After weeks of rumors, Christopher Meloni has officially signed on for the new season of “True Blood.”
As originally reported by TVLine, Meloni will portray ”an ancient, powerful vampire who holds the fate of Bill and Eric in his hands.” Meloni will also be a series regular during the fifth season of “True Blood.”
“True Blood” will mark Meloni’s return to HBO after portraying Chris Keller on “Oz.” However, Meloni is best known for playing Detective Elliot Stabler on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” for 12 seasons.
Additionally, Meloni has also appeared in numerous films and TV series, including the first two “Harold & Kumar” movies, “NYPD Blue,” “!2 Monkeys,” “Homicide: Life on the Street” and he also provided the voice of Hal Jordan in “Green Lantern: First Flight.” Meloni will also costar in the upcoming “Superman” film, “The Man of Steel.”
Thus far, Meloni is one of the most established actors joining the cast of “True Blood” for the new season. Kelly Overton and Louis Herthum have both been cast as werewolves, with Dale Dickey (“My Name is Earl”) as Annie, the werewolf mother of Marcus Bozeman, the former packmaster who was killed by Alcide Herveaux last season.
Lucy Griffiths will also join the cast as Nora, the vampire sister of Eric Northman; while Valentina Cervi will play the ancient vampire known as Salome.
“True Blood” will return for its fifth season on HBO in the summer of 2012.
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