAAAAY!!! Dream come true. SVU sux w/o him. So excited if this comes to fruition.
Comment by Melissa – November 29, 2011 09:22 PM PST Reply To This Post
Meloni would make perfect casting as Quinn.
Comment by squeezit – November 29, 2011 09:23 PM PST Reply To This Post
- That was my first thought…
  Comment by Toni – November 30, 2011 06:02 AM PST Reply To This Post
- that was my first thought too, but Quinn isn’t a vampire! (assuming we believe the story has its facts straight….)
  
  Also, he seems just a little too old to be paired with Anna Paquin. Not too old for ME, though!! :- )
  Comment by ~kk – November 30, 2011 09:49 AM PST Reply To This Post
  - Well when you look at it Meloni and Moyer are only about 8 years apart and Anna Paquin is married to Moyer. But yes the 10ish years between Paquin and Moyer does seem more socially acceptable than the 20ish that would be between her and Meloni.
    Comment by Rachel – December 13, 2011 07:34 PM PST Reply To This Post
    - what are you talking about, socially acceptable? Me and mine are 19 years apart, and people don’t even blink.
      Comment by sockpuppet – December 14, 2011 01:44 PM PST Reply To This Post
- Gross, definantly not. I love Meloni, but when I think of Quinn he is not what I picture at all!
  Comment by Deb – December 13, 2011 05:17 PM PST Reply To This Post
Now that would be one badass vampire !
Comment by Bad Breaker – November 29, 2011 09:36 PM PST Reply To This Post
Chris Meloni + Alan Ball = Win
Comment by DL – November 29, 2011 09:44 PM PST Reply To This Post
Omg plz let this be true!i love Chris Meloni!!!!
Comment by silvia – November 29, 2011 10:10 PM PST Reply To This Post
God, I hope it’s true. This would be awesome casting scoop!
Comment by em – November 29, 2011 10:20 PM PST Reply To This Post
OH please oh please.. Chris back on TV, and CABLE!! Yes, HBO + Vampire + Chris = HEAVEN! He would be perfect for this, and NOT just because I want him back on TV..
Comment by Heather – November 29, 2011 10:24 PM PST Reply To This Post
Love him! I think he will be a great addition.
Comment by Sofia – November 29, 2011 10:43 PM PST Reply To This Post
Anybody else thinking maybe hell be Quinn ?
Comment by Steve costa – November 30, 2011 12:04 AM PST Reply To This Post
- That was my first thought too… though quinn had more of a mr. clean vibe in my head when I read the books. I’d get behind it though.
  Comment by tma6469 – November 30, 2011 11:35 AM PST Reply To This Post
- I highly doubt they’ll introduce the character of Quinn at all. They aren’t doing one book per season anymore (confirmed at comic con) and they definitely aren’t going to do anything resembling books 5 and 6. I’m guessing they are skipping ahead to book 8 and up. They’ve moved the story ahead so much with all the fairies being introduced and Hunter and killing QSA. Plus, there’s always Alcide as the fling that inevitably won’t last if they want to do that.
  
  I’m hoping Chris Meloni is cast as some version of Victure Madden. That would be awesome.
  Comment by Ashley – November 30, 2011 07:45 PM PST Reply To This Post
  - Oops, meant *Victor Madden
    Comment by Ashley – November 30, 2011 07:46 PM PST Reply To This Post
  - I totally forgot about Victor Madden. I was thinking new Magister or Andre. If they were following the books maybe I would agree. But, True Blood does not do as we expect because, Bill does not become King of LA. Felipe does Bill is just the investigator. So i guess we will just have to wait and see.
    I would be more apt to believe that Russell was a combination of Felipe, Victor and maybe even Andre. In the book Russell is not a villianous character.
    Comment by Wendy – December 14, 2011 07:33 AM PST Reply To This Post
- um did any of you read the tiny article above where they mention that he will be cast as an ancient vampire? A lot of wasted speculation because of laziness.
  Comment by sockpuppet – December 14, 2011 01:45 PM PST Reply To This Post
The Universe had heard my prayers! The raw sexuality and acting talent of Chris Meloni can only make this show better. My favorite show with my favorite actor. Wow, feels like my birthday and Christmas all wrapped into one. Thank you Michael, you always have the best scoops.
Comment by melonifanforever – November 30, 2011 01:35 AM PST Reply To This Post
Oooooh, maybe QUINN????
Comment by Simi – November 30, 2011 01:39 AM PST Reply To This Post
LOVE Chris Meloni. SVU is flailing around without him. He was the heart of that show. As TB is one of my fave shows, I REALLY hope they get him on. AWESOME!
Comment by Fudgefase – November 30, 2011 01:47 AM PST Reply To This Post
Please, please, PLEASE take your pants off Mr. Meloni!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Eric Kane – November 30, 2011 02:12 AM PST Reply To This Post
I agree, I attempted to watch SVU the other day and it was such a bore breaking in the new characters. I just got my HBO subscription back and that would be AWESOME!
Comment by BJohnson – November 30, 2011 02:29 AM PST Reply To This Post
Naked, naked, naked!!!!!!! Awesome news!!! XD
Comment by Alberto – November 30, 2011 04:22 AM PST Reply To This Post
So I guess i will have to start watching True Blood now, hmm Tv is awful without my secret Tv boyfriend!
Comment by sarah – November 30, 2011 05:09 AM PST Reply To This Post
Oh my!! Awesome news!
Comment by Tania – November 30, 2011 06:08 AM PST Reply To This Post
Chris Meloni in SVU did nothing for me but I loved him as Freakshow in the Harold & Kumar movies! He was soo funny, which I was not expecting.

As for him playing Quinn… I don’t see it. Plus I thought I read that Alcide was taking that role as Sookie’s luvah.
Comment by Pam – November 30, 2011 06:30 AM PST Reply To This Post
BEST NEWS EVER…
Comment by xA – November 30, 2011 07:27 AM PST Reply To This Post
I hope this happens, it would be awesome. I would love to see Eric and Bill do battle against his character, which I am sure would be the “King” of the authority. Make it happen TB. LOL
Comment by TV Fan – November 30, 2011 08:38 AM PST Reply To This Post
WOW! Would have never seen this coming but I would love to see him on TB!
Comment by Dee – November 30, 2011 08:59 AM PST Reply To This Post
LOVE this guy and he is sorely missed on SVU
Comment by carrington – November 30, 2011 09:33 AM PST Reply To This Post
Wow, that is fantastic news! I miss him on SVU, been a fan of his for probably 15 years or more. He would make a fantastic addition to True Blood.
Comment by Davina – November 30, 2011 09:48 AM PST Reply To This Post
OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG SFHASKLFJSDLGFIO4Y5928584TIODFNVIOVKN I CANNOT EVEN HANDLE THIS RIGHT NOW. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED HIM IN OZ AS CHRIS KELLER AND DET ELLIOT STABLER IN L&O: SVU. NOW TB?!?!?! OMG. I’M SO HAPPY. HOPEFULLY THIS IS TRUE. I MISS SEEING HIM ON TV. i bet he’s going to be a part of the authority council. i see him as the vamp that believes in rehab…
Comment by May – November 30, 2011 11:31 AM PST Reply To This Post
I’ll bite.
Comment by Sara – November 30, 2011 12:05 PM PST Reply To This Post
I am a major Law and Order SVU fan and i just hate to see Chris go….I dont think I could see him playing the role of a vampire after all the his part in the best show ever (SVU)
Comment by chloe – November 30, 2011 12:10 PM PST Reply To This Post
Who pays you to write this nonsense He quit SVU cause he wanted more money & you think he would go to True Blood for 1/10th his SVU Salary Per Episode? Really? For those that don’t know Cable Shows do not pay anything in the ballpark for actors on Network Shows unless the show is built around them to begin with like Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad. This is total PR BS done to generate Stabler’s name to try to get him more offers from the Networks. Don’t believe me? Wait and see.
Comment by Phil – November 30, 2011 01:21 PM PST Reply To This Post
- True Blood is HBOs biggest hit.
  
  Not only that, but he would only have to film 6 months out of the year, and that’s only IF he’s a regular.
  
  So he’d still have 6 months to work on other projects, and also get the money and exposure from TB.
  Comment by AShley – November 30, 2011 07:51 PM PST Reply To This Post
It would be kind of funny to see him play an Authority vamp. He would probably last until Russell kills him.
Comment by JohnDoe – November 30, 2011 02:27 PM PST Reply To This Post

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It's Official: Chris Meloni Joins True Blood as a Series Regular — Exclusive New Details!

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