“True Blood” renewed for fifth season

Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer of "True Blood" - HBO Photo

“True Blood” has been picked up by HBO for its fifth season, according to a news release.

“True Blood” is centered on a time when vampires have come out of the coffin and follows the on-and-off romance between waitress and part-faerie Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), who can hear people’s thoughts, and Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer), 173-year-old vampire.

Alan Ball is creator of the series and also serves as an executive producer of the show, which is based on the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris.

“True Blood” recently was given four Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series to Tulsa native Alfre Woodard.

Production on the series’ fifth season is scheduled for later this year in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in summer 2012.