Country of origin United States Original network HBO | No. of episodes 12 | |
Original release June 26 (2011-06-26) – September 11, 2011 (2011-09-11) | ||
The fourth season of the television series True Blood contains 12 episodes, bringing the series total to 48. The season premiered on June 26, 2011. Though the storyline picks up twelve and a half months after the events of season three; the season still begins immediately after final scene of "Evil Is Going On". It is loosely based on the fourth novel in The Southern Vampire Mysteries series, Dead to the World.
Contents
Production
Filming for season four commenced in Los Angeles, California, on December 1, 2010.
As a special promotional broadcast, the season's second episode "You Smell Like Dinner" was made available on HBO Go a week earlier than usual. This, combined with the 4th of July holiday, is theorized to account for the dramatic decline in ratings for that particular episode.
The series hit record high ratings with episode 9 of season 4, titled "Let's Get Out of Here". The episode drew 5.53 million viewers, making it the most watched episode of True Blood to date.
Casting
On November 8, 2010, Deadline reported that Irish stage actress/director Fiona Shaw (best known in the United States for her role as Aunt Petunia in the Harry Potter films) had been cast as Marnie, an insecure and timid palm reader who is possessed by the spirit of a powerful witch. Former Dexter star Courtney Ford has been cast in the recurring role of Portia Bellefleur, sister to Andy. Actor Dane DeHaan (In Treatment) has also been cast as Timbo. On November 23, Deadline reported that actress Jessica Tuck, who portrays vampire spokesperson Nan Flanagan, will be promoted to series regular starting this season. Three new female cast members were announced: Janina Gavankar (The L Word, The Gates) will play a public school teacher named Luna, who is also a shapeshifter; Alexandra Breckenridge (Life Unexpected, Family Guy) will play a wiccan named Katie; and relative newcomer Vedette Lim will play Naomi, a fierce cage fighter. Daniel Buran will play Marcus, the pack master of the Shreveport werewolves and Alcide's superior and, as in the previous season, Allan Hyde will reprise his role as Godric. Gary Cole (Office Space, Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law) will play Earl Stackhouse.