True Blood Season 3 Casting News

Season 3 of HBO's hit series True Blood may still be a few excruciating months away, but casting news for the series is seriously heating up this winter. Last season, "True Blood" brought us manaeds, endless orgies, crazed anti-vamp zealots and introduced us to Bill's teen aged vamp daughter Jessica. The latest casting news for season 3 hints that we will soon be seeing werewolves in Bon Temps, and that Lafayette will be getting a boyfriend!

The most exciting tidbit is that Joe Manganiello has been cast as hunky werewolf Alcide Herveaux, who may be competing with Bill and Eric for Sookie's affections. Manganiello is best known for playing Owen on "One Tree Hill" and has appeared on "How I Met Your Mother".

Fan favorite Lafayette Reynolds will have a new love interest named Jesus, an orderly who's taking care of Lafayette's mother. Kevin Alejandro, previously seen on "Southland" will play Jesus, while Emmy-ward winning actress Alfre Woodard will play his mom.

Lafayette's cousin Tara, who spent most of season 2 as one of Maryann's zombies, gets a new boo too, in the form of vampire Franklin Mott, played by "Tudors" star James Frain. Franklin is described as tall, dark, and handsome. I say the more hot dead guys on the show the better.

Meanwhile, Tara's mother Lettie Mae will be seeking comfort from Reverend Daniels. Character actor Gregg Daniel (NYPD Blue).has been cast in the role.

Sookie's well-meaning but not-so-bright brother Jason will take a shine to a shifter named Crystal Norris, played by Lindsay Pulsipher of "The Beast" fame. Crystal and Jason share an immediate and intense connection. That can't possibly bode well, can it?

Last but certainly not least, gorgeous vamp Eric Northman gets a new dancer at Fangtasia named Yvette, with whom he shares more than a professional relationship. Yvette will be played by Natasha Alam ("The Bold and the Beautiful"). Series creator Alan Ball has hinted that we'll possibly be seeing Eric naked in the new season. That should make some fan girls happy!

It looks like season 3 of "True Blood" is shaping up to be just as exciting as the first two. I can't wait to see what happens!

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