True Blood: Alan Ball To Exit As Showrunner

If True Blood goes to a sixth season in 2013 (which seems likely), there will be a new man in charge. HBO has announced that Alan Ball, creator of True Blood , is to quit his role as day-to-day showrunner.

In a statement Ball announced: “ True Blood has been, and will continue to be, a highlight of not only my career but my life. Because of the fantastic cast, writers, producers and crew, with whom I have been lucky enough to work these past five years, I know I could step back and the show will continue to thrive as I look forward to new and exciting ventures.”

HBO added: “When we extended our multi-year overall deal with Alan Ball in July 2011, we always intended that if we proceeded to True Blood ’s sixth season, Alan would take a supervisory role on the series and not be the day-to-day showrunner. If we proceed to season six, the show will remain in the very capable hands of the talented team of writers and producers who have been with the show for a number of years. This is the best possible world for both HBO and Alan Ball. Alan will remain available as executive producer to consult and advise on True Blood and he will be free to develop new shows for both HBO and Cinemax. Banshee , on which Alan serves as executive producer, is the first in house series for Cinemax and is expected to begin production this spring.”

Banshee , despite the title, apparently has no supernatural elements. TVLine also reports that Ball is also developing a medical drama about an abortion doctor for HBO.

True Blood ’s fifth season is expected to premiere on HBO in the States in June.