This Vampire Authority member will make her first appearance on True Blood Season 5, and Carolyn Hennesy recently described the character to me as a “great dame,” one in the mold of the aforementioned legend.

“She’s just a grand old broad,” the actress said. “She’s someone who thinks pearls go with everything and hair can never be too high. She has a tremendous sense of humor.”

That’s not how I would have pictured an Authority member, but Hennesey said fans of this HBO series are in for a few surprises when they meet who she describes as “the Pope and the Cardinals” of the vampire world. (Chrisopher Meloni, as Roman, would be the Pope in this analogy.)

“There are two principle factions within the Authority,” Hennesy explained. “There are those who believe in mainstreaming, who wish to assimilate the humans and those who… do not. They simply view humans a never-ending buffet.”

And on which side does Hennesy’s Rosalyn fall?

“Rosalyn is of the mindset that humans developed Tru Blood, they landed a man on the moon, they discovered Penicillin. What other miracles can they pull off? What else can they do for us?”

So it sounds like Rosalyn will be on the side of Eric and Bill when they inevitably clash with the Authority. Right? It won’t be that simple, the actress teases.

“We are very skeptical when we meet them,” she said. “Relationships become very convoluted and confused. There will be tremendous shenanigans within the Authority and Bill and Eric will become part of that. Whose side are they on? That will be revealed as time goes on.”

Hennesy, who also promises “huge battles” to come on season five, admitted that she never saw True Blood before landing this part.

But she then say in her office for 10 days and gave “the best Christmas present to myself that I ever had” by watching all four seasons in a row.

“I became addicted,” she said. “This show is the modern opium. You get everything: blood, fore, violence and sex. On a much deeper level, even, you get subtle, layered performances with brilliant writing. And it’s just beautiful to look at. It’s a skinny dip into a multi-colored pool.”

True Blood returns with new episodes on Sunday, June 10.

The DVD and blu-ray will be released on the 10th of July, and will initially only be available from Amazon.  As well as the two-and-a-half hour theatrical version, a three-hour-six-minute extended director’s cut will also be included. 

Source: The New Yorker

HBO has released a new, extended trailer for this summer’s new episodes and it depicts Bill and Eric discussing how to best use Sookie in their fight against the Authority; it gives us a look at Christopher Meloni in the key role of Roman; and it teases a moment between Sookie and Alcide that’s both hot and heavy.

There’s also talk of a human uprising, as well as the farming of people like animals.

Get your first look at plenty of new season five footage below and then visit our True Blood video section for many more clips.

True Blood Season 5 Preview

Aside from featuring the regular cast of (very attractive) of characters, the promotional photos also give us another look at Christopher Meloni as Roman, the leader of the Vampire Authority, along with an image of a returning Russell Edgington and… spoiler alert?

There’s one of Tara.

Click through the slew of posters below now, and then visit our True Blood spoilers section for descriptions of the opening three episodes:

Anna Paquin makes her way back inside after enjoying a quiet morning on her rooftop patio on Monday (May 7) in Venice Beach, Calif.

The 29-year-old pregnant True Blood actress was joined on the patio by one of her furry friends!

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Anna Paquin

True Blood returns with new episodes next month! This season, Law & Order: SVU alum Christopher Meloni is joining the cast. Check out the pictures if you haven’t seen them yet!

10+ pictures inside of Anna Paquin enjoying a quiet morning on her rooftop patio…

After nearly 20 years in “the biz” Anna Paquin has come to terms with what she’ll never be: a hipless, assless supermodel.

Fashion magazine’s cover girl explained:

“I’ve spent a lot of time figuring out what looks good for my body for fittings, and I’ve taken notes. I’m 5’4? and change! I know I will never be like [Gisele Bundchen], and I also know I will never be a hipless, assless supermodel.”

Ha!

As for her style, Anna adds:

“I’m not a ballgown kind of girl. I don’t think the red carpet is my prom. I prefer edgier cuts and darker designs because they suit me. I’ve learned how to dress for my shape, and I have to be able to sit, stand, walk properly and shake hands in an outfit without feeling confined.”

Good for you Sookie! We can’t wait to see how you tackle the red carpet now that you’ve got a bun in the oven!

[Image via WENN.]

Starting with the June 10 season premiere, as teased in this official HBO description.

In the following sneak peek, we hear some chanting, we see some blood drawn and we get our first glimpse at Christopher Meloni in the key new role of Roman, the leader of these rules. Watch the clip now:

True Blood Sneak Peek: Christopher Meloni as Roman

HBO released a series of season five photos last week, depicting each of the Authority members, along with Eric’s sister, Terry’s army pal and a lot more. Check out these True Blood episode images now!

Jessica Hamby (Deborah Ann Woll) – photo by HBO/John P. Johnson

New True Blood Season 5 stills of Jessica Hamby (Deborah Ann Woll) and Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) have been released.

Click on each picture to enlarge for better quality.

Thanks to imhereforsookie! for the pics!

Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) – photo by HBO/John P. Johnson